After layoffs and a PR disaster, some Blizzard employees dreaded BlizzCon

A file photo of gamers competing during the Activision Blizzard Inc, annual fan convention and tournament championships at the Anaheim Convention Center on Nov 6, 2015 in Anaheim, California. — Los Angeles Times/TNS

Employees of Blizzard Entertainment always look forward to BlizzCon, the Irvine-based gaming company's annual event for fans. Although preparing for it takes weeks of frenzied work, it's a chance to debut games they've been toiling on, and the thousands of fans who pay more than US$200 (RM833) a ticket for entry treat anyone with an employee badge with reverence.

"BlizzCon is sort of like the Christmas of Blizzard," one staffer said.