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Blizz publishes new Gadgetzan Times
This got somewhat lost in the news shuffle over the holiday weekend, but Blizzard has posted another issue of their extremely irregular Gadgetzan Times fan-fic-oriented newsletter, for the first time since May 2008. This time around it consists of two pieces of short-form fan fiction, an amusing "classifieds" section, and a slightly half-hearted crossword about the dungeons of WoW. It's an interesting thing for Blizzard themselves to come out with, as it has been from the start. I really like the idea -- characters from Azeroth report on events in and around their world -- but it could use a little more polish and effort, not to mention a more regular timetable. On the other hand, they're still publishing more regularly than my Illusionary Tactics column. Maybe I should not call this particular kettle black. Anyway, it's certainly a decent diversion for a few minutes if you're stuck at work or bored at home, so go ahead and check it out.
Death Knight goes insane (in the membrane)
A Gnome Death Knight appropriately named Nutshell from Mug'thol reported on the forums that he had completed the requirements for the upcoming Achievement Insane in the Membrane. The Achievement, to be implemented in Patch 3.1, requires a character to gain Exalted reputation with the Steamwheedle Cartel (Everlook, Booty Bay, Ratchet, and Gadgetzan), Darkmoon Faire, Ravenholdt, the Shen'dralar, and Honored with the Bloodsail Buccaneers. Unlocking this Achievement also rewards the fitting title 'the Insane', arguably one of the cooler titles in the new patch.Most of the faction reputations listed aren't easy to grind, particularly the little known Ravenholdt faction in Hillsbrad Foothills. Most players who have been playing for years are unlikely to have considerable reputation with them nor the come-and-go Darkmoon Faire and the Dire Maul-based Shen'dralar. It's an impressive feat for any character, and even more impressive for a Death Knight -- Nutshell might possibly be the first one to complete it. Considering Loremaster Nutshell has 5870 Achievement points to date, it's probably not that surprising the player made the grind. To all of this, Bornakk simply responded, "you're insane."
WoW Moviewatch: Chronicle of the Annoying Quest, Episode 28
It's been so long since Moviewatch took a look at the Chronicle of the Annoying Quest that two more episodes have come out since then. It's interesting, though, that Bakasavant starts off both episodes very slowly, taking a bit too long to get to the point. In Episode 27, there's some messing about with flying mounts that, although somewhat humorous, doesn't add much to the story.
Wormholes coming to an Engineer near you
Just the other day, a fun little potential toy for Engineers cropped up. Wormholes! Wormholes? Yes, wormholes. What do they do? Think about Mages for a moment. They have both Teleport and Portal spells. Teleport spells take only them to a capital city of their choosing. Portals create a way for your entire party or raid to go to that capital city.Engineers have Transporters, which work similar to a Mage's Teleport. They take you specifically to whichever Goblin or Gnome town your Engineering specialization likes best. Wormholes will be the answer to the Mage's Portal. You will be able to take your entire party to that town, not just you. The only one we've seen so far is a Wormhole to Gadgetzan, which may actually prove to be quite useful. While Shattrath has an NPC that will teleport you straight to the Caverns of Time, I haven't seen one of those in Dalaran so far in the Wrath Beta.Currently it seems the intent is to have Engineers quest for these Wormhole generators, but they aren't available on either the live or beta realms quite yet. That could easily change before we see them ourselves. We may also see these in Patch 3.02 rather than Wrath of the Lich King as well, seeing as Northrend has Goblin towns of its own.[ via MMO-Champion ]
WoW: About that pineapple wallpaper in Gadgetzan
You really have to love your favorite MMOG to do something this kooky! In our oddball post of the day, PallyDog wants to decorate a room when she moves into her new home with some wallpaper she saw in the goblin huts that populate Gadgetzan. She even went as far as telling her mother about the wallpaper, who called it "very early American," and cracked up that her daughter, got the idea from World of Warcraft. PallyDog hasn't finished the quest to find one almost exactly like the one pictured above, but we all wish her the best of luck on her epic wallpaper journey. Where is Quest Helper when you really need it? If you want read some real WoW news, please check out all of WoW Insider's coverage on the upcoming 2.4.3 patch. If you have any goblin design tips or would like to share your own WoW house design creations drop us a note in the comment thread.
The Gadgetzan Times returns, looks for submissions
The Gadgetzan Times has returned from a long hiatus. Apparently, however, they are in a bit of trouble, with reports of difficulty retaining their goblin reporters. Because of this, the editor-in-chief has switched to a new idea: soliciting stories from the adventurers themselves. If you've written fanfiction about the World of Warcraft, you can now submit to for a chance to showcased in the Gadgetzan Times. There's versions for every language, with a different story for each language. If you've always wanted to be a Goblin journalist, here's the closest you can get. Submit your stories, and maybe we'll see you in the next editon.
Around Azeroth: Death in the desert
Reader Lantanian from Quel'dorei offers up this screenshot straight from the Tanaris desert. Though you can clearly see Gadgetzan not-too-far in the distance, it was apparently too far for one poor traveler, who succumbed to the wilderness just outside of town.Do you have any unusual World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? Because we'd love to see your idea of the best looking instance on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@wow.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! %Gallery-1816%
Ultrasafe: The prestige, perils, and prestidigitization of Gnomish dimensional travel
And lesser related fields or "I Can See My Hearth From Here, and It's Getting Closer." The Ultrasafe brand of dimensional transporter incorporates two versions thus far discovered by M.E.G.A. Research & Development. The first version Gnomish Engineers are able to learn is the Ultrasafe Transporter: Gadgetzan. The second learned is the Ultrasafe Transporter: Toshley's Station. Here we will discuss the various risks and rewards of the use of the Ultrasafe brand of transport, and briefly touch upon similar transport methods associated with the Goblin Experimental Explosive Korporation.
New Arena vendors in place and selling their wares
As of this writing, the servers still haven't come back up yet, but apparently when they do, Drysc says we'll have more places to obtain all that Arena gear we're all lusting after. In addition to the Arena 52 vendor, there will be vendors outside the Nagrand and Blade's Edge arenas. And the Crimson Ring (did we ever determine if that was the group actually putting on the Arena fights?), if that is their name, will also have a vendor available in Gadgetzan.Not exactly earthshaking news-- as busy as the vendors were when new stuff went on sale, I don't know that there was much traffic there when things slowed down-- but welcome news to Arena gear purchasers just the same.
