Blizzard maps out BlizzCon
by Mike Schramm 
Aug 18th 2009 at 11:40AM
There she is, the BlizzCon map for 2009. As you can see, there's an extra hall than last year (and two more halls than a few years ago) -- Blizzard has rented out the flnal hall of the convention center, so there are four whole halls filled with Blizzard activity. This also means that they don't have to go into the conference rooms on the second floor -- the panels will be held either on the mainstage or in the new panel discussion stage area. We're not sure where Ozzy will be held; in the past, concerts have been over in the arena attached to the convention center, but with one big room dedicated to a main stage, Blizzard may just set things up in there this year.
Everything else is pretty expected -- there'll be a Retro Arcade and an Art Gallery again, and statues of Kerrigan, Illidan, and the Orc and Wolf model to check out. One interesting note is that there are playable areas for both Diablo III and Starcraft II (we'll probably see the singleplayer mode of that game playable for the first time) as well as World of Warcraft, so if a new expansion is announced, we might get to see some of it playable already. And of course, all of Blizzard's partners will be in attendance as well. Excited yet?
BlizzCon 2009 is coming up on August 21st and 22nd! We've got all the latest news and information. At BlizzCon you can play the latest games, meet your guildmates, and ask the developers your questions. Plus, there's some great looking costumes.
Everything else is pretty expected -- there'll be a Retro Arcade and an Art Gallery again, and statues of Kerrigan, Illidan, and the Orc and Wolf model to check out. One interesting note is that there are playable areas for both Diablo III and Starcraft II (we'll probably see the singleplayer mode of that game playable for the first time) as well as World of Warcraft, so if a new expansion is announced, we might get to see some of it playable already. And of course, all of Blizzard's partners will be in attendance as well. Excited yet?
BlizzCon 2009 is coming up on August 21st and 22nd! We've got all the latest news and information. At BlizzCon you can play the latest games, meet your guildmates, and ask the developers your questions. Plus, there's some great looking costumes.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Galadring Aug 18th 2009 11:46AM
I am sure you meant to say "Diablo III". I did not really analyze the map before reading your article, and when I read "Diablo II" I thought to myself "what about Diablo III?!"
Anyhow, just wanted to attempt to be helpful. Thanks for the updates.
Mike Schramm Aug 18th 2009 11:48AM
Ha. Yes, I did mean Diablo III, thanks for the catch. Though Diablo II might be playable in the Retro Arcade this year. :)
Everybody Aug 18th 2009 11:47AM
Were I to be there, I have a feeling I'd be reaching for the 'm' key constantly to check on my bearings, as simple as the layout is.
dumasti Aug 18th 2009 11:54AM
I'm excited and I'm not even going to be there!
Can't wait for the Con/Post-Con news. ^_^
~Fatamorgana
karatheya Aug 18th 2009 12:04PM
Last year was three-quarters the size of this year.
This year is one-third large than last year.
Just saying.
Randy Aug 18th 2009 12:05PM
Concerts held in the Arena attached? Um, last year the L80ETC concert was on the hall C stage....and the schedule indicated the closing ceremonies are there as well (I'm assuming Ozzy is at closing ceremonies).
And thank god that conference room won't be used....the Guild panel last year was a disaster because Blizz totally underestimated interest.
Xtofer Aug 18th 2009 12:09PM
If you look closely, you can see the Maelstrom in that map. XD
Clydtsdk-Rivendare Aug 18th 2009 6:18PM
I SEE AZSHARA AND GILNEAS. CONICIDECNE? I THINK NOT.
/sarcasm
Stevee Vader Aug 18th 2009 12:10PM
I am really looking forward for Diablo news rather than Wow news on warcrast Starman said they will probably announce a new class but want replies
Do yu think this years Blizzcon is gonna pretty much be Wow focused?
judging of all the material available it looks like it as I think next year will be the year of Diablo 3 and a release date may be announced for 2011 but we all know diablo is gnna be probably 2011 not 2010 makes me kinda upset ;(
I am curious and anticipating the wow.com coverage though and with the community responding it will be way better than the 40 dollars asked to watch it hehe
think this ffriday there will be people trolling
lgnorman420 Aug 18th 2009 12:12PM
OMG OMG OMG- I was already excited but this map just pushed me over the edge- not going to be able to sleep tonight, flyin out tomorrow. See y'all there.
devilsei Aug 18th 2009 12:27PM
Well, according to that map, we must raid the first fall halls to get the key to the second floor of Blizzcon, where the infamous press trash mobs are at, and god only knows what else is packed up there.
useanmojo Aug 18th 2009 12:40PM
Oh, oh I want to start a math war!!! So if you have three equal rooms (parts)...like blizzcon last year...and you add a fourth room that is the same size as the other three...guess what? That is a 33% increase not a 25% increase. But I am open to belittlement if I am incorrect and Mike is correct. You can tease me at Blizzcon, I will be there asking Ozzy if he is going to re-roll a worgen/goblin race.
Mike Schramm Aug 18th 2009 12:40PM
"It is commonly known" that I'm horrible at math. I wave the white flag, you win.
Jon Do Aug 18th 2009 1:40PM
My guess is that Ozzy will roll Bard and go Crazy Train spec.
Cheese Rations Aug 18th 2009 12:38PM
Only two stores this year? There were only two last year, and they were both a nightmare. I can only imagine that with more space comes more attendees and so those two lonely stores are going to be even worse. I waited nearly 7 hours last year to buy merchandise. I didn't get tickets this year, but feel sorry for anyone that didn't pre-order their merchandise online already.
chipersoft Aug 18th 2009 7:06PM
That's the point tho, the online store should have drastically reduced the number of people trying to buy stuff. I imagine there will be lots of signs reminding people at the stores that they can go online.
Alchemistmerlin Aug 18th 2009 1:49PM
The real question is: How many times do you need to throw yourself against the convention center doors before you can get in?
dumasti Aug 18th 2009 4:04PM
^ lawl
Benjamin Chan Aug 18th 2009 4:20PM
Guys remember to get a huge group of people and then keep jumping against locked doors. See if they get the point.
chipersoft Aug 18th 2009 7:13PM
"Blizzard has rented out the flnal hall of the convention center, so there are four whole halls filled with Blizzard activity."
Just to clarify on this: The convention center has five halls (A-E), but Hall E is to be used for Registration only.
Hopefully that means we wont have to stand in a line that wraps down the side of the building, through a basketball gym, around to the back and then zig-zags through the parking lot.