BlizzCon 2018 Security

Community General Discussion
1
Hi Blizz & Fellow Gamers,

First off: I'm not sure where exactly a post like this should go or how I can even ensure it gets face-time with someone who may be able to help. Sorry if I'm going about this wrong!

To the point though: the recent shooting that happened during a gaming tournament in FL has really got me and a lot of other individuals I know who will be attending BlizzCon this year concerned.

I've attended a few years now and while I have seen security, I don't know enough about the process to make a judgement on the level we will be provided. I'm hoping at the very least this post can provide the community with some information on how we will be looked at for while attending your event.

It is not my intention to make a big deal or anything and I do NOT want this to get political. So, please keep that in mind when commenting here. I simply would just like to please request that Blizzard consider upping their security this year as we never can be too safe.

BlizzCon attracts well over 20,000 gamers from around the world, and past experiences have shown that the ratio of attendees to security is really off-sync.

Is there any chance you'd be willing to help us out this time around, Blizz?

Thanks for all you do!
2
08/27/2018 07:42 PMPosted by Ildel
Hi Blizz & Fellow Gamers,

First off: I'm not sure where exactly a post like this should go or how I can even ensure it gets face-time with someone who may be able to help. Sorry if I'm going about this wrong!

To the point though: the recent shooting that happened during a Madden gaming tournament has really got me and a lot of other individuals I know who will be attending BlizzCon this year concerned.

I've attended a few years now and while I have seen security, I don't know enough about the process to make a judgement on the level we will be provided. I'm hoping at this very least this post can provide the community with some information on how we will be looked at for while attending your event.

It is not my intention to make a big deal or anything and I do NOT want this to get political. So, please keep that in mind when commenting here. I simply would just like to please request that Blizzard consider upping their security this year as we never can be too safe.

BlizzCon attracts well over 20,000 gamers from around the world, and past experiences have shown that the ratio of attendees to security is really off-sync.

Is there any chance you'd be willing to help us out this time around, Blizz?

Thanks for all you do!


To be fair, there have been thousands of conventions over the past decade and this is the first shooting to occur at a gaming-centered event.

I think you'll be okay.
3
would be nice to beef up security.. but they wont.. it's always people saying they "should have" after crap happens. Money > lives
4
08/27/2018 07:45 PMPosted by Mynrok
Hi Blizz & Fellow Gamers,

First off: I'm not sure where exactly a post like this should go or how I can even ensure it gets face-time with someone who may be able to help. Sorry if I'm going about this wrong!

To the point though: the recent shooting that happened during a Madden gaming tournament has really got me and a lot of other individuals I know who will be attending BlizzCon this year concerned.

I've attended a few years now and while I have seen security, I don't know enough about the process to make a judgement on the level we will be provided. I'm hoping at this very least this post can provide the community with some information on how we will be looked at for while attending your event.

It is not my intention to make a big deal or anything and I do NOT want this to get political. So, please keep that in mind when commenting here. I simply would just like to please request that Blizzard consider upping their security this year as we never can be too safe.

BlizzCon attracts well over 20,000 gamers from around the world, and past experiences have shown that the ratio of attendees to security is really off-sync.

Is there any chance you'd be willing to help us out this time around, Blizz?

Thanks for all you do!


To be fair, there have been thousands of conventions over the past decade and this is the first shooting to occur at a gaming-centered event.

I think you'll be okay.


I thought my son's school was safe, but pretty recently, a teen with a gun tried to break into his school. He didn't succeed, but if he did...

Shootings are becoming increasingly common in the US. I have plenty to fear. One shooting at a game event can spark a lot of copycats that want to do the same so that they can build a reputation or whatnot.
5
I agree, I think security is important and have staff trained in case of such a incident occurs wouldn't be bad either. Proper evacuation protocol being made ahead of time could help reduce causalities and injuries. Due to a event as big and compact as Blizzcon if something like this happened it would be a major tragedy where most of the damage done would come from Trampling. It wouldn't hurt to encourage Attendees to get acquainted with the area and the map of the building either. In these dark times being prepared for such a thing is needed.
6
To be fair the incident in FL was likely a combination of a sore loser, booze and having a gun.

That said they do have a security check at the door of Blizzcon. I do not remember if they had metal detectors or not but I have never felt unsafe at one.
7
I think you'd probably be better off sending an email to BlizzCon@Blizzard.com with these concerns. The WoW forums probably aren't the best place to ask. Even the BlizzCon forums probably aren't the best place.

Edit - Changed somewhat foolish word choice.
8
Just part of contemporary American life, you'll more than likely will be just fine.
9
garrosh hellscream will protect you.
10
I would think that Blizzard hires as much security as any large convention to provide reasonable security. If you're expecting secret service/dignitary level security, then you're attending the wrong venue.

It's a video game company's convention, not the G7 Summit.

If you're that scared of lightning strikes, don't leave your house ever.
11
I believe the place in Florida was a small event with sub 50 people. I don’t think they had any security.

Blizzcon I believe has many security measures in place.

Also, if I go to McDonald’s they don’t have any security. Same with many other places.
12
Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself. FDR

Seriously though, doubtful anything will happen, but to be on the safe side, congregate with the Herd, eh!
13
All "security" means is that the nutjob with the gun starts shooting at people trying to get inside, instead of in a convention hall somewhere.
14
08/27/2018 07:46 PMPosted by Repfarmftw
would be nice to beef up security.. but they wont.. it's always people saying they "should have" after crap happens. Money > lives


There is no amount of money that will make any large event 100% safe.

The TSA costs almost $8billion per year and by every report, they do almost nothing to stop weapons from getting onto airplanes.
15
But there is a sign saying no weapons allowed! Wait, criminals don't follow laws.
16
08/27/2018 08:14 PMPosted by Eret
But there is a sign saying no weapons allowed! Wait, criminals don't follow laws.


Seriously? Another warlock?

I posted a no demons allowed in origrimmar like...months ago! Learn to read you Orc!
17
08/27/2018 08:10 PMPosted by Fortuna
All "security" means is that the nutjob with the gun starts shooting at people trying to get inside, instead of in a convention hall somewhere.
I'm not implying that it a solution to solve the problem, but I don't think having more "eyes" looking for people who look out-of-place or strange would be a bad thing. Hell, snipers/patrol on top of the Hotel buildings would make me feel better too :)

I just feel like if it is obvious that an event is well-protected, maybe it would make it harder/less appearing for someone who would otherwise do harm.

I'm no psychologist, just a concerned gamer wanting to have a good, safe time.
18
1 gold says metal detectors at Blizzcon entrance.

08/27/2018 08:14 PMPosted by Eret
But there is a sign saying no weapons allowed! Wait, criminals don't follow laws.


Unfortunately, the guy bought his guns legally even though he had mental problems.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jacksonville-florida-gunman-david-katz-legally-purchased-firearms-madden-nfl-19-shooting-2018-08-27/
19
Are you really concerned about / afraid of going there?

Hmmm it’s like if a plane crashes you don’t travel anymore?

Believe it or not but the chances of you dying in a car accident going to blizzcon is higher than dying in blizzcon 37483847x times. Statistically.

What I’m trying to say is don’t look after these stuff just go and enjoy Your time to the fullest!!
20
08/27/2018 08:29 PMPosted by Dfat
Are you really concerned about / afraid of going there?

Hmmm it’s like if a plane crashes you don’t travel anymore?

Believe it or not but the chances of you dying in a car accident going to blizzcon is higher than dying in blizzcon 37483847x times. Statistically.

What I’m trying to say is don’t look after these stuff just go and enjoy Your time to the fullest!!


Corporations usually worry about liability and p.r. So 1 gold says metal detectors at Blizzcon.