Blizzard announced today that it will not be hosting BlizzCon 2021. The annual event was first held in 2005, but a coronavirus pandemic crushed last year's event and ended plans for this year's in-person event (BlizzCon is usually held in October or November). This past February, the first BlizzConline was held (and much was made of it) as a virtual replacement for the event that did not take place in 2020.

A statement from BlizzCon executive producer Saralyn Smith reads: "As guidelines for in-person gatherings in California continue to evolve and pandemic conditions fluctuate around the world, the entire Blizzard team is working to ensure that we have the most We have been discussing what this means for BlizzCon, one of the events we miss the most. Some of you may be wondering about your plans to potentially meet friends, family, and community members in California, not to mention the ocean, but across the country.

"Hosting BlizzCon is a grand and complex affair, requiring months of preparation not only for us, but for our many talented production partners, esports professionals, emcees, entertainers, artists, and other collaborators. The ongoing complexity and uncertainty of the pandemic has impacted our ability to properly move forward on many of these fronts, and ultimately we are past the point where we can develop the kind of event we would like to create for you in November."

The statement concludes that Blizzard is "planning a worldwide event early next year" that will include "an online show similar to BlizzConline" and "smaller in-person gatherings.

The idea of a smaller gathering is an interesting one. While no one knows when companies will be allowed to host a huge global event like BlizzCon again, for example, the logistics and risks of an event limited to the population of one country seem more realistic.

"We very much look forward to celebrating with you again," Blizzard's statement concludes. Until then, we'll see you in Azeroth, Outland, Sanctuary, and all the other worlds we call home."