Blizzard eyes in-person BlizzCon 2023 return Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Blizzard eyes in-person BlizzCon 2023 return "To celebrate the community." News by Tom Phillips Deputy Editor Published on 7 Jul 2022 12 comments It's a big day for 2023 video game convention news. That's right, Blizzard has said it is looking to bring back its BlizzCon event in 2023. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Blizzard boss Mike Ybarra said his company wanted "to return to a live event that enables us to celebrate the community" and was "committed to bringing back BlizzCon" next year. The annual BlizzCon event held in Anaheim has recently been pushed online due to Covid, and was then scrapped completely this year as Blizzard faced various allegations of staff misconduct and a toxic company culture. BlizzCon was the focus of allegations detailed in the State of California's lawsuit against Blizzard concerning a hotel suite apparently used by former World of Warcraft senior creative director Alex Afrasiabi and other Blizzard employees over the course of the convention, which was informally dubbed the "Cosby Suite". "We feel the energy it would take to put on a show like this is best directed towards supporting our teams and progressing development of our games and experiences," Blizzard said in a statement last year, announcing the cancellation of BlizzCon 2021. "We would also like to take the time to reimagine what a BlizzCon event of the future could look like. The first BlizzCon was held 16 years ago, and so much has changed in the time since. Whatever the event looks like in the future, we also need to ensure that it feels as safe, welcoming, and inclusive as possible." BlizzCon's culture also faced scrutiny when a video from 2010 resurfaced showing senior staff - including now-departed Blizzard president J. Allen Brack - openly mocking and dismissing a female fan during a World of Warcraft panel. "It saddens me to see that video," Ybarra said now, referencing that clip. "It reminds me of how important the culture work we have is. It represents what I hope we are growing beyond. I know we will grow beyond. I don't think it ever ends. There's no high-five that we met our commitments. This is something that is going to be in our DNA forever." In the same interview, Ybarra also defended Blizzard's use of microtransactions in the recently-released free-to-play Diablo Immortal, and said the vast majority of players were able to play the bulk of the game without spending any money. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Lady Dimitrescu will be a tad smaller in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries DLC Level the playing field. 1 Overwatch 2 suffers another DDoS attack and character roster bugs Mei Mei. 7 Nintendo Switch firmware update lets you take screenshots in the Switch Online app The app on your console, not your phone. 7 Latest Articles Genshin Impact Path of Gleaming Jade dates, login event rewards Including other anniversary rewards and how to claim them. Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Jelly Deals Logitech's G Pro X gaming headset is its lowest-ever price during Amazon's Early Access sale Prime Members can get it for just £52. Jelly Deals Save over £500 off the retail price on this beefy ASUS TUF Dash gaming laptop from Amazon Under £1080 for an RTX 3070 laptop. Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store