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Blizzard Sets Date for Local Fanfest

Irvine’s Blizzard Entertainment Inc. got a jump on things this year and announced on Monday the dates of its annual fan convention, which attracts nearly 30,000 people to Anaheim.

Blizzcon 2011 is set to take place Oct. 21 and 22 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

The convention is a chance for die-hard fans to gather and share their love of Blizzard’s three big game franchises, “World of Warcraft,” “StarCraft” and “Diablo.”

“We look forward to holding another exciting BlizzCon this year, filled with some great entertainment and competition, as well as the latest news about Blizzard games,” cofounder and Chief Executive Mike Morhaime said. “BlizzCon is built from the ground up with our community in mind—we’re pleased to be able to host an event where players can come together to have fun and celebrate their passion for gaming.”

Blizzard’s fantasy-themed games, which are played by millions over the Internet, are big business.

The company, part of Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard Inc., a unit of France’s Vivendi SA, is Orange County’s largest software maker with $1.3 billion in yearly sales.

Blizzard has more than 2,000 local workers.

BlizzCon isn’t a money maker but rather a way to give back to followers and inspire employees, according to Morhaime.

Attendees, who deck themselves out as their favorite game characters, get to play unreleased versions of Blizzard games. They also get first crack at Blizzard swag.

The previous BlizzCon was held in Anaheim in October.

Tickets last year went to $150 a pop and sold out in minutes.

Details on this year’s ticket prices and sell dates haven’t been released.

Last year’s event concluded in epic style with a raucous performance by Tenacious D, the comedic rock band fronted by movie funnyman Jack Black.

Setting the performance over the top was a surprise cameo on drums by Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters fame.

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