Blizzard skipping Gamescom ‘to focus on development’

Blizzard has confirmed that it won’t have a booth at Gamescom 2019.

In a statement on its site, the Overwatch and World of Warcraft studio said the decision was taken so that it can maintain focus on in-development projects, which it will share details of in due course.

“As part of a renewed effort this year to maintain our focus on development, for our current games and our future projects, we won’t have a booth at Gamescom 2019,” Blizzard said.

“The show is an important one for the European and global gaming community, and we’re going to miss meeting players in Cologne this year.”

Blizzard said it plans to return to Gamescom in the future.

“We’re also looking forward to sharing more details about the projects we’re currently working on when the time is right,” it added.

During Activision Blizzard’s quarterly earnings call in February, which was transcribed by Seeking Alpha, chief financial officer Dennis Durkin said the publisher wasn’t planning “a major frontline release” for Blizzard in 2019.

“Looking further ahead,” he added, “Blizzard’s pipeline of PC, console and mobile content is richer than ever and we expect a significant addition of development resources to accelerate the pace of delivery over time”.

It’s possible Blizzard may be saving some big announcements for BlizzCon 2019, which will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center in California on November 1 and 2.

Tickets for the fan-focused convention will go on sale in two waves, on May 4 and May 8.