BlizzCon 2010 Termin bestätigt: Startschuss am 22.10

Spielemessen sind mittlerweile weit mehr, als nur ein Treffpunkt für Gaming-Freaks. Denn mittlerweile werden auf den immer beliebter werdenden Spielemessen die neusten und aktuellsten News aus der Gaming-Szene veröffentlicht. So auch auf der BlizzCon, der hauseigenen Spielemesse von Blizzard, bei dem sich alles um das Spieleuniversum aus dem Hause Blizzard dreht.

Wie jedes Jahr, wird auch in diesen Jahr die BlizzCon Convention in Anaheim stattfinden. Als Termin wurde der 22+23.10 bekannt gegeben. Dabei dürfen wir dieses Jahr besonders gespannt sein, da Blizzard gleich drei aktuelle Top Titel in der Mache hat: Das WoW Addon Cataclysm, StarCraft 2 und Diablo 3. Rechnet man das Next-Gen MMO hinzu, ist sogar noch ein viertes Spiel dabei. Bleibt zu hoffen, dass sich die Entwickler gerade zu der Thematik das eine oder andere Wort entlocken lassen.

Wahrscheinlich wird wie letztes Jahr auch, die BlizzCon auch wieder via Internet Live-Stream zur Verfügung stehen, so dass man sich die Berichterstattung quasi via Internet ansehen kann. Allerdings ist dieser Dienst, zumindest im letzten Jahr, nicht kostenlos gewesen.

Ich bin gespannt, was es für Neuigkeiten auf der BlizzCon 2010 geben wird, auch wenn wir mit der Pax East und der E3 noch zwei bedeutende Spielemessen vor uns haben, wo es sicher auch News zu berichten gibt.

Anbei eine kleine BlizzCon FAQ, welche die meisten der auftauchenden Fragen, insbesondere wie man an Tickets für die BlizzCon kommen kann, klären sollte:

If you’ve been holding your breath waiting to find out when and where the next BlizzCon would be held, then… you’ve probably passed out by now. But if you’ve just been patiently watching for an announcement, then we’ve got good news for you: BlizzCon will be returning to the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday, October 22 through Saturday, October 23! Just as in years past, BlizzCon 2010 will feature an exciting mix of discussion panels, tournaments, hands-on gameplay, contests, and much more. Check out the announcement press release, and keep an eye on www.blizzcon.com in the months ahead for further details, including ticketing information.

When and where is BlizzCon 2010?
BlizzCon 2010 will take place on Friday, October 22, 2010 and Saturday, October 23, 2010 at the Anaheim Convention Center, located at 800 West Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92802. The hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pacific Time on both days (Friday and Saturday).

How much does a BlizzCon 2010 ticket cost?
Details about BlizzCon 2010 ticket availability and pricing will be announced on the official BlizzCon website, www.blizzcon.com, as the event draws closer.

Where and when can I buy BlizzCon 2010 tickets?
To attend BlizzCon, you must purchase tickets in advance through the online Blizzard Store once they go on sale. Details about BlizzCon 2010 ticket availability and pricing will be announced on the official BlizzCon website, www.blizzcon.com, as the event draws closer.

What activities will be at BlizzCon 2010?
In addition to serving as a gathering place for Blizzard Entertainment gaming communities, BlizzCon will offer attendees a chance to enjoy discussion panels with Blizzard Entertainment developers, competitive and casual tournaments for players to showcase their talents, hands-on gameplay featuring your favorite Blizzard Entertainment games, community contests with great prizes, commemorative merchandise based on Blizzard Entertainment’s game universes, and more. We’ll share more details about these and other events and activities on www.blizzcon.com as the event draws closer.

How will ticket sales operate this year?
The ticket-sales process for BlizzCon 2010 will be conducted through the online Blizzard Store, and will function similarly to the ticket-queue system used for BlizzCon 2009 ticket sales. We’ll have more details to share about BlizzCon 2010 ticket availability and the purchasing process in the near future, so please keep an eye on www.blizzcon.com for updates.

Can I order BlizzCon tickets over the phone?
You will only be able to place BlizzCon ticket orders online through the Blizzard Store. We will not be accepting BlizzCon ticket orders over the phone.

What can I do ahead of time?
Purchasing tickets requires a Battle.net account. If you do not have a Battle.net account and wish to create one in advance of ticket sales, click here to get started. Prior to ticket sales beginning, you may wish to visit Battle.net Account Management to ensure your contact and stored credit-card information are up-to-date, and to verify your e-mail address.

What do I get for the cost of a ticket?
Each BlizzCon ticket includes a BlizzCon badge that grants access to BlizzCon. Attendees will also get a BlizzCon goody bag containing exclusive swag. More details on the contents of the goody bag will be revealed in the weeks ahead. Please be aware that transportation and hotel accommodations are not included with the cost of any BlizzCon ticket.

Is BlizzCon open to attendees outside the United States and Canada?
Yes. International attendees will be able to purchase tickets at the same time as domestic attendees. We have not yet announced when tickets for BlizzCon 2010 will go on sale, so please keep an eye on BlizzCon.com for more information.

What should I do about hotel accommodations and transportation?
Several hotels within walking distance of the Anaheim Convention Center will be providing guest rooms at a special BlizzCon group rates. Transportation to the event will be up to you. Please check the Travel Info page on www.blizzcon.com in the coming weeks for further information on nearby hotels and how to take advantage of the special group rates, as well as information about car rentals and shuttle buses from nearby airports. If you plan to drive to the Convention Center for the event, we suggest you carpool.  Please visit our parking page in the coming weeks more information.

Is there an age restriction for attendees?
Some content at BlizzCon may not be suitable for children. Anyone under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Absolutely no children 5 years of age or under will be permitted to enter. Tickets are required for all attendees, and the child ticket price is the same as the adult ticket price. Please note that no strollers will be allowed in the Anaheim Convention Center.

Whom should I contact if I have a question about accommodations for people with disabilities at BlizzCon?
If you are disabled and require special services, please contact blizzconsupport@blizzard.com to identify your special needs. All requests should be received by August 20, 2010 in order to ensure the availability of services.  Please include your contact information in your email.

I am planning on carrying my costume and some water in a backpack to BlizzCon. Is this OK?
Any bags being brought into BlizzCon should be smaller than 20 inches x 10 inches (roughly the size of two sheets of paper side by side). Anyone with a bag larger than this may be refused entry. If you are taking part in the costume competition and require a larger bag to store your costume, please check with the information kiosk in the lobby on your arrival. Blizzard Entertainment reserves the right to search any bags being brought into BlizzCon and to refuse entry if they are found to contain prohibited items (see below).

Will there be a place to store a costume and/or bag at any time during the event?
There will be no general storage space available to show attendees. Please leave anything you don’t wish to carry in your car, at home, or at your hotel. If you are taking part in the costume competition, please check with the information kiosk in the lobby on your arrival.

Can I bring my video camera/camcorder into BlizzCon?
Video cameras are permitted for use in the BlizzCon exhibit halls. However, you may not record gameplay from any of the screens (with the exception of tournament gameplay), and recording the BlizzCon closing concert on Saturday evening is strictly prohibited.

Can I bring my iPod?
MP3 players are permitted in the BlizzCon exhibit halls. However, personal equipment may not be connected to any computer for any reason at any time.

Can I bring my computer/laptop to BlizzCon?
General attendees will not be able to bring desktop computers, laptops, and electronic storage devices into the BlizzCon exhibit halls. Please leave these devices in your car, at home, or at your hotel. Members of the media who have a press badge will be able to bring a laptop onto the show floor.

I’m planning on wearing a costume to BlizzCon. Are there any items I cannot bring into the event?
Costumes may not include or otherwise utilize any edged weapons (such as knives, daggers, and swords); actual clubs, maces, or other crushing weapons; or projectile weapons of any kind, even if unloaded or nonfunctional (this includes firearms of any kind including air guns, longbows, crossbows, etc.). Acceptable costume weapon props are limited to air-filled or soft plastic melee weapons (swords, daggers, maces, clubs, etc.) and wooden staves that are not shod with metal.

Is there anything else that I can’t bring?
Attendees will not be allowed to bring weapons, alcohol, fireworks, glass bottles, cans, or large containers into BlizzCon. **Any attendee found to have violated the prohibited items list may be removed from BlizzCon.**

Will BlizzCon be broadcast on TV or available to view on the Internet this year?
We haven’t announced any plans for television or Internet broadcasts of BlizzCon 2010. Keep an eye on the official BlizzCon website, www.blizzcon.com, for any event-related announcements as the convention draws closer.