Esports

Activision Blizzard Announces BlizzConline An Online-Only Event


For Activision Blizzard, the esports and gaming convention known as BlizzCon is a celebration of the company’s achievements and a chance to announce or release upcoming projects. BlizzCon, which was to take place sometime in October or November, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, Activision Blizzard has announced that it will go digital to bring its convention online, with BlizzConline on the calendar for Feb. 19-20. Details are scarce and there is no mention of esports, at the moment, but here’s what we know.

Gear Up for the Community Showcase

The Community Showcase will be an opportunity for cosplay crafters, artists, and other community creators to be a part of the show while putting their talent on display in a mix of competition and exhibitions. This will be an all-online show that will be accessible to more people around the globe. Note: Activision Blizzard is assembling a special “March of the Murlocs” by inviting fans to send images and videos to participate.

Cosplay Exhibition

Also in an all-online format, the cosplay exhibition will be a “just-for-fun” showcase of original cosplay from Blizzard’s universes. It is open to people of all skill levels.

The format will also give Blizzard the chance to invite the animal kingdom onto the virtual stage. Cosplayers can dress up as animals or dress up their own pet for this participation event. 

Cosplay Contest

The cosplay contest has been one of the biggest success stories coming from BlizzCon as amateurs and professionals alike have at times spent thousands of dollars in design and manufacturing. And while this year there will not be a physical stage, the contest will continue at BlizzConline and will see prizes given out in four categories:

  • Best Blizzard Character – Recognizing interpretations of heroes and villains from the worlds of Diablo, Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm, Overwatch, StarCraft, and Warcraft.
  • Best Blizzard Weapons & Armor – Recognizing the craftsmanship that goes into building battlefield-worthy gear.
  • Best Modern Creation – Recognizing expertise in working with materials such as foams and plastics, and incorporating 3D printing, electronics, and technology.
  • Best Traditional Creation – Recognizing skill in working with materials such as fabric, leather, metal, and wood.

Judges will determine a winner in each of the four categories—and from among those, they’ll also determine one overall best cosplay winner, all of whom will be revealed during the BlizzConline broadcast.

Art Contest

Blizzard will be looking for original artwork for the BlizzConline Art Contest. Submissions may vary from painting a valiant hero, sculpting a villain, illustrating a memorable moment from inside your game, and more. 

Prizes will be awarded to first-, second-, and third-place works of art and winners will be featured in a segment during the BlizzConline broadcast.

Digital Storytelling Contest

The Digital Storytelling Contest invites aspiring digital filmmakers to create an original, story-driven short based on Blizzard’s game universes.

Prizes will go to first-, second-, and third-place winners, who will get to see their work shown during the BlizzConline broadcast.

Talent Spotlight

The Talent Spotlight is inviting original acts (solo or group) to showcase their special talent—musical, physical, magical, whimsical, or otherwise.

To be considered for this online exhibition, talent can submit a video of themselves performing, singing, dancing, and their other talents. Acts may be selected to be featured on the BlizzConline broadcast. 

March of the Murlocs

Recently, BlizzCon has seen a peculiar procession of hundreds of people masquerading as murlocs parading through the convention halls. To honor that tradition-in-the-making, Blizzard is inviting fans to participate in a virtual March of the Murlocs for BlizzConline.

To be considered, fans must send a photo or video (30–60 seconds in length, and ideally filmed horizontally) of themselves walking, marching, or dancing dressed up as a murloc.



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