Blizzard has announced details of BlizzCon 2009, which will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center on August 21 to 22nd.

IRVINE, Calif. - February 17, 2008 - Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. today announced plans for its fourth BlizzCon® gaming convention, to be held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California on Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22. BlizzCon is a celebration of the global player communities surrounding Blizzard Entertainment®’s Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® universes. In response to the festival’s increasing popularity, this year’s event has been expanded from three convention halls to four.

“We’ve been amazed by the incredible response to each of our previous BlizzCon events,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “We’re pleased to be bringing the convention back to Anaheim this year, and we look forward to this new opportunity to meet Blizzard gamers from around the world.”

BlizzCon will offer a wide variety of activities throughout the two-day event. In addition to serving as a gathering place for Blizzard Entertainment gaming communities, attendees will be able to enjoy:

• Hands-on play time with upcoming Blizzard Entertainment games
• Discussion panels with Blizzard Entertainment developers
• Competitive and casual tournaments for players to showcase their talents
• Community contests with great prizes
• Commemorative merchandise based on Blizzard Entertainment’s game universes
• A silent auction
• More exciting activities and attractions to be announced

Read more here.

wow they are hosting this blizzcon alot earlier then the last one. I hope i can get tickets to this one like last year

It's wrong that developers charge for these events. They are marketing tools that enhance their product and foster customer loyalty. The developers should absorb the entire cost of hosting it. The only thing attendees should pay for are their travel, lodging, food, and other entertainment expenses.

I am curious what these great prizes will be. If any of them are ingame rewards then what Blizzard is participating in is a form of RMT.

Originally posted by Samuraisword

It's wrong that developers charge for these events. They are marketing tools that enhance their product and foster customer loyalty. The developers should absorb the entire cost of hosting it. The only thing attendees should pay for are their travel, lodging, food, and other entertainment expenses.

I am curious what these great prizes will be. If any of them are ingame rewards then what Blizzard is participating in is a form of RMT.

blizzard has never given out in-game rewards that effect gameplay for going to blizzcon.

And they charge people tickets because if they didnt, you would have a million people there making the whole convention a cluster fuck.

Hum does this mean we have wait until atleast august for Starcraft 2

Any 1 wanna put money down on blizzard discussing the new MMO?

From how Blizzard has dealt with past "secret" projects...I really doubt they show their new game. They wont show it till it looks and demo's flawlessly. Thier first showing of Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2 looked ready to ship out the door...but no word yet on any release dates.

Blizzard likes to make it's games for the casual player base, But buying Blizzcon tickets is all about twitch play? why is that?

Originally posted by tvalentine

wow they are hosting this blizzcon alot earlier then the last one. I hope i can get tickets to this one like last year

Blizzcon is always in August how is it earlier?

Whoopty-doo!

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

It's wrong that developers charge for these events. They are marketing tools that enhance their product and foster customer loyalty. The developers should absorb the entire cost of hosting it. The only thing attendees should pay for are their travel, lodging, food, and other entertainment expenses.

I am curious what these great prizes will be. If any of them are ingame rewards then what Blizzard is participating in is a form of RMT.

 

blizzard has never given out in-game rewards that effect gameplay for going to blizzcon.

And they charge people tickets because if they didnt, you would have a million people there making the whole convention a cluster fuck.

So it's impossible to offer a limited amount of tickets to those who sign up first without charging for them?

Or perhaps holding ongoing ingame events to earn them?

Originally posted by Samuraisword

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

It's wrong that developers charge for these events. They are marketing tools that enhance their product and foster customer loyalty. The developers should absorb the entire cost of hosting it. The only thing attendees should pay for are their travel, lodging, food, and other entertainment expenses.

I am curious what these great prizes will be. If any of them are ingame rewards then what Blizzard is participating in is a form of RMT.

 

blizzard has never given out in-game rewards that effect gameplay for going to blizzcon.

And they charge people tickets because if they didnt, you would have a million people there making the whole convention a cluster fuck.

So it's impossible to offer a limited amount of tickets to those who sign up first without charging for them?

Or perhaps holding ongoing ingame events to earn them?

Its impossible to get blizzcon tickets it sells out within 30 minutes of being annouced?

Ever seen blizzcon tickets sold on ebay?

UPward of $200 per tickets sold on ebay?

Blizzard need to print 1 million blizzcon tickets...

You need fast finger to order blizzcon tickets....

Originally posted by Furor

Originally posted by Samuraisword

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

It's wrong that developers charge for these events. They are marketing tools that enhance their product and foster customer loyalty. The developers should absorb the entire cost of hosting it. The only thing attendees should pay for are their travel, lodging, food, and other entertainment expenses.

I am curious what these great prizes will be. If any of them are ingame rewards then what Blizzard is participating in is a form of RMT.

 

blizzard has never given out in-game rewards that effect gameplay for going to blizzcon.

And they charge people tickets because if they didnt, you would have a million people there making the whole convention a cluster fuck.

So it's impossible to offer a limited amount of tickets to those who sign up first without charging for them?

Or perhaps holding ongoing ingame events to earn them?

 

Its impossible to get blizzcon tickets it sells out within 30 minutes of being annouced?

Ever seen blizzcon tickets sold on ebay?

UPward of $200 per tickets sold on ebay?

Blizzard need to print 1 million blizzcon tickets...

You need fast finger to order blizzcon tickets....

 

Clearly Blizzard is selling them because they can. That doesn't make it right.

Originally posted by Noktaris

From how Blizzard has dealt with past "secret" projects...I really doubt they show their new game. They wont show it till it looks and demo's flawlessly. Thier first showing of Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2 looked ready to ship out the door...but no word yet on any release dates.

But they've admitted to the secret MMO as far back as 2007, so I would be willing to venture that they've put 2-3 years in already.

Originally posted by skeaser

Originally posted by Noktaris

From how Blizzard has dealt with past "secret" projects...I really doubt they show their new game. They wont show it till it looks and demo's flawlessly. Thier first showing of Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2 looked ready to ship out the door...but no word yet on any release dates.

 

But they've admitted to the secret MMO as far back as 2007, so I would be willing to venture that they've put 2-3 years in already.

I'm sure they have put in a few years as well...And it probably already looks great,whatever it is. (I'm hoping for a space mmo) starcraft or whatever. Fantasy is getting old.

Wooo! New MMO announcement ftw! *crosses fingers*

Originally posted by Ozmodan

Originally posted by tvalentine

wow they are hosting this blizzcon alot earlier then the last one. I hope i can get tickets to this one like last year

 

Blizzcon is always in August how is it earlier?

no it isnt. The tickets went on sale august 11th of last year. And the convention itself was in october

http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/07/29/blizzcon-ticket-sale-date-announced/

i would make it clicky, but you can copy paste it yourself for posting about something you didnt know about.

Originally posted by Samuraisword

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

It's wrong that developers charge for these events. They are marketing tools that enhance their product and foster customer loyalty. The developers should absorb the entire cost of hosting it. The only thing attendees should pay for are their travel, lodging, food, and other entertainment expenses.

I am curious what these great prizes will be. If any of them are ingame rewards then what Blizzard is participating in is a form of RMT.

 

blizzard has never given out in-game rewards that effect gameplay for going to blizzcon.

And they charge people tickets because if they didnt, you would have a million people there making the whole convention a cluster fuck.

So it's impossible to offer a limited amount of tickets to those who sign up first without charging for them?

Or perhaps holding ongoing ingame events to earn them?

....... you dont understand do you? If they give out as many tickets as they want, too many people would show and the whole place would be impossible to move around in. Because there is a limit and not a infinite amount of space for blizzcon, they charge for it. (remember learning that in your economics class?) Also they pay for the space at the convention center, and the celebrities that show, so they charge to get their money back and then some for taking time out of their days to showcase their games.

This is like asking why E3 (when it was a public convention) and comic-con charge for tickets.

And holding ingame events is retarded, because then only the hardcore players, the players who spend 30 hours a session playing WoW, would get the tickets.

Originally posted by Samuraisword

Originally posted by Furor

Originally posted by Samuraisword

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

It's wrong that developers charge for these events. They are marketing tools that enhance their product and foster customer loyalty. The developers should absorb the entire cost of hosting it. The only thing attendees should pay for are their travel, lodging, food, and other entertainment expenses.

I am curious what these great prizes will be. If any of them are ingame rewards then what Blizzard is participating in is a form of RMT.

 

blizzard has never given out in-game rewards that effect gameplay for going to blizzcon.

And they charge people tickets because if they didnt, you would have a million people there making the whole convention a cluster fuck.

So it's impossible to offer a limited amount of tickets to those who sign up first without charging for them?

Or perhaps holding ongoing ingame events to earn them?

 

Its impossible to get blizzcon tickets it sells out within 30 minutes of being annouced?

Ever seen blizzcon tickets sold on ebay?

UPward of $200 per tickets sold on ebay?

Blizzard need to print 1 million blizzcon tickets...

You need fast finger to order blizzcon tickets....

 

Clearly Blizzard is selling them because they can. That doesn't make it right.

last i checked conventions aren't free. They need to rent hundreds of computers, celebrities, convention space, and dont forget the electric bill for all those computers. Why do i get the feeling your just tryin to troll a blizzard thread?

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

It's wrong that developers charge for these events. They are marketing tools that enhance their product and foster customer loyalty. The developers should absorb the entire cost of hosting it. The only thing attendees should pay for are their travel, lodging, food, and other entertainment expenses.

I am curious what these great prizes will be. If any of them are ingame rewards then what Blizzard is participating in is a form of RMT.

 

blizzard has never given out in-game rewards that effect gameplay for going to blizzcon.

And they charge people tickets because if they didnt, you would have a million people there making the whole convention a cluster fuck.

So it's impossible to offer a limited amount of tickets to those who sign up first without charging for them?

Or perhaps holding ongoing ingame events to earn them?

 

....... you dont understand do you? If they give out as many tickets as they want, too many people would show and the whole place would be impossible to move around in. Because there is a limit and not a infinite amount of space for blizzcon, they charge for it. (remember learning that in your economics class?) Also they pay for the space at the convention center, and the celebrities that show, so they charge to get their money back and then some for taking time out of their days to showcase their games.

This is like asking why E3 (when it was a public convention) and comic-con charge for tickets.

And holding ingame events is retarded, because then only the hardcore players, the players who spend 30 hours a session playing WoW, would get the tickets.

you don't understand do you?

These conventions benefit Blizzard. They are marketing tools. Therefore Blizzard should absorb the cost.

If you can sell a limited amount of tickets to preserve the finite space available then obviously you can give away the same amount of limited tickets.

It's not true that only hardcore players would garnish free tickets thru events. If the events are announced in advance and are varied in type, and only last an hour, then everyone has a fair shake.

And yes conventions like E3 and Comic Con should also absorb the costs because the vendors who participate benefit from these events.

Originally posted by Samuraisword

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

It's wrong that developers charge for these events. They are marketing tools that enhance their product and foster customer loyalty. The developers should absorb the entire cost of hosting it. The only thing attendees should pay for are their travel, lodging, food, and other entertainment expenses.

I am curious what these great prizes will be. If any of them are ingame rewards then what Blizzard is participating in is a form of RMT.

 

blizzard has never given out in-game rewards that effect gameplay for going to blizzcon.

And they charge people tickets because if they didnt, you would have a million people there making the whole convention a cluster fuck.

So it's impossible to offer a limited amount of tickets to those who sign up first without charging for them?

Or perhaps holding ongoing ingame events to earn them?

 

....... you dont understand do you? If they give out as many tickets as they want, too many people would show and the whole place would be impossible to move around in. Because there is a limit and not a infinite amount of space for blizzcon, they charge for it. (remember learning that in your economics class?) Also they pay for the space at the convention center, and the celebrities that show, so they charge to get their money back and then some for taking time out of their days to showcase their games.

This is like asking why E3 (when it was a public convention) and comic-con charge for tickets.

And holding ingame events is retarded, because then only the hardcore players, the players who spend 30 hours a session playing WoW, would get the tickets.

you don't understand do you?

These conventions benefit Blizzard. They are marketing tools. Therefore Blizzard should absorb the cost.

If you can sell a limited amount of tickets to preserve the finite space available then obviously you can give away the same amount of limited tickets.

And yes conventions like E3 and Comic Con should also absorb the costs because the vendors who participate benefit from these events.

well when pigs and fish start flying and when world hunger is fixed, then we can have free stuff like tickets to conventions.

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

It's wrong that developers charge for these events. They are marketing tools that enhance their product and foster customer loyalty. The developers should absorb the entire cost of hosting it. The only thing attendees should pay for are their travel, lodging, food, and other entertainment expenses.

I am curious what these great prizes will be. If any of them are ingame rewards then what Blizzard is participating in is a form of RMT.

 

blizzard has never given out in-game rewards that effect gameplay for going to blizzcon.

And they charge people tickets because if they didnt, you would have a million people there making the whole convention a cluster fuck.

So it's impossible to offer a limited amount of tickets to those who sign up first without charging for them?

Or perhaps holding ongoing ingame events to earn them?

 

....... you dont understand do you? If they give out as many tickets as they want, too many people would show and the whole place would be impossible to move around in. Because there is a limit and not a infinite amount of space for blizzcon, they charge for it. (remember learning that in your economics class?) Also they pay for the space at the convention center, and the celebrities that show, so they charge to get their money back and then some for taking time out of their days to showcase their games.

This is like asking why E3 (when it was a public convention) and comic-con charge for tickets.

And holding ingame events is retarded, because then only the hardcore players, the players who spend 30 hours a session playing WoW, would get the tickets.

you don't understand do you?

These conventions benefit Blizzard. They are marketing tools. Therefore Blizzard should absorb the cost.

If you can sell a limited amount of tickets to preserve the finite space available then obviously you can give away the same amount of limited tickets.

And yes conventions like E3 and Comic Con should also absorb the costs because the vendors who participate benefit from these events.

 

well when pigs and fish start flying and when world hunger is fixed, then we can have free stuff like tickets to conventions.

Actually it won't be that easy. It requires people not to be stupid and pay for these events.

Originally posted by Samuraisword

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

It's wrong that developers charge for these events. They are marketing tools that enhance their product and foster customer loyalty. The developers should absorb the entire cost of hosting it. The only thing attendees should pay for are their travel, lodging, food, and other entertainment expenses.

I am curious what these great prizes will be. If any of them are ingame rewards then what Blizzard is participating in is a form of RMT.

 

blizzard has never given out in-game rewards that effect gameplay for going to blizzcon.

And they charge people tickets because if they didnt, you would have a million people there making the whole convention a cluster fuck.

So it's impossible to offer a limited amount of tickets to those who sign up first without charging for them?

Or perhaps holding ongoing ingame events to earn them?

 

....... you dont understand do you? If they give out as many tickets as they want, too many people would show and the whole place would be impossible to move around in. Because there is a limit and not a infinite amount of space for blizzcon, they charge for it. (remember learning that in your economics class?) Also they pay for the space at the convention center, and the celebrities that show, so they charge to get their money back and then some for taking time out of their days to showcase their games.

This is like asking why E3 (when it was a public convention) and comic-con charge for tickets.

And holding ingame events is retarded, because then only the hardcore players, the players who spend 30 hours a session playing WoW, would get the tickets.

you don't understand do you?

These conventions benefit Blizzard. They are marketing tools. Therefore Blizzard should absorb the cost.

If you can sell a limited amount of tickets to preserve the finite space available then obviously you can give away the same amount of limited tickets.

And yes conventions like E3 and Comic Con should also absorb the costs because the vendors who participate benefit from these events.

 

well when pigs and fish start flying and when world hunger is fixed, then we can have free stuff like tickets to conventions.

Actually it won't be that easy. It requires people not to be stupid and pay for these events.

its hard not to, since its so worth it. Like going to a rock concert (which people also pay to go to)

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

It's wrong that developers charge for these events. They are marketing tools that enhance their product and foster customer loyalty. The developers should absorb the entire cost of hosting it. The only thing attendees should pay for are their travel, lodging, food, and other entertainment expenses.

I am curious what these great prizes will be. If any of them are ingame rewards then what Blizzard is participating in is a form of RMT.

 

blizzard has never given out in-game rewards that effect gameplay for going to blizzcon.

And they charge people tickets because if they didnt, you would have a million people there making the whole convention a cluster fuck.

So it's impossible to offer a limited amount of tickets to those who sign up first without charging for them?

Or perhaps holding ongoing ingame events to earn them?

 

....... you dont understand do you? If they give out as many tickets as they want, too many people would show and the whole place would be impossible to move around in. Because there is a limit and not a infinite amount of space for blizzcon, they charge for it. (remember learning that in your economics class?) Also they pay for the space at the convention center, and the celebrities that show, so they charge to get their money back and then some for taking time out of their days to showcase their games.

This is like asking why E3 (when it was a public convention) and comic-con charge for tickets.

And holding ingame events is retarded, because then only the hardcore players, the players who spend 30 hours a session playing WoW, would get the tickets.

you don't understand do you?

These conventions benefit Blizzard. They are marketing tools. Therefore Blizzard should absorb the cost.

If you can sell a limited amount of tickets to preserve the finite space available then obviously you can give away the same amount of limited tickets.

And yes conventions like E3 and Comic Con should also absorb the costs because the vendors who participate benefit from these events.

 

well when pigs and fish start flying and when world hunger is fixed, then we can have free stuff like tickets to conventions.

Actually it won't be that easy. It requires people not to be stupid and pay for these events.

 

its hard not to, since its so worth it. Like going to a rock concert (which people also pay to go to)

Live tours for musical acts are a large part of their income. Rock concerts aren't designed to be promotions to sell their product or foster customer loyalty per say. You either like the music or you don't, and that decision was made prior to paying for the concert.

Someone attending an E3 or Comic Con or even a Blizzcon may be interested in the genre, but these events are designed to be promotions for various vendors to introduce their products to the consumer. Therefore I find it disingenuous that consumers are expected to pay for the privilege. Can you imagine walking into a retail store and being asked to pay $10 to the salesman in order to view the latest Sony products?

I feel Blizzcon benefits Blizzard more than it does the attendees and therefore Blizzard should absorb the cost.

Originally posted by Samuraisword

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

Originally posted by tvalentine

Originally posted by Samuraisword

It's wrong that developers charge for these events. They are marketing tools that enhance their product and foster customer loyalty. The developers should absorb the entire cost of hosting it. The only thing attendees should pay for are their travel, lodging, food, and other entertainment expenses.

I am curious what these great prizes will be. If any of them are ingame rewards then what Blizzard is participating in is a form of RMT.

 

blizzard has never given out in-game rewards that effect gameplay for going to blizzcon.

And they charge people tickets because if they didnt, you would have a million people there making the whole convention a cluster fuck.

So it's impossible to offer a limited amount of tickets to those who sign up first without charging for them?

Or perhaps holding ongoing ingame events to earn them?

 

....... you dont understand do you? If they give out as many tickets as they want, too many people would show and the whole place would be impossible to move around in. Because there is a limit and not a infinite amount of space for blizzcon, they charge for it. (remember learning that in your economics class?) Also they pay for the space at the convention center, and the celebrities that show, so they charge to get their money back and then some for taking time out of their days to showcase their games.

This is like asking why E3 (when it was a public convention) and comic-con charge for tickets.

And holding ingame events is retarded, because then only the hardcore players, the players who spend 30 hours a session playing WoW, would get the tickets.

you don't understand do you?

These conventions benefit Blizzard. They are marketing tools. Therefore Blizzard should absorb the cost.

If you can sell a limited amount of tickets to preserve the finite space available then obviously you can give away the same amount of limited tickets.

And yes conventions like E3 and Comic Con should also absorb the costs because the vendors who participate benefit from these events.

 

well when pigs and fish start flying and when world hunger is fixed, then we can have free stuff like tickets to conventions.

Actually it won't be that easy. It requires people not to be stupid and pay for these events.

 

its hard not to, since its so worth it. Like going to a rock concert (which people also pay to go to)

Live tours for musical acts are a large part of their income. Rock concerts aren't designed to be promotions to sell their product or foster customer loyalty per say. You either like the music or you don't, and that decision was made prior to paying for the concert.

Someone attending an E3 or Comic Con or even a Blizzcon may be interested in the genre, but these events are designed to be promotions for various vendors to introduce their products to the consumer. Therefore I find it disingenuous that consumers are expected to pay for the privilege. Can you imagine walking into a retail store and being asked to pay $10 to the salesman in order to view the latest Sony products?

I feel Blizzcon benefits Blizzard more than it does the attendees and therefore Blizzard should absorb the cost.

 

i didnt know blizzard/blizzcon was a genre in itself

another lousy example. Retail stores sell products, conventions dont. (atleast not the video games themselves)

i disagree, when i went in 08 i had a blast, as much fun as going to a rock concert. So spending 100$ for the ticket and driving down to play video games that aren't out yet, and to watch tournaments, starcraft 2 matchs, comedians, and 2 bands and 1 orchestra, i feel i got an amazing deal. Tickets to see comedians, and bands alone would have cost more then going to this one event. Also dont forget about the grab bags that we got, full of miscellaneous goodies, and also the SC2 beta. Yea, i would say blizzcon definetly benefits its attendees.

If you don't think Blizzcon is designed to sell product, that it's an event created mostly for the attendees enjoyment, then by all means, pay for it.