2023-11-05 12:15:02
Gaming News Four years following the last Blizzcon, we attended the 2023 World of Warcraft creators’ event hosted by Chris Metzen (Blizzard) and Phil Spencer (Xbox). Find out with JV!
Published on 05/11/2023 at 1:15 p.m.
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Phil Spencer, Chris Metzen & Mike Ybarra. What a dream casting for a return to business from Blizzard! This Blizzcon 2023 was the promise of the return of proximity to the community, and it is clear that it was kept. And even beyond the expectations of all the fans…
Four years… It had been four long years since the Convention Center had roared as loudly as when Chris Metzen arrived on the stage of this Blizzcon 2023. Four years since these announcements awaited by an entire community lacked flavor because it is broadcast by interposed screen. And in less than two minutes, the duration of the launch video of this great mass, Blizzard and its community had already found their feet. Large bursts of images from the Battle for Azeroth cutscene and “For the Horde” and “For the Alliance” launched respectively by Sylvanas and Anduin before being taken up by the thousands of people present. Chills before you even start…
And for the return to its fans, Blizzard did strong, very strong. Mike Ybarra, particularly adored by the World of Warcraft community, donned the costume of host of the evening and introduced the prestigious guests. And unlike other years, the opening ceremony lasted almost two hours, and for good reason: Blizzard had some catching up to do, messages to sendbut also a very recent merger to celebrate.
Besides, some saw it coming and others less so, but Phil Spencer’s appearance on the Blizzcon stage was one of the highlights of the evening. Who might have predicted this four years ago? Who might have predicted that the Xbox boss would even add “I’m spending so much time on Diablo 4 with friends right now” and continue with an ode to the budding collaboration? Few people would have bet on that at the dawn of November 3.
Warcraft et World of Warcraft gagnent la Blizzcon !
Of course, aside from all these prestigious speakers, Blizzard especially had to announce a flourishing year 2024 in terms of new features. And it was with Overwatch 2 that the ball got started: a new hero, Mauga, playable all weekend, as well as many new features for the coming months. Diablo 4 announced its first expansion and a completely new class. For its part, Hearthstone has made cooperative play possible, a mode eminently awaited by its players, but only in Battlegrounds mode. The expansion usually revealed during each Blizzcon had been presented to players two weeks in advance.
The flagship license of this year 2024 was destined to be Warcraft, definitely, and Blizzard understood this well and saved the best for the end of the opening ceremony. On the menu, very very heavy with a new expansion for World of Warcraft Classic, Cataclysm, but also a brand new mobile license, Warcraft Rumble. Accessible to certain players for several months in the form of a beta version, the game was made available immediately following the ceremony. And the least we can say is that the presentation and the trailer were a crowd pleaser.
Then, expected by Blizzard’s most massive community – namely Warcraft and World of Warcraft – the prodigal son appeared: Chris Metzen, overexcited and overmotivated to find his “family” as he himself said, overheated the thousands of spectators present and quite simply laid the foundations for a new era for World of Warcraft, World of Warcraft World Soul Saga. Never seen before, quite simply. And Metzen was rewarded by the fans with a standing ovation, the only one of the evening to receive this great honor.
Subsequently, his speech sent shivers down the spine of all the spectators present in the Arena, and it is a safe bet that this was also the case for the audience in front of their screens all around the globe. And even those who expected the “classic” biannual expansion presentation were surprised, since no less than twenty years of World of Warcraft have been announced, as well as three complete expansions, including the first: War Within. Then Midnight, then finally The Last Titan.
Overdosing on World of Warcraft? Not impossible. The public was just waiting for that and asking for more. And that’s when Anduin and Thrall arrived to launch hostilities in a poignant trailer. As usual, Blizzard relied heavily on the last 30 minutes of its opening ceremony to send as heavy as possible, and World of Warcraft has clearly won this Blizzcon 2023 in terms of public attention.
Blizzcon folklore is back
Of course, a Blizzcon would not be successful without its community aspect dear to Blizzard teams. And the community responded, and in what way! An Arena full as an egg for the opening ceremonyhuge queues for the “special” stands: we can cite the Diablo 4 tattoo stand for example, or the Darkmoon fair which was a particularly delirious success.
The final phase of the 2023 Overwatch World Cup was also played this weekend: the South Korean team, accustomed to final victory, did not even participate in the last duel, and left Saudi Arabia wins the trophy ahead of China. Here too, a great first!
And finally, to crown the communion with the community, the usual cosplay competition gave way to a concert by the k-pop group LE SSERAFIM, Murlocs stormed the aisles of the Convention Center, developers answered hundreds of fan questions and played hundreds of duels on their respective games. Players tested the new features announced, met some of their idols or even streamed content directly on giant screens visible throughout the convention.
In short, pure happiness for those initiated, a wonderful discovery for newcomers, and above all a immense pleasure for everyone to finally find a Blizzcon in physical version following 4 years of absence. A return carried out with a master’s hand and which augurs very positive things for the future of events.
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