BlizzCon did not take place in 2020 due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic that forced major gaming conventions into cancellation or having to go digital, along with staff at studios working from home. As Blizzard adjusted to these new conditions, it also focused its efforts into what would later be known as BlizzConline.
That is the name given to BlizzCon 2021, an event that takes place in the first part of the year and which looks to celebrate Blizzard games and their communities digitally. BlizzConline rewards, including the new WoW Snowstorm mount, contribute to keeping the convention's spirit alive while the event is free to watch. But when is BlizzCon 2021 taking place? Here's what you need to know about its start and end dates and what to expect from the event.
BlizzConline Start and End Dates
BlizzConline has locked down its start and end dates to Friday, February 19 and Saturday, February 20, respectively. But despite its shorter length and possible smaller scale production, the event will still treat fans of the company and its games to a part of what they would have normally expected.
Registrations for BlizzCon 2021's cosplay exhibition were open until January 4. The talent spotlight and March of the Murlocs Cosplay, art and storytelling contests will also happen, only with a digital spin. BlizzCon rewards will grant players various digital goodies, acting as an optional ticket of sorts.
Players can also expect announcements for games like World of Warcraft, Overwatch 2, Diablo Immortal, Diablo 4, and possibly other surprises as well.
BlizzConline Ticket Cost
In previous years, you had to buy a physical ticket to attend in-person or a virtual ticket to access specific BlizzCon live streams. BlizzConline will, instead, be free to watch between February 19 and February 20, when it takes place.
BlizzConline Schedule
BlizzConline will be broadcast on the convention's official website. Players can jump between six channels to follow the franchises they like the most.
The event starts on February 19 at 2 PM PT/10 PM GMT, its first day being dedicated to the titles currently in development. The opening segment will offer "a first look at some of the latest game content now in development," followed by more than three hours' worth of broadcasts delving into specific titles on the six different channels.
The second BlizzConline day begins on February 20 at 12 PM PT/8 PM GMT, concluding later in the afternoon. Viewers can expect Q&A sessions, as well as a larger focus on the community which includes announcing the winners of several competitions.
If you miss any part of the event as it premieres, you can watch it for free from the BlizzConline video archives. The full schedule has now been detailed.
BlizzConline Rewards
Since the physical BlizzCon events always treated participants and viewers with rewards, its digital variant will do the same. Blizzard has confirmed a set of BlizzConline rewards, which include an exclusive WoW BlizzConline Snowstorm bear mount, among other goodies.
The Celebration Collection comes in three versions. The WoW BlizzConline mount is present in the Heroic Pack, while upgrading to the third tier also grants 30 days' worth of in-game time for the popular MMORPG. Here is the full list of BlizzCon 2021 rewards, as detailed in a press release sent to us by Blizzard.
- Essentials Pack (£16.79/€59.99): Get in on the fun with a Moon-Touched Netherwhelp pet for World of Warcraft, Tracer’s OSV-03 Rogue mount with Tracer Hero in Heroes of the Storm, Overwatch player icon and spray (coming soon), a set of StarCraft portraits (coming soon), and a Diablo III pet and portrait (PC version; coming soon). Plus, get 10 Madness at the Darkmoon Faire card packs for Hearthstone, 5 Overwatch Loot Boxes, and a code to receive 15% off one order in the Blizzard Gear Store (restrictions apply).
- Heroic Pack (£34.99/€39.99): Upgrade to add the mighty Snowstorm bear mount to your WoW collection and give ’em some hammer as legendary “Raynhardt” in Overwatch (coming soon). Plus, score a random legendary Hearthstone card from the Madness at the Darkmoon Faire set, and don cosmetic wings in Diablo III (PC version; coming soon).
- Epic Pack (£49.99/€59.99): Go for the gold and get everything in the Heroic Pack plus five Golden Madness at the Darkmoon Faire card packs including all Golden cards; three Golden Loot Boxes in Overwatch, each with a guaranteed legendary; 30 days of World of Warcraft game time; and a set of Diablo III transmog items (PC version; coming soon).
The Overwatch skin, portrait, and spray alongside the StarCraft portraits are expected to arrive in-game on February 18, 2021 at the latest. Similarly, Diablo III in-game items will appear in-game no later than February 28, 2021. A version of the bundles listed above is planned for Overwatch and Diablo 3 console players, details coming at a later date.
In other Blizzard-related news, here's a deeper look at Diablo 4's itemization and how unique items will factor into the upcoming ARPG.
What do you think about BlizzConline so far? What announcement are you looking forward to the most and which BlizzCon 2021 reward has caught your eye? Let us know in the comments below.
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