14 DAY TRIAL // E3 might be bigger and more visitor-friendly this year, but one of the most important video-game creators in the world, Blizzard, has chosen not to return to the show, probably still remembering the rather lackluster 2007 and 2008 editions of E3.
Talking to gaming magazine, Edge Bob Colayco, who is the public relations manager for Blizzard, said that “Blizzard Entertainment will not be attending or participating in E3 2009.” The company will probably organize a press conference at the same time in order to take advantage of the media attention that is garnered by the largest trade show of the video-gaming industry. Such a press conference necessitates less preparation and less involvement than a full participation in E3.
Blizzard's decision makes a lot of sense. In all likelihood, the company doesn't have a big announcement to make this year. In 2009, we are set to receive Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty, the first installment of the three-part, real-time strategy sequel, and developers are also working on Diablo III, which will probably only arrive in 2010. At the same time, World of Warcraft, the most played Western MMO, has already received a new expansion, in the form of Wrath of the Lich King, and Blizzard probably doesn't plan to announce another one until 2010.
The company is also creating its own shows, where most of the attendance is made up of fans, and where it has begun to launch its biggest public statements. Starcraft II was initially unveiled in South Korea in 2007 at the Blizzard Worldwide Invitational, while Diablo III was presented in 2008 in Paris. Blizzon has also grown year after year, even if big announcements have not normally been made there. So keep an eye out on these two in order to see what Blizzard has planned for the near future (I'm betting it intends to finally release Ghost).