A giant Arthas Menethil from World of Warcraft during BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Nahir Alvarado, left, and Daniel Krummen are dressed as Venthyr noblemen during BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Visitors cheer during opening ceremonies at BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Visitors to BlizzCon 2023 watch a trailer for Overwatch 2 during opening ceremonies in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Nahir Alvarado, left, and Daniel Krummen are dressed as Venthyr noblemen during BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Eliott Desjardins, dressed as the Reaper, poses for a picture during BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Nick and Karen Gabel take a selfie with Grom Hellscream form World of Warcraft during BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mike Ybarra, president of Blizzard Entertainment, speaks during opening ceremonies at BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kira Arlayna, left, and Ben and Cass Faircloth, are dressed as World of Warcraft charters during BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tabitha Rudkin, pink hair, dressed as Gnomelia Gearheart from World of Warcraft, joins Cody Schafers, right, during opening ceremonies at BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bradley Sovik, dressed as a Howl’s Moving Castle-inspired Lifeweaver, holds a hologram during BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
E-sports set up at during BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
E-sports set up at during BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mike Ybarra, president of Blizzard Entertainment, stands in the shadows as the CEO of Microsoft Studios, Phil Spencer, speaks during opening ceremonies at BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. Microsoft’s deal to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion was finalized on October 13, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bradley Sovik, dressed as a Howl’s Moving Castle-inspired Lifeweaver, during BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mike Ybarra, president of Blizzard Entertainment, stands in the shadows as the CEO of Microsoft Studios, Phil Spencer, speaks during opening ceremonies at BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. Microsoft’s deal to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion was finalized on October 13, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Matthew Evans, right, works to trade pins during BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People watch gamers in the Overwatch Op Center during BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mike Ybarra, president of Blizzard Entertainment, speaks during opening ceremonies at BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mike Ybarra, president of Blizzard Entertainment, speaks during opening ceremonies at BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The entrance to Darkmoon Faire from World of Warcraft during BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Opening ceremonies at BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Visitors cheer during opening ceremonies at BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hanari Solomon, dressed as Junker Queen from Overwatch 2, during BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mike Ybarra, president of Blizzard Entertainment, speaks during opening ceremonies at BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mike Ybarra, president of Blizzard Entertainment, stands in the shadows as the CEO of Microsoft Studios, Phil Spencer, speaks during opening ceremonies at BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. Microsoft’s deal to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion was finalized on October 13, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A giant Arthas Menethil from World of Warcraft during BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A shadowy figure walks though BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ted Smith, dressed as a red demon, poses for pictures during BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Warcraft tavern during BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Patrick Webb, left, and Greg Burke are dressed as citizens from The kingdom of Gilneas from World of Warcraft during BlizzCon 2023 in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, November 3, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Thousands of gaming enthusiasts left the virtual world and gathered in Anaheim on Friday for the first time in four years for BlizzCon 2023.
The two-day event draws fans of Blizzard Entertainment’s many popular franchises, such as Diablo, Hearthstone, Overwatch, StarCraft and World of Warcraft, for sneak peeks at new releases and content, gameplay, panels and fan experiences.
The halls of the Anaheim Convention Center have been turned into an immersive players’ paradise with places to try games and watch top gamers compete. There are photo ops, cosplay and plenty of merch.
Launching BlizzCon on Friday was an opening ceremony that broke news on releases for several games.
The opener that packed the convention center’s arena started with remarks from Mike Ybarra, president of Blizzard Entertainment, which has long been based in nearby Irvine.
“Whether you are a hardcore or casual gamer, or if it has been a while since you picked up one of our games, we are here to show you the Blizzard we are today and the Blizzard we are becoming,” he said to the cheering crowd.
He said tens of thousands of people would be attending BlizzCon in Anaheim, and many more around the world were watching the livestreams on YouTube and Twitch. “But BlizzCon isn’t just about the latest updates from Blizzard, it is all about you. Players are at the forefront of everything we do.”
“This is my first BlizzCon ever and it is great to feel the energy in the room,” he said. “You are the reason we make games, your love for these games truly is inspiring.”
Spence said Blizzard “occupies a special place in the gaming community” and the influence of its games and what they have pioneered could be seen in role-playing games, the rise of esports and games as live entertainment, the growth of online communities and more.
“Blizzard’s influence is everywhere,” he said, also assuring fans Xbox would “nurture the essence of what makes Blizzard unique.”
“Having seen what’s in store for players,” he said, “I can say the future of Blizzard is brighter than ever and you all have so much to look forward to.”
BlizzCon continues Saturday at the convention center.
