Blizzard Announces BlizzConline 2021 – A Fully Online BlizzCon Experience
Blizzard has announced BlizzConline, a fully online version of BlizzCon that will take place on February 19th and 20th, 2021. More details on the experience are yet to come, however, they have announced the Community Showcase, which they describe as “an opportunity for cosplay crafters, artists, and other community creators to participate in the show and put their talent on display through a mix of world-class competition and exciting exhibitions.”
Blizzard fans around the world will be able to participate in the Community Showcase, making it easier than ever for artists, creators, and makers to showcase their work at BlizzCon. There are also some new editions to the lineup, including the ability to include pet cosplay as part of the online format, as pets aren’t traditionally allowed in the convention venue.
UPDATED JAN 5: The January 4 deadline to enter the Community Showcase has passed, and submissions are now closed. Thanks to everyone participating, and we’re looking forward to next month!
UPDATED NOV 2: In a recent Fireside Chat video, Blizzard president J. Allen Brack shared that BlizzConline™ will be free to watch and engage in.
Attune your chronometers, flip your hourglasses, set a notification on your phone—however you mark the passage of time, save the date for BlizzConline™, set to take place February 19–20, 2021!
While circumstances are keeping us from gathering in person this year, we’re putting together a little something early next year to channel the spirit of BlizzCon into the form of an online show, which will be free to watch and engage in. We still have a lot of planning to do, and it’ll be some time before we’re ready to share more details—but we wanted to provide a heads-up on how you can be a part of the online fun.
Gear Up for the Community Showcase
One of the events we’re planning for BlizzConline is the Community Showcase—an opportunity for cosplay crafters, artists, and other community creators to participate in the show and put their talent on display through a mix of world-class competition and exciting exhibitions. And thanks to the all-online nature of the show, we’re able to make these events accessible to even more people from around the globe. We’re also assembling a special March of the Murlocs and inviting everyone to send us images and videos to join in.
If you’re interested in participating in the March of the Murlocs or the Community Showcase, please be mindful of the appropriate health guidelines for any group-based photos, videos, and other submissions. Read on to discover what you need to know to begin your preparation!
Cosplay Exhibition | Cosplay Contest | Art Contest |
Digital Storytelling Contest | Talent Spotlight | March of the MurlocsCosplay Exhibition
Entry Deadline: January 4, 2021
Are you someone who enjoys regularly attending conventions in cosplay? Or maybe you’re looking for the right opportunity to get started on your own cosplay-crafting journey? Either way, the Cosplay Exhibition is for you! This just-for-fun showcase of original cosplay from Blizzard’s universes is open to people of all levels of skill, whether you’re a seasoned veteran, a casual cosplayer, or somewhere in between.
The all-online format also gives us a chance to do something we haven’t been able to before: invite the animal kingdom onto the virtual stage! So if you fancy dressing up your fuzzy friends and want to show off your dog, cat, or other critter, we’d love to see your pet cosplay as well.
We’ll be showing off original exhibition submissions during the online show—so simply send us photos and videos you’d like to be considered, and you may spot yourself (or your animal pal) onscreen next February.
For guidelines on how to properly submit your cosplay for consideration, what we’re looking for in terms of quality, and other important criteria, make sure to read the complete official rules.
Cosplay Contest
Entry Deadline: January 4, 2021
The cosplay contest is always one of the highlights of BlizzCon—and even if we won’t be sharing a physical stage together, we still want to give top-notch cosplay creators a chance to showcase their skills in the virtual spotlight.
The BlizzConline Cosplay Contest will feature four categories:
- Best Blizzard Character – Recognizing outstanding interpretations of iconic heroes and villains from the worlds of Diablo, Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm, Overwatch, StarCraft, and Warcraft.
- Best Blizzard Weapons & Armor – Recognizing the exemplary craftsmanship that goes into building epic, battlefield-worthy gear.
- Best Modern Creation – Recognizing expertise in working with materials such as foams and plastics, and incorporating 3D printing, electronics, and technology.
- Best Traditional Creation – Recognizing masterful skill in working with materials such as fabric, leather, metal, and wood.
Our judges will determine one winner in each of the four categories—and from among those, they’ll also determine one overall best cosplay winner, all of whom will be revealed to the world during the BlizzConline broadcast. (Note that you do not need to choose which categories you want to be considered for—the judges will determinate that as part of the judging process.)
Because the contest is taking place entirely online, the videos and photos you send may be displayed as part of the show, so keep that in mind when you’re prepping your entries.
For guidelines on how to properly submit your entry, what level of quality is acceptable, and other important criteria, make sure to read the complete official rules.
Art Contest
Entry Deadline: January 4, 2021
We’re putting out a call for your original artwork for the BlizzConline Art Contest! Whether you’re painting a valiant hero, sculpting an iconic villain, illustrating a memorable moment from inside your game (or out), this is your chance to shine a spotlight on your artistic talent. If you’re looking for something to spark your creativity, Blizzard’s 30th anniversary is this February, so consider drawing on your skills to mark the occasion.
Prizes will be awarded to first-, second-, and third-place works of art, and winners will be featured in a segment during the BlizzConline broadcast. Check out the official rules below, and click the Enter button to submit your entry.
Digital Storytelling Contest
Entry Deadline: January 4, 2021
The Digital Storytelling Contest invites aspiring digital filmmakers and moviemaking auteurs to create an original, story-driven short based on Blizzard’s game universes. As with the Art Contest, we’re inviting you to draw inspiration from across 30 years of Blizzard history. That could mean retelling an epic story with your own spin; imagining a collision of iconic characters from different times or universes; or exploring wherever your creativity takes you. Your short can feature live action, animation, in-game footage, or a mix of all three.
Prizes will go to first-, second-, and third-place winners, and the world will get the opportunity to watch your story unfold during the BlizzConline broadcast.
For requirements around maximum running time, file size and format, and other important criteria for submission, read the official rules.
Talent Spotlight
Entry Deadline: January 4, 2021
The Talent Spotlight is a chance to celebrate the wide range of unique talents and extraordinary abilities of the Blizzard community worldwide. We’re inviting original acts (solo or group) to showcase their special talent—musical, physical, magical, whimsical, or otherwise.
To be considered for this online exhibition, simply submit a video of you or your group performing, singing, dancing, or doing whatever it is you do, and you may be selected to be featured on the BlizzConline broadcast. Please be mindful of the appropriate health guidelines for any group-based performance.
For requirements around maximum running time, file size and format, and other important criteria for submission, read the official rules.
March of the Murlocs
Entry Deadline: January 4, 2021
If you’ve attended BlizzCon in the past couple of years, you may have encountered a particularly peculiar procession, as hundreds of people masquerading as murlocs paraded through the convention halls. In honor of that grand tradition-in-the-making, we’re inviting you to participate in a virtual March of the Murlocs for BlizzConline!
To be considered, simply send us a photo or video (30–60 seconds in length, and ideally filmed horizontally) of you walking, marching, or dancing dressed up as a murloc (or your own imaginative interpretation).
We’re also welcoming photos or video of murlocs marching in-game, so gather up your fish-minded guilds and allies and show us what you mrgrlglgrrl!
Keep the deadlines above in mind as you get to work—and if you have any questions about the contests or exhibitions, you can reach out to us at BlizzConCommunityShowcase@blizzard.com.
We can’t wait to see what you create—and maybe even share it with the world during BlizzConline!
