Video games on this podcast vary from E to M.LINA MADRID: Hey, everybody, welcome to the official XBOX Podcast, the one podcast coming to you from inside XBOX.I’m Lina, and as you’ll be able to inform, we’re not at our regular Redmond studios.No, we’re right here in Irvine, California, on the Blizzard campus.I’m so excited.We’re going to be studying all about BlizzCon 2026.And right here to provide me all of the juicy particulars is the Senior Director of World Occasions for Blizzard, Kiersten Crissman.Hello, Kiersten.How’s it going?KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: Hello, Lina.Going nice.How are you?LINA MADRID: Good.Actually, I’m freaking out.I really like Blizzard, so I’m right here taking photos with all the pieces.This may go lacking sooner or later, and it wasn’t me.I simply need that on digital camera for now, okay?However earlier than we do something, I do truly wish to learn one thing off of the official schedule that you simply simply printed.KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: Okay.LINA MADRID: So individuals at house usually are not prepared for this.Sunday, September thirteenth, 11:45 within the morning, everybody gathers within the Area Plaza, and at midday the conch is blown.KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: That’s proper.That’s appropriate.LINA MADRID: That’s an actual line in the actual manufacturing plan?KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: That could be a actual line within the manufacturing plan, sure, that’s appropriate.So that’s what we name March of the Murlocs.And this 12 months, that is our fifth version of the March of Murlocs.And it has develop into certainly one of our most beloved traditions with our group.And like we stated, sure, the conch is official.It’s an merchandise, and there may be an official proprietor with the conch, truly.And this 12 months we’re anticipating 4,000 of our group members to take part within the March of the Murlocs, dressed as lovely, unhinged Murlocs theirselves.And this 12 months, our official shade is emerald inexperienced, in case anyone at house has began their stitching.LINA MADRID: Oh, you understand individuals have, like in all probability began since June or one thing.KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: I believe so.I believe someone began stitching possibly because the previous BlizzCon.LINA MADRID: Really, you’re proper, yeah.They put a lot effort and time into these cosplays.KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: They do.LINA MADRID: So good, so good.KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: Very proficient, very proficient.LINA MADRID: Yeah.So, selfishly, I’m so excited for this episode as a result of I’m an enormous Blizzard fan, and what a time to be a Blizzard fan.I imply, earlier this 12 months, you revealed some huge bulletins throughout your Blizzard Showcase.However let’s begin with the apparent.BlizzCon in individual is again.And what made this the appropriate second to carry everybody again collectively once more?KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: Nice questions.Properly, BlizzCon is a significant occasion for us, and it’s all about our group.And we wish to be sure that 2026 is really a particular one.You recognize, we love, everybody at Blizzard loves BlizzCon a lot and we’re so excited to carry it again this 12 months.Our video games and experiences have all the time been constructed with a deep dedication to high quality, craft, and connection.And BlizzCon this 12 months will mirror that.The celebs additionally aligned completely, as a result of this 12 months has been all about celebrating large anniversaries.From Blizzard to Diablo, Overwatch and Battle.web, we’re celebrating historic milestones, and we are able to’t wait to have a good time with everybody and convey this to life throughout the present ground and throughout our broadcasts.LINA MADRID: So this is perhaps somebody’s very first BlizzCon.Possibly they’re new to the group or they’ve been round a very long time and simply by no means made it out to the occasion.What would you want people, new and outdated, to know concerning the coronary heart of BlizzCon?KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: Properly, greater than something, I’d say we’re trying ahead to being along with all the Blizzard group as one.And we’re excited for the large bulletins and everybody seeing what now we have in retailer, enjoying the newest recreation demos, trying out the present ground, but in addition making connections with one another.And for a lot of of our gamers, that is the second that they’re gathering with their in-game mates and along with their guildmates, seeing outdated mates and making new ones.And for a present of 37,000 individuals attending, it feels surprisingly like an intimate expertise, like an intimate occasion.And all of that might be felt whether or not you’re part of the expertise on website in Anaheim or whether or not you’re becoming a member of us at house.And I can not wait.LINA MADRID: Yeah.I attended in individual again in 2023.So fortunate.And I simply bear in mind being completely blown away by the setup.You stroll in and there’s a big Sword of Sargeras greeting you.You’ll be able to go get a drink on the Tavern, play some video games at Darkmoon Faire.I imply, the extent of immersion, implausible.So for individuals who might have attended or watched again in 2023, what would really feel acquainted?What may really feel model new?And may we count on that very same stage of immersion?KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: Oh, man, how a lot time do now we have?[Laughter]I’ll be trustworthy with you, proper?Pay attention, all of our beloved staples, they’re going to be returning, corresponding to our main bulletins throughout opening ceremony.One factor is our primary stage is definitely relocating again to Corridor D.That is the most important corridor throughout the Anaheim Conference Middle.And we’re joyful to say that there’s going to be over 7,500 seats on this corridor this 12 months, which we’re actually enthusiastic about.So 7,500 dwell attendees are going to be experiencing these greatest moments collectively.I may also promise that whether or not you play our video games or not, there may be going to be one thing there for you.Darkmoon Faire can be again, and it’s larger than in 2023.For these unaware, Darkmoon Faire is a reproduction construct of World of Warcraft’s in-game expertise.And at BlizzCon, it’s actually our main hub for issues like pin buying and selling.There’s collector’s objects.And you can too snag issues like thriller objects, restricted version pins, plushies, and far more.And should you keep there lengthy sufficient, you may end up even buying and selling with fellow collectors as properly.This 12 months, we’ve relocated Darkmoon Faire again to the North Corridor on stage two with a footprint over 70,000 sq. ft.LINA MADRID: That’s big!KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: It’s big.That is truly our largest Darkmoon Faire expertise so far.And we even have new experiences, together with a duck pond that you would be able to fish in.Yep, it’s true.Clearly, pretend fishing right here.LINA MADRID: Okay, I used to be going to say [laughter].KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: Proper?However we’ve received our return staples like pet adoption.We now have Toy Capsule Depot, the Buying and selling Submit, and a good quantity of managed chaos, we prefer to say, in between.There’s unique prizes which might be scattered throughout the experiences, so wanderers will certainly be rewarded.The Hearthstone Tavern, such as you talked about, will even be again larger than ever as properly, which we’re enthusiastic about.And it’ll embody group favorites just like the Artist Nook, Doula Dev, a 360 Mocktail Bar.And the staff additionally has a pair few surprises thrown in there that we are able to’t discuss as we speak.LINA MADRID: Dang it!KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: However the Tavern is admittedly the proper spot so that you can go to sort of chill, take a break, seize a chew as you’re having fun with your total BlizzCon expertise.We’ve additionally dramatically elevated our total stage programming, and we’re going to have programming operating throughout six levels this 12 months over two days.We’ve received our What’s Subsequent panels, we’ve received our Deep Dives, we’ve received particular company, cosplay contests, and 5 esports packages operating concurrently.It’s fairly giant.And except for sharing the newest of our most beloved universes, many of those panels are additionally providing superb insights into the event course of, arts, cinematics, sound, and far more.We’re enthusiastic about that.After which closing out on truly Saturday night is certainly one of our favorites, which is Group Evening.And Group Evening, that is the place we spotlight essentially the most superb people and creations throughout our group.This 12 months’s Group Evening goes to function a number of totally different contests.We’ve received artwork, brief movie, expertise, and the cosplay contest, in addition to a cosplay exhibition.And now, the cosplay contest is definitely going to be hosted by Darren DePaul, which is the voice of Reinhardt, which you understand.LINA MADRID: Sure, sure!KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: Very thrilling.And that is certainly one of my favourite components of the present.And all 7,500 of these seats in primary stage, they are going to be packed, we are able to assure it.And I actually, I actually consider, and also you noticed it in all probability in ’23, now we have essentially the most proficient cosplayers throughout the globe.So ensure, once more, whether or not you’re in there and in individual in Anaheim or at house, you should definitely catch that programming.LINA MADRID: So clearly some people received’t be attending in individual.They’ll be at house watching on-line by stream.What are you able to inform us about what their BlizzCon expertise will seem like?KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: Yeah, completely.So earlier as we speak, we truly dropped our Viewers Information.By no means executed any Viewers Information like this earlier than, so fairly thrilling, truly.In order that simply got here out alongside the programming schedule.And throughout the Viewer’s Information, you’ll truly discover the place, when, and find out how to watch.So all of BlizzCon is definitely free to look at for everybody, no go required.You’ll be able to watch on all of our official Blizzard channels on YouTube and Twitch.The channels particularly are Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch channels.Our opening ceremony broadcast begins Saturday, September twelfth at 10:30 AM Pacific, and we’ll broadcast by Sunday at 7 PM Pacific as properly.Now, in fact, we are able to’t stream each minute, proper, of the entire present, and there are some in-person exclusives, however we’ve received you lined on opening ceremony, all of the panels, Group Evening, and naturally, esports competitions.It’s over 117 hours of goodness.LINA MADRID: Wow!KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: So we hope that everybody has cleared their weekend.LINA MADRID: And in the event that they perchance wish to be rewarded for his or her dedication, sitting nonetheless for 2 days straight?KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: Drops!LINA MADRID: Sure!KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: Drops, everybody.We’ve received drops!So tune into taking part streams throughout YouTube and Twitch to earn your in-game rewards.Which of them you get varies by recreation and by stream and by platform.And all of our drops might be shared by our social channels, so be sure that to remain tuned there.LINA MADRID: Loot is my love language, so I liked listening to all of that.KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: There you go.LINA MADRID: Yeah.So I’ve a little bit of a softball query for you up subsequent.What kind of bulletins can we count on at this 12 months’s BlizzCon?KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: Lina, you understand we are able to’t discuss that!LINA MADRID: Okay, I do know.I needed to attempt.I needed to attempt for you.I needed to attempt.Okay, all proper.The actual query, although, let’s discuss esports.KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: Okay.LINA MADRID: I heard Overwatch World Cup is again.And Overwatch is my recreation.I adore it.So I’m very excited for that.KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: Yeah, we’re very excited for Overwatch to be returning.Overwatch is definitely going again into the sector, which we’re tremendous enthusiastic about and we love.It’s the final location to have a good time our World Cup athletes and actually really feel that world nature of that competitors.And along with Overwatch World Cup, we’re actually excited to have a number of esports returning to BlizzCon, to the BlizzCon stage.World of Warcraft is definitely again with Area World Championship, in addition to the Mythic Dungeon Worldwide.Hearthstone has the Hearthstone Masters Tour World Championship.And we’ve received the primary ever Basic Cup at BlizzCon.And all are going to be featured on model new levels, which we’re further enthusiastic about.And now, I wish to take a second, should you’re cool with it.LINA MADRID: Yeah.KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: To speak just a little bit concerning the Basic Cup, which once more, as I discussed, we’ve by no means executed earlier than.The Basic Cup goes to function a few of our most legendary gamers returning to the stage for a point-based showcase hosted by two captains representing our communities.And people captains are Tasteless and Artosis.Now, the lineup once more consists of a few of our legendary groups and gamers throughout esports’ historical past.And this consists of Corridor of Famers like BoxeR and Nal_rA.The entire prize pool throughout all of our esports at this occasion goes to be greater than $1.2 million as properly.LINA MADRID: Wow!KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: Yeah.LINA MADRID: Is it not too late for me to place my identify in?I play a reasonably good DPS Juno, simply so you understand.Okay, in any case, so it seems like there’s a lot extra to see and expertise at BlizzCon, but when we went by all of it, we’d be right here for hours, and also you sort of have some vital issues to get executed.So we’ll wrap this up, however earlier than we do, outdoors of what we already mentioned, are there another moments or competitions or demos that you simply assume followers undoubtedly shouldn’t miss?KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: Completely, we are able to contact on a pair right here.So for followers of Diablo and tattoos, now we have thrilling information.Hell’s Ink goes to make a return to BlizzCon.So it’s time to get that necromancer tattoo — LINA MADRID: Matching tattoos?KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: you’ve all the time dreamt of.LINA MADRID: Sorry, I went — that was nice and I went — [ LAUGHTER ]The Blizzard Arcade can be making a return, and that could be a retro-themed nook of Blizzard Video games.It’s going to function StarCraft, Heroes of the Storm, and a few of our favorites from the Blizzard Arcade assortment.And talking of gameplay, BlizzCon 2026 goes to function over 1,300 gameplay demo stations.And should you recall, our thirty fifth anniversary video of the lengthy desk of retro objects from 35 years of Blizzard for the very first time, with the assistance of our superb archives staff right here at Blizzard, goes to make an look on the BlizzCon present ground.We’ll even have two days of back-to-back meet-and-greets throughout three halls, that includes Blizzard builders, creators, esports gamers, cosplayers, and extra.And also you’ll see a lot of them, together with a few of our movie star company, on the BlizzCon and the BlizzCon broadcast as properly.And so far as what’s extra, I can’t share all the pieces, like we talked about earlier.And as you famous, we’ll be right here for hours.However what I can say is that we’re occupying each inch of the 1.8 million sq. ft of the Anaheim Conference Middle.And we’re so excited to welcome our group and immerse them into our worlds like by no means earlier than.LINA MADRID: And at last, BlizzCon, September twelfth by Sunday, September thirteenth, which, to not stress you out, nevertheless it’s in per week and a half.KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: It’s, it’s [laughter].LINA MADRID: However you and the groups have been simply dedicating a lot effort and time and fervour into ensuring this occasion is prepared for the world.I do know we talked about loads, however is there something that you simply personally are most excited for folk to expertise?KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: Properly, above all the pieces else, I’m most excited to have a good time and be with our group.Like we stated initially, BlizzCon is for the group.And we simply can’t wait to have you ever be a part of us in Anaheim or on-line.LINA MADRID: Kiersten, thanks a lot for becoming a member of us on the podcast.This was a whole lot of enjoyable.KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: It was superior.Thanks for having me.LINA MADRID: Yeah.KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: Thanks for having Blizzard.LINA MADRID: We’re going to should take photos with the statue afterwards.KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: Completely.LINA MADRID: And I’m critical concerning the matching tattoos, although.KIERSTEN CRISSMAN: And the life-size one out within the crowd.LINA MADRID: Oh, yeah [laughter].Thanks a lot for being right here.And with that, a reminder that BlizzCon is September twelfth and thirteenth.And should you’re not going to be there in individual, no worries.Like we stated, you’ll be able to watch at house through livestream.You’ll be able to catch the entire enjoyable, the competitions, the bulletins, and we’ll truly be capturing a number of episodes of this podcast on website.Thanks a lot, Kiersten and the Blizzard crew for having us right here on campus.It’s been a whole lot of enjoyable.And thanks to who’s watching, listening at house.We actually admire you, and we’ll see you on the following episode of the official XBOX Podcast.Bye.
