Bashiok on BlizzCon: "It makes sense to focus our efforts"

Bashiok - No Blizzcon
Yeah it's a bit disappointing because we all really do enjoy being able to 'open the doors' so to speak. But, it is an enormous effort by all employees, including our game designers and artists, not to mention customer support and quality assurance, PR, our business departments, and *hot breath on fingernails & shirt rub* Community & eSports to make a BlizzCon happen. In a year when we're working to release multiple titles (knock on wood) it makes sense to focus our efforts. Also with multiple game releases we just wonder if we'd be at a point with any of them where we'd have anything really big or new or cool to talk about.
We didn't have a BlizzCon in 2006 either, and at that time we were really strong on the idea that BlizzCon isn't really supposed to be and doesn't have to be an annual event. Of course then we have it for five straight years in a row... which obviously built some expectation.
Personally I always enjoy seeing the excitement, the rushing crowds, hearing the clicking of mice on the demo stations, and waiting in agony as the seconds countdown to an announcement and then the waves of emotion from the crowd that follow it. But thinking about our year and what we're trying to get done already without a BlizzCon, and having to think pretty hard about what we'd have to announce or demo, it just makes sense to me not to have one.
Here's to the Battle.net World Championship, it's going to be awesome, and to a bigger and better BlizzCon in 2013.
We didn't have a BlizzCon in 2006 either, and at that time we were really strong on the idea that BlizzCon isn't really supposed to be and doesn't have to be an annual event. Of course then we have it for five straight years in a row... which obviously built some expectation.
Personally I always enjoy seeing the excitement, the rushing crowds, hearing the clicking of mice on the demo stations, and waiting in agony as the seconds countdown to an announcement and then the waves of emotion from the crowd that follow it. But thinking about our year and what we're trying to get done already without a BlizzCon, and having to think pretty hard about what we'd have to announce or demo, it just makes sense to me not to have one.
Here's to the Battle.net World Championship, it's going to be awesome, and to a bigger and better BlizzCon in 2013.
So there you have it. With multiple titles aimed for release this year, not only would it be a lot of work to also run a convention, but then the convention wouldn't have much to show, since all the titles would have been released beforehand. While this is sad news, it does definitely make me think we're going to be running around Pandaria (and freeing Sanctuary, and dealing with the Zerg) well before the middle of this year.
The news is out -- we'll be playing Mists of Pandaria! Find out what's in store with an all-new talent system, peek over our shoulder at our Pandaren hands-on, and get ready to battle your companion pets against others. It's all here right at WoW Insider!Filed under: BlizzCon, Worldwide Invitational
Patch 5.2 interview with Dave Kosak
Inside an old alt's vault
The latest patch 5.2 news
All of the latest Mists of Pandaria news





Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
Arrohon Jan 25th 2012 4:17PM
Surprisingly enough, Blizzard LOOSES money at Blizzcon. They might make more in the long run from the hype, but the event itself costs more than they gain from tickets and merchandise.
Al Jan 25th 2012 4:45PM
"We have nothing to flog this year, so we have no interest in talking to you."
Kagato Jan 25th 2012 3:33PM
I'm guessing the real reason is that they don't want a repeat of the Alliance bashing bull that got them in trouble last year, makes sense.
SamLowry Jan 25th 2012 3:33PM
Sounds like all the big releases will be out before the fall, therefore leaving nothing really to talk about.
Thander Jan 25th 2012 3:49PM
A Titan announcement would be nice. =)
Eleph Jan 25th 2012 3:50PM
Even though it's only been 3 months since Blizzcon and I think about my time spent there almost daily, I'm a bit relieved at this announcement. As much as I'd love to head out to Anaheim again this year, it really doesn't seem to me like they'd have a whole lot of content to make the event as good as those from years prior.
Or Galestrom's right. Maybe this is their Mayan contingency plan.
Valorum Jan 25th 2012 3:51PM
This on the same day LOTRO announces yet another expansion....
byronius_prime Jan 25th 2012 5:14PM
And this is relevant how, exactly?
Possum Jan 25th 2012 8:40PM
Yeah I tried to figure out what he meant too. I guess broadly he's either suggesting people should all play LOTRO or that LOTRO is better than Wow because it's providing new content? Or something? Besides being a troll response it doesn't even really make sense. I guess that's in good troll fashion though.
chris Jan 25th 2012 4:24PM
This may have something to do with Activision not being very pleased with the negative PR from the recent Blizzcon.
godking Jan 25th 2012 5:02PM
What negative pr? I didn't hear about this, fill me in.
Paciphae Jan 25th 2012 5:21PM
Google "Blizzcon George Fisher video", and after you've looked at that, google "Mike Morhaime apologizes". It wasn't pretty.
Matthew Jan 25th 2012 4:58PM
They couldn't figure out how to make a Murloc Panda.
godking Jan 25th 2012 5:00PM
IF(when) blizz comes out with all 3 major titles this year and a moose mount and pony, then il be ok without blizzcon. Still sad though. But honestly good move on blizz, I got your back.....if I get my moose mount lol.
Zato Jan 25th 2012 5:09PM
I'm a sad Panda. Having been to the past 3 Blizzcons, I was really looking forward to it.
Paciphae Jan 25th 2012 5:23PM
I was really looking forward to finally finding out a little bit about this much anticipated 'Titan project'. Poo.
techno-warrior6 Jan 25th 2012 6:03PM
I really hope this is a hint has to when MoP comes out. Please be Q2 or Q3 that would be great
thebug Jan 25th 2012 6:19PM
Discussion around the water cooler at Blizz HQ:
Dev1: Crap, we're are sooo far behind on MoP. I'll never see sunshine again.
Dev2: I feel your pain bro. Starcraft seems to fall farther and farther behind no matter how much OT we put in.
Dev3: Yeah, if the suits don't stop coming up with changes to D3 this thing will never get released.
Dev 4: Blizzcon is gonna be horrible this year, with all the players QQing about why we haven't released anything yet.
CM: Hey, that gives me an idea .............
Lipstick Jan 26th 2012 3:37PM
Pure win!
merewyn1066 Jan 25th 2012 6:25PM
Figures, just because this year it's actually feasable for me to go. Oh well, next year perhaps.