This week kicks off BlizzCon, one of the biggest publisher conventions in video games. Like QuakeCon and MineCon, this is a great opportunity for the company to send its message directly to fans, and to bask in the glow of appreciation for all they've created. At the same time, these are essentially widespread commercials held by companies selling a product, and attendees are willing testimonials.

This week, the Chattycast talks all about publisher conventions. What makes a good convention? Does it have to tie into their news cycle, or can it simply be a celebration of games? What level of prominence does a game or series have to gain to earn its own con? What does this do to other, more general fan conventions like PAX?

Come watch!