BlizzCon 2011

BlizzCon 2011 was a BlizzCon event hosted by Blizzard Entertainment that took place at the Anaheim Convention Center on October 21-22, 2011. There were more than 26,000 people who attended BlizzCon 2011.

The official date for BlizzCon 2011 was announced on February 7, 2011. Prior to the event (16 September until 20 September), BlizzCon ticket purchasers were able to buy their tickets online from the BlizzCon store, although shipping was held off until October 21st.

Summary

 * StarCraft
 * StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm revealed
 * New trailer expanding on Blizzard DOTA


 * Warcraft
 * World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria is the next expansion.


 * Diablo
 * Diablo III new cinematic trailer: "The Black Soulstone"

Activities

 * Discussion panels with Blizzard Entertainment developers
 * Class Panel
 * Hands-on play time with upcoming Blizzard Entertainment games
 * Community contests with great prizes
 * The standard Movies, Song, Art, Costumes, and Dance Contests Rules and Applications.
 * Smaller, more specific activities
 * Artist's Stage (Hall A)
 * Art Gallery (Hall A)
 * Artists and Developer's Signing (Hall A)
 * BlizzChat Live Forum (2nd floor, Rooms 201 A and 201 B)
 * Charity Auction (Hall A)
 * Cinematic Theater (Hall B)
 * Lore Zone (Between Halls A and B)
 * Realm Meeting Area (2nd Floor, Room 204 A-C)
 * Ask Blizzard! (Hall C)
 * Make Your Mark At BlizzCon - Graffiti Wall (Hall A-B)
 * Green-Screen Photos (Hall C)
 * Loot Elemental (Hall C)
 * Recruiting Booth (Hall C)
 * Retro Arcade (Hall A)

Tickets

 * $175.00 USD per ticket (up from BlizzCon 2010, +$25.00 USD)
 * $39.99 USD per virtual ticket (same as BlizzCon 2010)
 * Sold in two batches:
 * Saturday, May 21st, 2011 at 10:00am Pacific Time (California)
 * Wednesday, May 25th, 2011 at 7:00pm Pacific Time (California)
 * Only 4 tickets available per household (down from 5)

Benefits Dinner, supporting the Children's Hospital of Orange County
 * $500.00 USD per ticket (200 tickets total)
 * Tickets available on Saturday, May 28th, 2011 at 10:00am Pacific Time (California)
 * Includes BlizzCon 2011 ticket
 * Limit 2 per household
 * To be held Thursday, October 20th, 2011

Swag/Goodie Bag

 * Murkablo mini-pet, a baby Murloc with Diablo-esque characteristics
 * StarCraft II bonus, TBA
 * BlizzCon 2011 Authenticator

Coverage

 * Blizzard created a community site, dedicated completely to BlizzCon! See External Links
 * DirectTV is covering BlizzCon via a Pay-Per-View event, and offers a streaming internet video of multiple channels.
 * Price is $39.95 USD
 * Coverage of the Opening Ceremony and Tournaments is free

Controversy
An edited video clip featuring an interview with "Corpsegrinder" shown during the closing ceremony of the event stirred significant controversy on the forums about homophobic and anti-gay racial slurs being used at a live BlizzCon performance.

This outcry eventually led to public apologies from both the Level 90 Elite Tauren Chieftain band and Mike Morhaime, President of Blizzard Entertainment.