What does BlizzCon mean to you?

We’ve made our predictions for BlizzCon announcements. We’ve guessed the closing acts (and they haven’t not said it’s Taylor Swift, mind you). But finally, BlizzCon is here. This is my tenth BlizzCon and I know not many have had an opportunity to go to even their first. I often get asked, “Matticus, why do you keep going back? Doesn’t it get tiring?”

My initial response is that this is my one major vacation of the year and I choose to come when I can. Even the back of the BlizzCon pass says “Welcome home.” It’s not difficult to feel at ease with people you’ve never met in person before but have played with for a long time. That’s my guild! I don’t see them more than once a year but I raid with them several times a week. For a few, this is the first time, but I’ve met many of them in person before. I close my eyes and it’ll be like I have Discord open in the middle of a raid. I’m also certain to them they’re delighted to finally put a face to the Priest who confidently runs right into fire to save them from certain death. But let’s forget about the guild for a minute and think about the team at Blizzard Watch here.

Y’know, for the first time ever, I met Matt Rossi. To be fair, the absolute first thing he did was put me in a headlock (and thank goodness there is no photo evidence of this), but we demonstrated that we are in fact, two different people! I’ve known Rossi for over a decade now and I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for him and his work, so it’s nice to actually meet him (and live to tell the tale). I’m grateful for it. Over the years, it was Alex, it was Anne, Adam, Dan, Liz, Dawn, Rachelle, Cory, and others from the team who have come and gone. Okay, even Mitch. There is this same feeling of gratitude that their presence impacted and shaped me as an individual.

To me, BlizzCon has always been about the relationships that have been built. It’s the friendships that have continued to evolve. It’s the support you both give and receive to players that could be on opposite ends of the world. I guess that’s the real reason why I keep coming back. I miss these lovable nerds. Yes, even Mitch.

So that being said, what does BlizzCon mean to you?