Because the internet needs another gaming blog.

I couldn’t be more impressed with World of Warcraft as it heads towards the release of its expansion, Wrath of the Lich King.  First, it was the halloween event which has been so well done, but add to that the Scourge invasion and it’s become very apparent to me why so many people continue to play this game.

Last week, floating Necropoleis appeared over various parts of the world, with a contingent of Scourge attacking all they came across beneath them.  I found some time to farm a few of these Scourge and ended up getting some pretty decent gear as a result.

I happened to be in the game when the invasion began and I couldn’t stop telling myself how well done it was.  I later found out something similar happened way back when Naxxramas was opened, but I’m still relatively new to WoW so I was still blown away.  The Necropoleis, as cool as I thought they were, were just the beginning however.

Zombies Invade Shattrath

It’s been written about elsewhere so I’ll skip over the details of the origins of the zombie invasion to say how awesome it was.  The event certainly wasn’t perfect (Lume the Mad has a good example of why) but I personally loved every minute of it.  This was a world changing event, which is something MMO players have been asking for for years now, and more importantly, it had a purpose.  If you didn’t know about the Lich King before, you more than likely do now.

Pallid Horror

The zombie invasion is now over, about four days after it began, but we’ve been promised more events to come, leading up to the expansion.  When I played EverQuest II, I constantly wondered what so many people saw in WoW.  Events like this, which bring dynamic content to an otherwise static world, has me no longer questioning why so many people play this game.

This week’s theme was “Oh… crap!”. The only rule was to be creative and have fun with it. Presented in the order of their submission, click each thumbnail for the full size.

Choober: Free Falling

Anoco: Massive Head Wound

Dave: Look Behind You!

Insect: Look Both Ways…

Kuarlos: He Stands Alone

The theme for next weeks submission is Boss Battles.  I’m looking forward to that one. Pictures are due by Monday evening, to be posted for Tuesday, November 4. If you have any other theme ideas, or would like to comment on any of the pictures above, leave a comment.

This week’s theme was “Strictly Scenery”.  The only rule was that your character couldn’t be in the shot.  Presented in the order of their submission, click each thumbnail for the full size.

Choober: Looking over Shattrath

Anoco: Zangarmarsh

Kuarlos: Unfair Beta Access Advantage

Dave: Moonglade (Yay, Old World!)

Insect: Another Old World shot, Tanaris

Other Bloggers:
Click here to see MMOG Nation’s entry, which forced me to change my plans of submitting a Nagrand shot.  Be sure to click through to the full size.

The theme for next weeks submission is, “Oh… crap!”  Do what you will with that, and be creative.  Pictures are due by Monday evening, to be posted for Tuesday, October 28.  If you have any other theme ideas, or would like to comment on any of the pictures above, leave a comment.

The time I spend reading patch notes is approximately zero to none.  As such, I had a few surprises after logging in to World of Warcraft last night.  I knew a big patch was being pushed, and I knew it was setting a lot of things up for the release of Wrath of the Lich King in a few weeks, but I knew next to nothing when it came to the details of the patch.  Obviously, I wasn’t the only one feeling clueless last night.

The chat channels were going crazy with questions and talent spec advice.  There seemed to be a lot of excitement, and I’d say the server was the busiest I’ve ever seen it.  There was a tangible feeling of energy buzzing around that was really neat to see, especially when a zone-wide shout appeared informing us that “THE HORDE ARE ATTACKING STORMWIND!”

Fortunately for me I was logged in to my level 18 Mage who happened to be in Stormwind so I went to check it out.  There seemed to be a constant stream of Horde rushing the entrance to the city being met by both the city guards and a bunch of Alliance defenders.  It was an awesome scene; there were bodies everywhere.  I was smart enough not to attack anyone which kept me safe from all the big bad level 70s and allowed me to hop around among the chaos.  The picture above shows me courageously tea-bagging a dead Horde player.  It was just one small contribution to the battle, but I needed to do my part.

Joking aside, the events outside of Stormwind reminded me of what PvP in an MMO could and should be.  Furthermore, if the excitement and energy I felt last night carries through to the upcoming expansion, then I can’t help but think that WoW players are in for some good times ahead.  This patch, and expansion, is really starting to feel like Blizzard’s big, “Oh yeah?  Deal with THIS”, response to Warhammer Online.

Apparently inspired by the screenshot included with my Rollin’ With My Gnomey post, Joe emailed the following to our little group of friends:

I have an idea/project for everyone this long weekend. Seeing how awesome David is at taking screen shots lets all get the best screen shot you can of any of your toons. It doesn’t have to be an uber elite shot of your pimped out gear but rather cinematic, eye pleasing screen shot you can get. Photoshopping is acceptable but bad photoshopping might be judged negatively. We will all judge each others. Maybe we can post them on Timesink.  What does everyone think?

Everyone was quite enthused and below are the results, in no particular order.  If there are any you particularly like, feel free to leave a comment.  Click each picture for the full size.

1. Choo

2. Kuarlos (the little guy on the chair’s arm)

3. Anoco

4. Insect

5. My Gnome

I think I’ll make this screenshot challenge a weekly thing with a different theme each time.  Maybe weekly will prove to be too much, but we’ll give it a go.  I’ll propose the theme for next week will be Strictly Scenery.  Take a screenshot of what you think is an awesome scene as though you were a tourist in Azeroth.  The only rule will be that your character can’t be in the shot. Pictures are due by next Monday evening.