Tuesday Morning Post: Remains of the BlizzCon edition
by Daniel Whitcomb 
Sep 1st 2009 at 7:00AM
So BlizzCon 2009 is behind us by over a week now, but don't think its presence isn't still felt. This past week alone we had tons of wrap-up analysis and a few freshly transcribed interviews. We've dug a few new nuggets of news and impressions out our coverage too. Here's something for you: The new Battle.net will allow in game cross faction communication. We also discussed the BlizzCon team's first impressions of the new races. And don't forget our footage of the ultimate raidkiller: Hogger.Of course, in all this BlizzCon and Cataclysm tizzy, don't think we've forgotten about Patch 3.2.2 either. We got some pretty juicy news about that as well. Luckily, you'll have plenty of time to read up on it, since we got a pretty huge chunk of maintenance this morning. Let's take a look at some of the biggest stories from the past 7 days:
Hot News and Features
- We got a chance to talk with two of the biggest Authors of WoW fiction, Christie Golden and Richard Knaak. In addition, We also talked with the folks behind the WoW mangas.
- See what happens when The Guild's Michele Boyd and Jeff Lewis take on the Worgen Starting Zone.
- Introducing Grunty the Murloc in his video debut!
- The Cataclysm is coming. Check out some places we think you should visit before Deathwing blows them up.
- Check out what was up for grabs at this years BlizzCon Store.
- Check out what Blizzard employees did with their N00bz.
- We talked with Ed Fries, create of FigurePrints, at BlizzCon. We also got a chance to talk with Vasco, manufacturers of the Blizzard Authenticator.
- BlizzCon's quest has become an annual tradition. Here's what happened for this year's quest.
- We've updated our BlizzCon costume gallery with more shots for your approval.
- Tauren Paladins will be called "Sunwalkers." Will we see other new "class names" for the new class and race combos?
- Encrypted Text takes a look at Patch 3.2.2 and BlizzCon news for Rogues.
- Shifting Perspectives discusses leveling a Druid from 31-40 and leveling on PvP servers.
- Rossi looks at Cataclysm for Warriors.
- Spiritual Guidance is also (see a pattern here?) looking into the future for Priests.
- Arcane Brilliance continues to break down Cataclysm for Mages.
- Lichborne looks at Death Knights in Cataclysm.
- Check out Onyxia's Patch 3.2.2 achievements. And yes, there are many Whelps.
- Patch 3.2.2 will bring formerly class specific buffs into play as Inscription scrolls and Leatherworking drums.
- WoW Rookie discusses trading goods.
- The Art of War(Craft) takes a look at PvP in Cataclysm.
- Insider Traders is also looking ahead to Professions in Cataclysm.
- It looks like we may be getting more new pets in the upcoming patch, including a Pandaren Monk.
- Sorry guys. Heirlooms will not extend to level 85.
- It looks like Anaheim may be getting into the BlizzCon spirit itself: McCormick and Shmick Restaurant had a special BlizzCon themed menu.
- The Laguna Art Museum's VIP dinner held some unexpected surprises for Lore Nerds.
- We went hands on with lots of hardware at BlizzCon 2009, including the new Creative Headsets and Razer's Naga Mouse.
- So why are Worgen Druids? Lesley Smith explores some theories.
- If you've been lusting for certain music from the game, why not grab it from the MPQs?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Realm Status, Odds and ends, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rhorle Sep 1st 2009 7:40AM
"We've dug a few new nuggets of news and impressions out our coverage too."
How are they new, if they all have links to past articles?
slartibart Sep 1st 2009 8:03AM
You win the germane semantic internet argument! Congrats!
Durane Sep 1st 2009 8:03AM
You guys really need a much more dedicated Hunter columnist. Honestly, I'm really disappointed at the lack of discussion about the class.
I mean, really guys. I have heard less about Hunters than any other class since BlizzCon. The new hunter races don't count either. I'm talking about mechanics.
The switch from Mana to Focus will pretty drastically change the way we play, even more so than the changes to ammo. Perfected shot rotations will be even more essential as now we have to rely even more heavily on Steady Shot to maintain a constant, uninterrupted stream of damage. This also affects our ability to remain mobile in combat. I realize that our dps suffers as it is when having to move, but now, we will have to be smarter than ever during those fights.
I realize we have yet to receive finalized information on how the system works exactly and how much each shot will cost, but some discussion about it would be nice. There are so many exciting possibilities available with this new system that could further change hunter gameplay.
So please, WoW.com. Gives us Hunters some love.
Aggrajag Sep 1st 2009 8:55AM
Seconded.
GuyverIV Sep 1st 2009 12:53PM
Hunter-ing has just not been the same since BRK retired. Love him or hate him, you knew he loved playing his hunter, and for me that bled over. I still enjoy my hunter but the constant excitement is gone. The new Hunter columnist is a nice enough guy, but he just doesn't have Daniel's passion for the class, nothing that makes me feel that same joy.
Of course, it doesn't help that most encounters I run don't really require any Hunter skill, no chain trapping, MD on to a tank is more formalitiy then actually useful, we just stand there and pew-pew while our pets chew-chew. /nostalgia.
Andrew R. Sep 1st 2009 9:02AM
Carrington is a good writer, he's just not the right fit for the hunter column. I don't think he knows as much about the class and/or the mechanics of it like the other columnists do with their classes.
bushkanaka86 Sep 1st 2009 10:39AM
I personally get tired of seeing "Hogger, Hogger, HOGGER!!!!!" everywhere. Every is obsessed with him but do people actually realize that he is only an Ally boss? Having never rolled an Ally toon I have no idea who Hogger is and I have never faced him and yet everyone and their mom brings him up all the time as a "raid killer" or "lets make hard mode hogger!"
Do you people even realize that there are 2 factions to the game? We don't all love Hogger.
Grendalsh Sep 1st 2009 10:57AM
Consider this the Alliance response to the horde booing the Alliance when we cheer. Ya'll get yer Hordie roar on, we get to have the Cult of Hogger.
You do know there's another faction in the game,and they might like things that are outside the Horde's storyline, right?
InsaneAssault Sep 1st 2009 12:40PM
The same could be said of Mankrik's Wife.
Impi Sep 1st 2009 11:15AM
I'm curious who won the sound-a-like contest. They cut the broadcast off before it was finished and I've not been able to find it online. Maybe I missed it in the plethora of information that came out of the event but I'd love to know who - or rather what - was the winning impression. Any help?
Sarah Sep 2nd 2009 6:07AM
THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION
WHY is the pic from that movie? I don't get it AT ALL.