Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Blizzard's Worldwide Invitational invades Paris this June]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/17/blizzards-worldwide-invitational-invades-paris-this-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/17/blizzards-worldwide-invitational-invades-paris-this-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/17/blizzards-worldwide-invitational-invades-paris-this-june/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Tickets for the 2008 Blizzard Entertainment Worldwide Invitational convention and tournament being held in Paris, France, will go on sale this Thursday The event will be at the Porte de Versailles Exposition Centre on June 28 and 29, with tickets costing €70 / £55 ($110). Attendees will get hands-on time with WoW expansion Wrath of the Lich King and StarCraft II.

The tournament will have $100,000 in prizes, but all we really care about is the big announcement. Blizzard has a habit of revealing big things at its special events, as it did at last year's invitational in Korea when it announced StarCraft II. Then again, Blizzard could just make us sad Pandaren by neglecting to reveal anything at all.

[Via WoW Insider]

JoystiqBlizzard's Worldwide Invitational invades Paris this June originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardMacPCstarcraft 2starcraft-2starcraft-iistarcraft2starcraftiiworld of warcraftWorldOfWarcraftwowwwiMon, 17 Mar 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Conan MMO dev: WoW popularity in decline]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/conan-mmo-dev-wow-popularity-in-decline/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/conan-mmo-dev-wow-popularity-in-decline/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/19/conan-mmo-dev-wow-popularity-in-decline/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Everyone knows that World of Warcraft is the hottest thing to hit the MMO genre since BakeQuest: The Battle for Sliced Bread. But according to at least one rival developer, that popularity may be starting to dwindle. Speaking to the accurately named VideoGamer.com, Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures Quest Designer Joel Bylos cites a "feeling on the Internet" as evidence WoW is beginning to lose its appeal. "You get that just from online communities, which of course we all pay attention to as well," Bylos said when asked if people might be getting tired of WoW.

We're sorry, but a "feeling on the internet" probably isn't the best way of measuring satisfaction in a game with 9.3 million paying subscribers (up from 7 million roughly a year ago) and a celebrity-packed ad campaign. Sure, there will always be internet trolls and forum whiners that threaten to leave over every little problem, but by and large the silent majority seems just as hooked on the game as ever. Much like Democrats who promised to move to Canada if George W. Bush was reelected, these vocal complainers seem good at making threats but bad at following through on them. Then again ...

[Via WoWInsider]

JoystiqConan MMO dev: WoW popularity in decline originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionAge Of ConanAgeOfConanBlizzardConanMMOPCworld of warcraftWorldOfWarcraftWoWWed, 19 Dec 2007 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Issue #0 of World of Warcraft comic online]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/11/issue-0-of-world-of-warcraft-comic-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/11/issue-0-of-world-of-warcraft-comic-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/11/issue-0-of-world-of-warcraft-comic-online/#commentsFiled under: ,


If the first few pages of the first issue of the World of Warcraft comic tickled your proverbial fancy, then you might want to check out the online-only issue #0 that MTV Multiplayer recently put up. The series, which is being published by Wildstorm (a branch of DC Comics) and written by former Hawkgirl author Walter Simonson, seems to pay more attention to lore than most comic book adaptations of popular franchises. For instance, on page three, a level 6 human rogue runs up to a level 70 blood elf warlock, calls him a H0M0L0RD, and /spits on him twenty times.

You should be able to find issue #1 in your nearest Cheetos-scented comic book retailer this Wednesday.

JoystiqIssue #0 of World of Warcraft comic online originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 11 Nov 2007 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CheetosComicDCDC ComicsDcComicsPCWildstormWorld of WarcraftWorldOfWarcraftWoWSun, 11 Nov 2007 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[BlizzCon: closing ceremony audio, including Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/08/blizzcon-closing-ceremony-audio-including-level-70-elite-taure/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/08/blizzcon-closing-ceremony-audio-including-level-70-elite-taure/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/08/blizzcon-closing-ceremony-audio-including-level-70-elite-taure/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


Well, BlizzCon is officially over, and folks will have to wait another year to experience it again. Hopefully by this time next year, however, both StarCraft 2 and the WoW expansion Wrath of the Lich King will be on store shelves, or in your hands. Until then we'll be waiting for the dribbles to trickle out of Blizzard with more information.

But, all is not lost. They did send us out with a bang that included 30 minutes of fairly decent comedy with Jay Mohr, a performance by Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain (the highlight of the night of which a brief video appears above), and a pretty sweet set from Video Games Live, including the Diablo theme being played on a 12-string guitar. That was the best moment of the night, and makes us wonder even more when there will be some sort of a Diablo sequel.

Check out the gallery below, which contains some new shots from the closing ceremonies. You can always head over after the break to listen to the complete audio of Jay's performance, the L70ETC set, and the Video Games Live goodness. In handy mp3 format for your listening pleasure. Also be sure to check out the exhaustive BlizzCon coverage from WoW Insider, who really brought down the house with their in-depth look at Lich King, and the event as a whole.

Gallery: BlizzCon 2007

Continue reading BlizzCon: closing ceremony audio, including Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain

JoystiqBlizzCon: closing ceremony audio, including Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Aug 2007 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlizzardBlizzConJay MohrJayMohrL70ETCLevel 70 Elite Tauren ChieftainLevel70EliteTaurenChieftainPCStarcraftStarcraft 2Video Games LiveVideoGamesLiveWarCraftWorld of WarCraftWorldOfWarcraftWoWWed, 08 Aug 2007 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BlizzCon: hands-on with Wrath of the Lich King]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/08/blizzcon-hands-on-with-wrath-of-the-lich-king/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/08/blizzcon-hands-on-with-wrath-of-the-lich-king/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/08/blizzcon-hands-on-with-wrath-of-the-lich-king/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Okay, before you start raking me over the coals again like some of you did with my writeup of StarCraft 2, I'll preempt this writeup similarly. However, I've played World of WarCraft a lot longer than I ever did StarCraft, much to the chagrin of my ex-girlfriend. Is there a correlation there? The world may never know.

Anyhow, the preemption part of this post is that I haven't played WoW enough for some of your strict demands. My Human Female Warlock Character is resting on her laurels somewhere around Level 43, and I bought The Burning Crusade, but never installed it. It still sits on the shelf, mocking me, taunting me, and haunting my dreams.

Gallery: BlizzCon: Wrath of the Lich King screens

Continue reading BlizzCon: hands-on with Wrath of the Lich King

JoystiqBlizzCon: hands-on with Wrath of the Lich King originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Aug 2007 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlizzardBlizzConNorthrendPCThe Wrath of the Lich KingWorld of WarCraftWoWWed, 08 Aug 2007 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BlizzCon: The Dances of Warcraft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/blizzcon-the-dances-of-warcraft/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/blizzcon-the-dances-of-warcraft/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/blizzcon-the-dances-of-warcraft/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


BlizzCon's dance contest brought out some interesting entries on Friday night, especially in the female Blood Elf category, which just about everyone seemed to end up doing. There were also a couple of Murlocs in there, even a baby version, but the icing on the cake has to go to the first guy in the video above.

He shows off "The Origins of the Ogre Dance", and we have to say it takes guts to get up on stage and do this. Literally. Unfortunately, he didn't even win or place, which is a complete travesty. The guy was robbed. The winning entry, which we didn't capture on video, was a guy in a Napoleon Dynamite-esque costume who wasn't half bad (he did the Blood Elf male dance, which is based on Napoleon Dynamite's famous move) ... but imitating Chris Farley's classic SNL skit while at a fan convention for a video game is pure gold.

JoystiqBlizzCon: The Dances of Warcraft originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Aug 2007 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlizzConDancingFemale Blood ElfPCWarcraftWorld of WarcraftWoWMon, 06 Aug 2007 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BlizzCon: interview with Cory Doctorow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/blizzcon-interview-with-cory-doctorow/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/blizzcon-interview-with-cory-doctorow/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/blizzcon-interview-with-cory-doctorow/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


Cory Doctorow is a science fiction writer, a blogger, and arguably, a futurist. In fact, we'll let Wikipedia do a much more thorough job of informing you who Cory is. After you've digested that, be sure and visit his website, where you can download many of his books for free, and check out Boing Boing, which he co-edits.

I first discovered Cory Doctorow by reading his excellent novel "Down and Out In The Magic Kingdom" a few years ago. I had worked at Disney World for most of 1992, and as a result I've always had a bizarre fascination with all things Disney. So it was somewhat fitting that I caught up with Cory at Disneyland during the recent BlizzCon and asked him about MMOs, WoWers, and other acronyms.

Continue reading BlizzCon: interview with Cory Doctorow

JoystiqBlizzCon: interview with Cory Doctorow originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlizzConBoing BoingCory DoctorowDown and Out in the Magic KingdomDownAndOutInTheMagicKingdomPCWorld of WarcraftWoWMon, 06 Aug 2007 16:55:00 EST<![CDATA[BlizzCon: interview with Alice Taylor of Wonderland]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/blizzcon-interview-with-alice-taylor-of-wonderland/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/blizzcon-interview-with-alice-taylor-of-wonderland/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/06/blizzcon-interview-with-alice-taylor-of-wonderland/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


It's pretty impressive when you meet someone who writes extensively about video games, handles digital content and video game R&D for the BBC, and finds time to maintain an extremely popular blog, only to find out that they also rock some high level characters inside of World of Warcraft. Seriously, where do they find the time? By the end of the day, if I've managed to finish at least a third of the items on my to-do list, I feel like I've accomplished a lot. Alice Taylor does all of the above and manages to make me feel damn lazy.

Anyhow, I caught up with her during BlizzCon, and asked her a few questions about her experiences. She asked what my highest level character was, and when I told her a Level 42 Human Warlock, I think her look of scorn was burned into my brain. Forever.

Check out the interview after the break, and be sure to venture over to Wonderland, which is filled with video gaming goodness. Blizzard, take special note: her suggestions for improvements are spot-on. It would be nice to see BlizzCon 2.0 next year with some of these things implemented. Plus, free passes to Disneyland. Although that's just my little addendum.

Continue reading BlizzCon: interview with Alice Taylor of Wonderland

JoystiqBlizzCon: interview with Alice Taylor of Wonderland originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alice TaylorAliceTaylorBBCBlizzardBlizzConPCWonderlandWorld of WarcraftWoWMon, 06 Aug 2007 14:59:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft players + BlizzCon = costumes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/04/world-of-warcraft-players-blizzcon-costumes/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/04/world-of-warcraft-players-blizzcon-costumes/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/04/world-of-warcraft-players-blizzcon-costumes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,



[UPDATE - now with video, after the break]

BlizzCon brings out the strangest, coolest, and most insanely detailed costumes this side of Outland, and we were front and center at last night's costume contest, hosted by comedian Jay Mohr. He appeared to have taken notes from Jamie Kennedy's appearance at E3, and was actually funny instead of stupid.

Check out the gallery down below for the highlights, and be sure to take a look at the winning Warlock costume. The girl who designed it was patient enough to pose for a billion photos afterwards with her heavy (and lighted!) helmet, and as far as we know she wore it all night. We even saw her waiting in line for the bus with those wings still on. Most entries were from WoW, but there were a couple of nods to other Blizzard games, including a Terran Ghost from Starcraft.

Gallery: BlizzCon Costumes

Continue reading World of Warcraft players + BlizzCon = costumes

JoystiqWorld of Warcraft players + BlizzCon = costumes originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Aug 2007 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlizzConBurning CrusadecostumesPCWarcraftWorld of WarcraftWoWWrath of the Lich KingSat, 04 Aug 2007 16:27:00 EST<![CDATA[BlizzCon breaking news: Wrath of the Lich King may require Burning Crusade]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/04/blizzcon-breaking-news-wrath-of-the-lich-king-may-require-burni/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/04/blizzcon-breaking-news-wrath-of-the-lich-king-may-require-burni/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/04/blizzcon-breaking-news-wrath-of-the-lich-king-may-require-burni/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


We attended a press conference at BlizzCon this morning that was held far too early for people who had been out all night ogling people in World of Warcraft contests. In attendance were J. Allen Brack, senior producer for WoW, Rob Pardo, the Senior VP of Game Design for Blizzard, and Frank Pearce, Executive VP of Product Development at Blizzard.

One big tidbit that they dropped was the fact that The Wrath of the Lich King expansion pack may require you to have the Burning Crusade as well. Blizzard isn't sure if this will require an additional purchase, or if they will bundle it in at no extra cost. When asked how retailers might react to this, no one had any idea. If you're Joe Retailer and selling copies of Burning Crusade pretty well, will you want to put something on the shelf that will cannibalize those sales, or will you just stop carrying the older title altogether?

Another interesting fact is that if you pick up say, the latest expansion pack a couple of years from now, when there are three are four out, will you have to go back and buy the others? That could get potentially very expensive for players who have already shelled out for the base game and are paying $14.95 a month. What are we, made out of gold? We'll follow this as it develops.

JoystiqBlizzCon breaking news: Wrath of the Lich King may require Burning Crusade originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Aug 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlizzConBurning CrusadePCWorld of WarcraftWoWWrath of the Lich KingSat, 04 Aug 2007 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's metalist video: I Am Murloc]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/17/todays-metalist-video-i-am-murloc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/17/todays-metalist-video-i-am-murloc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/17/todays-metalist-video-i-am-murloc/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Metal band, Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain rocks rawks its World of Warcraft song, I am Murloc in today's video pick. if the video gets you pumped for WoW, there's a good chance you're already booked for BlizzCon, where the band will perform live on August 4.

How could it not get you fired up? We don't want to blow all the surprises, but watch for the crotch-thrusting transitional effect. Classic. Video Toaster, this isn't.

See the AWESOME video after the break. And score the MP3 for iPhone action.

Continue reading Today's metalist video: I Am Murloc

JoystiqToday's metalist video: I Am Murloc originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jul 2007 00:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardblizzconblizzcon07hottest videoHottestVideol70etcLevel 70 Elite Tauren ChieftainLevel70EliteTaurenChieftainMacmachinimamurlocPCwarcraftworld of warcraftWorldOfWarcraftwowTue, 17 Jul 2007 00:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard will get back to you with an announcement]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/blizzard-will-get-back-to-you-with-an-announcement/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/blizzard-will-get-back-to-you-with-an-announcement/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/11/blizzard-will-get-back-to-you-with-an-announcement/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Like a kid being dragged to church, it feels like Blizzard just didn't want to be at this year's E3. With BlizzCon right around the corner and a slew of announcements and demos planned, Blizzard just seems to have showed up out of obligation.

For World of Warcraft they showed off the new raiding dungeon Zul' Aman. It will be in the Ghost Lands, north of the Eastern Plaguelands. Zul' Aman is designed as a 10 man instance for those done with Karazhan. The Forest Trolls have infused themselves with animal gods and now they are half troll and half beast. A new loot system will have a time limit like the Baron Run in Undead Strat -- the faster you get through it, the better your loot will be. The Amani tribe who reside there have a new game mechanic called the scout who will call for more adds. For those wondering if there will be a return to 40 man raids, it's not in the cards. Tony Hsu, associate producer, says, "Currently we're very happy with the 25 man being the cap -- 10 man content as well."

As was already known, voice chat is in an upcoming patch and so are guild banks. A Blizzard rep says, "We're still trying to test it and evaluate how large it's going to be." Guild masters would be able to give permissions and assign who can access the bank.

StarCraft II? Nothing we didn't already know. Hsu says the thinking behind StarCraft II was, "To make a successor to the original game that's in the flavor of StarCraft, but adding new mechanics and tricks to how you know the game." He says players who have tested the game say it starts the same but feels different about ten minutes in.

That's it, Blizzard is saving it all for BlizzCon. Considering there are no more tickets available, be sure to check on Joystiq and WoW Insider at the time for our coverage. There were no dates for anything given ... what do you want? It's Blizzard.

JoystiqBlizzard will get back to you with an announcement originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Jul 2007 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzarde3e307PCworld of warcraftwowWed, 11 Jul 2007 18:58:00 EST<![CDATA[China removes skeletons from World of Warcraft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/china-removes-skeletons-from-world-of-warcraft/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/china-removes-skeletons-from-world-of-warcraft/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/china-removes-skeletons-from-world-of-warcraft/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Chinese version of World of Warcraft has removed skeletons. Yup, skeletons are no longer in the game. No fighting skeletons and no skeletons signifying you've resurrected. Enemy skeletons now have flesh on them and dead players are symbolized by a tombstone. The9, which runs WoW in China said the change was made due to China's "particular situation and relevant regulations."

No real reason for the change were given, but Chinese WoW players have expressed their unhappiness with the decision. The best possible explanation the Reuters piece could come up with is that in April, China began a campaign to combat "negative online influences" on the Internet. It's aimed at fraud and illegal lotteries (wonder if gold farming is on there?). So enjoy your skeleton-less World of Warcraft China, 'cause for some odd reason the government just doesn't think a skeleton is a "healthy" thing for your body.

JoystiqChina removes skeletons from World of Warcraft originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jul 2007 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinaPCremovalskeletonsworld of warcraftwowTue, 10 Jul 2007 10:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Guy plays WoW on iPhone, universe explodes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/guy-plays-wow-on-iphone-universe-explodes/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/guy-plays-wow-on-iphone-universe-explodes/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/guy-plays-wow-on-iphone-universe-explodes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Boy, if this is the future of gaming on the iPhone, then someone had better order up a load of bifocals and a side of patience, because just watching this gave us a headache. He's using a program called Telekinesis that basically streams video from your laptop through your iPhone, and it's not like the game was ported to it specifically, but we sincerely hope gaming on the iPhone will eventually look pretty much nothing like this.

Since Apple was so keen on putting games on the iPod, it's a sure bet that there will be gaming happening on their white-hot cell baby at some point. Hopefully it'll be something a little easier to play than World of Warcraft, and it'll make better usage of that multi-touch technology. We knew that web-based iPhone games would be popping up almost immediately, but we also wish those rumors that there was a Nintendo / Apple iPhone gaming merger coming out were true, too.

[Thanks, Joe W.]

JoystiqGuy plays WoW on iPhone, universe explodes originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jul 2007 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>iPhoneMacPCWorld of WarcraftWorldOfWarcraftMon, 09 Jul 2007 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Gnome corpse advertisement in WoW by gold farmers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/gnome-corpse-advertisement-in-wow-by-gold-farmers/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/gnome-corpse-advertisement-in-wow-by-gold-farmers/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/gnome-corpse-advertisement-in-wow-by-gold-farmers/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Looks like Blizzard's latest World of Warcraft patch which had a spam filtering component to fight gold sellers is working since gold farmers are now resorting to sacrificial gnome death for advertising. The gold farmers are forced to stick to the creative since their free advertising power was diminished. As Raph Koster reports, "using the age-old client-side memory hack," farmers dropped Gnome bodies from the sky to spell out their website's name in front of the Ironforge bank.

Blizzard was aware of the incident and sent in their team to repair and wipe clean the matrix. Blizzard rep. Auryk wrote on the boards, "I ask that any player that witnesses these to report them strait [sic] away. If you feel so inclined, you can also post the realm name, and zone here and I can see what can be done about getting them handled that way. Please, once they are reported, leave the bodies alone, and do not linger around, or huddle near the bodies." Yeah, don't poke the dead Gnomes with sticks and what not.

[Via SecretLair]

JoystiqGnome corpse advertisement in WoW by gold farmers originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jul 2007 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>azerothgold farminggold spammingPCworld of warcraftWorldOfWarcraftwowThu, 05 Jul 2007 11:02:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft relationship ends in arrest]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/world-of-warcraft-relationship-ends-in-arrest/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/world-of-warcraft-relationship-ends-in-arrest/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/04/world-of-warcraft-relationship-ends-in-arrest/#commentsFiled under: ,

And here's to you Mrs. Broome, Jesus loves you more than you will know, but the US has has laws against seducing 17-year-old boys. Tamara Broome, a 31-year-old Australian woman has been arrested by US authorities for attempting to "abduct" her 17-year-old male friend whom she met while playing the "medieval-themed" World of Warcraft. The couple had allegedly planned to marry and the sting was set up by the boy's parents who apparently lured Broome to North Carolina where she planned to meet her betrothed and bring him back to Australia. And before it gets all technical about the age of consent, North Carolina law states an underage minor is 17 and below.

Ms. Broome is being held on $2.35 million bond and could face two years in jail if found guilty. Could be worse, she could have sold an M rated game in the state of New York to a minor. Broome will appear in court July 11. And to think all she had to do was wait one more year. On the bright side she'll have plenty of rested XP bonus when she gets out.

[Via GuardianBlog]

JoystiqWorld of Warcraft relationship ends in arrest originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jul 2007 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>broomekidnapnorth carolinaPCworld of warcraftWorldOfWarcraftWed, 04 Jul 2007 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analysing the $1mil acquistion of WoW database site]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/analysing-the-1mil-acquistion-of-wow-database-site/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/analysing-the-1mil-acquistion-of-wow-database-site/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/25/analysing-the-1mil-acquistion-of-wow-database-site/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Last week, World of Warcraft database site Wowhead sold for reportedly a whopping US$1 million to Affinity Media. Our sister site WoW Insider takes a look back on the deal and its implications to the community.

First comes the fear of goldfarming influence. When the news first broke, there was talk of Affinity's relation to goldfarming company IGE. All ties have purportedly been cut by Affinity, clinching the deal for Wowhead. To be sure, no goldfarming or power-leveling ads have been shown on the database site. Affinity CEO Mark Jaffei claimed in a Q&A that the original leaker of the acquisition talked up goldfarming has financial interest in a competitive site.

More importantly comes the fear of non-competition, as the three biggest WoW databases -- Wowhead, Thottbot and Allakhazam -- are now all owned by the same company. The battle for traffic hits had pushed the sites to improve the quality of their databases, and there is worry that Affinity will not require competition the three sites. Only time will tell if those fears prove valid. Check out WoW Insider for a thorough analysis of the news.

JoystiqAnalysing the $1mil acquistion of WoW database site originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Jun 2007 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allak hazamAllakHazamblizzardgold farmingGoldFarmingMacPCthott botThottBotworld of warcraftWorldOfWarcraftwowwow headWowHeadMon, 25 Jun 2007 16:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Legendary Pictures producing Diablo film [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/legendary-pictures-producing-diablo-film/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/legendary-pictures-producing-diablo-film/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/18/legendary-pictures-producing-diablo-film/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The official website of film production company Legendary Pictures has recently been updated to reflect a Diablo movie entering development alongside the previously announced World of Warcraft film. As far as game-to-film adaptations go, Blizzard's demonic role-player probably represents one of the better properties to mine, certainly ranking above The Sims and Dead or Alive. Examining the group's lineup of completed films, which includes Batman Begins and 300, vaguely instills some confidence in this adaptation, but we think you'll find the hands of movie executives usually have a way of wringing that out of you.

No other information about the Diablo film has been disclosed, though it seems a fair guess that it'll have the eponymous villain attempting to wreck the world, only to be foiled by a floating arrow constantly jabbing at his head. Blizzard was unavailable for comment at the time of writing -- presumably off shoving large jewels into their skulls.

[Via ComingSoon.net]

[Update: The Diablo listing has since been removed from the Legendary Pictures website.]

JoystiqLegendary Pictures producing Diablo film [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jun 2007 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BlizzardDiabloDiablo 2Diablo IIDiablo2DiabloIiMoviesPCPoPPrince of PersiaPrinceOfPersiaWorld of WarcraftWorldOfWarcraftWoWMon, 18 Jun 2007 13:57:00 EST<![CDATA[BlizzCon attendees to get beta key for 'upcoming Blizzard game']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/04/blizzcon-attendees-to-get-beta-key-for-upcoming-blizzard-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/04/blizzcon-attendees-to-get-beta-key-for-upcoming-blizzard-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/04/blizzcon-attendees-to-get-beta-key-for-upcoming-blizzard-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Another great reason to hit up BlizzCon August 3 and 4 at the Anaheim Convention Center: all attendees will receive, in addition to other swag, a beta key for "an upcoming Blizzard game."

Though nondescript, our initial reaction is to think the beta is for Starcraft II -- a very likely candidate, given its recent unveiling, its perceived progress, and that Blizzard has yet to reveal any other upcoming titles. However, the secretive developer could also be working on, say, a World of Warcraft expansion. We're not getting our hopes up until Blizzard announces what game is being beta tested.

Also revealed as swag for the event is the pictured Murloc Suit that you can give your WoW avatar. Other swag will be "announced in a future update."

[Via WoW Insider]

JoystiqBlizzCon attendees to get beta key for 'upcoming Blizzard game' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Jun 2007 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizz conblizzardBlizzConMacPCstarcraftstarcraft 2Starcraft2warcraftworld of warcraftWorldOfWarcraftMon, 04 Jun 2007 17:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Weekly Webcomic Wrapup: pimp my mount edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/02/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-pimp-my-mount-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/02/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-pimp-my-mount-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/02/weekly-webcomic-wrapup-pimp-my-mount-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Joystiq reader Aberu last week pointed us to the World of Warcraft community comic archives. We're not including them in the wrapup because we'd rather highlight the (already voted upon) comic portal here, but WoW fans should just go peruse them all (if they hadn't already).

Here are our other picks for the week's best game-related webcomics, be sure to vote for your favorite!

Our rich culture
Crafty
Eerily familiar
Deja vu
Can I get your digits?
You can't judge a book ...
B Button
Party time

[Image source]

JoystiqWeekly Webcomic Wrapup: pimp my mount edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Jun 2007 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardpimp my ridePimpMyRideweb comicWebComicworld of warcraftWorldOfWarcraftwowSat, 02 Jun 2007 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard Warcraft regional finals in San Diego today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/02/blizzard-warcraft-regional-finals-in-san-diego-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/02/blizzard-warcraft-regional-finals-in-san-diego-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/02/blizzard-warcraft-regional-finals-in-san-diego-today/#commentsLive in the San Diego area and looking for something to do today? Blizzard is holding the WoW and Warcraft III regional finals at the House of Blues in San Diego. The event is today and tomorrow and starts at 11AM pacific today. Admission is free.

You can check out the brackets and make shady bets at the bar, or just spend some time with your fellow geeks. Either way, it'll get you out of Azeroth for a couple hours, a little human interaction, buffalo wings and drinks does a body good. Who knows, maybe Blizzard will be giving out goodies. The competitors are playing for cash and tickets to BlizzCon.

JoystiqBlizzard Warcraft regional finals in San Diego today originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 02 Jun 2007 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardbrackethouse of bluesregionalwarcraft IIIworld of warcraftwowSat, 02 Jun 2007 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard and Make-A-Wish give child ultimate WoW experience]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/22/blizzard-grants-dying-childs-wish/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/22/blizzard-grants-dying-childs-wish/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/22/blizzard-grants-dying-childs-wish/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Blizzard Entertainment teamed up with the Make-A-Wish foundation to give 10-year-old Ezra Chatterton, who suffers from a brain tumor, the ultimate World of Warcraft experience imaginable.

Ezra, an avid World of Warcraft fan with a heart-wrenching backstory, told Make-A-Wish that he wanted to visit Blizzard to see if they would make a character for him. Blizzard obliged, and not only did Ezra create his character (Ahab Wheathoof, pictured), they recorded his voice for the character and also let him add his dog Kyle to the game, in addition to creating a very unique (and very powerful) flaming crossbow for his now maxed-out character.

All in all, Ezra spent seven hours with the Blizzard staff as was reportedly very thrilled and equally exhausted. Kudos to Blizzard for granting for this boy what was his biggest wish.

[Via WoW Insider]

JoystiqBlizzard and Make-A-Wish give child ultimate WoW experience originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 May 2007 22:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardcharityMacmake a wishMakeAWishPCworld of warcraftWorldOfWarcraftwowTue, 22 May 2007 22:55:00 EST<![CDATA[The concept art of Starcraft II with musical accompaniment]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/21/the-concept-art-of-starcraft-ii-with-musical-accompaniment/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/21/the-concept-art-of-starcraft-ii-with-musical-accompaniment/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/21/the-concept-art-of-starcraft-ii-with-musical-accompaniment/#commentsFiled under: ,



Sure we made a handy-dandy gallery (seen below) of some of the Starcraft II goodness revealed over the weekend, but for those of you more audio/visual inclined here's a video. For all of you out there upset that the big announcement this weekend wasn't the Starcraft MMO, the inevitable Diablo 3 reveal or the Lost Viking first-person shooter -- buck up. There's still Min-E3 announcements and Blizzcon. Blizzard doesn't just have one thing in the pipeline currently. World of Warcraft money buys a lot of development ... a whole lot. Maybe Starcraft: Ghost might finally get taken off the purgatory list. Not a chance, but it's fun to dream what Blizzard can do with the ridiculous amounts of cash coming their way over the next few years.

Gallery: Starcraft 2

JoystiqThe concept art of Starcraft II with musical accompaniment originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 May 2007 20:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzarddiablolost vikingsmoneyPCstarcraftworld of warcraftwowMon, 21 May 2007 20:55:00 EST<![CDATA[EA invests in The9]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/21/ea-invests-in-the9/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/21/ea-invests-in-the9/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/21/ea-invests-in-the9/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Electronic Arts has acquired a stake in Chinese publisher The9, Gamasutra reports. The US-based publishing powerhouse will have 15% of the The9's common stock, which amounts to US $167 million. The two companies also announced a licensing agreement that makes The9 the sole publisher of FIFA Online in mainland China.

EA had previously half-denied reports of an investment, saying that at the time there was "no signed agreement with The9." Rumors of an investment date back to at least September 2006. EA Asia Online president Hubert Larenaudie stated that he believes this is "another significant step" in building EA's presence in Asia.

It is unclear how this arrangement might affect The9's relationship with EA rival Vivendi, who licenses the massively popular World of Warcraft to the publisher.

JoystiqEA invests in The9 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 May 2007 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiachinaeaelectronic artsElectronic-ArtsElectronicArtsfifafifa onlineFifaOnlinekoreasoccersouth koreaSouthKoreathe 9The9vivendiworld of warcraftWorldOfWarcraftMon, 21 May 2007 15:59:00 EST<![CDATA[A classical approach to Blizzard with Video Games Live]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/14/a-classical-approach-to-blizzard-with-video-games-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/14/a-classical-approach-to-blizzard-with-video-games-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/14/a-classical-approach-to-blizzard-with-video-games-live/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Where there's gamers, classical music will follow. Video Games Live announced today that they'll have two special Blizzard-themed concerts at Blizzard Entertainment's two major gaming conventions. The first will be at Blizzard's World Wide Invitational this Saturday in Seoul, South Korea, and the other will be at BlizzCon, held in Anaheim, Calif., in August. We're willing to put good money down right now that the orchestra will play (or at least have video of) something from the new possible Starcraft game after the big announcement this Saturday -- those of you attending in Korea get your camera phone's video option ready!

The best part is admission to the concerts is included in the price of both events. No additional purchase will be required. BlizzCon prices are $100 USD per person. For those who haven't seen a Video Games Live concert it is definitely a non-meh experience -- you may very well get chills when the theme to a game you really like starts. Considering these concerts will be held with Blizzard fans present, we expect the chills to be of frost nova proportions in the audience.

[Via Press Release]

JoystiqA classical approach to Blizzard with Video Games Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 May 2007 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzarddiabloPCstarcrafttommy tallaricovideo games liveVideoGamesLiveworld of warcraftMon, 14 May 2007 23:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Funcom unveils The Secret World MMO for Xbox 360, PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/11/funcom-unveils-the-secret-world-mmo-for-xbox-360-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/11/funcom-unveils-the-secret-world-mmo-for-xbox-360-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/11/funcom-unveils-the-secret-world-mmo-for-xbox-360-pc/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


We always were rubbish at poetry.

Stunningly devoid of pointy ears, robots and glowing swords, Funcom's newly announced MMORPG, The Secret World, promises to take all things massive and multiplayer and thrust them into a contemporary setting. It sounds like a fish out of water story for the genre -- players themselves may even feel out of place after all those hours spent in World of Warcraft. The publisher aims to put players in realistic cities (on Earth) and have them uncover the game's sinister plot, eventually involving the eponymous secret world.

With the secret world (accessible through a magical wardrobe, no doubt) being filled with monsters and magic, the game will need to be unique in its presentation there, lest it fall into the pit of clichés its trying so hard to avoid. Thankfully, the leadership and proven storytelling prowess of The Longest Journey's Ragnar Tørnquist should guard against that happening. "We always wanted a different kind of online world, something scary and contemporary, something deeper and closer to our reality," says the game's producer and director. "Our goal now is to create a detailed world where players feel empowered and part of something big, something mystical and epic."

The Xbox 360 and PC game, which is currently in a "playable state", has not been given a release date yet.

[Thanks, HaloBreaker]

JoystiqFuncom unveils The Secret World MMO for Xbox 360, PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 May 2007 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DreamfallFuncomPCRagnar TornquistRagnarTornquistThe Longest JourneyThe Secret Worldthe-secret-worldTheLongestJourneyTheSecretWorldWorld of WarcraftWorldOfWarcraftWoWXbox-360Fri, 11 May 2007 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Optional Hellgate: London subcriptions set at $9.95 per month]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/09/optional-hellgate-london-subcriptions-set-at-9-95-per-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/09/optional-hellgate-london-subcriptions-set-at-9-95-per-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/09/optional-hellgate-london-subcriptions-set-at-9-95-per-month/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Games for Windows Magazine (via Hellgate Guru) reports that the optional MMO mode in Hellgate: London will cost players $9.95 per month. The subscription service, provided in addition to a single-player campaign and basic online functionality, will benefit from a continuous stream of content from developer, Flagship Studios, as well as several other features.

Compared to the once-off package, these include round-the-clock support services, a lack of server queues, four times the amount of characters allotted to each player, increased item storage, guild functionality and other typical MMO offerings. In essence, the monthly fee acts as a gateway to a different business model, netting you an "elite" version of the post-apocalyptic RPG.

The absurdly lucrative business model that powers an MMO like World of Warcraft must be the ultimate temptation and source of envy to those publishing games in the more traditional vein. Whereas most transactions end once the game is purchased, consistent online universes have the player not only buy the game, but continue sending money month after month. Much like slipping on a patch of oil deposited on the driveway by your neighbor's recently discovered geyser, it's not a financial prospect you can easily ignore.

JoystiqOptional Hellgate: London subcriptions set at $9.95 per month originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 May 2007 08:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bill RoperBillRoperFlagship StudiosFlagshipStudiosHellgateHellgate LondonHellgateLondonMMOMMORPGPCWorld of WarcraftWorldOfWarcraftWed, 09 May 2007 08:34:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft credit card, chaaaaaaarge!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/05/world-of-warcraft-credit-card-chaaaaaaarge/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/05/world-of-warcraft-credit-card-chaaaaaaarge/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/05/world-of-warcraft-credit-card-chaaaaaaarge/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


A new wave of e-currency is almost upon us with the announcement from Blizzard that they are offering World of Warcraft themed Visa cards that turn real world spending into fake world game time. The card will take 1% of what you charge and turn it into minutes that you can use to visit Azeroth. So, if you want to rack up a lot of time, hand this to a big spender.

This comes on the heels of The Sims credit card, which will likely be something similar. MAKE magazine said we'd be seeing something like this a year ago, and it looks like they were right. Here's hoping they take our real world purchases and turn them into in game money, because they don't take credit cards in Ironforge, and some of the stuff we want is pretty darned expensive.

[Via WoW Insider]

JoystiqWorld of Warcraft credit card, chaaaaaaarge! originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 05 May 2007 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blizzardcredit cardPCThe SimsTheSimsWorld of WarcraftSat, 05 May 2007 15:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard job listing hints at 'Next-Gen MMO']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/30/blizzard-job-listing-hints-at-next-gen-mmo/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/30/blizzard-job-listing-hints-at-next-gen-mmo/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/30/blizzard-job-listing-hints-at-next-gen-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Blizzard is well known for its secrecy and therefore its ability to spawn crazy speculation based on minimal information. The World of Warcraft developer recently published a job listing for a Lead Engine Programmer for -- and this is the rumor catalyst, here -- a "Next-Gen MMO."

Does this mean Blizzard is developing a Starcraft MMO? Possibly, but any engine this lead programmer is working on will likely not be seen publicly for many years -- just look at intervals between the Unreal engines or Crytek's engines. A requirement for the job is a "high comfort level working within (and adding to) an established code framework." We're sure Blizzard is congnizant that the technology used in WoW can't last forever, and that an upgrade to antiquated code in inevitable.

Of course, there may in fact be a successor to Diablo or Starcraft forthcoming, as the rumors have long persisted, but we're betting this job listing is unrelated to any impending announcement.

[Via WoW Insider]

JoystiqBlizzard job listing hints at 'Next-Gen MMO' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Apr 2007 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzardMacPCworld of warcraftWorldOfWarcraftwowMon, 30 Apr 2007 18:55:00 EST<![CDATA[BBC examines WoW's Chinese gold farmers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/29/bbc-examines-wows-chinese-gold-farmers/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/29/bbc-examines-wows-chinese-gold-farmers/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/29/bbc-examines-wows-chinese-gold-farmers/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The BBC has taken a straight look at Chinese gold farmers in the World of Warcraft. We'd fear for our own jobs when MSM begin competently portraying game news -- thankfully, gold farming is old news and has already been well documented in the last two years, so we feel relatively safe. The piece takes a look at your typical Chinese gold farming operation, with some nifty use of green-screen by the reporter being magically teleported into the game.

At least it wasn't another WoW game addiction piece. Of course, the 60 Minutes-level reporting we'll never see from the MSM would be if Blizzard actually likes Chinese gold farmers. Think about it, they're constantly buying new copies of the game, keep players involved in the game who would normally quit because they can't keep up and generally maintaining a black-market that's actually healthy for the games bottom line. But that's a conspiracy for another day.

[Via WoW Insider]

JoystiqBBC examines WoW's Chinese gold farmers originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 29 Apr 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bbccompetent reportingPCworld of warcraftWorldOfWarcraftwowSun, 29 Apr 2007 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars Galaxies: vacant houses to be crushed by empire]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/23/star-wars-galaxies-vacant-houses-to-be-crushed-by-empire/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/23/star-wars-galaxies-vacant-houses-to-be-crushed-by-empire/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/23/star-wars-galaxies-vacant-houses-to-be-crushed-by-empire/#commentsFiled under: ,


If you've been eking out a virtual existence in Star Wars Galaxies, the 2003 Sony MMORPG which thrives just as much on self-destruction as it does on landspeeders and lightsabers, you may wish to check in on your neglected home away from home. If your account is found to have been inactive from 17 April 2006, any of the houses, factories, player associations or harvesters to your name will be scheduled for digital demolition. If you built it, they will come on June 5th to wreck it.

Unfortunately, the Empire is not interested in doubling their efforts to wipe out the last remaining signs of civilization (read: active players). Instead, they'll split the work with you and dole out points, badges and all manner of in-game items in return. Once the vacant buildings have been reduced to nothing, Sony Online Entertainment will have successfully transformed the world into a barren wasteland with the aid of their own subscribers. Some believe that's what they've been doing since the game launched.

[Via Opposable Thumbs]

JoystiqStar Wars Galaxies: vacant houses to be crushed by empire originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Apr 2007 21:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>MMOMMORPGPCSonySony Online EntertainmentSonyOnlineEntertainmentStar WarsStar Wars GalaxiesStarWarsStarWarsGalaxiesWorld of WarcraftWorldOfWarcraftWoWMon, 23 Apr 2007 21:59:00 EST<![CDATA[NY Times on PC game biz rebound]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/23/ny-times-on-pc-game-biz-rebound/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/23/ny-times-on-pc-game-biz-rebound/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/23/ny-times-on-pc-game-biz-rebound/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

For an industry that has been purported to be "dying" in some form or another for the past two decades or so, PC gaming has remained a remarkably consistent niche in the overall games business. The New York Times today takes a look at a recent upturn in the PC games market, partially fueled by the phenomenal success of World of Warcraft and the imitators it has spawned.

Don't cancel your console development plans yet, though. While domestic PC game sales were up 48 percent to $203 million in the first two months of 2007, the PC market was still dwarfed by the $990 million spent on console games during the same period. And while efforts like Games for Windows and HP's gaming initiative are likely to help attract attention to computer games, it's hard to match the focused marketing muscle of the big three console makers. So while PC gaming may not be dying, it's not exactly threatening to take over the country, either. The rest of the world, on the other hand ...

JoystiqNY Times on PC game biz rebound originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Apr 2007 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>computerdellgames for windowsGamesForWindowsgamingHPmicrosoftMMOonlinePCwindowsworld of warcraftWorldOfWarcraftMon, 23 Apr 2007 12:10:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcake: The Delicious Crusade]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/19/world-of-warcake-the-delicious-crusade/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/19/world-of-warcake-the-delicious-crusade/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/19/world-of-warcake-the-delicious-crusade/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Talk about a supportive fiance, Flickr user Cakecraft baked a massive Alliance cake for her soon-to-be husband in honor of his new guild. It took her over 20 hours of grinding to get this sucker finished, and "is the equivalent of seven 9"x13" cakes." Wow, indeed.

She does give a shoutout to the makers of the Horde cake, which inspired her. Don't bother checking the taverns around Ironforge for this one, although she might make you one for enough gold.

JoystiqWorld of Warcake: The Delicious Crusade originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cakefoodWorld of WarcraftWorldOfWarcraftThu, 19 Apr 2007 13:57:00 EST<![CDATA[You'll say WoW: BlizzCon back on for 2007]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/12/youll-say-wow-blizzcon-back-on-for-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/12/youll-say-wow-blizzcon-back-on-for-2007/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/12/youll-say-wow-blizzcon-back-on-for-2007/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Matched only by an apocalyptic black hole engulfing the entire galaxy, BlizzCon is one of the few things that has any hope of yanking World of Warcraft inhabitants through the dark portal and into our generally uncomfortable reality. After a noted absence last year, BlizzCon is set to return in 2007 to Anaheim, California. Blizzard Entertainment has announced that the convention, which celebrates all their franchises, will run at the Anaheim Convention Center on August 3rd and August 4th.

Blizzard promises the affair to be far from frigid, filled to the brim with discussion panels, developer signings, tournaments, live orchestral performances and more exciting activities to be announced (it says here)! It's not free (a ticket will cost you $100), but can you really put a price on what's sure to be a Murloc cosplay extravaganza?

[Via WoW Insider]

JoystiqYou'll say WoW: BlizzCon back on for 2007 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Apr 2007 21:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>PCWorld of WarcraftWorldOfWarcraftWoWThu, 12 Apr 2007 21:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Today's game over video: The End of the World of Warcraft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/05/todays-game-over-video-the-end-of-the-world-of-warcraft/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/05/todays-game-over-video-the-end-of-the-world-of-warcraft/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/05/todays-game-over-video-the-end-of-the-world-of-warcraft/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,


One man decides to give up the World of Warcraft, for another addiction entirely, and the result is an experiment in cinematical over-the-topness. Sweeping soundtracks, fighting, Burning Crusade Collector's Editions flying through the air ... what more could you ask for?

If you're going to give something up, it's probably best to do in a grand way, involving videotape, your friends, trailers for other games, and lots of slow-motion. One thing everyone is asking though, would you go mental living in that house?

JoystiqToday's game over video: The End of the World of Warcraft originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Apr 2007 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Simon Carless over at GameSetWatch is one cheeky Brit. Unlike the Chinese WoW Coca-Cola bottles you see pictured, which are absolutely real, there aren't a group of wealthy Chinese WoW players setting up "WOW Hunting Park" to pursue their fellow man for sport. That's a whole new level of cosplay that we don't even think the Chinese have attained.

In Carless' story a wealthy man by the name of Boss Wu owns a mine and discovered, "We pay miners 30-50,000 RMB a year, and 50-100,000 RMB when they get killed. Why not offer them 250,000 RMB to let us hunt them down in our WOW Park? If they can survive the day without being killed we pay them the money, and if we catch them we pay their families."

Mine Boss Wu is the leader of a guild called Kuangzhu, which consists of 15 other Shanxi mine owners and the idea for the real-life cosplay WoW hunt came up at one of their monthly meetings. If Carless had gone the extra step and created a fake source for this story, we could've seen this being picked up by the mainstream media as real. Seriously, the MSM would love a story of men hunting men for sport.

JoystiqApril Fool's Alert #6: Chinese WoW players hunt real Chinese people originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 01 Apr 2007 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This Saturday, UK newspaper The Times will offer readers a disc with a 14-day trial of World of Warcraft. The edition will also include an eight-page guide to the game. Like a good drug dealer, Blizzard knows that you just have to give a customer that first hit of WoW to keep them coming back for more. The only real difference between a drug dealer and Blizzard is that dealers can't advertise in The Times -- well, not legally.

We can certainly expect Blizzard to start using more unorthodox approaches in growing their customer base. With 8.5 million WoW players, they've got plenty of money to blow on marketing now and continue the march toward the mind-blowing 10 million user mark. Blizzard is sure to announce their upcoming WoW expansion in the next few months, along with whatever new title they're working on.

JoystiqUK's The Times becomes WoW pusher this Saturday originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Mar 2007 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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According to Planet Xbox 360, the latest Official Xbox Magazine dishes out what its editors believe to be the top 5 games being secretly made for the Xbox 360. More or less the list is a wish list of games that most of us would like to see make an appearance on our beloved console. Many of them have been rumored for quite some time, but it's a nice list nevertheless. Check it out after the break.

Continue reading The top 5 "secret" games coming to 360

JoystiqThe top 5 "secret" games coming to 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Mar 2007 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lava Landslide - that's hotAs much as we do really hate to quote Paris Hilton, that is pretty hot. Chris Jensen at GameAlmighty has an entertaining and interesting story up about how so many games feature a lava level, have villain's lairs built around lava, or just feel the need to put molten rock in there somewhere. To quote from the article, "...have you ever stopped to consider what it must have been like to build a castle or dungeon near or on a river of lava? It breaks every rule in the OSHA handbook, I'm sure."

He breaks down the difficulties on building things around lava, let alone living near it. It takes a very hardy soul, and we admit that we would probably start thinking about moving if we had a lava flow nearby. Of course if we did, we could also just call in Tommy Lee Jones and Anne Heche to save the day. If any knows how to corral lava and work with it, it's those two.

JoystiqLiving on lava: that's hot originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Mar 2007 16:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On Feb. 12 Turbine officially lifted their non-disclosure on Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar. Early word is that the game is actually a potential contender against the juggernaut known as the World of Warcraft. Turbine has incorporated the best elements from their semi-love-or-totally-hate Dungeons and Dragons Online game, while making LOTRO more accessible.

Turbine will begin stress testing the game on Feb. 23, which is the best opportunity to try out the game for those remotely curious. A few of the people we spoke with said that the reason the game works is because the Tolkien lore is solid and robust and it is WoW-esque enough to be accessible to the masses, but different enough to be an alternative. The game has an achievement system like Xbox Live, towns apparently change after major events and the instances have a more cinematic feel (a.k.a plot line). We've contacted Turbine to learn more about LOTRO. It would be nice to see some solid competition in the MMO marketplace.

JoystiqLord of the Rings Online a contender? originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Feb 2007 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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