Blizzard announced that they have developed an achievement system, ala Xbox Live and Steam, for World of Warcraft. The achievements will range in difficulty and category. For example, there are achievements for PVP, PVE, exploration, professions, etc. Blizzard is also including what they call “Feats of Strength”. These will be near impossible achievements that only appear once you have earned them. Think of them as secret achievements for the hardest of the hardcore. The achievements will be arriving when Wrath of the Lich King ships.
I have a feeling in my gut that this might make the gaming world implode. World of Warcraft is addictive enough as is. With the addition of achievements, WoW addiction will escalate to heroin strength. Thank god I was able to get my brother off the WoW before this hit. I can see it now, Age of Conan will be the methadone clinics for WoW junkies.
Read: WoW achievements coming with Wrath of the Lich King.
Blizzard has announced its 3rd World Wide Invitational, which will take place between June 28 and 29 at Porte de Versailles Exposition Center, Paris, France.
Here’s what you can expect at the convention:
Discussion panels with Blizzard Entertainment developers
- Artist and developer signings
- Professional eSport tournaments and casual tournaments for attendees
- Hands-on play with World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King and StarCraft II
- Merchandise and other products based on the Blizzard Entertainment game universes
- Silent auction
- Musical performances
- And more…
With StarCraft 2 on the way we may get a better idea for a release date and likely will see a playable build with Zerg units.
Tickets will be on sale in a few weeks from the BWWI Website.
GGL’s Reid Landeen translated this GGL China article.
World of Warcraft had a tumultuous 2007 in China, with the release of The Burning Crusade expansion and addition of many new players. Here’s a journal-style rundown of the year for TBC in China and around the world.
Jan. 16, 2007
World of Warcraft’s first expansion, The Burning Crusade, ships to North America and Europe.
March 8, 2007
Blizzard Entertainment announced today that WoW’s expansion (The Burning Crusade) has already sold more than 3.5 million copies in North America. In the first 24 hours of release, it sold more than 2.4 million copies, which is more than any PC game has ever sold in a single month. Blizzard’s President, Mike Morhaime explained, “The passion that gamers have for The Burning Crusade makes us feel really excited.” At this time, Chinese gamers did not know when The Burning Crusade would be released in China.
Continued…
Okay, so this has to do with the soul-crushing World of Warcraft expansion, Wrath of the Lich King. Let’s just get that out of the way first.
However, if you’re into turning into a soul-sucking pawn of the Old Gods, Blizzard has released two new concept images from the expansion pack. Check out the Nerubian Vizier (left) and Plague Eruptor.
Wrath of the Lich King is set for release sometime this year.
On a side note, doesn’t Blizzard have the best concept art ever? Even dating back to at least Warcraft II, the manual was full of these awesome drawings by Metzen and crew.
At Blizzcon in August, Blizzard’s Mike Morhaime announced the upcoming Wrath of the Witch Lich King expansion for World of Warcraft, with a level cap increase to 80. He also mentioned that leveling from 1-60 would become easier in anticipation of the expansion, to encourage casual players and to make it easier to achieve Hero Classes. Continued…
GameStop is infamous for its so-called “pre-orders” — show up at release time and pray, because they won’t actually hold a copy for you. Maybe it’s different online.
But at least someone at GameStop’s web site has a sense of humor about it. Continued…
I may be a Blizzard fanboy, but I also love Battle for Middle Earth II. So the first thing I thought at the Wrath of the Lich King announcement was, WTF?
Continued…
Blizzcon 2007: Video coverage by GGL Wire
BlizzCon gave fans and the press the first opportunity to explore Northrend, the new northern continent in World of Warcraft’s upcoming expansion, Wrath of the Lich King. Here are some screenshots.
Borean tundra. Continued…
Blizzcon 2007: Video coverage by GGL Wire
I have acquired high quality art, made available for the first time here at BlizzCon 2007, from World of Warcraft: The Wrath of the Lich King and StarCraft II. I am the only person to gain access to these top secret files, apart from every single other press member at the convention. But apart from that, it’s just me. JUST ME!
The Wrath of the Lich King
Nerbian Entrance Continued…
