The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to the cancellation of nearly all in-person gaming events this year, including BlizzCon, Blizzard's annual weekend-long celebration of all things Blizzard. when BlizzCon was canceled, the studio announced that an alternative online event and in September it was announced that the awkwardly named BlizzConline would take place on February 19-20, 2021.

Previously, BlizzCon was a pay-per-view event: the opening ceremony was free, but "virtual tickets" were required for full online access to panels, esports events, etc., and were previously sold for $40 per ticket. However, since 2020 has been a different year, this BlizzCon (which will take place in 2021, but will replace the 2020 show) will also be different.

"We won't be doing a physical show this year, but we are very excited about BlizzConline early next year," Blizzard president J. Allen Brack said in a fireside chat video today. We want it to be a big virtual celebration, so BlizzConline is free to watch and attend," Blizzard president J Allen Brack said in today's Fireside Chat video.

Despite the difficulties of the pandemic, BlizzConline is a great success, Brack said, with more than 95% of Blizzard's global workforce now working from home. Events include cosplay exhibits and contests, art and storytelling competitions, a "talent spotlight," and the "March of the Murlocs," a parade of Murloc-inspired looks ranging from simple face paint to full-blown cosplay, BlizzConline promises to be quite big.

Blizzard confirmed in an email that the event is completely free: "Blizzard will not charge viewers to watch or participate in BlizzConline.

Hopefully, we'll also get a fresh look at some of the new things Blizzard is working on, such as Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2, but we'll have to wait a while to see how that goes. For more information on BlizzConline or to sign up to attend the event blizzcon.com.