Big Update, before the 3 o'clock news on the new game, MORE HOPE FOR D3!!!
WoW EXP II was confirmed officially at Blizzcon, the word is out. Here's a nice excerpt from IGN.com with notes and a timeline. Sounds great, only 20 more minutes until they unveil their next "big game" ?>... Damn, it's actually making work fun again!
http://pc.ign.com/articles/810/810325p1.html
August 3, 2007 - Editor's Note - The updates below are being updated live from BlizzCon 2007's show floor. Keep checking back for all the new information, screens, and video.
11:32 - And that's it! Pearce walks offstage, crowd gets up and shuffles off to hands-on setups, American Gladiatory-style duels with padded sticks, to browse the merchandise, or just to argue with each other over who's the most effective off-tank in their guild.
11:31 - Pearce now mentioning Wrath of the Lich King will be playable, as well as a number of panels that'll be discussing it.
11:29 - Showing video now. Presumably from Northrend. Shows one zone that's in a perpetual state of forest fire, dungeons with skulls breathing flame, snowy mountains, absolutely gigantic yeti. Nwo there's a human running through a green-tinted forest - Death Knight Hero class shown - he blasts out black and purple orbs of energy that smash into the ground. Final shot is of Arthas sitting on an ice throne.
11:28 - Level cap raised to 80. New skills for all classes. Siege weapons, and buildings that can be destroyed with those siege weapons. Inscription, a new profession, can permanently enhance character spells and abilities. Can mod hairstyles and dances. Northrend will have 5 man, 10 man, 25 man dungeons. Hundreds of new quests. Will include the Death Knight hero class.
11:26 - Announces officially The Wrach of the Lich King, the second expansion for WoW. Will introduce the area of Northrend, and will bring in Arthas. Arthas is going to threaten "all life on Azeroth"!! Oh noes!
11:25 - Referencing Zul'Aman, a new 10 man raid instance to be added in. Every single feature getting cheers from the crowd. Now the audience is screaming "go Horde!"
11:23 - Frank Pearce, another Blizzard co-founder is on stage. Starting to talk about Burning Crusade, saying the development team has been hard at work on "a lot of cool stuff." Mentions integrated voice chat. Says this might be a disappointing feature, as "that hot Night Elf chick might be a dude on the other end." Now talking about Guild Banks and how they'll improve guild organization.
11:21 - Talking about Terran race from SCII - Blizzard to reveal information on the single-player campaign in SCII. We'll have a full report and video later today and into tonight.
11:19 - The Terran marine is yet again fully armored and delivers his line, "Hell, it's about time."
11:17 - Blizzard's cinematics are unbelievable. Can't wait for the WoW movie, which we'll find out more about tomorrow at a panel discussion, and post whatever we hear in this update stream.
11:15 - Showing the StarCraft II cinematic trailer shown at WWI. It's on our site, so you can watch along.
11:14 - A bunch of StarCraft tournament footage from the show, more Korean ladies, some kind of musical act where people dance around in a rain of confetti, and finally fans saying they had a good time. The crowd here at BlizzCon approves by clapping.
11:13 - Now talking about Blizzard's Worldwide Invitational, showing video cut together from the show. Showing people signing StarCraft posters, scantily clad, smiling Korean ladies, keytars, footage from the show floor the moment StarCraft II was announced. Then, for some reason, breakdancing.
11:10 - Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftan will be playing, says Morhaime, which the crowd applauds heartily.
11:07 - Saying Blizzard is going to deliver some info on upcoming products, mentioning the competitive tournaments that are going on here and how they link into professional gaming league. There'll also be a costume dance and song contests. Starts at 7 PM. Hey, drinks and Blizzard costumes and Jay Mohr as the MC! That's about as weird as it gets!
11:06 - Now mentioning the record sales of The Burning Crusade, and how quickly Blizzcon sold out (3 days).
11:04 - Morheim is thanking fans, bragging about how popular WoW is, saying WoW's population is bigger than half the countries in the world. Thanking South Park for featuring their game, and wishing them luck with the
Emmy nominated episode.
11:01 - An artist from WoW is onstage - calling out various classes that's having an effect on the crowd like a rockstar calling out cities. Mike Morheime, president and cofounder of Blizzard now onstage.
11:00 - The announcements continue - "Our program will begin shortly," says a soothing male voice as ambient music plays over the loudspeaker.
10:57 - Blizzard has everything sort of set up in the same hall. The main stage, which I'm sitting in front of right now, is actually in the same giant room as all the StarCraft II and World of Warcraft playable stations. They've got snack stations, displays with WoW figurines, board games, and a beer tent. I can't wait to go play SCII again and find vomit all over my keyboard, possibly with a disregarded pair of Night Elf ears. So far the strangest thing I've seen was one attendee in full-on epic Warlock gear. I can't remember offhand what tier it is.
10:56 - Another announcement - the opening ceremony is set to begin in five minutes.
10:52 AM PDT - Just posted a brief StarCraft II hands-on. An announcement over the PA system said the opening ceremony will begin in 10 minutes.
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