Day 5: A FREAKING PENGUIN!?

[Spartan]

Source: http://vilegaming.com/page.php?id=211

The final 2 pieces of the mysterious purple creature have been found and here is what it is:
http://vilegaming.com/datas/news/6-27-2008_final_creature.jpg

Also, heres the new splash image:
http://us.media.blizzard.com/232309/_images/ice5.jpg

Pretty sure its Diablo..

[Wlck742]

**** you Blizzard. I never thought I'd say it, but there it is. What's up with the Lost reference anyways?

They better explain themselves or they're going to regret this. And that penguin's getting creepier the more I look at it.

[Fenix]

As far as I can tell, the eyes are either Arthas' or a Protoss's. It COULD be a demon (Diablo) or something unbeknownst, but the area between the eyes looks like the Protoss eyebrow ridge, or Arthas' helm

[Spartan]

The 5 runes make a pentagram (the symbol of Diablo).

[LordKerwyn]

Which could provide some hope for a D3, but I am 99% sure that those are the eyes of Arthas.

[Wlck742]

This is some weird stuff here. It's a pentagram all right, but why the weird new runes and the Protoss/Lich King face? If you really stretched your imagination it could be Tyrael, but that's pushing it a bit over the top.

[Spartan]

Why would Blizzard hype up a release date like this? They did this same thing last year when they announced SC2.

[Prodigal]

Its definitely a Protoss character. The triangle outline between their eyes is part of the Protoss headress. Also THE BACKGROUND IS STARS! Unless the new WoW expansion takes place in outer space...that splash screen refers to STARCRAFT II!!

[TyReaper]

The glowing eyes look like Arthas.
Diablo has always been associated with red and fire and hell...
Did hell freeze over? lol.

[Wlck742]

Maybe Diablo's not in hell anymore. Diablo's dead, remember? IF it is Diablo 3 you'll probably go up against Belial and Azmodan.

[ijffdrie]

did anyone remember the penguin king from w3?

[Wlck742]

You're right, it could be a reference to that.

[marinefreak]

Maybe they are trying to refer to all 3 games for the build up just to put that tiny bit of doubt in your mind then exploding diablo3 upon us all xD.

I assume the penguin is from the world stone breaking up turning everything on earth into hellspawnish monsters or at least everything nearby.

OMG it would've looked soo cute before it became evil though...

[ItzaHexGor]

Definitely looks Protoss. Possibly Diablo, but I definitely can't see how it's Arthas.

Also, just putting it out there, but how can you place five points on a circle without it acting like a pentagram?

[ijffdrie]

by putting them at irregular intervals
i agree with you though

[Ximnipot69]

Fact 1: the penguin pictures numbers = the Lost numbers
Fact 2: runes = vikings
Theory: Lost Vikings 3 :D

Ok, so my theory isn't any good, more of a wish really, but still... It would be fun to see a new LV game :)

[Light]

Hey, I was saying right from the beginning it is lost vikings 3! Ximni you cheater!

Mmmm, I really want it to be Diablo 3, but if you look at the Blizzard WoW Lich King site, it becomes pretty obvious= http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/wrath/

Look at the eyes...and also, the whole ice theme.. I am sorry, but it seems that Blizzard cares more about its WoW fans...

[TyReaper]

Definitely looks Protoss. Possibly Diablo, but I definitely can't see how it's Arthas.

Also, just putting it out there, but how can you place five points on a circle without it acting like a pentagram?

...Please go here and you will http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/wrath/

[JudicatorPrime]

I hope it's one of three things:

1) Diablo 3 but not an MMO, at least without a required subscription fee. (Like GW or Hellgate:London)
2) If it's not 1, it should be something on SC2.
3) If it's not either of those, I hope it's not at all related to WoW or it's expansions.

And yes, the image has a lot of allusions to many Blizzard products, but in my opinion, the central image is definitely Protoss-esque.

[kuvasz]

But ice has nothing to do with Protoss. Ice is obviously related to the game it hints at since it's the major theme of the image. I think this is for the WoW expansion. Considering how much money it brings Blizzard, it's worth playing games and being all mysterious even if everyone knows it's coming.

[SuccaMC]

Am I the only person who hopes that it is something entirely new not related to SC, Diablo or Waracraft?

I mean, the time has come for them to make a new game. Not that I don't like the old ones.

[TyReaper]

I just don't know what they could be possibly announcing about Wrath... Possibly a release date? I mean they are in the middle of development so obviously there will be a lot of news, but nothing worth making it the main focus of WWI. But for those that are bummed because it looks very unlikely to be Diablo, there is still Blizzcon... Which is where the biggest announcement always happen. I think that's when they'll announce D3, because this year they are increasing floor space for an extra idk how many people... but perhaps that'd be the perfect opportunity to announce it.

[10-Neon]

@SuccaMC: You're not the only one. A fresh new game is always welcome in my eyes.

[Wlck742]

All this just to announce a release date is unlikely. If it was a release date, it would just be announces at their respective game panels instead being given all this fanfare. Same thing goes for a beta. Take the last WWI for example. The countdown before the event was for the SC2 announcement. It only makes sense to assume that's the case here.

[Itsmyship]

Same here. I would embrace a new game from Blizzard anytime. I just hope that in the long run, Blizzard doesn't go the Nintendo route of re-using the same games over and over and over and over again. Granted, I love SC and WC (never played Diablo), but still, a little change is good.

[JudicatorPrime]

I can't even imagine Blizzard creating a new game. Diablo, WC and SC are ingrained in my mind when I think of Blizzard. Hell, if I was trapped IN a Blizzard I'd probably be thinking of Diablo, WC and SC.

Not that I wouldn't want it, I'm sure anything that comes from Blizzard will have the same quality as the previously listed titles. Unfortunately, I have so much anticipation for a Diablo sequel or something awesome related to SC2 for me to even fathom a whole new IP.

Besides, with the anticipation and fan base of Diablo, it's a safe bet to make one. They'd sell with just the title.

My one and only hope is like I've said, nothing related to WoW. The only thing worse than no news is bad news, and after all this hype, WoW news is the worst news.

[Psionicz]

Am I the only one to notice there is a Protoss sign in the ice? Also, Ice; Blizzard. Maybe it is something new, maybe its a combination or maybe Blizzard got slightly bored.

[BirdofPrey]

A new game would be interesting

Don;t know if this means anything to anyone but the three runes from the games have moved counter clockwise the rune from yesturday has not moved

[Wlck742]

They might have moved to form the pentagram. Regardless I don't think it means that much.

[BloodHawk]

Ice could just be a metaphor for the company name. What some view as stars in the background might be snow flakes. That would explain why there are so many Blizzard games represented as runes. The unknown solar system rune representing a new game.

[Wlck742]

Site has been updated. The runes are glowing brighter, and there's a smiley in the upper right corner. Eyes are also brighter and it really resembles a Protoss now.

[BirdofPrey]

Note also that the Worldstone is inside Mt. Areat which is a cold region
THats where Diablo II ended.

In a simillar way how the D2 story begins where the Original Diablo story ends (with the hero in Tristram thrusting the soulstone into his head) D3 could begin with the aftermath of the Worldstone's destruction

[ItzaHexGor]

At first I thought it looked undeniably Protoss, but look at that thing in the background. Definitely looks like a horn curving around into the view. Then look closer at the muzzle of the face. Definitely looks as though there are a couple of flared nostril-holes there. The five runes are glowing now as well, but there's also a sixth. However the fact remains that the sixth one isn't glowing, so may emphasise the importance of the five glowing runes...

This is such good practice for my English assessment task next week... Make up bull**** based on extremely minor and seemingly irrelevant facts.

[Wlck742]

The sixth rune also happens to be a winking smiley face. I'm sure it's just a joke.

[lurkers_lurk]

Hrm. every time i go to the splash screen it still shows me the one before what you guys are seeing v_v.

[BirdofPrey]

Well develpoers are well known for their antics.

What regional site are you viewing?

[Wlck742]

It should be the same for all regions. Try it again. If that doesn't work I suppose someone can upload it.


P.S. I think Itza's right. If you look at the middle left section you see his horn curving up like it did in the other games. Awesome LOL. This basically confirms D3.

[lurkers_lurk]

doesnt matter, found the splash screen in another thread here, very interesting i cant really say anything else about it, except that i think we will have to wait another 24 hours for maybe one last splash screen.

[BirdofPrey]

I bet they will change it right after the opening announcement

[Wlck742]

Ice breaks open to expose Diablo's head. That's basically how it'll end up.

[ItzaHexGor]

Surely they'll have announced it, whatever it is, before the next time they'd update it.

By the way, did anyone ever discover what the fourth and fifth symbols were from? I heard a couple of things, but nothing final.

[ijffdrie]

that ice could in fact be khaydarin cristals

,maybe sc:ghost

oh,and there is a 6th rune now

[BirdofPrey]

Whenever D3 does come out I do hope to see what Belial and Azmodan look like (those are th names of the remaining two lesser evils right?)

[ItzaHexGor]

This is seriously frustrating. There are strong elements of each series in it, and the more I look the more it looks like it could be all three. The basic shape and style of the head and brow looks undeniably Protoss... The nostrils and possible horn curving around the side makes it look undeniably Diablo... And I've just seen that the top plate as well as the two side plates make it look undeniably like Arthas' helm. How can there be so many undeniable facts about it!

[BirdofPrey]

I have prepared a statement that sums up everyone's thoughts

RAWRG

[lurkers_lurk]

the 4th symbol is from an old game that Blizzard made around 1995 or so, cant find where i got that info tho, sorry.

the 5th one i think is a reference to 'every blizzard starts with a snowflake' since that symbol is a common one for snow.

[Gasmaskguy]

The new symbol looks like a smiley, yay!

[ItzaHexGor]

Couldn't agree more with BirdofPrey.

Made these up really quickly to show what I'm seeing for each series...

Diablo (nostrils and horn):
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee72/itzahexgor/template3.jpg?t=1214639896

Protoss (basic shape and brow):
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee72/itzahexgor/template2.jpg?t=1214639896

Arthas (three sides of his helm):
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee72/itzahexgor/template1.jpg?t=1214639898

Excuse poor Paint skills...

However.... What if it's that same, evil, purple, chicken-penguin again?

[Gasmaskguy]

Maybe that penguin is the D3 Antagonist?


Your pics are all errory boxes btw.

[BirdofPrey]

WTF is th purple penguin?

[ItzaHexGor]

Yeah, just fixed it.

Anyone else see what I'm seeing or should I lay off the wacky tobaccy?

EDIT: I think BoP's getting frustrated...

[lurkers_lurk]

oh?, Nik. is on, maybe he will part to us a few words

[BirdofPrey]

I am seeing it just not the Arthas part but then I am not much of a WC person.

[lurkers_lurk]

and he is gone in a flash, what time is it in Paris now? i know it starts up at 15 till 12 over there.

nvm, found it. it is 10:15 in Paris, WWI starts in 1 hour and 30 minutes

[Ximnipot69]

Go here for the time for all events: http://eu.blizzard.com/wwi08/streams.xml
Only 1 hour 25 minutes to go... I'm so excited :)
bonus thing for you (http://www.diabloii.net/gallery/data/545/splash-progression.jpg)

(http://eu.blizzard.com/wwi08/streams.xml)

[BirdofPrey]

After 10 I think
The streaming site says they will start streaming video at 11:45

[lurkers_lurk]

question tho, will you watch the Main Stage, or the Tournament Stage? too hard to choose for me.

[BirdofPrey]

Main will have the announcements
Tourney will have a bunch of Koreans pushing buttons

There was a schedule around there somewhere but I can't seem to find it
I needs help

[Wlck742]

We have about an hour and a half. It's only 10:20 there. Also the fourth rune is from a game called Pax Imperium 2. It was supposed to be a space game similar to Galactic Civilization, but it got canceled or something. The fifth rune is a real life Viking rune, and it's also very similar to the design on the Lost Vikings' shields.


Take look at the eyes in the picture. Look to the right of that and you should see a faint bluish outline. Now this little outline is our best proof that this is D3. If you look carefully you can make out that it's a horn. No other character other than Diablo had a horn. That's about all the proof we need. I'd upload a picture but I'm on my iPhone so if someone knows what I'm talking about, please upload it.

[lurkers_lurk]

Ximnipot69 just posted a link to the schedule, here it is again http://eu.blizzard.com/wwi08/streams.xml

@Wick, if it was a horn, then why is it coming out of his shoulder?

[BirdofPrey]

Oh
I was on the US streaming page which doesn't show the schedule

[ItzaHexGor]

Here's (http://images.wikia.com/wowwiki/images/4/41/ArthasLichKingMerge.JPG) what I'm seeing for Arthas, BoP. The visible parts are the edges of his helm.

[Gasmaskguy]

Less than two hours?! Thanks Lurk, I was about to get some rest but nevermind that anymore. :P

[BirdofPrey]

Ah didn't realise his helmet had a V shape at the top

ANYWHO
I am in an Xfire event that begins at 11:15 and they claim we will hear aboout the supersecret announcement before the rest of the world so I will keep you posted if I learn anything interesting

[lurkers_lurk]

im still thinking about it, i think ill switch to the Tournament Stage for Starcraft during the two 15 minute break on the Main Stage. and i might watch the WC3 one, dont think ill watch the WOW ones, im not going to get that game unless it becomes free. =P sorry Blizz.

[Wlck742]

It's not coming out of his shoulder. It's coming out of the side of his head but the part where it's connected to the head is obscured by the ice. Of course I might be mixing it up with a Balrog too. :p

[BirdofPrey]

???
What are you talking about?
Who mentioned his shoulder?

[Gasmaskguy]

So which sites do you guys think are worth frenetic updating when the WWI starts?

[Wlck742]

That was in response to lurker. He was saying the horns came out if his head. You guys post too fast LOL.

[lurkers_lurk]

@ BoP: me ^_^

@ Gasmaskguy: 3 words: All of them!!!!

[kuvasz]

It's not fair, I won't be able to watch the streams. Finally something happens on the correct half of the globe which I could watch without having to stay up all night/morning and something comes along. I will do my best to cut short my schedule.

ps I'm using FF2 and it freezes alright... I'm glad for the crappy default browser for the first time

[TyReaper]

I just thought of something...
The Death Knight uses runes. Which could explain the runes in the shape of a pentagram which is associated with resurrection and necromancy, which is one of the things the Death Knight falls under. Maybe I'm a little crazy O_o

[BirdofPrey]

Why can't u watch?

[lurkers_lurk]

wow, the streams started playing, just showing evevrone getting ready tho.

Hrm. only happened for a few seconds.

[TyReaper]

I cant watch them for some reason...Vista is screwing me again and isn't recognizing Octoshape.

[lurkers_lurk]

it should be starting up any second now. i think all my clocks are a few minutes fast.

[BirdofPrey]

Stream no work

Me angry

[ijffdrie]

too many listeners....

[VodkaChill]

Ah so I am not the only one to miss everything! lol

[ItzaHexGor]

Can someone link it? Regardless of whether it's working or not?

[ijffdrie]

http://news.curse.com/details/11212/

[VodkaChill]

http://eu.blizzard.com/wwi08/streams.xml

[lurkers_lurk]

ARGH!!!, too many people using it. v_v

[BirdofPrey]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6193003.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;0

[lurkers_lurk]

HRM, i can get on the Tournament Stage, but not the Main Stage, v_v

[ItzaHexGor]

This is the first time the Blizzard Invitational has been held outside of Korea. Morhaime says it's also the biggest European gathering of Blizzard gamers ever.

oooOOOOOooooooo....

Thanks for that site, BoP. You're a lifesaver. Literally.... Well, maybe not literally but figuratively, which we all know is the best kinda of literally.

[lurkers_lurk]

ok, now im on Main Stage now. everything i think is fine now.

[BirdofPrey]

Diablo III

http://www.blizzard.com/us/splash.html

New health orb drop

Ice dmg freezes
electricity stuns

[ijffdrie]

yay for d3

[ItzaHexGor]

It's official! And it's not an MMO! Personally,I would ahve loved it to become an MMO, after all it's perfect for it, but no MMO means no pay per month, which means no costs on top of World of WarCraft or deciding between them!

[ItzaHexGor]

WAAH! I wanna see this! They're describing it all so awesomely, but I wanna be able to see it!

Cmon YouTube.... Bring me luck!

EDIT: OMG! They said it's the same voice actor from Diablo2.... That's not...Cain... Is it?

*shudders*

[TyReaper]

Cain was shown for a short time...Right now they are discussing the Witch Doctor class.

[BirdofPrey]

Sexy new class female versions of the classes

[TyReaper]

And that was the coolest boss fight ever....

[lurkers_lurk]

yes the WitchDoctor seems like a very anti swarms person, with little health, that what i think it will be.

[ItzaHexGor]

So who here's actually watching?

[MyWifeforauir]

hmmm wow i'm like omgwtf at the fact diablo 3 was realased...
just managed to see some gameplay.... but now its these flame dancer ppl now....

[lurkers_lurk]

So who here's actually watching?

i am, after some time of too many people watching they fixed it enough for me to watch it.

[ItzaHexGor]

Well that's just FAT!

[lurkers_lurk]

im sorry. no new news right now, they are having a 15 minute break.

[BirdofPrey]

I wa poking about in the D3 website and in Cains journal is the 4th symbol with the circles

[Wlck742]

Did the penguin come up yet or no?

[VodkaChill]

AHH!!!!, both Stages are about WOW right now, its making me sleepy. v_v, stupid WOW acting all WOWish

I've been watching the streaming most of the day and the SC tournament is awesome ( did not get to see Savior play /cry ) The War3 was still pretty fun to watch.

When it came to 3v3 WoW tournament I said to myself, why don't I give it a try?

- No headphones/mic
- No professionalism at all
- Commentator were boring and completely careless about the ongoing game
- Graphics are still super lame (Starcraft is graphically better to watch)

Well you get the picture, I watched until the end out of...... respect .... maybe. Well at least now I know I won't watch the finals of this one XD

With all due respect for these guys I would have never been able to do better then them... but even if I did, I would be ashamed of myself..

WoW is taking too much place, like 2 designer panels in a row, everyone whining about their class not being balanced, even the WoW commentators are saying it XD

Edit @ Wick742 I did not see the Penguin, hope I did not miss that part of the explanation :)

[Stephen Worrell]

Who knew? Penguins freak? :eek:

[Major Willy]

Old news is old.