World of Warcraft maker delivers opening remarks at annual convention, unveils wizard class in Diablo III and talks up first-ever Starcraft II tourney.
ANAHEIM, California--It isn't at all out of the ordinary to see a line at nearby Disneyland. However, unlike the throngs of screaming children bent on seeing Walt's iconic rodent, the crowds that descended upon the Anaheim Convention Center last night and into this morning were reminiscent of a Zergling rush, eager to pay homage to a prince of darkness, a Lich King, and all else that is Blizzard Entertainment. Their goal? That would be an entry badge to this year's show and the coveted BlizzCon swag bag, the contents of which are now conveniently listed on your local eBay.
For the fortunate few who managed to secure a ticket to Blizzard's annual exhibition, the show will feature two days of tournaments, developer panels, and guild meetings. Many will also have an opportunity to see firsthand Blizzard's slate of highly anticipated upcoming titles, including Starcraft II, Diablo III, and World of Warcraft's second expansion, Wrath of the Lich King.
The exhibition and gaming halls opened their doors to bleary-eyed gamers at a (relatively) early 10 a.m. on this overcast day in Anaheim. However, the show doesn't really begin until Blizzard brass take to the stage to deliver the gamemaker's annual opening ceremonies address. That event begins in a matter of minutes.
At last year's show, Blizzard used its opening remarks to reveal Wrath of the Lich King. That announcement was flanked by Starcraft II, which was revealed at the 2007 Worldwide Invitational in Korea, and Diablo III, a game Blizzard sprung at its first European Worldwide Invitational in June. It seems unlikely, but will Blizzard go for a four-peat of game announcements? There is always that unannounced massively multiplayer online game that isn't WOW. And whatever happened to that Starcraft: Ghost, anyway? World of Guitar Hero, anyone? Blizzard holds forth.
[11:01] The Anaheim Convention Hall A is cavernous, and Blizzard's faithful are having no problems filling it..and then some.
[11:02] Gary Platner takes the stage, pumping up the crowd
[11:03] Mike Morhaime takes the stage to raucous applause.
[11:03] The crowd shouts something...cheers ensue.
[11:04] %26quot;Hello everyone. Welcome to our third BlizzCon!%26quot; More cheers.
[11:04] %26quot;We've got a great show, and we better, after what you all had to go through to get tickets.%26quot;
[11:05] The crowd appears to be jeering the massively wealthy Blizzard CEO, all in good fun. Morhaime talks up sharing %26quot;prerelease versions of our games%26quot; with the company's most passioniate and dedicated gamers.
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