Ybarra said: “We previously announced a suspension and redesign of BlizzCon, but really wanted to get back to a live event that would allow us to celebrate the community. We recently hired April McKee, the new leader of BlizzCon, and he’s working hard to implement the plan. … we’re working hard to get BlizzCon back in 2023.”
It’s unclear when the event might take place, and when contacted for comment, Activision Blizzard pointed to what Ybarra told the Los Angeles Times.
The company last hosted an in-person Blizzard conference in November 2019, but the 2020 and 2021 events were canceled due to COVID-19. While it did host a virtual “BlizzConline” event in 2021, a planned 2022 version of the event was put on hold after allegations of the company’s toxic work culture came to light last year.
BlizzCon isn’t the only big gaming event set to return next year. In June, E3 didn’t take place at all, but the Entertainment Software Association is planning to bring it back as a physical and digital event in 2023.
