Blizzard balloons BlizzCon 08

Soon-to-be merged World of Warcraft maker supersizes annual convention in Anaheim, CA, taking place October 10-11; tickets run for $100.

Few development houses command a devoted fan base large enough to warrant its own fully fledged convention, let alone two meetups, in a single year. Of course, few gamemakers possess the clout to be cited as the impetus behind a near-$19 billion merger, either. However, such is the case for Blizzard Entertainment, and with the Blizzard Worldwide Invitational '08 scheduled for June 28-29 in Paris, the Irvine, California-based developer today took the wraps off its second major convention of the year, BlizzCon 08.

Returning once again to the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, BlizzCon 08 is scheduled to run October 10 and 11 and will expand from two to three convention-center halls to accommodate growing demand. Tickets run for $100 apiece, and Blizzard plans to entertain showgoers with a variety of activities.

As with past shows, the developer will be offering hands-on time with a few of its upcoming games, as well as panel discussions, tournaments, costume and other talent contests, and a silent auction. Blizzard plans to dish out more activity details in the coming weeks and months via the official BlizzCon Web site.

Blizzard has in the past taken advantage of the large gatherings of its fan base to announce new games. As part of the Blizzard World Invitational in Seoul, South Korea, last May, the developer debuted the much-requested Starcraft II. At BlizzCon 07 later that year, Blizzard officially announced Wrath of the Lich King, the second expansion to its phenomenally popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game World of Warcraft.

This year, speculation runs rampant on what news, if any, will arise during the events. Already, rumors have sprung up that Wrath of the Lich King is approaching finalization, having entered a closed alpha-testing phase, and may appear as early as November. Speculation on whether Blizzard will revive its long-dormant Diablo franchise has also reached a fever pitch, most recently thanks to the developer acquiring the diablo3.com domain name earlier this month.

63 Comments

  • GrimGravy

    Posted Jun 21, 2008 2:41 pm PT

    ever think maybe diablo 3 could be a prequel....

  • Fill07

    Posted May 26, 2008 6:28 pm PT

    WoW blows, Diablo and starcraft= too much time spend on a couple franchises.

  • Vorodor21

    Posted May 14, 2008 11:43 am PT

    @deathscythe999

    "Death" didn't stop Diablo from coming back in the second game.

  • TheCyberKnight

    Posted May 14, 2008 9:02 am PT

    "Tickets run for $100 apiece, and Blizzard plans to entertain showgoers with a variety of activities."

    Apparently, there will be Ping-Pong tables again...

  • zedizdead

    Posted May 13, 2008 3:49 pm PT

    I'll go to Disneyland instead. It's cheaper. I never thought I'd say that.

  • McGregor

    Posted May 13, 2008 8:22 am PT

    I hope Diablo 3 is released. I need something that is even more casual than WoW claims to be. To be able to solo every mission would be nice. Or even a setup like Guild Wars would be preferrable. Where i can commission NPC's to take the place of real players for instances if i lack real life players. All that with the detail that blizzard puts into a game would be amazing. (although i do think guild wars, visually, looks much better).

  • deathscythe999

    Posted May 13, 2008 7:32 am PT

    I seriously doubt Diablo 3 will ever see the light of day. Diablo 2 came out in what...'99/'00 and the online aspects of it aren't even held up to the standards of their other games, yes I remember the hacker filled games of Diablo 1 and the Barbarians in God mode that could whirlwind in town in Diablo 2. Even if you were to follow the storyline Blizzard killed off 2 out of 4 Lesser Evils, and all 3 PRIME evils. You can claim what you want to about the "World Stone", but it sounded to me like losing it cost the world the ability to use magic. So a Diablo 3...not in my lifetime.

    Even looking at the "Dungeon Crawlers of today, the old school style of over the top isometric view is gone, even Fallout has gone FPS, or even 3rd person to some extent, and if you want to claim it's in progress just because they bought a domain name....Conan O'Brien got NBC to purchase "hornymanatee.com" just because he mentioned it on air.

    This "BlizzCon" will most likely serve for no other purpose than to toot their own horn and push WoW even more since WarHammer Online is comming out,,,,eventually.

  • klugenbeel

    Posted May 13, 2008 6:48 am PT

    Zennious, Diablo 3 being a MMORPG, is doubtful. Why would Blizzard make a game head on compete with a game they made, it's just not a smart business move. Diablo 3 being done they way we know and love it in the past, makes sense, something with both Online and Offline gameplay, so expect Diablo 3, if this is finally coming, to not be a MMORPG.

  • Raghall

    Posted May 13, 2008 6:48 am PT

    I think I just found a new thing to add to the bucket list. Go To BlizzCon.

  • klugenbeel

    Posted May 13, 2008 6:45 am PT

    Ok so WotLK needs to release...soon....and Diablo 3, just like StarCraft 2, your long over due as well.

  • Zennious

    Posted May 13, 2008 5:39 am PT

    Well they are working on a Next Gen MMO and I doubt it's going to be World of Warcraft 2 but it could be like Realm of Diablo or something. I think its a safe bet that Diablo 3 will be MMORPG just because of the huge players on BNet back in the day. Plus it's a sweet universe and a little nitty and grittier than WoW.

  • Sokol4ever

    Posted May 13, 2008 5:10 am PT

    It would be fantastic to see Diablo 3 in production. No, not a MMO but the actual Diablo so many have known to love.

  • ohadzivan

    Posted May 13, 2008 1:43 am PT

    bioghost, how can you love a game that is not in development yet (i.e. Diablo 3) and a game you have seen only pics and vids??
    don't get it? I'm also expecting those games but love them?? not yet anyway

  • bioghost

    Posted May 13, 2008 1:09 am PT

    I love DIABLO 3 and STARCRAFT 2
    when will you release this games
    can't wait

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted May 13, 2008 12:08 am PT

    The conventions sure are dated later during this year.

  • black_awpN1

    Posted May 12, 2008 10:53 pm PT

    Im tempted to go. 100 bucks is a tad steep though.

  • bahamat0

    Posted May 12, 2008 10:49 pm PT

    So....incase Diablo 3 was not announced in June, there will still be hope at Blizzcon. What I'm mainly looking forward to is Starcraft 2, more than WoLK and Diablo 3

  • ColdfireTrilogy

    Posted May 12, 2008 10:39 pm PT

    Good news, same news.

  • puppyskulls

    Posted May 12, 2008 10:26 pm PT

    wheres my soj , diablo 3 then im in for sure

  • PSdual_wielder

    Posted May 12, 2008 10:22 pm PT

    I wish I could go to one of these things sometime in my life. Somewhere within the next few years would be great.

  • ahyumifan

    Posted May 12, 2008 10:09 pm PT

    Starcraft II, I WANT IT NOW!!

  • azell07

    Posted May 12, 2008 10:05 pm PT

    omg diablo3 T.T i better not kick teh bucket till then... BLIZZARD you have been cruel to me, but if you make diablo3 all would be forgotten!!

  • Fanible

    Posted May 12, 2008 10:02 pm PT

    A Diablo announcement would be interesting. It would put all three of their main franchises under the fires at the same time.

    Although as much as I would be excited as such, I am wondering when they'll branch out into a fourth franchise finally.

  • Viral-venom13

    Posted May 12, 2008 9:45 pm PT

    It would be cool to see that Diablo franchise return!

  • Urworstnhtmare

    Posted May 12, 2008 9:39 pm PT

    They are already working full time on two games. Diablo III in a couple of years.

  • FAcorp

    Posted May 12, 2008 9:19 pm PT

    Well it is either going to be Diablo or Starcraft, and they are all ready doing Starcraft 2, so...

  • engion3

    Posted May 12, 2008 9:14 pm PT

    WOW diablo 2 still ranks to me as the greatest game of all time. I would kill for D3

  • playa42018

    Posted May 12, 2008 9:06 pm PT

    Hopefully they'll announce SC2 beta or give it a release date.

  • K-Grogg

    Posted May 12, 2008 8:32 pm PT

    Their SO doing it!

    *raises fever pitch*

  • VegasAceVII

    Posted May 12, 2008 8:28 pm PT

    ...Diablo 3...just admit it guys, lol.

  • Ninja_RaVeN

    Posted May 12, 2008 8:17 pm PT

    Diablo 3 WOOT!!

  • VenomRitual

    Posted May 12, 2008 8:16 pm PT

    u know its going to be diablo.

  • SrTVBR

    Posted May 12, 2008 8:06 pm PT

    I want Starcraft II now! =D

  • Alf

    Posted May 12, 2008 8:05 pm PT

    diablo 3 is due to release at December of 2010 and it will have a monthly fee into it. there will be the 7 playable chars we all know plus 2 new, a demonic and archangel play chars. the random generated maps will be removed in exchange of highly scripted events and the loot table will be... bah, i can't come up with more crap NEED DIABLO 3 PLSSSSSSSSS!

  • litewo

    Posted May 12, 2008 7:22 pm PT

    That's cowboy logic backed up by years of market research. The time is right, Blizzard. Plunge the depths, feed that swine and saddle up that drum. I predicted most of the speculation years ago.

  • osiris

    Posted May 12, 2008 7:17 pm PT

    Whiteworld - "Please Jesus I pray to you, I'll even start believing in you, if you JUST MAKE THEM ANNOUNCE DIABLO III!!!!"

    Praying to Jesus so that a gamemaker will give you news about a game about the devil... heh, i love it!

  • joeyfine

    Posted May 12, 2008 7:15 pm PT

    Diablo please!!!

  • EclipseStorm

    Posted May 12, 2008 7:11 pm PT

    Oh how long I've waited to even HEAR something about Diablo 3.

  • Destroyeron13

    Posted May 12, 2008 7:00 pm PT

    Diablo III and Starcraft II would be too much goodness imo lol.

  • Pete5506

    Posted May 12, 2008 6:03 pm PT

    I want to hear more about Diablo 3

  • technowiz999 posted May 12, 2008 6:01 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    technowiz999

    Posted May 12, 2008 6:01 pm PT (hide)

    blizzard makes great games the first time. warcraft, starcraft, world of warcraft, diablo, and then all of the sequels to each. The original of each was incredible but after that all innovation went downhill just as with EA.

    and $100 is fair for an actual show, but blizzcon is pure advertisement. they are saying "pay us to look at our products that you can pay us more later" its a double scam. a convention for one retailers is not an event or a show. its sole purpose is to push their products. its a great business strategy, but when you take advantage of ignorant fools who thinks its a show that should be paid for; thats dirty business. and to do it after slapping the rest of the gaming industry in the face with E3 where they practically said "we're to good for you."

  • luigigreen

    Posted May 12, 2008 6:00 pm PT

    Here's two reasons why they aren't going to be at E3.

  • Icehearted

    Posted May 12, 2008 5:19 pm PT

    I smell eBay schwag sales a commin'.

    Diablo 3 and Starcraft news are really all I care about.

  • DarkLord

    Posted May 12, 2008 5:08 pm PT

    I would love to hear the release date for StarCraft 2 and anything they have to offer on Diablo 3! Being in Anaheim has a great advantage on that too!

  • Echo13791

    Posted May 12, 2008 4:45 pm PT

    I really loved WoW but had to quit due to its addictive factor

  • Beesond

    Posted May 12, 2008 4:36 pm PT

    Come on WotLK expansion launching June 1st! That would kick ass. But I would settle for some Diablo 3 news lol.

  • markdzebissov

    Posted May 12, 2008 4:34 pm PT

    Ironically, there is also an advertisement for Disneyland on this page.

  • XGxAxMxExRX

    Posted May 12, 2008 4:28 pm PT

    woooo i live in anaheim!

  • WhiteWorld

    Posted May 12, 2008 4:25 pm PT

    Please Jesus I pray to you, I'll even start believing in you, if you JUST MAKE THEM ANNOUNCE DIABLO III!!!!

  • Hieh

    Posted May 12, 2008 4:05 pm PT

    They have said they arent making D3 atm and wont be for awhile.. they best be lying!

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