So it turns out that there’s just more bad news for gaming gatherings and conventions in 2020. Blizzard had already planned on changing gears with BlizzCon 2020 back in April, saying that BlizzCon ‘might not be feasible’ this year. It turns out they were right on the money, as the convention for the company has been canceled. You all know the reason by now, coronavirus.
“During this time, we’ve had many discussions about what holding a convention could look like in light of all the health and safety considerations we’d want to make,” wrote BlizzCon executive producer Saralyn Smith. “We’ve also talked about different paths we could take, and how each one could be complicated by fluctuations in national and local health guidelines in the months ahead. Ultimately, after considering our options, we’ve come to the very difficult decision to not have BlizzCon this year.”
So while it really sucks that another convention has had to hit the brakes, there’s no way around it. The US is on the path for another major wave of outbreaks post-Memorial Day as thousands flocked to bars and beaches across the nation. We’re about to see another major spike in deaths and cases, all because a sizeable number of people have been forced to choose between their lives and their jobs. Millions are out of work and can’t pay bills. And added into this toxic mix is a seemingly paralyzed administration that refuses to ramp up testing or provide for the people.
The ongoing protests against lockdown measures don’t help do anything other than reinforce exceptional individualism. At a time when protecting the people around you means making sacrifices, a large number of people refuse to be even mildly inconvenienced. And it has cost millions their health. For context, more than 5.6 million have contracted COVID-19 so far, with more than 350,000 dead so far. The USA alone has 1.7 million infected and 100,000 dead, and many suspect both those numbers are wildly inaccurate and undercounted.
“We’re feeling deeply disappointed about this decision, and imagine many of you will feel the same. I truly love BlizzCon, and I know that’s a sentiment shared by everyone at Blizzard. We will sorely miss connecting with so many of you at the convention and ‘recharging our geek batteries’ this fall.”
There is some good news though, as Blizzard could be working on something new to “to channel the BlizzCon spirit”. The plans are still very much up in the air though as COVID-19 shows no signs of slowing. As of now, it looks like Blizz is aiming for some kind of digital event or scaled-down event in early 2021.
“We’ll tell you more about our plans as they develop,” Smith wrote. “But in the meantime, we hope to see you exploring the Shadowlands, hanging out in the Tavern, pushing the payload (do it!), and wherever else in the Blizzard universes you may roam.”
