BlizzCon 2017, the annual convention for Blizzard Entertainment fans, took place on November 3rd and 4th in Anaheim, California. For attendees and those unable to travel, Blizzard offered a Virtual Ticket that provided live and on-demand coverage of the event's panels, contests, interviews, and closing ceremony. A key component of the Virtual Ticket package was a collection of exclusive in-game items for Blizzard's popular titles. This article details the specific in-game freebies associated with the BlizzCon 2017 Virtual Ticket and outlines the promotional giveaway opportunities that were available through various online platforms.
The in-game freebies offered with the BlizzCon 2017 Virtual Ticket were designed to provide value across Blizzard's major game franchises. According to official details, the package included the following items:
- Overwatch: A BlizzCon 2017 Winston Skin. This cosmetic item was available immediately upon purchase or acquisition of the Virtual Ticket.
- World of Warcraft: Two mounts were included: the Stormwind Skychaser for Alliance characters and the Orgrimmar Interceptor for Horde characters.
- StarCraft II: A set of three skins: the Junker SCV, Probe, and Drone skins.
- Heroes of the Storm: A Nexus Razorback Mount.
- Diablo III: A Murkromancer Pet.
- Hearthstone: A mystery goodie, with specific details not publicly disclosed prior to redemption.
These items were exclusively available to BlizzCon Virtual Ticket holders and were not sold separately. The Virtual Ticket itself was a paid product, but promotional avenues existed for consumers to obtain it at no cost.
Several online publications and gaming news sites ran giveaways for the BlizzCon 2017 Virtual Ticket during the lead-up to the convention. These promotions provided a no-cost entry method for consumers to win the ticket and its associated in-game rewards. Two notable examples from the provided source material illustrate the scope and rules of such giveaways.
GameSpot, a major gaming news website, partnered with Blizzard to run a giveaway for ten BlizzCon 2017 Virtual Tickets. The promotion was open to participants worldwide, with an entry deadline of October 29, 2017, at 12:00 PM PT. Winners were to be contacted via email. The primary entry method involved submitting a comment on the designated giveaway article, with optional additional entries available to increase the chances of winning.
Similarly, BlizzardWatch, another gaming news outlet, conducted its own giveaway, offering four BlizzCon 2017 Virtual Ticket codes to its readers. The promotion required participants to leave a comment on the article for a chance to win. This giveaway also highlighted the full access provided by the Virtual Ticket, which included four stages of live coverage, on-demand replays, interviews, contests, and the closing concert by Muse, in addition to the in-game goodies.
These giveaways represent a common promotional strategy in the gaming industry, where media outlets collaborate with publishers to distribute premium content to their audience. For consumers, these promotions offered a legitimate and cost-free method to access a paid product. It is important to note that these were limited-time offers with specific entry periods and eligibility requirements, such as the worldwide scope of the GameSpot giveaway.
The structure of these promotions typically involves a simple entry mechanism, such as commenting on an article or filling out a form, followed by a random drawing among valid entries. The winners are then notified directly by the organizing entity. For consumers seeking similar opportunities, monitoring official gaming news sites and publisher social media channels during major event seasons is a standard practice.
The BlizzCon 2017 Virtual Ticket and its associated in-game items were a time-sensitive offer. The convention took place in November 2017, and the giveaways for the ticket codes concluded in late October 2017. Therefore, the specific in-game items and the Virtual Ticket itself are no longer available for purchase or distribution. The information provided is historical, detailing a past promotional event.
For consumers interested in current or future promotional offers from Blizzard or other entertainment companies, the primary method is to monitor official company websites and authorized retail partners. Giveaways from reputable gaming media outlets remain a viable channel for winning premium digital content. Consumers should always verify the legitimacy of a promotion by ensuring it is hosted on an official or well-known platform and by reviewing any terms and conditions provided.
The BlizzCon 2017 Virtual Ticket serves as a case study in how digital entertainment companies bundle live event access with exclusive digital content. The in-game items provided tangible, lasting value for fans, extending the event experience beyond the live dates. The associated giveaways further amplified the reach of the event, allowing a global audience to participate in the celebration and acquire unique items for their favorite games.
Conclusion
The BlizzCon 2017 Virtual Ticket offered a comprehensive package of live event coverage and exclusive in-game freebies for six Blizzard franchises. While the ticket itself was a paid product, promotional giveaways run by gaming news outlets like GameSpot and BlizzardWatch provided a no-cost opportunity for consumers to win the ticket and its digital rewards. These promotions, which required simple actions like commenting on an article, were open to a worldwide audience during specific entry periods. The event and its associated giveaways are historical, but they exemplify a common promotional model in the gaming industry where premium digital content is distributed through partnerships with media platforms.