The annual pilgrimage to Anaheim for legions of Blizzard fans has been put on hold. In a surprising move, the gaming giant has announced that it will be skipping its hallmark BlizzCon event this year, breaking a tradition that has endured for nearly two decades.

The news, delivered via a candid blog post, left many in the Blizzard community reeling. BlizzCon, which first graced the scene in 2005, has long been a sacred ritual for the company’s devoted followers, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the future of beloved franchises like World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch.

But fear not, faithful ones, for Blizzard has assured that this hiatus is merely a temporary respite. The company vows to return to the hallowed halls of the Anaheim Convention Center in due time, promising a triumphant resurrection of the beloved convention.

In the interim, however, Blizzard plans to satiate the cravings of its ardent fanbase through alternative channels. The blog post outlines a series of “multiple, global, in-person events” slated to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the iconic Warcraft universe, each promising to capture the essence of what makes the Blizzard community so unique.

Moreover, the company intends to leverage prominent industry trade shows like Gamescom to showcase its upcoming offerings, including the highly anticipated World of Warcraft: The War Within and the Vessel of Hatred expansion for Diablo IV.

“Our hope is that these experiences – alongside several live-streamed industry events where we’ll keep you up to date with what’s happening in our game universes – will capture the essence of what makes the Blizzard community so special,” the blog post declares, echoing the company’s commitment to maintaining a deep connection with its devoted followers.

Addressing speculation that the decision might have been influenced by Blizzard’s recent acquisition by Microsoft, a company representative was unequivocal in their statement to Windows Central: “This is a Blizzard decision. We have explored different event formats in the past, and this isn’t the first time we’re skipping BlizzCon or trying something new. While we have great things to share in 2024, the timing just doesn’t line up for one single event at the end of the year.“

For now, the community must bid a temporary farewell to the hallowed halls of Anaheim, secure in the knowledge that their pilgrimage will resume anew when the time is right. Until then, the journey continues, fueled by the unwavering passion that has defined the Blizzard faithful for generations.