What is BlizzCon and how can I keep up with it?

If you're new to the game or play casually, you may be wondering just what all the fuss is about BlizzCon. So just what is BlizzCon and what does it mean to you?

We'll start at the beginning: BlizzCon is a convention held by Blizzard where they announce new games (and expansions), hold panels with developers, let the best players in the world show off their skills in tournaments, offer hands-on demos of just-announced games, host costume and talent contests, and other fun Blizzard-centric activities. The con is held in sunny Anaheim, California on a standard Blizzard "when it's ready" schedule -- typically every couple of years, though sometimes it's an annual event. This year's convention will be on the weekend of November 7 - 8th and if you want to attend... well, unfortunately tickets are sold out. However, you can still pick up a virtual ticket which will let you watch live streams from the convention floor, access the BlizzCon-exclusive store, and pick up some in-game goodies -- like this year's Grommloc murloc pet -- for $40.

But is it worth it -- and do you even care? Well, maybe. Here's a rundown of what you can expect to happen at BlizzCon this year -- and how to keep up with the news from afar.

What will (probably) happen at BlizzCon 2014
The biggest news of BlizzCon will be announcements, though it's hard to say exactly what will happen until Blizzard lifts the curtain. We're likely to hear more about Warlords of Draenor -- and maybe what comes next, either in patches or a future expansion -- but it's more likely that other games will be the stars of this year's show. We're certain to hear more about StarCraft 2 (perhaps news on the game's third installment), Hearthstone (perhaps news on the next expansion), and Heroes of the Storm (perhaps a release date). But as to what else we'll hear... only Blizzard can say for certain, and no one's talking until the opening ceremony on November 7th.

Beyond the big announcements, we can expect a host of smaller announcements: panels with developers will give a behind the scene look at the games, class panels will give us a preview of class changes to come, and Q&A panels get straight answers from the development staff. Check out the official schedule to see everything on the agenda this year. But is this minutia really that exciting? It can be -- when they're talking about your class and things that are relevant to your playstyle. But no matter how you game, some of the panels will absolutely be relevant to you... but some won't. Take a look at the schedule and see how much looks interesting to decide how much attention you'd like to pay to BlizzCon this year.

And of course there will be plenty of fun stuff, too. BlizzCon's contests are blast to watch, and this year there's a costume contest, a talent contest, and a movie contest, and an art contest -- the on-stage talent and contest contests are always a highlight. The closing ceremonies always feature live music, from Blizzard in-house band Level 90 Elite Tauren Chieftain -- though perhaps they've leveled up to Level 100 Elite Tauren Chieftain -- and this year Metallica will be performing -- yes, Blizzard takes advantage of BlizzCon to throw a real party for gamers.

What happens at BlizzCon... gets broadcast all over the internet
Is all of this enough to hop on a plane and skulk around the convention center hoping to get in? Well, probably not. But is it worth the cost of a virtual ticket? Depending on how into the game you are right now, maybe. If you really want to keep on top of things, a virtual ticket will give you the ability to watch all of the panels -- live or later -- with a front-row view, all from the comfort of your desk. And as a bonus, you'll get the same in-game swag attendees get, including the Grommloc pet. To sign up, just head to the BlizzCon website and have your credit card ready.

If you're not ready to shell out cash -- or just not interested enough to spend two days absorbed in watching lifestreams -- you'll be glad to know that the internet will have news, photos, and videos from BlizzCon up pretty quickly. The fastest news will be found on social networks, where you'll probably see news as it happens -- try following @Warcraft, @BlizzCon, @WoWInsider, or any of your other favorite WoW blogs on Twitter for quick updates from the convention floor.

If you're willing to wait a bit, you'll be able to find news roundups and summaries by the end of the convention (or sooner). These will usually cover all the news there is to know in one place -- and often have analysis or other extras that can help you figure out just what the latest announcements mean. On the web, Blizzard typically posts links to news coverage at the end of each day of the convention and, of course, WoW Insider will be staying on top of the news -- but your favorite WoW, StarCraft, Heroes of the Storm, Hearthstone, or Diablo site will be sure to have the latest, too.

However you're keeping up, remember: have fun, don't panic, and enjoy BlizzCon!

Just because you're a newbie doesn't mean you can't bring your A-game to World of Warcraft! Visit the WoW Rookie Guide for links to everything you need to get started as a new player, from the seven things every newbie ought to know to how to get started as a healer or as a tank.