2012 seems to be the year of trade show death. First Microsoft said it plans to pull out of CES starting next year, then the company said that MIX would no longer be a stand-alone event. Now Blizzard has spun off Battle.net World Championship while canceling this year's BlizzCon convention. Not to worry though: BlizzCon will return in 2013.
"Blizzard Entertainment is proud to announce the 2012 Battle.net World Championship, a major global eSports event featuring some of the best pro-gaming competition in the world," the company revealed in an email. "Slated to take place in Asia toward the end of 2012, the Battle.net World Championship will host this year’s StarCraft II and World of Warcraft Arena World Championship tournaments. Blizzard gamers and eSports fans from around the world will be invited to attend and witness some of the most skilled pro players on the planet battle it out for cash and glory."
Ok, that's fine and dandy. But why can't we have a BlizzCon 2012? Simply put, Blizzard has a lot on its plate this year alone (aka a jam-packed schedule). Instead of worrying about an upcoming show, the company wants to focus on getting Diablo 3, the Mists of Pandaria expansion for World of Warcraft, and the second installment to StarCraft 2, Heart of the Swarm, into our hands as soon as possible.
That said, Blizzard is clearly forgiven for postponing the show for one year. Still, this will be the first year since 2006 without a BlizzCon on the event planner. The initial convention took place back in 2005, and then skipped over 2006. Since 2007, BlizzCon has resided at the Anaheim Convention Center in California in August or October every year since. And even though Blizzard charges for admission, the company usually runs the show at a loss.
More details about the 2012 Battle.net World Championship and BlizzCon 2013, including specific dates and locations, will be coming in the months ahead, Blizzard said.
