Forging the Future of Game Development at BlizzCon® 2026

BlizzCon® has always been a place to celebrate the worlds we share and the people who bring them to life. This year, that spirit extended to both the current and next generation of game-makers through Forge the Future, a collection of career development experiences designed to help aspiring developers learn, ask questions, and connect directly with people working across Blizzard.

As part of Forge the Future, 142 complimentary BlizzCon Passes were distributed to more than 20 organizations, community groups, and local universities, offering more students and prospective candidates the opportunity to join the celebration and connect with people who could help shape their next steps.

"Initiatives like Forge the Future matter because they give aspiring developers real access to people, information, and feedback, and instill a sense that there is a place for them in this industry," said Amir Satvat, Founder of Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), one of the organizations that received complimentary passes. "At a time when it's so hard to break into games, that kind of support and community-building matter enormously. I kept hearing people talk about getting help with resumes, having someone listen to them, attending a great session, or simply feeling supported. It's so meaningful to be in a space like that full of people who really care about helping others."

Throughout the weekend, attendees met with Blizzard artists, designers, producers, recruiters, and other team members to talk about the many paths into game development. Whether they had years of industry experience or were just starting out, participants could get practical guidance and a more candid look at building a career in games.

The talent acquisition team and a group of hiring managers completed over 285 portfolio and resume reviews across both days of the BlizzCon weekend with representation across all major disciplines, including art, engineering, design, production, and more.

A Closer Look at Craft

One of the career connection hubs at BlizzCon was the Inclusion Nexus, where panels and networking sessions gave attendees a closer look at both entering the industry and doing the work once there. The "Breaking into a Career in Gaming" panel highlighted multiple pathways for aspiring game-makers to find the right career for them. Other conversations explored the art behind Overwatch, took players behind the scenes of Hearthstone, and offered a window into how we approach accessibility in our games.

Keep Forging Your Path

"One of the most meaningful things we can do as an industry is help open doors for the next generation of game developers. There has never been a more important time to create opportunities for learning, mentorship, and connection. Seeing hundreds of aspiring creators share their work, ask thoughtful questions, and build new relationships throughout BlizzCon left me incredibly optimistic about the next generation of game-makers."

- Arin Goldsmith, Employer Brand Lead

BlizzCon brings people together around a shared love of games-not just the love of play, but a love of the craft. Nurturing that passion means sharing what we know, supporting one another, and opening doors for those just getting started.

Forge the Future was made possible by the Blizzard employees and partners who gave their time, shared their experiences, and helped create a welcoming place for honest questions and useful feedback. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the program.

To everyone who brought a portfolio, joined a networking session, attended a panel, or took the time to ask one more question: thank you for sharing that future with us. BlizzCon weekend may be over, but the work of learning, creating, and finding your path continues. We cannot wait to see where yours leads.

Interested in a career at Blizzard? Check out our open roles at Careers at Blizzard Entertainment.