The OFFICIAL BlizzCon 2009 thread

This thread will be the official hype thread for all of BlizzCon 2009. This was a post so awesome it needed To be broken up into three parts.

BlizzCon 2009 August 21-22, 2009

BlizzCon is a celebration of the Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo franchises and the communities that surround them. This two-day event will contain Q&A panels featuring Blizzard Entertainment developers, social events for players and developers to meet one another, and hands-on gameplay featuring your favorite Blizzard Entertainment games.

The offcial mini-game of BlizzCon 2009

tarCraft II continues the epic saga of the...

Protoss, Terran, and Zerg. These three distinct and powerful races will clash once again in the fast-paced real-time strategy sequel to the legendary original, StarCraft. Legions of veteran, upgraded, and brand-new unit types will do battle across the galaxy, as each faction struggles for survival.

Featuring a unique single-player campaign that picks up where StarCraft: Brood War left off, StarCraft II will present a cast of new heroes and familiar faces in an edgy sci-fi story filled with adventure and intrigue. In addition, Blizzard will again offer unparalleled online play through Battle.net, the company's world-renowned gaming service, with several enhancements and new features to make StarCraft II the ultimate competitive real-time strategy game.

Features:

• Fast-paced, hard-hitting, tightly balanced competitive real-time strategy gameplay that recaptures and improves on the magic of the original game
• Three completely distinct races: Protoss, Terran, and Zerg
• New units and gameplay mechanics further distinguish each race
• Groundbreaking single-player campaign
• Vibrant new 3D-graphics engine with support for dazzling visual effects and massive unit and army sizes
• Full multiplayer support, with new competitive features and matchmaking utilities available through Battle.net
• Full map-making and scripting tools to give players incredible freedom in customizing and personalizing their gameplay experience

Races:

The Terrans are relative newcomers to the Koprulu sector...

They are the descendents of a disastrous colonization expedition launched from Earth centuries ago, its human cargo made up of dissidents and malcontents the government deemed expendable. The survivors of the expedition established three colonies that became the basis for the major power blocs in terran space: the Confederacy, the Kel-Morian Combine, and the Umojan Protectorate. The corrupt Confederacy was overthrown by terrorist and revolutionary Arcturus Mengsk during the chaos of the zerg invasion. Now the Terran Dominion has emerged from the ashes of the old Confederacy as the dominant power, ruled by none other than Emperor Arcturus I.

Forced to adapt to the harsh existence on the mostly lifeless worlds of the sector, the terrans are masters of survival. With neither the advanced technology of the protoss nor the natural prowess of the zerg to rely on, the terran military forces consist of a varied mix of units. From basic but effective infantry like the marines to heavily armed battlecruisers, terran units rely on solid armor, plentiful firepower, and strength in numbers to hold the line. Terrans excel in defensive situations where their bunkers and siege tanks really shine.

Confirmed Units:

• Marine
• Reaper
• Ghost
• VikingAH/G-24 Banshee
• Thor
• Battlecruiser
• TF-620 Nomad
• Crucio Siege Tank

With their highly advanced technology and potent psionic abilities...

the Protoss once considered themselves the most powerful species in the galaxy. Their war with the zerg has proved otherwise: even the most individually capable warrior cannot overcome such insurmountable numbers. The lesson has been a hard one for the protoss, for their society is built around core philosophies that have been rigidly adhered to for over a thousand years. However, the zerg invasion of the protoss homeworld of Aiur has brought the race to a crossroads: the protoss must embrace change if they are to survive and prevail. Now new tactics and technologies are being brought to bear in the increasingly desperate battle against the zerg, and ancient, terrible weapons the protoss set aside long ago are being unleashed.

The protoss have never been a prolific people and have traditionally bolstered their numbers with a variety of robotic war machines. Individual protoss warriors are unsurpassed in their skills, greatly enhanced by the combination of technology and formidable psionic strength. Nonetheless, the protoss must rely on mobility and surprise to maximize their advantages without getting drawn into a battle of attrition. One of their greatest strengths lies in their fleet, which boasts a variety of ships powerful enough to pound an enemy to atoms.

Confirmed Units:

• Zealot
• Immortal
• Stalker
• Phase Prism
• Phoenix
• Colossus
• Warp Ray
• Twilight Archon
• Dark Templar
• Mothership
• Carrier
• Observer

The Zerg are a race entirely unlike the terrans or the protoss.

They are composed of many different species integrated into the Swarm via zerg infestation. These creatures are rapidly and selectively evolved into deadly and efficient killers to further the driving zerg imperative of achieving absolute domination. The zerg make no use of technology to create their weapons, armor, or starships. Instead, these functions are efficiently fulfilled through biological adaptation and planned mutation of the zerg strains. Even zerg buildings are in fact specialized organs within the living, growing organism of a zerg nest.

When the zerg first arrived in the Koprulu sector, they were unified by their absolute obedience to the zerg collective sentience known as the Overmind. The Overmind ultimately directed the actions of every zerg creature in the Swarm, functioning through a hierarchy of lesser sentiences. The first and most important tier of these consisted of the cerebrates, each entrusted with direct control of a sizable section of the Swarm. The cerebrates' commands were disseminated in turn by the overlords, which directly ordered and controlled the mass of zerg creatures both in their nests and on the battlefield.

Although the Overmind was primarily driven by its desire to consume and assimilate the advanced protoss race, it found useful but undeveloped material in humanity. Taking a powerful terran psionic, Sarah Kerrigan, the Overmind evolved a new and unique creature: the Queen of Blades. When the protoss destroyed the Overmind during the invasion of Aiur, the Queen of Blades manipulated the dark templar into eliminating the surviving cerebrates. As a result, she came to dominate the Swarm.

Confirmed Units:

• Hydralisk
• Mutalisk
• Baneling

ScreenShots:





FAQ

AND THE HEAVENS
SHALL TREMBLE...

Two decades have passed since the demonic lords, Diablo, Mephisto, and Baal, set out across the world of Sanctuary on a vicious rampage, twisting humanity to their unholy will. Yet for those who battled the Prime Evils, the memory fades slowly.

When Deckard Cain returns to the ruins of Tristram Cathedral seeking clues to defeat new stirrings of evil, a fiery harbinger of doom falls from the heavens, striking the very ground where Diablo once entered the world. This fire from the sky reawakens ancient evils and calls the heroes of Sanctuary to defend the mortal world against the rising powers of the Burning Hells once again
World Map

Cl@sses:
Barbarian
(From Deckard Cain's Journal)
IN my journey to catalogue the various denizens, civilizations, and fauna of our world, I have traveled far and wide, but never before have I been struck with such dismay as when standing upon the ramparts of the ancient fortress of Bastion's Keep. I came to see firsthand the barbarians, those near-legendary, immense, relentless, dual-wielding furies of combat dwelling upon their sacred Mount Arreat.

Instead, I stand here looking at a mountain that has been torn asunder by some extraordinary force. The sight, I must confess, is incomprehensible. Yet what I see before me cannot be denied.

What truly happened here? Where are those majestic warriors of old?

Though they were once misunderstood as simple, bloodthirsty invaders, the long and noble history of these proud people is now rightly acknowledged. And therein lies the greater tragedy here, for those of us familiar with the nobility of the barbarians remember too what they call their "vigil", the concept that lay at the very heart of their culture. The barbarians consider it their sworn duty to protect Mount Arreat and the mysterious object within. They believe that if they fail to uphold their duty to the great mount, or are not given a proper burial upon its slopes, they will be denied a true warrior's death, and their spirits shall roam the land without honor for all eternity.

If there are any barbarians left alive, they must truly be without hope. Perhaps this is the genesis of the rumors of monstrous things reported to resemble the barbarians in size and ferocity, but that are in reality nothing more than unreasoning, inhuman beasts. Could the destruction of not only their home but also their very beliefs have actually brought this magnificent race so low?





Wizard:


Owing to my lack of tolerance for those who would use magic towards their own nefarious ends, many have assumed that I am averse to the practice of the magical arts on a philosophical level. Nothing could be farther from the truth. My quarrel is with those sorcerers who dismiss the ancient traditions and teachings – teachings that have been honed over millennia in order to preserve respect for authority and the rule of law.

Recently the youth of Caldeum have fallen prey to the overblown stories of just such a delinquent wizard. That is correct: I used the uncouth term wizard, not sorcerer. It seems that even the title of a civilized magic wielder is too restrictive for this young upstart. Through my contacts at the Yshari Sanctum of the mage clans, I am one of the few who actually know the truth behind the rumors now sweeping our streets regarding this hellion who flaunts her magic irresponsibly.

This wizard was sent here to spend her formative years under the tutelage of the best mages in the world. Well, it seems they neglected to teach our wizard manners on her native island of Xiansai, for she was a rude and uncooperative student from the very beginning. Originally under the guidance of the Zann Esu mage clan, she was eventually handed over to the Vizjerei in the hopes that their strict and unbending discipline would break her anarchic spirit. Yet even the esteemed Vizjerei instructors were unable to rein her in. She was continually being caught seeking out dangerous and forbidden magics, heedless of the consequences to herself or anyone around her.

Although there is no truth to the tales that she actually ventured into the infamous Bitter Depths below the Sanctum, she was caught in the Ancient Repositories, where the most dangerous incantations are housed for the safety of the public. When confronted by the great Vizjerei mage Valthek and demanded to account for herself, she brazenly attacked him rather than face the punishment merited by her acts. Exaggerated stories of the battle are already being inflated to mythic proportions by the more rebellious of our city's youth, but suffice it to say that she did not actually best Yshari's most powerful mage in single, honorable combat. The details of the encounter remain unclear, as Valthek has yet to regain consciousness, but it has been verified by reliable sources that she relied on trickery and deceit to bring the great man low. I have also been assured that the extensive property damage was chiefly the result of Valthek's magical prowess, not the upstart wizard's. As to where she is now, no one rightly knows, for she fled the city immediately after the encounter.

Witch Doctor:
Most believe the fearsome witch doctor of the umbaru race a legend, but I have seen one in battle with my own eyes. And it was difficult to believe, even then. He dispatched his opponent with terrifying precision, assaulting his victim's mind and body with elixirs and powders that evoked fires, explosions, and poisonous spirits. As if these assaults were not enough, the witch doctor also had at his command the ability to summon undead creatures from the netherworld to rend the flesh from his enemy's body.



I came upon this rare display as I ventured deep into the interior of the dense Torajan jungles that cover the southern tip of the great eastern continent, in the vast area known as the Teganze, with the goal of seeking out the tribes that reside there. This area is extremely secluded, and heretofore unseen by foreign eyes. I was fortunate to befriend the witch doctor I saw in battle, and, through him, his tribe: the Tribe of the Five Hills.

The culture of the umbaru of the lower Teganze is fascinating and perplexing to those hailing from more civilized walks of life. For instance, the Tribe of the Five Hills frequently engages in tribal warfare with both the Clan of the Seven Stones and the Tribe of the Clouded Valley, but these are matters of ritual and not of conquest. I had heard tales that these wars are waged in order that the victors may replenish their supply of raw materials for the human sacrifices that their civilization revolves around, and when I timidly asked my hosts more about this topic, I must admit their laughter made me fear for my safety. However, through stumbled attempts at communication of such complex topics as what constitutes heroism and honor in their society, I gathered that only those taken in battle are considered worthy of the ritual sacrifice, much to my relief.

Upon further discussions with my hosts, I discovered that these tribes define themselves by their belief in the Mbwiru Eikura, which roughly translates to "The Unformed Land" (this is an imprecise translation, as this concept is completely foreign to our culture and language). This belief holds that the true, sacred reality is veiled behind the physical one we normally experience. Their vitally important public ceremonies are centered upon sacrifices to the life force that flows from their gods, who inhabit the Unformed Land, into this lesser physical realm.

The witch doctors are finely attuned to this Unformed Land and are able to train their minds to perceive this reality through a combination of rituals and the use of selected roots and herbs found in the jungles. They call the state in which they interact with this other world the Ghost Trance.

Alongside the primacy of the belief in the life force and the Unformed Land, the second most sacred belief of the tribes is their philosophy of self-sacrifice and non-individuality, of suppressing one's self-interest for the good of the tribe. This idea, so foreign to our culture, struck me as something I wished to delve into much more deeply.

Unfortunately, there was intense social upheaval among the tribes due to an incident involving their most current war (inasmuch as I could discern in the ensuing bedlam), and the charged atmosphere warranted my quick departure before I could ask anything further of my hosts

Beastiary:

The Fallen Ones


Unburied



Environments

New Tristram

(From Deckard Cain's Journal)
We have all heard the tales associated with Tristram. The very mention of its name brings to mind images of undead monstrosities, demonic possession, monarchy driven to lunacy, and, of course, the greatest legend of all: the Lord of Terror unleashed. Although many now claim that a peculiar mold upon the bread or perhaps a fouling of the water drove the populace mad with visions, I have seen too much in my varied travels to dismiss such stories out of hand. It is within this context, then, that I have to say my journey to what is now called "New Tristram" was somewhat of a disappointment.

New Tristram has been in existence for several years, though the exact date of its founding is unclear. Originally simply a collection of merchants looking to profit on adventurers and travelers drawn by legends of riches within the old cathedral, it slowly set down roots and became an established town. As soon as the cathedral was looted bare, however, the adventurers and travelers stopped coming, and New Tristram found itself in decline. The town is now comprised mostly of depressing shacks; the inn is the only building that looks even the least bit habitable.

Before I took my leave of this dreary place, I was cornered by an eccentric old man who seemed to have an endless supply of anecdotes and folksy wisdom to impart. He went on about there still being much of value deep within the cathedral in the form of tomes of ancient origin and wisdom. I will have to take his word for it, for I must admit that while I did explore the burnt remains of the "old" Tristram, I lacked the intestinal fortitude to do much more than take a few hesitating steps within that infamous cathedral of legend.

Caldeum


(From Deckard Cain's Journal)
Caldeum was once the proudest city in all of Kehjistan, the trade capital of the entire world. Caldeum was never seen as the heart of the empire, even though it rivaled Viz-jun, and later Kurast, in size, and those who called Caldeum their home liked it that way. Even when the Mage Clan Wars erupted, the battles were never tolerated to affect trade in Caldeum, for while politics and magic may be important, trifling with trade is a serious matter. Let Kurast see itself as the center of the world, they would say. We'll keep our free exchange of goods, currency, and ideas, thank you very much.

But the pride I once held in this great city has become tarnished and dull. In looking back on it all, now, I would have to say that this rot infecting our city started when a good number of Kurast's nobles fled their homes and took up residence in Caldeum. I have heard all the horrific and unbelievable rumors as to why they fled their great city, but the reasons did not concern us. It was their attitude that held our concern. As relief at being safe from whatever drove them here faded, their mood changed to entitlement and then, ultimately, to arrogance. They had no trouble demanding their "rightful" place on the trade consortium council governing our city, and they were prepared to use their wealth to hire the mercenaries needed to see their ambitions through.

I was initially dubious when the emperor of Kehjistan emerged to confront this quickly deteriorating situation. But the charm, leadership, and intelligence that he brought to bear as he quickly resolved the conflict between our council and the Kurast nobles were nothing less than masterful. When the people fully supported him in his role as our emperor, I saw this achievement as nothing short of a miracle. Though we had always been part of the empire of Kehjistan, and therefore under his rule, we had always behaved as if we were a free entity, beholden to no one but ourselves. It truly seemed at the time that catastrophe had been averted, but now it has become all too apparent that it was merely hidden beneath a thin veneer of civility.

This veneer began to shred when Emperor Hakan became ill. His influence started to wane, and the mood in Caldeum changed with his health. As he got worse, so did our once fair city.

When he died and his ineffectual child heir took the throne, Caldeum began to circle the abyss. Our list of ills seems never-ending: the state of our downtrodden and the slums they are forced to live in, our incompetent leadership, the reemergence of the intolerant Zakarum, and their quarrels with our mage ****..I could go on for pages.



It is all too much for one to bear, really.

Official Timeline

Confirmed Dungeon

Tristram Cathedral

After seeing the remains of Tristram for myself, I felt the need to search out further information on what it was about the corridors and dungeons underneath its old cathedral that held such mystique.


Originally built as a Horadric monastery sometime around 912 (see my entries pertaining to ancient mystical traditions for more information on the secretive Horadric order), the building was later converted to a Zakarum cathedral. Legend has it that the original monastery was built over the vault where the mythical Diablo was imprisoned, and that his supposed release led to the horrors we all now associate with the name Tristram.

In order to shed light on the many mysteries of the old cathedral, I sought out an old adventurer who had braved its ancient passageways, which were said to lead to the Hells themselves.

"We'd all heard about the weird goings-on in Tristram, but we were drawn by the prospect of getting our hands on some of that loot we heard they were bringing up by the cartload." He paused thoughtfully for a moment and scratched the stub where his left arm had once been. "It ever strike you as strange that wherever monsters are stirring up trouble, that's where you'll find the most treasure? Why can't there ever be a big haul in a safe place?" Obviously he was attempting to ease his tension by making light of the whole event.

"When we got to Tristram, we took our time before we got down to the business of actually going into the cathedral. Town had a nice inn, if I recollect. Truth is, there was something evil coming out of that old church: you could feel it. Now, me and my mates, we didn't want to admit we were scared, so after we ran out of excuses to avoid it, we made our way inside. And let me tell you, I never smelled death like I did in that place. Once inside, we were set upon by the undead," and he paused to see if I would laugh in disbelief at this.

When I didn't, he continued, "That's right, undead. I've faced the undead several times, but you never get used to it. You think you're prepared, but there's just something that sticks in your gut, this horrible feeling. Your hands get slick with sweat, and your sword is hard to grasp correctly...you really doubt your sanity in being down there, facing something like that. And the stench is unimaginable. But we were pulling ourselves through – I had started to come out the other side, where you start to ease into that unsettled feeling and use it to drive yourself forward."

It was at this point that his mood noticeably darkened. I found myself easing a bit closer so as not to miss a single detail.

"Then it started to go wrong. We began encountering these, these dark...things...imps or demons...or fallen, I think they're called. There were so many of them, all horns and flashes of red, attacking us from all sides. I don't think you could ever really be prepared for something like that. We got disoriented, which was easy to do. It was so dark....

"And then we heard this...this horrid voice that I can only describe as the sound of a saw ripping through bone.
"I can't even recollect what he was saying. I was so terrified I don't think I could understand it, but he kept repeating it, over and over." The adventurer shuddered at the remembrance.

"He was this bloated thing...and ...and there was blood, and bodies – everywhere I turned, some new horror confronted me. And suddenly he was on us; we couldn't shake him. Jeremy fell first, and then I ran. I admit it: I ran, left my fellows to die. I couldn't face that thing; it was all just too horrible. He hit me with a glancing blow as I fled, but even that was enough to take my arm almost clean off. I had to have a healer finish the job...."

At this point he trailed off, lost in whatever regrets he has endured to this day.



ScreenShots:

Think you know who will win the StarCraft, Warcraft, and World of Warcraft tournaments at BlizzCon 2009? Intel is running a contest where you can put your predictive powers to good use.

Visit http://scoop.intel.com/blizzcon.php to get details on how you can register to "Choose a Champion." Participants who choose the tournament winners correctly have the opportunity to win one of three ASUS G50VT gaming laptops. Entry closes August 21, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. (PST).

Awards and Honors

Thanks for coming in the official BlizzCon 2009 thread. New information will be added when announced. Keep the hype in here ;).

Great thread.

Keep it coming.

wow great job man, yeah im looking forward to this

One day to go, and we're still waiting...

Really good thread, I cant wait for blizcon to start.

The new Diablo 3 videos posted by Dnuggs looks awesome! Don't ya think? :D

The new Diablo 3 videos posted by Dnuggs looks awesome! Don't ya think? :D

pvtdonut54

Hmm..I got stickied 8)

World of Warcraft Magazine Announced!

It'll be out by Novemeber 2009, the fifth anniversery of WoW itself. It will feature a 148 page iargual issue.

Cool,+1 anticipation,no +10 anticipation;)

BlizzCon is today! Stay here for all the updates.

Can't make it to Blizzcon? Want to play Diablo 3's Witch Doctor class from home? Well...you can't.

But you can play FAILOC-ALYPSE! http://www.blizzard.com/blizzcon/extra/failoc.xml :P

It's a flash game from Blizzard...pretty fun.

Can't make it to Blizzcon? Want to play Diablo 3's Witch Doctor class from home? Well...you can't.

dnuggs40

And how could I forget!

If they guaranteed something monumental, like release dates and class reveals for D3, I would think about dropping 40 bucks lol.FossilSniper

Cant wait for Starcraft 2

BlizzCon 2009 Begins 08/21/09




The fourth BlizzCon has begun! The two-day celebration of Blizzard Entertainment games and the passionate
communities of players surrounding them is now underway at the Anaheim Convention Center, and we're inviting
everyone at home to follow along with the exciting events and announcements at www.blizzcon.com. We'll be
updating the site throughout the convention with breaking news, updates from the developer panels, and photos
from the show floor, contests, and other activities. We'll also be broadcasting streaming video of the
tournaments taking place throughout BlizzCon, so be sure to check back often over the next couple of days.




If you're looking for up-to-the-minute coverage, you can also catch us on Twitter by following @Diablo, @Warcraft, and @StarCraft.

For those watching on DIRECTV Pay Per View or via the Internet stream, don't forget to tweet us suggestions for what you'd like to see covered using the #BlizzConDTV tag.

New Wow Expansion Confirmed!

Cataclysm

"BlizzCon 2009: World of Warcraft expansion announced at Blizzard's annual expo; Goblins, Worgen werewolf race to be playable, level cap raised to 85; Diablo III monk ****announced." -Gamespot

New Diablo 3 Cl@ss Confirmed:


Monk!

[11:26] With five minutes to go before Blizzard is scheduled to take the stage, BlizzCon attendees have packed the cavernous Anaheim Convention Hall seemingly to capacity.

[11:27] WOW's login screen currently states that Blizzard will be collecting non-personal system specifications data in the very near future...a sign of things to come?

[11:27] A think white smoke pervades the massive main hall. An overworked dry ice machine, or the condensing fumes from the horde of WOW aficionados?

[11:30] Blizzard's hallmark tunes ring from gigantic speakers suspended from the ceiling. The music is at once lighthearted in the vein of WOW's wholesome villages and then discordant to fit Diablo's mood.

[11:30] From a vantage point in front of the hall, the smoke and the crowd seem to extend to eternity, with no end of people in sight. Now would be a very, very bad time for someone to pull the fire alarm.

[11:31] Here we go, the lights dim, and the announcer welcomes the crowd. The crowd cheers back.

[11:31] No health-care debate town hall riots here.

[11:31] Not yet, anyway.

[11:32] Blizzard's Gary Platner takes the stage.

[11:32] Platner asks the crowd how they're doing. Apparently, they are doing well.

[11:32] Platner, who is one of the lead artists on WOW, says that Blizzard listens to its players.

[11:33] He regales the crowd with a post complaining about pet-peeves expected at BlizzCon. Apparently, someone doesn't like real people speaking in l33t sp3ak. "L-O-L," he jokes.

[11:33] Apparently people want to fight you in real life just for not being horde. No pandering is occurring here, that's for sure.

[11:35] There are over 1,700 PCs here today. Would you like to know more?

[11:35] Platner is running through some administrative announcements: Please, only one collector's program per attendee. Thanks.

[11:35] "Ladies and gentleman, Terran, Protoss, and Zerg, members of the horde and the alliance, welcome to Blizzcon 2009."

[11:36] Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime takes the stage to thunderous applause.

[11:36] Apparently, Starcraft II was just named best game at GamesCom. No word on who awarded the honor.

[11:37] BlizzCon is the only place where attendees are waiting for something "Cataclysmic" to happen, he says.

[11:37] Yeah, that's not portending anything...

[11:38] Morhaime then welcomes Chinese players back online, the crowd doesn't know how to react, but someone shouts a token "YAY!" Not exactly a hostile audience.

[11:38] Morhaime is talking about the passion of the world's greatest gaming community. If you didn't get into the queue to buy a BlizzCon ticket within 30 seconds, you didn't get a ticket.

[11:38] It took 45 minutes to process all the orders, but essentially 20,000 tickets sold out in less than one minute.

[11:41] Morhaime then talks about the sales success of Wrath of Lich King, which sold 2.8 million units in 24 hours. Um, yeah. we got the press release in November, thanks.

[11:41] Morhaime then queues a trailer highlighting BlizzCon 2008 moments, as well as in-game moments from Wrath of the Lich King. Re-runs? Awesome.

[11:42] The reel shows footage of BlizzCon attendees doin' how they do, playing Starcraft, Diablo, and WOW, as well as a number of other tabletop games. Cosplayers are featured prominently. Unfortunately, not all are female.

[11:43] The trailer's still rolling, showing the massive crowds around the world who lined up to purchase Wrath of the Lich King in November. US, Mexico, France, just to name a few. This just in: WOW is popular.

[11:43] The old, the young, the beautiful, the socially awkward, they're all represented.

[11:44] Note: Those categories are not mutually exclusive.

[11:44] Morhaime is back, and he's talking about the many enhancements made to WOW in the past few months.

[11:45] The Blizzard exec is talking about iPhone integration with the mobile armory.

[11:45] He's now talking about the big plans in store for 2010. They will be revamping Inyxia in November to celebrate the 5 year anniversary.

[11:46] Next year, we will be shipping Starcraft II, along with the new Battle.net platform.

[11:47] Morhaime then asks whether the name Sam Raimi means anything to the crowd.

[11:47] The Spider-Man will direct the Warcraft movie. Apparently, they first met Raimi while he attended last year's BlizzCon.

[11:47] Apparently, Bruce Campbell will not be playing Leeeeeeeeroy Jenkins, so the crowd boos.

[11:48] Raimi expressed interest in the movie, and discussions progressed from there.

[11:48] Morhaime then talks up the tournaments, which, for those who are wondering, are in Hall B. Just in case anyone was wondering.

[11:50] Some of the top pro-gamers are in attendance, and total prizes from Blizzard games hits $340,000 this year. That's chump change to a company which has over $100 million a month in earnings.

[11:50] Morhaime then talks about the N00bs figurines. One of the ones handed out as part of the swag bag given to attendees is one of a kind. Check your local eBay listing for more.

[11:51] MC Frontalot and Jay Mohr are here to perform. One out of two ain't bad.

[11:52] Morhaime gives a shout out to Level 80 Elite Tauren Chieftan will be playing.

[11:52] Oh, and some guy named Ozzy Osbourne will be here too. Apparently he was in a band, had a reality show, and is a fan of bats.

[11:53] Morhaime then turns the stage over to VP of creative development Chris Metzen.

[11:54] Metzen says the company prides itself on not putting games out until they're done. Thanks for the newsflash.

[11:54] He seems contrite, and apologizes that Blizzard doesn't put out more games. He seems earnest.

[11:56] He thanks the crowd, and with that said, "I'm pretty sure you guys are curious about what we've been cooking up for the past year."

[11:56] We've got a couple trailers to show you, we've got a couple of things to announce.

[11:56] "Where's the Alliance at?" The crowd erupts. "Where's the Horde at?" Again, eruption. "Can I get a WOW what what?"

[11:57] "Where are the Diablo players in the house?" is said with earnestness. Metzen says he'd like to talk to these folks for a bit.

[11:58] "Diablo III is really taking shape, it's kicking-ass, it's a lot of fun." He says that over the past few months, they've been unveiling a number of ****s.

[11:59] All thus far have been pulled from ****c archetypes, he says.

[11:59] "The ****we're going to be unveiling today has its roots in the same tradition."

[11:59] "Without further ado, I'm very proud to introduce the monk."

[11:59] A trailer rolls, showing the monk walking through a sandstorm in a barren wasteland.

[11:59] A man fully cloaked asks the monk if he is heading to a city, and asks the hero to help.

[12:00] A zoomed out shot of the city, which looks much like the sand level in Diablo II.

[12:00] The monk has a gigantic staff with which he slays his foes, and in Diablo tradition, they are numerous.

[12:00] "You, you're alive. But that's not possible!"

[12:01] An infernal being then launches a fireball, and throws a bolt of blue/orange flame.

[12:01] The monk prays, and seems to disappear.

[12:01] He suddenly reappears, having lost his staff, and drops all kinds of hand-to-hand hurt on the demon

[12:01] The fight culminates in the monk putting a firey fist through the demon's chest. Monk 1, Demon 0.

[12:01] Metzen then rolls a trailer for in-game footage of the monk.

[12:03] He seems to be very speedy, with close range melee attacks, with his staff, fists, and feet.

[12:03] Lots of gold particle effects, along with runes during his special attacks.

[12:03] Mmmmm, runes.

[12:03] Metzen says to check out the panel at 2:00 p.m. today to find out more.

[12:04] And we're back to WOW. "Alliance and Horde, you've all been very patient." Here it comes...

[12:04] "BlizzCon, the wait is over."

[12:06] In just a second here, we're going to roll the first gameplay trailer of the new World of Warcraft expansion.

[12:07] "Without further ado, I'm very geeked up to debut an expansion set that will be nothing less than earth-shattering."

[12:07] "Ladies and gentleman, I give you World of Warcraft: Cataclysm"

[12:07] A trailer rolls, with a voice over saying that as the terrible war between the Lich King continues, but there can be no peace when the world itself is devoured.

[12:08] An ancient evil has risen

[12:08] Kalindor and the Eastern Kingdoms have been transformed.

[12:08] Ancient lands have been torn asunder, unleashing widespread destruction.

[12:08] Many islanders of the great sea have been driven from their homes, goblins run across the screen.

[12:09] Goblins will be a Horde playable race.

[12:09] Humans, turned werewolf, called Worgen, join the alliance.

[12:09] The elves bring them into the fold, apparently.

[12:09] New race and ****combination are on the way.

[12:09] New monsters, dungeons, and raids, of course, are also on the docket.

[12:12] Level cap is raised to 85.

[12:13] Archeology added as secondary skill.

[12:13] Deathwind has returned.

[12:13] "Welcome to Blizzcon!" bellows the announcer.

[12:13] And the lights come up, not a bad way to end as a litteral bang rocks the auditorium.

[12:13] And that's it. Check back in a few minutes for GameSpot's continuing coverage of BlizzCon 2009.

-Thanks gamespot for your great coverage!

Bricks have been shat, and nerds have squealed.

New Diablo 3 screens!

Impressions of the playable demo:

http://kotaku.com/5340558/diablo-iii-impressions-hands-on-with-the-barbarian

*edit*

Just read that over the live stream someone asked what the release date was...Mike's response was the only game's slotted for a 2010 release was SCII and the WoW expansions.

I kind of always figured this...but looks like it's pretty much confirmed...Diablo 3 2011+

*sigh*

I'd rather wait for a polished game, then recieve a buggy, ruhed one. :)

Also, actual Monk gameplay: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_IIe4Wufywdnuggs40

I'd rather wait for a polished game, then recieve a buggy, ruhed one. :)

pvtdonut54

Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in.

stupid wow -.- going back when the expansion hits

So the speculation about cataclysm was right, and I cant wait for Diablo!

New Starcraft 2 trailer (but its actually old :P) and new Screenies.







I thought last pick was interesting...

Ya know what I hope geys more light? The Diablo 2 patch, i mean wtf haappened? :|

Ya know what I hope geys more light? The Diablo 2 patch, i mean wtf haappened? :|

pvtdonut54

New Diablo 3 vids are up :)

Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in.

stupid wow -.- going back when the expansion hits

Enosh88