BlizzConline 2022 cancelled, game announcements will still happen

After Blizzard Entertainment was forced to pivot to an online format as they looked to keep BlizzCon alive during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has revealed the 2022 edition will be completely scrapped, using this time off to "reinvent" what the event means to them and fans.

Cancelled in late 2020, BlizzCon moved to an online format in February of this year. With the pandemic surging once more due to the Delta variant, the regularly planned on-site BlizzCon was once again dropped in favour of BlizzConline for the second year in a row.

Now, via an official statement, Blizzard revealed that BlizzConline won't go ahead as planned as they are shifting focus to "supporting teams and progressing development of games and experiences." 

With projects like Overwatch 2 and Diablo IV facing development setbacks and the recent lawsuits against the company that saw Blizzard fork out $18 million as settlement, the announcement of BlizzConline being cancelled seemed a matter of when not if.

Despite having no platform to dive deep into what's next for Blizzard, the company did confirm game announcements and updates scheduled to be taking place during BlizzConline are still planned to happen. 

"We’re proud of our teams and the progress they’ve made across our games. We have a lot of exciting upcoming news and releases to share with you."

It could be something as simple as new trailers or gameplay looks at upcoming titles or expansions, however, it seems unlikely we'll get more than just a few teasers if that's the case.

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Featured image courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment.