It was a record year at Blizzcon 2017, though the annual convention lacked the momentous announcements from previous years.
More than 30,000 people came through the doors of the Anaheim Convention Center for Blizzard Entertainment Inc.’s annual fan fest and millions more watched the gaming action, panel discussions, and other content from mobile devices or at home through a $40 virtual ticket. For the first time the fan fest expanded to the North Hall, which had two levels outfitted with stages and a wing dedicated to its popular “Hearthstone” card game.
“We have a shared love of games and their stories and characters and most of all we are here because of the relationships we built and fostered through gaming,” Chief Executive and co-founder Michael Morhaime told the boisterous crowd during opening ceremonies, many of whom dressed in full character costumes. “This is the most incredible family reunion in the world.”
For the first time in 11 years the opening ceremonies were broadcast from several different staging areas throughout the convention center.
In-game updates and expansions ruled the day at this year’s installment.
The company announced that “StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty” will be free to play on Nov. 14. Those who already own “Wings of Liberty” will have free access to “StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm.”
“Wings of Liberty” was the industry’s best-selling game in 2010, shipping more than 1.5 million copies in its first 48 hours, setting the record for fastest-selling game of its type.
“Heart of the Swarm” sold more than 1.1 million copies in the first two days after its March 2013 release.
The free-to-play online brawler “Heroes of the Storm,” an esports staple in the amateur and pro circuits since its 2015 release, announced two new heroes, Hanzo and Alexstraza, as well as a few new gameplay changes, including performance-based matchmaking and voice chat.
“Hearthstone,” a free-to-play collectible card game, will launch an expansion in December. “Kobolds & Catacombs” will take players into the dungeons beneath Azaroth, where they’ll have access to 135 new cards, including a class of nine legendary weapons, and a single-player option.
Players can purchase the expansion card set in a 50-pack bundle online, or through iOS and Android apps, for $50.
The game has racked up more than 70 million players since its March 2014 U.S. launch, which could claim the title as the most actively played Blizzard game in the company’s 23-year history.
The first-person smash hit shooter, “Overwatch,” will introduce an amusement park map location celebrating the worlds of “Diablo,” “StarCraft,” and “Warcraft,” as well as a new hero and life-draining geneticist named Moira. It also released an animated short, “Honor and Glory,” which takes viewers into Reinhardt’s journey as he confronts the invitation to join Overwatch.
The game, which has grown into a $1 billion business since its May 2016 release, is the foundation of Blizzard’s Overwatch League that will debut next month at its new esports arena in Burbank.
Its flagship “World of Warcraft” series announced its latest expansion, “Battle for Azeroth,” where the war between the Horde and the Alliance reignites.
Blizzard also teased plans to develop a gameplay experience that recaptures its loyal legion of fans’ first journeys into the original “World of Warcraft,” which was first released 13 years ago. It’s long been Blizzard’s largest source of revenue.
Blizzard is Orange County’s largest software maker, employing 2,000 in OC and more than 4,000 worldwide. It posted record sales last year of $2.4 billion, up 55% from 2015, with operating income of roughly $1 billion, up 81%.
Into the Breach
Scott McGregor, the former chief executive at Irvine-based chipmaker Broadcom Corp., has been appointed to the board of Equifax Inc. in the wake of its national breach.
McGregor, a longtime industry veteran, will serve on the board’s technology committee. His appointment comes less than two months after the Atlanta-based credit score and report services provider was hacked, compromising the names, social security numbers and home addresses of 145 million Americans.
McGregor left Broadcom Corp. after its $37 billion sale to Singapore-based Avago Technologies Inc. finalized in February 2016.
The company was renamed Broadcom Ltd., with Avago Chief Executive Hock Tan taking the helm of the combined company from its newly named U.S. headquarters in San Jose.
McGregor left an indelible mark at Broadcom Corp. during his 10-year reign besides presiding over the blockbuster deal, which earned him Business Person of the Year honors in the tech sector from the Business Journal.
Broadcom grew revenue from just over $2.5 billion to a record $8.4 billion during McGregor’s tenure. The company’s market value grew more than sixfold over that period to around $35.5 billion at the end of 2015.
Broadcom proposed a plan last week to acquire longtime San Diego-based chip rival Qualcomm Corp. in a cash and stock deal valued at $105 billion, or $70 per share.
