Project Lore

BlizzCon held some pretty fun events this year for fans to watch, including a live raid event with Premonition, the guild known most recently as the first guild in the U.S. to achieve Alone in the Darkness. Coliseum style, the guild took on several bosses at once as they came in five waves. And a very large audience looked on, making for a crowded venue but also a lot of fun as everyone cheered on Premonition. They were successful at downing the first few sets of bosses, then had some trouble when they focused on Thaddius first in his set with fellow Naxx bosses Patchwerk and Anub'Rekhan. The team wiped on that first try, then re-set, this time focusing on Patchwerk first. That proved to be more successful, and they downed the group. But that sneaky team at Blizzard had something clever in store for the final fight. Hogger. Yes, the mighty level 11 elite Riverpaw gnoll chieftain from Elwynn Forest (he's actually Arthas in disguise [/silly]) made his appearance as an upgraded level 80 elite. As you'll see, he wasn't exactly an easy fight: Another pretty standard attraction at the convention was halls of artwork created for WoW. As a neat addition this year, Blizzard also displayed a group of showcases full of "n00bz." Blizzard handed out 225+ of these neat little figurines as complete blanks to select employees, and many of them wound up on display at BlizzCon. Here's a quick video I took so you can see them for yourself. I narrated a bit along the way, and paused at some of my favorites: A final note on the N00bz - part of each BlizzCon goer's swag bag included an exclusive StarCraft II "Raynor" figure. It's part of a new series of collectible Blizzard-inspired toys. Hopefully we'll see more of these soon. Among my other fave sightings at BlizzCon, I can't fail to mention being dazzled by Felicia Day and the cast of The Guild. As you can see, I went in full fan-girl mode to get a signed cast photo (for my husband, really!) and a snapshot with Felicia Day, since I've also loved her in Dr. Horrible, Buffy and Dollhouse :). Unfortunately, I failed to shoot video of the crew, so you all will have to settle for the lovely photo of Felicia and I! At least the memory will live on in my heart... I just wish I was as lucky as iTZKooPA, who was being inadvertently followed by the Guild cast. Lucky guy! Well, this turned out to be a bit of a random look at some of my fave random sightings at BlizzCon 2009. Hope you've enjoyed it. Let us know what you think!

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As of this writing we are just a scant few minutes away from the doors opening and 50,000+ people descending on all that is Blizzard. The crowds are in a fervor thanks to battle cries of "for the Horde" and "for the Alliance" ringing out every few minutes. Costumes are in play and things are about to get absolutely insane. Here's a few pictures from Day 0 and earlier this morning. Here's the insane line that stretched to the next city block.  This was to pick-up the official lanyards and SWAG bags, not to get in the show! We Just Found The End Waiting...and waiting Here's the insane line that stretched to the next city block.  This was to pick-up the official lanyards and SWAG bags, not to get in the show!

The official SWAG bag.  The highlight for most is the action figure, and Grunty vanity pet key (not pictured).  There's also an included Authenticator, which is nice for those who don't already own one. iTZKooPA With (some of) The Guild My friends and I got to meet the whole cast of The Guild (should have an interview with them later).  They are all incredibly friendly and approachable people. iTZKooPA With The Money Makers Funny story here.  I recognized Metzen from a mile away, but it took me a second to realize who he was chatting with, Mike Morhaime.  None other than the company's president.  The hilarity came in after we took the picture.  People began to realize who Metzen was, but no one else asked Morhaime to be a part of their still.  I thought one group even asked him to take their picture with Metzen! Inside Line Higher Up Inside Line Here is the crowd inside the convention center before the doors opened.  There was also a substantial line outside at this time. I stole SOOO Much OJ From Here The hush-hush super secret press room.  They treat us much better, seating and technologywise, than at E3. Okay, it's time to go find a seat for the opening ceremonies.  I'll do my best to do some blogging via Twitter, so @iTZKooPA if you want my 140 character up to the minute thoughts.

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