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We're live from Blizzcon 2009, sitting here waiting for the Opening Ceremonies to begin. The room is full of excitedly quiet people, since everyone thinks they already know what is coming. Well until it's official, we don't. We'll keep you all updated as the information comes in. For now, we wait.
The music is soothing, currently playing a selection from Dragonblight in Wrath of the Lich King. Arturis is filming the whole event btw, and we'll post it tonight hopefully.
[10:37] Still nothing, although there's a kid in the row in front of us playing something on a DS, so obviously riveted.
[10:45] I do love the use of the fog machine. I really need to get me one of those. Would really snaz up my entrance at parties.
[10:47] Grizzly Hills music now. It's a shame about the leaks, since they really have learned to lock down their information here. There's no shirts, no new art, nothing in the convention center that would give away the announcement -- except for all the people who know what's coming, obviously.
[10:57] Yum, StarCraft music. Reminds me of the Video Games Live concert we went to a few months back. People are just NOW getting out of the Blizzcon Store line. You should have seen the mad dash for the lines when the doors opened. Looked like Chariots of Fire, only with more gamers. I guess I'll get my swag tomorrow, if there's any left.
[11:03] With just under 30 minutes to go, I just heard a rumor that the new Diablo III class will be the Monk (and no, not Adrian). Once again I'll wait until we hear it from Blizzard's mouth. Does Blizzard HAVE a mouth, btw?
[11:22] Eight minutes to go, and omgStarcraft's Scott Pytlik has joined us. He'll use his leet video skills to capture the ceremony. Good thing too, my camera sucks. Guess Arturis can spend more time tweeting pix of the ceremony. Yay for multiple points of coverage!
[11:26] Hey guys, if you have anything you want me to cover more, just leave a comment. I'll keep an eye out for any questions and see if I can answer them.
[11:31] And it begins! Gary Platner is coming to the mic first. Guess he's MC again. He's reading out Blizzcon pet peeves forum post list.
[11:33] THey have 1700 PCs here, some for tournaments, most for gameplay. Roaring from the crowd as Mike MOrhaime comes out on stage.
[11:35] Morhaime says SC2 just won "best of Blizzcon" -- says "everyone is rooting for something Cataclysmic to happen" ... god I love this man. If you didn't get into the queue for Blizzcon tickets within 30 secs, you didn't get a ticket. One hour, they sold 20k tickets. ooh... 50k gamers are watching living via Pay Per View...Woot, they just put us on the feed!
[11:40] Showing off some moments from last year's Blizzcon and the Wrath midnight launch. It's cool to see those memories up on such a huge screen and know that we were there.
Onxyia will be revamped to celebrate WoW's fifth birthday in November.
Morhaime let us know that we will play SC2 single player here at Blizzcon, and we will see the game launch next year.
[11:50] MC Frontalot will be here to entertain us between panels. :)
[11:43] Phasing, dual spec, mentioned as some of the advancements that came this year, as well as the Mobile Armory. This November WoW turns five, so they will celebrate with revamping Onyxia. Next year they'll release Starcraft II and the new Battle.net platform.
Sam Raimi will be directing the WoW movie...oh he came to last year's Blizzcon. NIce to hear he's a WoW player. Damn, Bruce Campbell won't be playing Leroy Jenkins...or will he?
For the first time ever, we will play SC2's single player campaign here at Blizzcon.
L80 Elite Tauren Chieftan will open for Ozzy Ozborne...sexay.
Morhaime says we should /cheer ourselves because we're worth it. heh.
[11:52] Chris Metzen is up next...quel rock god. He lets us know that Blizzcon is important for the developers, that they geek out about it. They are the ones who get fed awwww....we love you too Metzen.
[11:55] Metzen asks: Where's the Alliance at? Roars and boos, and Where's the Horde? More roars, more boos. heh.
Diablo players get some love. He lets us know that they are unveiling a new player class -- the MONK! Video is playing now...god he's cool. Love that this video is all ingame rendered. It feels very machinima to watch his monk kick diablo ass.
[12:01] Showing gameplay of the Monk in action. Staff skills of DOOM.
[12:03] So....WoW announcement time. He's talking about the rumors and speculation. The wait is OVER he says. We'll see gameplay trailer from the next expansion...thank Elune.
Without further ado....World of Warcraft: Cataclysm confirmed! Playable Goblins join the Horde,
The Worgen join the Alliance. Damn this is slick. Sounds like the leaks are all true...flying mounts in Azeroth, new race/class combos, it's all here in the trailer.
Level cap raised to 85...new profession...Archaeology
Guilds can now level and gain achievements
Path of the Titans ... advanced leveling content. I'm not sure what that means, but I can't wait to find out.
oh and BTW Deathwing has returned, and as sound explodes in the hall and I have a heart attack, the voice says "Welcome to Blizzcon" and the Opening Ceremonies close with a BANG, literally.
