Speaking at the recentReuters’ Global Media Summit, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick stated that we probably won’t see the company expand into the Facebook or mobile gaming markets. ”Right now we don’t see an opportunity for us to participate in that market,” Kotick said.

There’s a very important distinction to be made here, though. Actually, a few since Kotick-haters will likely jump on this just like everything else he says. Firstly, Bobby Kotick isn’t the guy you want to talk to if you’re looking for hint drops on upcoming titles; he’s the person you talk to about business-level decisions.

Secondly, he specifically said that we won’t see Activision Blizzard branching out into developing games for Facebook and mobile phones. They’re probably going to be leaving that to Electronic Arts for the foreseeable future. ”We don’t view the App Store as a really big opportunity for dedicated games,” he said.

Dedicated games is the important wording here. He isn’t saying they’re going to ignore those markets when it makes sense for already-existing properties. That would be marketing suicide on a level we haven’t seen before. Take the Azeroth’s Fortune promotion — that was almost entirely driven by Facebook.

Other examples of taking advantage of those markets for existing products are the WoWarmory.com/WoW-remote.xml” rel=”nofollow”>Mobile Armory and WoWarmory.com/WoW-remote.xml” rel=”nofollow”>Remote Auction House of World of Warcraft. And of course, the Battle.net Mobile Authenticator. So don’t get too worried, it’s still possible we’ll see World of Warcraft on smartphones, but don’t expect Activision Blizzard to go out of their way to develop new titles specifically for those platforms in the near term.

[Via Gamasutra]

Speaking at the recentReuters’ Global Media Summit, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick stated that we probably won’t see the company expand into the Facebook or mobile gaming markets. ”Right now we don’t see an opportunity for us to participate in that market,” Kotick said.

There’s a very important distinction to be made here, though. Actually, a few since Kotick-haters will likely jump on this just like everything else he says. Firstly, Bobby Kotick isn’t the guy you want to talk to if you’re looking for hint drops on upcoming titles; he’s the person you talk to about business-level decisions.

Secondly, he specifically said that we won’t see Activision Blizzard branching out into developing games for Facebook and mobile phones. They’re probably going to be leaving that to Electronic Arts for the foreseeable future. ”We don’t view the App Store as a really big opportunity for dedicated games,” he said.

Dedicated games is the important wording here. He isn’t saying they’re going to ignore those markets when it makes sense for already-existing properties. That would be marketing suicide on a level we haven’t seen before. Take the Azeroth’s Fortune promotion — that was almost entirely driven by Facebook.

Other examples of taking advantage of those markets for existing products are the WoWarmory.com/WoW-remote.xml” rel=”nofollow”>Mobile Armory and WoWarmory.com/WoW-remote.xml” rel=”nofollow”>Remote Auction House of World of Warcraft. And of course, the Battle.net Mobile Authenticator. So don’t get too worried, it’s still possible we’ll see World of Warcraft on smartphones, but don’t expect Activision Blizzard to go out of their way to develop new titles specifically for those platforms in the near term.

[Via Gamasutra]

The Azeroth’s Fortune race to 100% is extremely close now, with the Alliance and Horde running neck-and-neck. Last night both factions unlocked their 60% rewards, and it’s more pieces of music from World of Warcraft: Cataclysm.

Alliance – The Lion’s Roar

The two pieces in this download pack are Accursed Moonlight by WoWpedia.org/Russell_Brower” rel=”nofollow”>Russell Brower, and Honor Calls by Glenn Stafford.

From the highest boughs to the deepest mountains, a call to arms shall be ushered forth. The voices of many shall reply as one, with glaive and hammer and lance and sword.

Horde – The Warrior’s Howl

The two pieces in this download pack are New Regime by WoWpedia.org/David_Arkenstone” rel=”nofollow”>David Arkenstone, and Protect the Bottom Line by WoWpedia.org/Derek_Duke” rel=”nofollow”>Derek Duke.

From enchanted towers to windswept bluffs, a call to arms shall be ushered forth. The voices of many shall reply as one, with axe and fang and spear and arrow.

Be sure to head over to theAzeroth’s Fortune websiteto get involved and put your favorite faction into the lead!

The Azeroth’s Fortune promotion is moving along nicely now, with the Horde leading the pack at 45% and the Alliance at 41%. At some point last night or early this morning, both factions unlocked their 40% rewards — samples of two musical pieces being added with World of Warcraft: Cataclysm. The 50% reward looks to be a combined effort, or perhaps a single reward claimed by whichever faction reaches that percentage first. Either way, expect it to be some kind of video based on the Azeroth’s Fortune website.

Alliance – A Call to Arms

Under banners of azure and gold, disparate kingdoms shall join as one. Their horns shall sound in unison, and their call to arms shall carry across the world.

Horde – The Drums of War

On arid lands of red dust and stone, beleaguered nations shall join as one. Their drums shall beat in unison, and their battle cries shall carry across the world.

The Alliance has won the race to the first content unlock on the Azeroth’s Fortune website. The first unlock is a video interview with Gary Platner –World of Warcraft’s Lead Environment Artist– who has been with Blizzard since 1999.

If you haven’t had a chance to check this out yet, I encourage you to do so — it’s really awesome. You can have your fortune read, discover your destiny, and check out entries for the Cataclysm promotional advertisement image contest and video contest.

Well that was a close race! The Horde has unlocked its first content on the Azeroth’s Fortune website. It’s a video interview with Jesse McCree — Lead Level Designer for World of Warcraft — who spent a lot of time working on the Goblin and Worgen starting areas.

Jesse talks about the challenges of fitting two already-existing races in Warcraft lore into a game now six years old. He also touches on things different in the Goblin and Worgen areas compared to other races. They will utilize a lot of terrain phasing, and Blizzard feels that most who play the races will already be experienced players, meaning that they do a lot less hand-holding.

WoWpedia.org/Deathwing” rel=”nofollow”>Deathwing isn’t a happy fellow. I mean, how could he be happy with lava seeping through his scales? Zarhym just gave the World of Warcraft community a heads up, because we’re about to find out WoW-blue-tracker/us-forums/27387876560-deathwing-is-coming.html#0″ rel=”nofollow”>just how pissed off Deathwing is.

In short: we’re all going to die. At least once, maybe twice, maybe even sixty times before the event culminates. Deathwing is going to randomly select zones on either the Eastern Kingdoms or Kalimdor, and will fly over them — laying waste to the land below.

On the bright side, you’ll get a cool Feat of Strength for it. You’ll also have to pay for some repairs. So, watch out for the sky as it turns black. You may want to try to flee, but you probably won’t make it.

One of Azeroth’s oldest adversaries will soon tear through the Elemental Plane to reforge the world in flame, but this foe won’t be conducting his reign of terror from the confines of a castle or lair. Deathwing is a destructive force the likes of which adventurers have yet to see in World of Warcraft, and his appetite for devastation can only be satisfied by the shattering of the world. Following his explosive escape from Deepholm, Deathwing will cast a deadly shadow over the people of Azeroth as he wreaks indiscriminate havoc across the land.

Once free to terrorize the world, Deathwing will randomly choose territories in Azeroth to attack each day until his ruinous reign is brought to an end. A blackened sky will be the only warning before every living creature caught in his approach is consumed by his terrible fire. The unfortunate victims of his malice will receive a rare Feat of Strength… as well as a repair bill and corpse run.

When Deathwing returns, you’d best keep your eyes on the skies.

“You know, Throgg,” Lolegolas said. “I have to admit that you’ve vastly improved. I understand it’s very difficult for plate-wearing people to avoid fire, given the magnetic qualities possessed by Azerothian flame. But in the last few weeks, you’ve done a remarkable job not jumping into local bonfires.”

“It is this,” Throgg said, holding up a book labelled WoW Insider. “This is a WoWhead.com/item=57431″>Strategy Guide. It tells you important stuff like, ‘WoW.joystiq.com/category/ready-check”>Do not stand in fire,’ and, ‘There is cool video called WoW.joystiq.com/2010/09/23/WoW-moviewatch-blind/”>BLIND.’ It’s also got some of the best WoW.joystiq.com/bloggers/michael-sacco”>hair care tips in Azeroth.”

“I’m not sure that really qualifies as loot, Throgg,” Lolegolas said as he drew a nail buffer across his fingernails. “And certainly not any kind of awesome loot.”

“Little elf,” Throgg said, “you’re the one who brought it up. I’m more surprised you’re not all, ‘Oh my god, you can read?’ Where did you learn commenting skills?”

“I learned it by watching you!” Lolegolas cried plaintively.

WoWhead.com/item=57431″>Strategy Guide
Type: Off-hand

• 3 Intellect
• Improves hit rating by 3 (0.92% @ level 25)

How to get it: Win a WoWhead.com/quest=25669″>Rumble in the Lumber … Mill
How to get rid of it: The strategy sells for 12 silver and 26 copper.

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WoW.com/media/2010/07/lordwalden_thumbnail.jpg” /> WoW.com/category/phat-loot-phriday/”>Phat Loot Phriday brings you the scoop on some of the most … interesting loot in the World of Warcraft, often viewed through the eyes of the stalwart Throgg and indelible Lolegolas. Suggest items you think we should feature by emailing WoW.com”>gray@WoW.com.

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Filed under: WoW.joystiq.com/category/phat-loot-phriday/” rel=”tag”>Phat Loot Phriday

WoW.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/phat-loot-phriday-strategy-guide/”>Phat Loot Phriday: Strategy Guide originally appeared on WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

WoWhead.com/item=57431″>Read | WoW.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/phat-loot-phriday-strategy-guide/” rel=”bookmark” title=”Permanent link to this entry”>Permalink | WoW.joystiq.com/forward/19654621/” title=”Send this entry to a friend via email”>Email this | WoW.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/phat-loot-phriday-strategy-guide/#comments” title=”View reader comments on this entry”>Comments

We often utter a small sigh of nostalgia as an expansion leaves us. Don’t get me wrong. I am very excited to see a new world and I can’t wait to play Cataclysm. But I have fond memories of my years in Azeroth. I sometimes look back on the way things “used to be” and miss old, familiar faces.

I’ve covered Yesterday’s News by Slashdance before, but as I sit here wondering what the future will be like, I am reminded of the sad story of the dwarf who makes the summoning stones. The summoning stone was once hailed as an innovation that saved immense time and trouble. Now? They’re barely used. This is a fantastic story, and it all sums up how I feel looking forward to Cataclysm. The ability to capture that kind of complex emotion is part of the brilliance of Yesterday’s News, and I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I did.

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WoW.com/media/2009/03/britney_moviewatch_l_thumbnail.jpg” />Interested in the wide world of WoW.com/category/machinima/”>machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW.com/category/WoW-moviewatch/”>WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at WoW.com”>machinima@WoW.com.

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Filed under: WoW.joystiq.com/category/WoW-moviewatch/” rel=”tag”>WoW Moviewatch

WoW.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/WoW-moviewatch-yesterdays-news/”>WoW Moviewatch: Yesterday’s News originally appeared on WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | WoW.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/WoW-moviewatch-yesterdays-news/” rel=”bookmark” title=”Permanent link to this entry”>Permalink | WoW.joystiq.com/forward/19657174/” title=”Send this entry to a friend via email”>Email this | WoW.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/WoW-moviewatch-yesterdays-news/#comments” title=”View reader comments on this entry”>Comments

Warning: This episode has a lot of Cataclysm spoilers. Don’t listen if you don’t want to be spoiled!

WoW.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/WoW-insider-show-episode-158/” rel=”bookmark”>Continue reading WoW Insider Show Episode 158: Orgrimmar Bar Crawl

Filed under: WoW.joystiq.com/category/podcasts/” rel=”tag”>Podcasts, WoW.joystiq.com/category/WoW-insider-show/” rel=”tag”>WoW Insider Show

WoW.joystiq.com/2010/09/30/WoW-insider-show-episode-158/”>WoW Insider Show Episode 158: Orgrimmar Bar Crawl originally appeared on WoW.joystiq.com”>WoW Insider on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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