The Queue: Why Blizzard must deliver today

Blizzard has a golden opportunity today. The entire gaming industry will be watching the opening ceremony; not an eye in the greater community will be elsewhere. Everyone will be waiting to hear two things: the Diablo 3 release date, and more importantly, the next World of Warcraft expansion.
This expansion in particular cannot just be another cataclysm/Cataclysm. It has to deliver unlike any expansion has ever done so in any other game. The Wookiees are pounding on the door to Blizzard, and they're not going to back off until Arthas himself swings forth the next expansion and beats them back like the Sith Lord he wishes he was. If Blizzard today can reinvigorate the player base, convince the press and critics that it still has the #1 game -- and always will -- there is nothing that BioWare or anyone else is going to be able to do to stop WoW's continued dominance for the next 10 years.
But Blizzard has one chance at this, and that chance starts and ends today.
Watch it.
Either way, it's gonna be a helluva an interesting BlizzCon.
EverythingRuned asked:
How do you describe the different shaman specs without getting into game terms?
Shaman control the elements of the Earth. Restoration shaman heal you with the life-giving power of terra firma, elemental shaman rain down the elements onto their enemies, and enhancement shaman call on powers of Earth to grant them strength in physical combat.
Sidvicious asked:
Are we finally going to get an update on the old character models in the next expansion?
We'll find out today, but I honestly doubt it. I think a lot of people are so stuck on their old models at this point, it'd be kinda cruel to change them. Blizzard has said as much at points as well.
Gabe asked:
I know that I'll be able to get the information from Blizzcon from WoWInsider, but I'd like to view the stream, since I can't actually go to Blizzcon. Is there another option, where some kind soul decides to post videos of the stream on YouTube, or will I have to pay for it to watch it?
That kind of stuff does happen, but it's not something that's going to be up for long when it does -- at least in most cases. You can find some of the older things, but since Blizzard started charging for it ... yeah. It doesn't like giving the video away for free (obviously).
Allie Roberts and I will be teaming up for the live blogging this year. We've already got a system in place for blogging and picture taking, so we should be better than ever!
eel5pe asked:
While flying through northern Feralas on my way to Feathermoon Stronghold to check it off the list of Kalimdori pumpkins, I flew over Dreamer's Rest and noticed that it had an exclamation mark. Closer inspection confirmed that it was indeed a fully functional trick-or-treatable jack-o-lantern (though to my disappointment it only yielded candy and my 18th or so Sinister Squashling).
So question: what other "unlisted" (aka functional, but not listed on the achievement) pumpkins are out there? My example is obviously an alliance pumpkin but pumpkins for dirty horde would be welcome too.
I haven't seen a list anywhere, but I've seen this happen to one of my toons a ton. My guess is that Blizzard wants them everywhere, but only wants to "force" you to go to a few of them. Not really a bad thing, just slightly unusual for WoW.
Paladious asked:
The best 90's cartoons in my opion were Exo Sqad, King Arthur and the Knights of Justice, and, of course, the X-men.
I am proud (or ashamed, not sure which) that I've watched most of the '90s X-Men on Netflix. That was a darn good show in many respects.
Filed under: The Queue






Reader Comments (Page 1 of 11)
Arkonn Oct 21st 2011 11:02AM
OMGADWTFHEREITCOMES!!! /implode
Yeah, i'm not really that excited for Blizzcon. I could take it or leave it if i'm honest...
Shinae Oct 21st 2011 11:05AM
3 MORE HOURS!
wybenga42 Oct 21st 2011 11:42AM
Dearest readers, please be aware that you can watch the opening ceremony (as well as tournament coverage) for free without purchasing a virtual ticket at:
http://us.battle.net/blizzcon/en/live-stream/
thepiratester Oct 21st 2011 12:39PM
I agree with you about not caring. Everything thing blow up our A** will change by the time they have to deliver anyway.
Jìnx Oct 21st 2011 11:02AM
Is there a reason why Blizzard does not scale holiday bosses for lower levels? There are some holiday achievements that require you to kill the head villain for that holiday.
MattKrotzer Oct 21st 2011 11:07AM
Yeah, that's my biggest frustration with the holidays.
Nina Katarina Oct 21st 2011 11:10AM
Exploit, undocumented feature, or bug - you can get holiday boss achievements at lower levels.
Step 1 - form a group of 5 85s.
Step 2 - queue for holiday boss
Step 3 - one person drops group, do not requeue
Step 4 - invite lower level person in
Step 5 - lower level person teleports into instance
Step 6 - kill boss (Profit!)
The lower level person must be high enough to enter the instance (28 for the Headless Horseman). They won't get a Loot-Filled Pumpkin, but they can roll on the ring drop and will get the boss kill achievement.
Shinae Oct 21st 2011 11:11AM
The holiday bosses is often what has driven me to level up alts in a more timely manner than usual. For Brewfest, it was my paladin. For Hallows' End, it will be my DK.
Bellajtok Oct 21st 2011 11:19AM
I tend to level alts during holidays for the experience boost. Which makes it difficult when I want to do the bosses on them.
Fweet Oct 21st 2011 12:28PM
Thx for the tip Nina! I have a 65 alt that just might get the title now.
I wholeheartedly agree with Jinx. I would love to see holiday boss fights scale. Near the end of the creepy crate quest, the void-walker summoned by Archmage Xylem's belf cronie scales to fit the player's level, so at least it's something that gets their consideration.
Approaching it like a battleground might work, with separate scaled fights/loot at 60-69, 70-79, 80-90. Maybe scale the boss at the -5's so no group is too under- or over-powered.
Nina Katarina Oct 21st 2011 12:26PM
I would love to know if it's legal to do the holiday bosses the way I outlined above, or if I'm courting trouble with The Gamemasters for exploiting a game bug.
Greg Oct 21st 2011 12:56PM
@Nina:
That is a great question. I'd have to say that Blizzard will not be happy with this technique- and here's why: it's an abuse of game mechaninc- or rather, a flaw in game mechanics.
The intent for the holiday bosses is for max level characters to be able to Q for them. Hence, the only way to queue for them is through the LFD system. Remember that Blizzard intentionally removed the bosses from the regular dungeons. Also, The loot tables are clearly not designed for non-max level characters.
All that adds up to an intent for only max level characters to have access to these encounters and rewards. Any attempt to circumvent these limitations (no matter how clever, and that one is pretty clever) will likely be viewed by Blizzard as an exploitation of game mechanics. Players falling into that category tend to have achievements and loot revoked, and possibly warning bans as well.
All that being said, this might fly under the radar. Blizzard may not notice, or may not care and simply 'let it go.' But I think the evidence is clear that the technique is not intended. Others would be wise to avoid it, or at the very least, only attempt it with full knowledge of the possible consequences.
Jamie Oct 21st 2011 11:03AM
Given that this Queue will be answered after the initial day of BlizzCon is over. I'm going to take time to provide a question which would only make sense after the Opening Ceremony.
Whoa!! Can you believe Metzen came in holding The Ashbringer whilst fighting off Deathwing and several of the Black Dragonflight and a a legion of Twilight Hammer Cultists!?!?!?! That was pretty epic.
Do you think this means Hogger is the actual source of The Old Gods going insane?
I still can't believe Mists of Pandaria is the world's first DVD-rom deodorant...? I was a little worried at first about using a deodorant which came in DVD-rom format but if anyone can pull it off, it's Blizzard.
Angus Oct 21st 2011 11:18AM
Well now I can't watch Blizzcon. Nothing but a let down after that comment.
Grats. I'm gonna pack up the laptop, done with the internet today. Bye everybody.
Bellajtok Oct 21st 2011 11:53AM
Really, Jamie? You didn't even mention the part where Nat Pagle fished up Alleria Windrunner and Turalyon. That was my favorite part! What do you think it means?
thedoctor2031 Oct 21st 2011 12:29PM
And you forgot the part where Rhonin came in with hundreds of Raptors dual wielding Atiesh and Frostmourne while siphoning all of Deathwing's magical essence to seal the Plot Hole- I mean the World Pillar. And then the raptors fused together but was corrupted by old gods and formed the anti-Rhonin who will be the final boss of the next expansion. Is anyone else pumped for this?
Jamie Oct 21st 2011 12:32PM
Not much unless Ghostcrawler shouts from atop of a GIANT ENEMY CRAB. "I AM THE GAMECHANGER!!!!"
Yea, totally need a Ring of Blood style BlizzCon reinactment.
Bryan Dare Oct 21st 2011 12:52PM
Thank you, all of you. That was great. Almost spat out my Cocoa Puffs at the Nat Pagle part.
Skarlette Oct 21st 2011 1:15PM
Yeah, and when good ol' Nat eloped with Calia Menethil, I got all misty eyed...
Bellajtok Oct 21st 2011 1:20PM
@Skarlette
That was just the sweetest thing. And when he proposed using the 6 ring, I d'awwed. So adorable.