If you love Blizzard but just can’t get to BlizzCon 2014 in Anaheim on November 7 and 8, you can buy the right to watch comprehensive live HD footage via the BlizzCon Virtual Ticket. $39.99 (£24.99) will grant you access to two separate channels of live BlizzCon content for the two days.
The access will include live news from the developer panels for all of Blizzard’s well-known games (World of Warcraft, Starcraft, Diablo, and Hearthstone), as well as one-on-one interviews from Blizzard designers, artists, and producers. The coverage will even let you watch events like the Costume and Talent contests with Chris Hardwick and the closing ceremonies. If you can’t sit at the computer non-stop for two days, the BlizzCon channels will allow you to replay segments you might have missed or rewatch something you want to see again for up to two weeks after BlizzCon has wrapped up.
Purchasing the Virtual Ticket will also unlock some commemorative in-game goodies for all four titles, though Blizzard is keeping a tight lip on what that loot will actually be. You’ll also get early access to the BlizzCon merch sale that runs October 17 though November 11.
However, BlizzCon will be streaming free live HD coverage of some of its events, like the Opening Ceremony, the Starcraft II World Championship Finals, etc., so if you don’t feel like buying the Virtual Ticket you can see get into a bit of the action. If you want the goodies, though, be prepared to fork over the cash.