Blizzcon, Day 1: Opening Ceremony

Friday morning, Blizzard President Mike Morhaime and company Vice-President Frank Pierce welcomed a sea of gamers to Blizzcon 2007 at the Anaheim Convention Center, where they were greeted like heroes.

“Since we were last together at Blizzcon 2005,� Morhaime told the audience, “The population of World of Warcraft has more than doubled. With 9 million players, that’s larger than the population of half the countries in the world.�

The game’s first expansion, The Burning Crusade, sold 2.4 million copies the first day it went on sale, he said, more copies than any game had previously sold in a single month.

But while WoW was a major part of the weekend – taking up the lion’s share of panels – it wasn’t the only thing the company had to show over the weekend.

“While Korean gamers may have been the first to see StarCraft II, you all will be among the first to actually play it,� Morhaime said, and was greeted with thunderous applause. Terran and Protoss units were available for skirmish play over the weekend, and new Terran units were introduced.

Pierce then took center stage, to talk about World of Warcraft.

“Holy crap,� he breathed, “Look at all the people.�

Pierce started with some previously announced news about upcoming patches, including guild banks.

“The guildmaster will know who made deposits to the guild bank. More importantly, the guildmaster will know who made withdrawals. So no ninja-looting the guildbank.�

And then it was onto the news everyone was waiting for: WoW Expansion #2.

“Hands up, who thinks you know what I’m going to announce,� he called out. “OK, your accounts are all banned.�

As Internet rumors had suggested all this week, it was Wrath of the Lich King, featuring the (mostly) frozen continent of Northrend, the level cap going up to 80, the death knight hero class, the inscriptions profession and more.

“It’s a good story line,� Pierce said. “It’s an exciting story line.�

The new expansion will bring with it new PvP arenas, new battlegrounds, siege weapons and destructible buildings.

He then showed a short film of two Warcraft characters – a human made and paladin – arriving in Howling Fjord and exploring Northrend. When the mage is killed by a gigantic yeti-type creature, the paladin runs, and is eventually ambushed by the Scourge in a snowy forest, where he arises as a death knight, all while Arthas Menethil taunts him via voiceover.

“So come,� Arthas says, “Because, in the end, all must serve the one, true lich king.�

Howling Fjord and the first five-man instance of the expansion, Utgarde Keep, were both available for hands-on previews during Blizzcon.

“Thanks for sharing the weekend with us in Anaheim,� Pierce concluded. “Go have fun.�

Blizzcon: Day 1: The WoW Expansion, Confirmed

Yep, as expected, it’s Wrath of the Lich King. At least, that’s what all the t-shirts and banners say. (The actual announcement isn’t until 11.)

The first zone from WotLK is apparently playable here. I’ll try to check it out when not at a panel.

But for those not in attendance, the recently leaked list of expansion features looks to be 100 percent true, according to the convention program: the death knight class, siege weapons and destructible buildings, level 80, restyled hair, all of it. So Google that and you’ll have heard the probable expansion highlights.

Blizzcon: Day 0: The Murloc Costume

The in-game murloc costume is awesome. It has its own unique dance, it has its own unique jumping animation (which sometimes makes you fall flat on your face). You have the classic murloc foot-slapping sound when you run.

Unfortunately, you can’t fight, mount or cast spells in costume.

Such is life.

Deputy shot in Hesperia

Here’s unwelcome news to wake up to on a Thursday morning: Last night, a Hesperia station sheriff’s deputy was shot foiling a robbery on Main and 5th. He’s in good condition and is expected to be released from the hospital today.

I heard about this on the way out of the city council meeting, when I was stopped by City Manager Mike Podegracz with the news.

• Sheriff’s deputy shot (Hesperia Star)
• One gunman wounded during burglary in progress late Wednesday night (Daily Press)
• Sheriff’s deputy shot at, wounded (Sun)

We have some more details, including the deputy’s name, but are holding off on publishing them at the request of the sheriff’s department. I expect we’ll be releasing his name and photo later today.

If you can’t make it to Blizzcon …

You can still check out Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain (the band) play, in-game, in the Lower City of Shattrath at the top of every hour: