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Partying at BlizzCon
Tickets are only going on sale today, but already people are planning the most important part of BlizzCon: the parties. There's a whole crew of people planning to meet up at the Hilton, and if the past few years are any indication, all of the restaurants and bars around the area will be hosting roaming groups of World of Warcraft and Blizzard fans after the show every night. Whether you're meeting up with your guildies or just sitting down with random strangers to talk about whatever Blizzard announced previously in the day, partying at Blizzard's big event is always a good time.Most plans are still up in the air, though we do have one event for you to mark on your calendar: our regular WoW Insider meetup will be held as usual on Thursday night again this year (that'll be August 20th). We haven't quite figured out a location yet -- unfortunately, I think we've finally outgrown The Lost Bar, as last year it was not only packed to capacity, and not only did my throat wear out from yelling to the crowd, but the bar's lone bartender has soured us on going back there. We're looking around for someplace a little bigger, preferably with a stage and a mic, where the drinks can flow freely.Wherever we end up, it's sure to be a hoot -- we'll likely have giveaways, WoW Insider editors and staffers aplenty will be in attendance, and, probably the best part, you'll get to meet all of the fellow readers who fill the comment fields next to you. If you're grabbing tickets today (or even if you're just planning to be there anyway), stay tuned as we get closer for more news on where the meetup is going down. BlizzCon 2009 is coming up on August 21st and 22nd! We've got all the latest news and information. At BlizzCon you can play the latest games, meet your guildmates, and ask the developers your questions. Plus, there's some great looking costumes.
Sentimental fanboys bid Palm OS farewell at Hong Kong meetup
The arrival of webOS might be long overdue, but while Palm OS has certainly become a tad long in the tooth over the past few years, there's no overstating the importance of the OS -- particularly in its earliest incarnations -- in defining what a handheld and smartphone OS can and should be. Plus the incredible quantity of devices it spawned makes for quite the photo-op, as these folks discovered at a Hong Kong "farewell party" for the deprecated OS. There's a video after the break.[Via Palm Infocenter]Read - Pics thread 1Read - Pics thread 2
15 Minutes of Fame: House party!
15 Minutes of Fame is our look at World of Warcraft players of all shapes and sizes – from the renowned to the relatively anonymous, the remarkable to the player next door. Tip us off to players you'd like to hear more about.Wrath of the Lich King marked a turning point for WoW guild life. In a raiding environment based on smaller groups, Wrath allows players to gobble up endgame content in much more intimate groups. Many guilds have grown smaller, and many friendships have grown tighter. Many gamers who've been around the block with MMOs a time or two care a little less now about being in it to win it (with a rotating cast of a thousand relatively anonymous guildmates) and a little more about kicking back for some good times with their buddies.Meet the members of Vivid (Frostwolf-H, US) – literally. Meeting in real life is the glue that has cemented the friendships in this energetic young guild. Vivid has gathered four times over half as many years, from a "small kegger at Chico State" to a recent New Year's house party with more than 20 guildmates cozying up at a cabin in North Lake Tahoe.We visited with some of Vivid's real-life friends to find out why their meetups have become integral to their guild life.
A license plate fit for an epic frame
Hauru on Area 52 sends us this WoW-related license plate -- he says that he and his girlfriend were at BlizzCon last year (he can apparently be seen in our badge pickup gallery, but did you come to the WoW Insider Meetup?) and bought a Blizzard license plate frame. But when he got home, he realized he didn't have an epic enough license plate, so a quick trip to the DMV later, that situation was remedied. Very nice, we like it.We've added Hauru's pic into our license plate gallery, which you can browse through below. Seen a great World of Warcraft-related piece of car art or license plate? Send it in to our tips line, and you might see it posted here soon.%Gallery-20183%
Live from the Engadget Holiday Party!
Alright, it's that moment you may or may have not been waiting for! The Engadget Holiday Party / Reader meetup / NY snow-in is officially underway, with folks streaming in as we speak. We'll do our best to give you live updates from the show, with an Ovi slideshow, live fed by a few lucky ninjas equipped with some Nokia-provided N96, N85 and N79 handsets, and a no-guarantees Ustream.TV feed fed lovingly to the internet by an Engadget editor's very own harried laptop -- all after the break.
Attend the WoW Insider Blizzcon meetup tonight, meet cool people
Blizzcon starts tomorrow in Anaheim, CA, and WoW Insider and Massively are already on-site to provide the best coverage we can! If you're in town, we want to invite you to the WoW Insider meetup tonight at 8:00 PM Anaheim time. You'll have chances to win cool prizes and swag if you know your World of Warcraft trivia, and the WoW Insider podcast will be taped in front of a live audience, so you can be a part of that mayhem as well.The meetup will be at The Lost Bar at 1150 W. Magic Way, near the Disneyland Hotel. The party will go on through much of the night, so even if you're not getting in until after 8:00, feel free to show up late and relax with the WoW Insider crew post-flight or drive.
WoW Insider is live at BlizzCon
Yes, this shameful excuse of an iPhone shot of the hotel pool (SOMEone forgot to bring a camera cord, but we're getting one later) is all we've got so far to prove to you that we're live in Anaheim, but it's true -- WoW Insider has returned to the OC (don't call it that) for another BlizzCon's worth of memories, Blizzard news and announcements, and just a generally great time.Stay tuned all weekend for updates -- we've got our reader meetup tonight and a live recording of our podcast tomorrow for people here, and if you're at home, we're going to bring you everything you need to feel like you're here anyway: galleries, liveblogs, interviews, impressions, and everything else we can squeeze into two-and-a-half days of Blizzard nirvana.It's going to be fun. Now if you'll excuse us, badge pickup doesn't start until 4. Where exactly can we grab some food around here?
Reminder: Meet WoW Insider tonight at The Lost Bar at 8pm
Don't forget -- if you're in Anaheim for BlizzCon tonight, our meetup starts in just a few hours at 8pm. We'll be over at The Lost Bar -- you can follow the map above, and from the convention center entrance (where you're grabbing your passes today), it's just about a 10 minute walk north and then west of Disneyland. It's a big open air bar -- we'll be sitting, chatting, and drinking, so walk right up and say hi (just look for the folks going through the BlizzCon goodie bags greedily and talking about the latest beta changes).We'll be there late this evening (and later on, we'll do some trivia and giveaways), so even if it's kind of late and you've just made it into your hotel, feel free to come by and say hello (and if you're stuck at home, stay tuned for a post live from the meetup later on this evening). And don't forget that even if you can't make it to the meetup tonight, we're taping our podcast in front of a live audience (with WoW Radio and The Guild) tomorrow evening, so make sure that's on your schedule as well.Have a safe trip to BlizzCon if you're coming down, and we'll see you at the Lost Bar this evening!
PlayStation Blog heads to Orlando and wants you to meet them there
Details for the third PlayStation Blog meet up have been revealed. After swapping the Mexican cuisine of King Taco in Los Angeles for the sophisticated morning coffee and doughnuts of Seattle, the menu has moved on to southern style BBQ in Orlando, Florida. But you won't be attending for the food alone, obviously. You'll be meeting up with the PlayStation Blog staff, other fanboys (and maybe some fangirls, if you're lucky) and, who knows, maybe some other journo type people (though, sadly, we won't be able to attend this time). Not to mention more competitive gaming for, no doubt, awesome prizes.So now we've got you interested you'll need to know the wheres, whens and whyfores. The meetup will be taking place near downtown Orlando at the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy next Friday, the 26th of September, between 7pm and 9pm. It's free, so just turn up, and you'll probably need your PSP. Chances are there'll be an after party at a local bar, by the looks of things. For full details, including funny maps, check out the PlayStation Blog post and RSVP on Facebook.
PS3 Fanboy go-nuts for doughnuts at the PlayStation Blog PAX meetup
Click to satisfy appetite. Like PlayStation? Like doughnuts? PS3 Fanboy loves both, so a PlayStation Blog PAX meetup at a local doughnut cafe in Seattle seemed like a match made in heaven. Check out the PS3 Fanboy photo gallery from the event, which shows off the many attendees, competitive WipEout Pulse players (one of whom won a MGS4 PS3) and swag. Did we mention there were many free and tasty doughnuts as well? Gallery: PlayStation Blog PAX 2008 meetup
Free coffee and doughnuts at the PAX PlayStation Blog meetup
How's that for an attention grabbing headline? Who doesn't like free coffee and doughnuts? So if you're going to be at PAX, or even if you're just in the area, come by Top Pot Doughnuts (at their 5th Avenue location). Not only will there be free stimulants, but you'll also get to meet up with other PlayStation fans (including myself) and potentially win some prizes. Bring your PSP.The breakfast meet up will be taking place between 8:30 and 10:30 (in the morning, naturally) on Saturday the 30th. That's this coming Saturday. If you're going to be attending, be sure to let the PlayStation Blog know via Facebook or email them. Don't forget to tell us too! Do so in the comments. We'll see you in Seattle.
Sleeper Cartel holds their Summer party (and Horde Diplomacy)
Those wacky folks of the Sleeper Cartel guild (on Perenolde) emailed to let us know they are having their annual summer party this coming weekend, July 26th at 7pm server time, and it looks to be a hootenanny. They'll have player-run quests, trivia contests, and scavenger hunts, there'll be a snowball fight and fireworks aplenty, and they're even planning to give away an honest-to-goodness epic. If you're a fan of player-run events, this is the Super Bowl -- as you can see from their last party, they do it up right. Roll Alliance and show up in Perenolde on Saturday if you want in on the fun.And here's another player-run party: on July 27th, a couple of Hordies on Steamwheedle are planning a "Tribune of the Horde" RP event -- apparently they think the Horde needs leaders, and Thrall and the rest of the gang aren't cutting it. (see Update) So they're having a Horde meetup in ZG to talk things out -- one Horde member of each race has been chosen as diplomat, and diplomats will give their own speeches, while those in attendance will be able to ask questions and speak their mind as well.Sounds interesting -- we always love hearing about (and hopefully attending) events like this. If you're putting one on, feel free to tip us about it, and if you go, take lots of screenshots and send them back to us so we can see what players are up to in the realms.Update: I never did understand RP -- the people running the Horde event emailed us to say that they're not looking to replace Thrall at all. Instead, they're convening a Tribune of the various Horde races to voice their concerns and working up a scroll to take to the Warchief himself -- they're working in complete concert with the current Horde, they just want to make sure the voices of the little people (and trolls, and Undead, and so on) are heard. Our apologies for the misunderstanding, especially for the suggestion that anyone was trying to take over from Thrall. For the Horde!
Post-E3 Wii Fanboy/Joystiq reader meetup in photos
Yeah dude, that's totally Mike Sylvester there at the meetup last night. Other surprise guests showed up, as well as tons and tons of readers (who, in turn, walked away with tons and tons of free swag). Overall, it was a great success. You wouldn't believe how fast pizza goes at a Joystiq meetup!For those of you who had to sit this one out, relive the fun by checking out our photo gallery below.%Gallery-28076%
Post-E3 DS Fanboy/Joystiq reader meetup in photos
First of all, thanks to everyone that managed to make it out to the party! There were a ridiculous amount of attendees, all of whom enjoyed some Call of Duty 4 on the PS3, Super Smash Bros. Brawl on the Wii and copious amounts of Rock Band and Rock Band 2. It was a blast and, unsurprisingly, the massive piles of swag went fairly quick. It was a wonderful experience and it was a pleasure meeting all of you. Hopefully, we can do this again next year!For those of you who couldn't make it out there, check out the gallery below. Within, you'll even find a picture of our very own Mike Sylvester (of Revolutionary fame!). He's a local, so thanks to him, but mostly to all of you, for making it out!%Gallery-28073%
Meet DS Fanboy and Joystiq in Santa Monica on Thursday, July 17th
Hey, do you live in the Santa Monica area? Like free stuff? Well, clear your calendar for the night of Thursday, July 17th. Joystiq is hosting a meetup. There, over 200 pounds of swag will be given out, and there'll be games and refreshments for all to enjoy. It's totally going to crush last year's meetup! Plus, you could meet me. That's got to be worth ... uh, something?It's all going to be hosted by the good folks at Mahalo.com. Just, do us a favor: RSVP if you plan on attending. Hope to see you there!When: 6-10:00PM pacific on Thursday, July 17thWhere: Mahalo HQ, 902 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (map it!)Who: Every man, women and child of every age. Yes, even YOU can attend!Why: Because it's "good times".RSVP: Facebook
Meet Wii Fanboy and Joystiq in Santa Monica on Thursday, July 17th
See all of those boxes above? What's in them? Swag. We're talking games and other goodies that have been accrued by Joystiq over the years. If you attended last year's afterparty, you should have a good idea of what to expect in terms of free stuff being handed out. On top of that, you can, uh, meet me. That's special, right? Right? Hello?But, in all seriousness, come on down! We'll have games (hooked up to awesome projectors) and refreshments on top of these freebies. They had a Wii last year, so I dare you to try your luck against me in some Wii Sports: Bowling.It's all going to be hosted by the good folks at Mahalo.com. Just, do us a favor: RSVP if you plan on attending. Hope to see you there!When: 6-10:00PM pacific on Thursday, July 17thWhere: Mahalo HQ, 902 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (map it!)Who: Every man, women and child of every age. Yes, even YOU can attend!Why: Because it's "good times".RSVP: Facebook
Meet with PS fanboys in LA next week
Are you in Los Angeles during the E3 convention next week? Good, because you'll have a chance to meet the PlayStation.Blog team and members of the PS3 Fanboy team at a meetup planned for next Tuesday. The get-together will happen at King Taco, and will happen hours after Sony's press conference o' megatons. Full details can be found on Facebook.But wait, there's more! The Joystiq network meetup is happening next Thursday, and as usual, we'll have tons of swag in hand. The party is going down at the same place as last year: Mahalo HQ. Hope to see some familiar faces, and some new ones! Expect some special surprise guests. Once again, full details can be found on Facebook.Let us know if you're going to be there! Can't wait to finally see you guys!
X3F meetup this Sunday: Rock Band Revival
Ladies and gentlemen, we are proud to announce an upcoming X3F meetup this weekend. The event will be taking place in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the Elephant Run restaurant attached to the Trade Winds Central hotel on 51st and Skelly (3141 E. Skelly Drive to be precise). Come on down to play some Rock Band with me (I'll be the one in the Bungie.net T-shirt) and dozens of complete strangers! I should note that this is not exclusively an X3F meetup -- it's a Rock Band event at a local bar -- so don't assume that all the pretty girls will be impressed that you can nail "Next to You" on Expert. Also, there will be prizes for people who participate (these are being given by the Elephant Run). I should also mention that this is at a bar, so you must be 21 or older to enter. There is no cover, but you may want to bring a few bucks for drinks and some tender vittles. All the main tracks have been unlocked as well as every piece of DLC released thus far, so there will be plenty of choices. It starts this Sunday at 4:00PM Central. Please comment on this post if you plan on attending, and see you on Sunday!
WoW Insider coming to Dragon*Con!
Following an amazing level of success with Blizzcon, Elizabeth Harper and I are headed for Dragon*Con in a little over two weeks. For what? To host this year's Dragon*Con World of Warcraft Meet & Greet! For those who have never experienced a Dragon*Con, it is billed as "America's largest, multi-media, popular arts convention focusing on science fiction and fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film." Speaking from the experience of having attended last year's Dragon*Con along with over 40,000 other geeks of all flavors, I can vouch for just how utterly packed full of awesome sights and sounds Dragon*Con is. As part of this year's WoW Meet & Greet, (and with many thanks to Grim and the MMO/Gaming track for helping us organize this) we will be hosting a World of Warcraft costume contest. So for those headed there, be sure to pack the Rogue costume and your Boomkin suit. You definitely don't want to miss a chance at winning some great prizes! Outside of that, we'll be doing some trivia, talking more about the great goings on at Dragon*Con, as well as random giveaways featuring all manner of goodies from J!NX gear to TCG booster packs! (Maybe you'll pull out one of the rare cards that will net you some in-game goodies.) If you were on the fence about going to Dragon*Con, there are still memberships available.A map of the location for the Meet & Greet at the Con, and more details are behind the jump!
BlizzCon: Welcome to Anaheim
Looks like the gray weather followed me all the way here from Chicago, doesn't it? But no worries-- even as I post this, the sun is breaking through the clouds and haze here in Anaheim, CA, home (in the next few days) of the second BlizzCon.I still haven't quite gotten my bearings-- I'm pretty sure the convention center is north of here, and this picture from my hotel room looks east, so you can't see it there. But later today I'll head over there and see what there is to see, and of course tomorrow all the festivities start with something pretty boring: the picking up of the convention badges, and end with something pretty amazing: our first official WoW Insider meetup.Stay tuned to WoW Insider-- we are here, live in Anaheim, ready to bring you every single second of this show.
