Posts with tag world-of-warcraft

The Art of Blizzard Entertainment, a massive 376 page collection of artwork from Warcraft, StarCraft and Diablo, will be available for purchase later this month. But if you're in the Los Angeles area and you're wanting a sneak peek at what the book has to offer, you may want to clear your calendar at some point in the coming weeks. Gallery Nucleus, located in Alhambra California, will be hosting a special collection of over 50 pieces of artwork from your favorite Blizzard games, including an extensive collection of concept art.

The exhibition will be at Gallery Nucleus from January 12 through February 3, 2012. However, there will be an opening reception from 7-11pm on January 12. Guests attending will have plenty of games and activities to keep them occupied, as well as an opportunity to get exclusive posters and other commemorative items. There is a $5 entrance fee at the door for the reception, however those that show up in costume will get in for free.

In addition to the artwork and events, several of the Blizzard Entertainment artists featured in the book will be in attendance giving painting demos, signing books, and simply hanging out with attendees. For more information on what sounds like an incredibly fun time, you can check out Gallery Nucleus' official website.

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Part one of World of Warcraft: Dawn of the Aspects will see its release a little later than previous reported at NYCC last year. Simon & Schuster currently has the release date set for February 19, 2013. Unlike previous Warcraft novels, Dawn of the Aspects will be released in parts as an ebook rather than a print novel. Part one will be available for $1.99, with four more parts to follow over the coming year. And for those that can't wait, we've got an exclusive look at the full cover for the upcoming novel after the break.

Penned by Richard Knaak, Dawn of the Aspects explores the relationship between the proto-drakes of Northrend and the Aspects of here and now. Even though Deathwing has been taken care of and the Hour of Twilight has been halted, the question of what comes next for the Dragon Aspects is still unanswered. With their powers expended, how can any of the Aspects, or even dragonkind for that matter, hope to still make a difference in the world?

Have you been wondering what's behind the doors in that preview image of the Throne of Thunder that was posted last week? Players have commented that the place seems reminiscent of both Ulduar and the Black Temple -- in a good way, as both raids were incredibly popular when they were current content. While there isn't an official preview for the raid just yet, datamining has uncovered a glimpse of the raid zone in its raw state.

Reddit user Silencerr put together the above video as a tour of sorts of the new raid zone. Because this is just datamined files, it likely won't look exactly like this on live servers -- the lighting isn't present, and any filler doodads, mobs, or bosses are absent. Basically, it's the sandbox version of what the raid will look like -- and anything can change between the PTR and now.

However, the video is actually pretty neat. It's dark, it's gloomy, and the broken halls are frankly kind of disturbing. It almost reminds me of those creepy crypts underneath Karazhan, although there are no Upside-down Sinners floating around. More importantly, this raid appears to be massive, and definitely on the scale of zones like Black Temple or Ulduar. It's huge, it's menacing, and I can't wait to see what it looks like fully-realized and implemented in game.

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Mists of Pandaria is here! The level cap has been raised to 90, many players have returned to Azeroth, and pet battles are taking the world by storm. Keep an eye out for all of the latest news, and check out our comprehensive guide to Mists of Pandaria for everything you'll ever need to know.

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I guess if there is one good way to take an enemy down, you can't really argue the fun of simply disgusting them to death. I hate spiders -- the spiders in Warcraft vary from fuzzy and vaguely non-threatening to full-out spindly-legged menaces that I keenly wish I could stomp underfoot without a second thought. So when I heard about this interesting toy hiding the in Krasarang Wilds, I had to decide whether it was really worth it to pick it up, or whether I should simply leave it be.

But there's something to be said about suddenly having the ability to summon a horde of angry spiders on your enemies out of the blue. Sure, they're disgusting, they're creepy, they're crawly, and terrifying in the most primal of fashions, but the ability to unleash them on unsuspecting foes is pretty cool. So how do you go about getting a horde of angry baby spiders?

By picking up an egg sac from their much angrier mother, of course. Ick!

The latest episode of the MegaBloks Toymation series is now available to watch! We mentioned the MegaBloks Toymation series when it launched, and several episodes have been introduced since then. It seems that orc warrior Ragerock is intent on laying siege to Stormwind Castle, and somewhere along the line, he's made a deal with the Lich King. Will paladin Colton and his Alliance friends be able to stave the assault? Only time will tell.

As a silly side series, it's quite apparent that this little adventure in toy animation is not a lore feature, nor is it canon -- after all, the Lich King wouldn't really ally with orcs so much as murder them and use their corpses for his hideous rampaging army of undead. It's less "serious story" and more along the lines of what a kid would dream up while playing with his toys. That said, it's entertaining in its own fashion, and also the sort of thing that kids would probably enjoy quite a bit -- I plan to show it to my nephews at some point, because I'm sure they'll get a kick out of rampaging orcs and rockets flying through the air.

You can watch the latest episode above, and if you've missed any episodes so far, they are all available for viewing on MegaBloks' official Youtube page.

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Whether you're a fan of Blizzard's vast array of art from all of its franchises, or you're an artist wanting to know more about the process behind it all, this month's issue of ImagineFX magazine is definitely worth picking up. The December issue features workshops by Samwise Didier and Laurel D Austin, as well as exclusive art by Alex Ross, Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell, Craig Mullins, Alex Horley, and many more, all topped off with a cover image of Jaina Proudmoore by Glenn Rane.

One of my top reasons for purchasing collector's editions of Blizzard games has always been the art books included in those editions. You don't really think about the sheer amount of artistry that goes into designing an expansion when you're simply wandering around in game -- but the art books provide that behind-the-scenes glimpse of development. Blizzard has some truly talented artists on staff, and the ImagineFX issue is another place to get a look at all the hard work that they do.

You don't need a subscription to pick up ImagineFX, you can simply purchase a single issue on their website if you'd like. And for the sake of convenience, the magazine is available in both print and digital versions -- so there's no need to wait for shipping, either. Learn more about the issue on the official website, or go ahead and order your issue today.

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Ever had a burning question about the customer service side of World of Warcraft, or other Blizzard games? This Thursday, you'll have your chance to ask. Blizzard is hosting its first-ever CoveritLive chat featuring customer support representatives from all of Blizzard's games. The chat will be focused primarily on World of Warcraft, but the panelists can field some questions regarding Diablo III and StarCraft II support as well.

Keep in mind, this is not a development Q&A -- so keep your questions about whether or not Atiesh will return to the game's loot tables along with Alleria and Turalyon for another time. However, if you have any questions regarding the policies and the customer service side of Blizzard, this is an excellent time to get those questions cleared up.

The Q&A will be this Thursday, December 13, from 5-6pm PST. Unlike previous Q&A chat sessions, this one will be taking place directly on Blizzard's website. And if you need an email reminder, you can sign up for one directly through the official blog post.

I am reasonably certain that sprites in World of Warcraft are the stuff of nightmares. Rather than being the adorable little pixies the name indicates, the sprites of Azeroth are strange little demonic leaf-beasts. I would not want to wake up in the middle of the night and see one of these things looming over me. Heck, I wouldn't want to encounter one in broad daylight, either.

But just because the sprites of Azeroth are unsettling, it doesn't mean you can't have some fun with them. And perhaps because they are slightly unnerving, having the ability to turn into one of these creepy little twerps at a whim is actually pretty cool. I'm of the opinion that if you have a chance to startle the heck out of a guildmate, you might as well take it. Which is why I was delighted to find Scotty the sprite.

Scotty, on the other hand, was not quite so happy to see me.

Since patch 5.1's release, players have noticed a peculiar absence of ore nodes and plants in Pandaria. This leads one to wonder -- was this an intentional change, or is this simply a result of far too many people picking posies and mining the continent's wealth away? The question was answered by Daxxarri yesterday, and it was a direct answer: Yes, those plants and ore nodes are spawning less rapidly, and yes, it was intended.

Daxxarri

Mining and Herb spawn rates in Pandaria have been reduced by approximately 50% in patch 5.1, and this is indeed an intended change. These are in addition to the hotfix that was applied in 5.0.5 to lower the spawn rate of Ghost Iron.

In all of these cases, the reduction was prompted because the resources were too abundant, resulting in ore and herbs being undervalued, and also therefore the effort that our herbalists and miners put in to collect each node. We'll be monitoring the situation, though, and should the current rates prove to be too low then we'll make further adjustments as necessary.

source

Unfortunately, while having plentiful supplies is certainly useful, when you have too many supplies on hand there's little to no demand for them. This makes sense, but a 50% reduction sounds a little drastic. However, Blizzard will be monitoring the situation, so lest you be worried that prices are going to skyrocket overnight, rest assured that the spawn rate may be further adjusted in the future.

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Mists of Pandaria is here! The level cap has been raised to 90, many players have returned to Azeroth, and pet battles are taking the world by storm. Keep an eye out for all of the latest news, and check out our comprehensive guide to Mists of Pandaria for everything you'll ever need to know.

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Li Li's Travel Journal has just updated with chapter 8 of Li Li's journeys throughout the wilds of Pandaria. When we last left Li Li Stormstout, she was on her way to Kun Lai Summit via hot air balloon, with a new friend and a new fuzzy companion at her side. But Kun Lai Summit is definitely not the most pleasant place in the world to be, what with the yaungol attacks in the area and the uprising of the Sha.

But Li Li's problems hit far closer to home. Although Li Li's little bandicoon companion Shisai was friendly enough while Li Li wandered Krasarang Wilds, he's no longer quite as friendly as he used to be. It's a problem for a pet owner, and Li Li finds an unlikely solution at the heights of Kota Peak from an even more unlikely, if friendly, source.

But this isn't the end of Li Li's 11-part journey through Pandaria. Li Li has more to see -- and the gate marking the way into the Vale of Eternal Blossoms has captured her attention. After all, the Vale has been closed off to the rest of Pandaria for thousands of years ... perfect for a Stormstout explorer. What kinds of secrets will the pandaren explorer dig up in the Vale?

As with the chapters before, if you like the illustration of Li Li traveling via hot air balloon, Blizzard has made it available as a wallpaper, free for download. Don't miss the latest charming installment of the tale -- you can catch chapter 8, as well as all previous installments of the story, in the Expanded Universe section of the official website.

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Mists of Pandaria is here! The level cap has been raised to 90, many players have returned to Azeroth, and pet battles are taking the world by storm. Keep an eye out for all of the latest news, and check out our comprehensive guide to Mists of Pandaria for everything you'll ever need to know.

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Everyone's favorite wealthy benefactor has taken a sudden and keen interest in fashion in patch 5.1. The engineer created robot Blingtron now offers more than just a free gift pack a day -- he also has a new dialogue box. Apparently Bling doesn't care for Azeroth's finest fighting gear, and offers to dress you up in a manner that is "visually attractive to your species."

If you're up for an episode of Extreme Makeover: Blingtron Edition, simply click the option that says "Let's party!" Regardless of race, you'll be transformed into a human wearing a particularly snazzy suit combo with a fashionable hat. You'll also gain the buff Dressed to Kill, which doesn't really do anything but proclaim that you're now decked out and ready to rumble with whatever comes your way.

The buff lasts for one hour, and it does not last through death; if you're on the receiving end of the killing, you'll lose your snazzy duds. However, Blingtron will continue to offer the transformation buff even if you've already done his daily quest and gotten your gift for the day, so you can always get the buff back again if you lose it. If you're an engineer, this should give you a reason to use Blingtron more than once a day -- and if you don't happen to be an engineer, just keep your eyes peeled for Blingtron's glittering visage while you're out and about in Pandaria.

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Mists of Pandaria is here! The level cap has been raised to 90, many players have returned to Azeroth, and pet battles are taking the world by storm. Keep an eye out for all of the latest news, and check out our comprehensive guide to Mists of Pandaria for everything you'll ever need to know.

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Welcome to the beginning of war and the arrival of patch 5.1, Landfall. While this patch does not contain any new raid content, it is full of changes to pet battles and classes. And don't forget the new content -- an entirely new series of quests await adventurers in the heart of Krasarang Wilds, along with new scenarios to unlock. Included in the official patch notes:

Read on for the full list of patch notes for patch 5.1.

Have you ever wondered, while you were wandering the lush forest of Pandaria, what it would be like to have a constant companion at your side? A friend to share the scenery with, someone to reassure you that in the end, everything will be all right? Someone who looks up to you as the triumphant hero that you are, impressed by your various exploits across Azeroth and beyond? Someone to snuggle with on those particularly cold nights at the heights of Kun-Lai Summit?

I'm terribly sorry, but you're out of luck. But we do have a different sort of companion for you -- the kind that interjects with silly catchphrases while he's merrily pulling half the hostile wildlife to your side. The kind that stares down the face of danger without fear, only the empty eyes of one who has taken one too many blows to the head, tongue dangling wildly from the corner of his mouth as a gobbet of drool lazily grazes his cheek.

His name is Martar. He's not-so-smart. But he'll tag along with you if you know where to find him.

Ah, now things are getting interesting! Li Li's Travel Journal has just updated with chapter 7 of the young Stormstout's tale of discovery. In this chapter, Li Li has finally broken off from her Uncle Chen, who is busy presumably drowning in ale over at the Stormstout Brewery. To keep herself occupied, Li Li decides to find the place where Shen-zin Su and Liu Lang's journey began, deep in the heart of Krasarang Wilds.

Of course you can't really travel through Krasarang without finding adventure. And just as you think Li Li's journey may be complete, she finds herself taking to the air and heading someplace else entirely. I'm glad we're seeing what the intrepid young Stormstout was doing while Chen was busy fixing the Stormstout Brewery and presumably heading to the Dread Wastes -- it's nice to see that Li Li hasn't just disappeared and been forgotten about.

What's also nice are the illustrations for the new chapters. I'm not sure who the artist is, but they're lovely, stylized pieces of art. If you like the illustrations, there's some good news with the latest chapter of the story -- Blizzard has released three brand new wallpapers showcasing the art. Don't miss the latest charming installment of the tale -- you can catch chapter 7, as well as all previous installments of the story, in the Expanded Universe section of the official website.

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Mists of Pandaria is here! The level cap has been raised to 90, many players have returned to Azeroth, and pet battles are taking the world by storm. Keep an eye out for all of the latest news, and check out our comprehensive guide to Mists of Pandaria for everything you'll ever need to know.

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