blizzcon BlizzCon 2018 Expectations & Security Updates

[Stan 5,240]

According to Blizzard's latest post, BlizzCon 2018 will primarily focus on an upcoming patch and not Tides of Vengeance. The article also comes with information on additional security updates at the convention.

It almost sounds like we're getting Patch 8.1 right after BlizzCon. We know that Battle of Dazar'alor won't open immediately with the release of 8.1 and Blizzard said they're adopting the Legion patch cycle in Battle for Azeroth. Each Legion patch has been 77 days apart and Battle for Azeroth launched 76 days ago!

Blizzard (Source)

Hey guys! Just wanted to take some time to set some expectations ahead of time when it comes to all of the announcements and discussions when it comes to what we’ll be talking about at BlizzCon this weekend, as well as remind everybody of some changes when it comes to security this year for attendees.

As you all are probably aware, we’ve been hard at work on the upcoming Tides of Vengeance content update. We are very excited for this update and it is very much our immediate focus and will continue to be until after we’ve delivered it to you all. At BlizzCon you’ll be hearing us talk mainly about what comes after Tides of Vengeance. We do plan on discussing some of it, but as many of you know, BlizzCon is where we typically talk about longer term goals and plans. The feedback you all have given us about Battle for Azeroth is something we are very grateful for and we can’t wait for you to experience everything coming with Tides of Vengeance.

For those at home on the Virtual Ticket, please let us know what you think about all the things we share that are upcoming for World of Warcraft.

As for the security updates I mentioned earlier, we recently posted a blog on the BlizzCon site that I want to mirror to increase awareness. We’ve enhanced our security this year so I want to make sure to mention that you guys should look at arriving earlier than previous years especially if you’re wanting to catch the opening ceremony live on Friday.

As for the measures we’ve added Metal Detectors as well as Bag Checks at every point of entrance this year. For any additional information about locations of entrances, ADA accessibility, cosplay check-ins, and restrictions, please check out the post on the BlizzCon site about the updates to the usual processes this year:
https://blizzcon.com/en-us/news/22564764/blizzcon-2018-entry-points-update-be-sure-to-arrive-early

For those who are coming out to Anaheim for the show, we look forward to meeting you and spending the weekend geeking out with you.

Enjoy the show everyone!

[Steveson 193]

To be honest i do not even care about WoW this time. Or any other game. Except Diablo of course.
But seeing how Blizzard hype the marketing campaign for s D3 Switch port i have a really bad feeling about this Blizzcon.
I mean really. What if that port is all we're gonna see there? No D4 (which Blizzard themselves already confirmed). No D1-D2 remake. No Diablo MMO. Nothing. Just the damn Switch port and maybe Diablo Mobile (mere existense of which would be a giant proof that franchise is dead)

[Frostbeard 9]

I too care about Diablo, but the fact that the Diablo Whats next panel is right after the opening might be significant, also that there is a second panel the next day about the Diablo world.
The Switch is already announced, so I hope that they dont spend spend a whole lot of time on that.

I think we will see some plans on how to monetize the game (that is better than the real money AH). For some reason I cant get enough of vanity items in Diablo, especially wings, why there is no storefront for those items I dont know.

TBH I dread that what we will see is Diablo Mobile, while I dont think that means the death of the franchise, its not what I want.

[Nazamber 38]

Activision-Blizzard really needs to nail this Blizzcon a bit more so than last year. The company is kind of in a slump with their titles across the board. While, a lot of the titles that released got the initial money flow from sales, their cash cow games to sustain flowing revenue are starting to fall off. The company will be able to survive a huge loss in revenue but it will definitely need something to fill the gaps. With Hearthstone starting lose a player base, HotS kind of hitting a stagnant point, Diablo 3 losing most of its PC/Console player base and WoW losing a significant amount of subscribers, Blizzard is hemorrhaging a bit. The question is, will they be able to come through? and that is why this Blizzcon is rather important in order to keep on the fence players or consumers engaged. While they aren't releasing their numbers, the speculation on a few of their titles based on queue times, add-on downloads, population trackers, lack of grouping have been the main variable/factors into this to include the increase in pricing on products.

Its kind of doomy sounding but us as fans or consumers, kind of denying that they are hurting a bit doesn't help them anymore than them trying to help us be sold on their product. This is why I am very curious how Blizzcon will play out this year. The lack of hype for a lot their titles, Mike Morheim stepping down, the tweet about how Diablo won't have a new title be announced this year, the lack of interest in WoW what comes next, the lack of incentives in tandem with a  $10 increase for the virtual ticket weren't appealing. I would like to assume there is some form of mystery that they have geared up but this new face of Blizzard hasn't really nailed that. 

[PatrickHenry 293]

ahhh, metal detectors.  When security theater is more your style, accept nothing less!

I hope there is something exciting from this blizzcon.  Dont see much Wow in the pipe but im dreaming.

[Arcling 898]

4 hours ago, PatrickHenry said:

 Dont see much Wow in the pipe but im dreaming.

They already confirmed there won't be much about 8.1 as it is already on ptr, however they will talk about more general plans for future patches.