BlizzCon 2022, which was to take place in February and be a largely virtual event alongside small, in-person gatherings, has been cancelled. The decision comes amidst ongoing lawsuits and investigations alleging widespread sexual harassment and discrimination at Activision Blizzard.
Blizzard says that the energy usually dedicated to putting on the yearly convention will instead be put towards “supporting our teams and progressing development of our games and experiences.”
An update on BlizzConline: https://t.co/JmEhX88xF6 pic.twitter.com/q2llPl77pj
— Blizzard Entertainment (@Blizzard_Ent) October 26, 2021
With no BlizzCon for next year, Blizzard will also take the extra time to “reimagine” what the event could look like.
“The first BlizzCon was held 16 years ago, and so much has changed in the time since–most notably, the multiple ways in which players and communities can come together and feel like they are a part of something bigger,” Blizzard’s statement reads. “Whatever the event looks like in the future, we also need to ensure that it feels as safe, welcoming, and inclusive as possible.”
New game announcements and updates are usually shared at each year’s BlizzCon, but while there won’t be a BlizzCon 2022, there will still be news on that front in the months ahead.
“We have a lot of exciting upcoming news and releases to share with you,” Blizzard’s statement reads. “You’ll continue hearing about those through our franchise channels, with the talented people on the BlizzCon team playing a part in supporting these efforts.”
Blizzard is currently in production on Diablo IV, Overwatch 2, and, presumably, the next World of Warcraft expansion. None of the titles mentioned above have an official release date.
Source: Gamespot
