Posted 5/19/07 7:32 am EST by Tracey John in Blizzard Worldwide Invitational, PC
After the cinematic trailer was shown, lead game designer Dustin Browder (whose RTS work includes Battle for Middle-earth, Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2, and Command & Conquer: Generals) came onto the stage and looked as happy as if he won an Academy Award. He then proceeded to narrate an exciting and lengthy demo of the game. For you hardcore StarCraft gamers, you can read about the exact details here. Click through for a few photos from Dustin's demo.
Posted 5/19/07 7:04 am EST by Tracey John in Blizzard Worldwide Invitational, PC
"Korea is the only place in the world where an event like this could ever fill an Olympic stadium," said Mike Morhaime, President and Co-Founder of Blizzard Entertainment. "Unveiling a new game in Korea is just a small way of saying thanks." With that, he said no more, and presented a jam-packed arena with a cinematic trailer. As the video played on a gigantic screen, the whole stadium waited with bated breath, even though they already knew in their hearts what it was. At the very end, the game logo appeared and the crowd roared louder than when a touchdown is scored at the Super Bowl. It was the game they've been waiting nearly 10 years for: StarCraft 2. And it's a full-scale real-time strategy game like its 1998 predecessor (and not an MMO like CVG erroneously reported, and definitely not out by the end of 2007).
The game will feature the same three races, but with an emphasis on making them as distinct from each other as possible with new weapons, vehicles and abilities. Although we only saw an early demo of the gameplay, it looked fantastic; it seemed not only more fun to play, but more fun to watch (an important component of e-sports). If anything, the Koreans were pleased: they "oooed" and "aaahed" at every new feature. For more pictures of the presentation, click below.
Posted 5/19/07 3:01 am EST by Tracey John in Blizzard Worldwide Invitational, PC
MSNBC actually had an interesting article a few months back about the popularity of online gaming in South Korea. While most young Americans are playing consoles and watching reality TV, South Koreans are playing PC games online. According to the article, about 17 million people play online games in a population of 48 million. Here are some other interesting excerpts:
Korean's wires can transfer data at speeds of up to 50 megabits per
second (Mbps). The "elite" package from AT&T Yahoo! promises download speeds up to 6.0 Mbps. ... Close to 70 percent of South Korean households have broadband. ... As such, young people in the technology-obsessed culture have grown up online -- but not in the same way that the MySpacers have here in the United States. In South Korea, the home PC is as ubiquitous as a refrigerator.
In other words, the broadband connection in South Korea is ridiculously fast, and if you didn't own a PC here, you'd pretty much be seen as a caveman. Keeping up with technology and the latest trends is a form of social status: no luddites allowed!
Posted 5/19/07 2:57 am EST by Tracey John in Blizzard Worldwide Invitational
World of Warcraft fans will instantly recognize this music. Performed live, it was amazing. To see this trio play a more familiar tune, make the jump.
Posted 5/19/07 2:52 am EST by Tracey John in Blizzard Worldwide Invitational, PC
Our shuttle from the hotel to the event arrived promptly at 10am. From there, it was about 20 minutes to the Olympic Park. And when we arrived, oh what a spectacle! Throngs of fans were waiting in line outside for the venue to open; there was bungee jumping, a hot air balloon, live music... even clowns. Every single person had a smile on their face. It literally seemed like the happiest place on Earth -- like Disney World, only Blizzard-themed. But don't take my word for it... Hit the jump to see the wonder that is the Blizzard Worldwide Invitational.
Posted 5/18/07 11:24 pm EST by Tracey John in Blizzard Worldwide Invitational
What better way to start the day in Korea than with a hearty American-style breakfast? The array of meats that were offered was a little too much for my tired innards to take. I'm sure we'll go get some kimchi later to make up for it... Now we're off to the shuttle to Olympic Park!
Posted 5/18/07 8:27 pm EST by Tracey John in Blizzard Worldwide Invitational
When we checked in last night, we got this handy Blizzard bag with a press badge, tourist map, and vague itinerary. The first shuttle to the Olympic Park leaves at 10am, and the big product announcement will happen at 2pm local/1am EST. (I expect each and every one of you to be awake along with me when this goes down.)
Posted 5/18/07 8:12 pm EST by Tracey John in Blizzard Worldwide Invitational
It's 6am in Seoul and I can't sleep. I've been tossing and turning since I went to bed four hours ago. Now I've just given up. Here is the morning view from my hotel room (I'm 11 stories up):
Posted 5/18/07 11:47 am EST by Tracey John in Blizzard Worldwide Invitational
When I finished reading everything that I'd brought with me (and my DS battery eventually died), at least I had this handy touchscreen for in-flight entertainment, which included blockbuster movies, TV shows, and even some games (granted it was stuff like Mine Sweeper, but a game nonetheless). Jealous that you couldn't make it to Korea? Then indulge in some schadenfreude and read some of the notes I scribbled down during the excruciating 14+ hour plane ride...
Posted 5/17/07 10:19 am EST by Tracey John in Blizzard Worldwide Invitational, PC
Today I'm leaving for Blizzard's third Worldwide Invitational being held in Seoul, South Korea this weekend. It's a public event for fans (and hordes of media outlets) to celebrate the wondrous collection of Blizzard's ever-popular computer game franchises: Warcraft, Diablo and StarCraft. In addition to tournaments pitting Korea's best gamers against international players, there will also be various panels, interview sessions, and a big, big announcement. What's this big announcement, you ask?
As typical in the gaming industry, plenty of rumors have made the rounds on blog after blog after blog about what it might be. Regardless of what it is, fans of Blizzard's games should be excited for whatever is coming next. So wish me luck on this incredible journey; apparently, it's a 14-hour flight from New York City to Seoul. Not to mention a 13-hour time difference... Gah. See you after the time warp.
