Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. today announced plans for its fifth BlizzCon gaming convention, to be held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California on Friday, October 22 and Saturday, October 23, 2010. BlizzCon is a celebration of the global player communities surrounding Blizzard Entertainment’s Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo universes.

"BlizzCon offers us a great opportunity to meet with our players and share our enthusiasm for gaming with one of the most passionate communities in the world," said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. "We’re looking forward to providing another great show filled with entertainment, competition, and the latest information about Blizzard Entertainment games."

In addition to serving as a gathering place for Blizzard Entertainment gaming communities, BlizzCon will offer attendees a chance to enjoy:

Hands-on play time with upcoming Blizzard Entertainment games

Discussion panels with Blizzard Entertainment developers

Competitive and casual tournaments for players to showcase their talents

Community contests with great prizes

Commemorative merchandise based on Blizzard Entertainment’s game universes

More exciting activities and attractions to be announced

The previous BlizzCon was held in Anaheim in August 2009. Tickets to the event sold out in minutes, and some of the highlights included the announcement of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, the unveiling of a new playable class in Diablo III, the first public hands-on with the single-player campaign of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, and a closing concert featuring rock legend Ozzy Osbourne.

Further details about BlizzCon 2010, including ticket availability and pricing, will be announced on the official BlizzCon website, www.blizzcon.com, as the event draws closer.