BlizzCon 2020 Officially Canceled

In a blog post earlier today, Blizzard announced that it would be canceling BlizzCon 2020, which was set to take place in Anaheim, CA in November. Blizzard joins the list of many other gaming events to be canceled amid health concerns, and in an announcement earlier this year announced that the plans for the event were uncertain. 

BlizzCon's executive producer, Saralyn Smith, wrote in her blog post:

[W]e’ve had many discussions about what holding a convention could look like in light of all the health and safety considerations we’d want to make. We’ve also talked about different paths we could take, and how each one could be complicated by fluctuations in national and local health guidelines in the months ahead. Ultimately, after considering our options, we’ve come to the very difficult decision to not have BlizzCon this year.

While this would be a blow to would-be BlizzCon attendees, Smith also added:

We’re talking about how we might be able to channel the BlizzCon spirit and connect with you in some way online, far less impacted by the state of health and safety protocols for mass in-person gatherings.

This begs the question of what a digital event could look like. This could look like anything from an immersive walk through experience or maybe potentially in game events showcasing new or upcoming content. A digital event would also bring the experience to the masses, allowing more fans to participate and be part of a digital BlizzCon experience. If game studios can create a digital event beyond watching a livestream, we could see a whole new era of web-based experiences ushered in where more people can actively participate in the event.

Smith wrote in her post that the company might target sometime early next year for a digital event. Until then, Blizzard fans will have to hang tight and be satisfied with playing the titles they enjoy.

[W]e hope to see you exploring the Shadowlands, hanging out in the Tavern, pushing the payload (do it!), and wherever else in the Blizzard universes you may roam.

What events are you most disappointed to see canceled this year and what are you doing to tide yourself over in the meanwhile? Let me know in the comments below.