WoW Loses 600K Subscribers in the 2013 Second Quarter

In the latest earnings release, World of Warcraft is down to 7.7 Mio subscribers. This means a total loss of 600,000 subscribers from 8.3 Mio last quarter. WoW has definitely seen better days, as at one point they had over 12 million subscribers, and since then that number is rapidly dwindling.

Activision Blizzard Purchases Shares From Vivendi

Activision Blizzard is purchasing 429 Mio shares from Vivendi for $5.8 billion. The purchase is financed with $1.2 billion of cash that was on hand and $4.6 billion of debt proceeds, leaving them with a $1.4 billion of net debt at the end of the deal in September 2013. With huge subscriber drops each quarter, it was not the best time to completely separate from Vivendi.

Countermeasures

The launch of an in-game store by Blizzard in 5.4 which is supposed to offer convenience items, such as the Elixir increasing XP in Asian regions.

Transmog items added to theBlizzard Store. Earlier this month, helmets were added to the online store for $15 each.

It’s time to introduce another AnnualPass, if Blizzard wants to lose less subscribers next quarter. Things look grim for Blizzard. Despite the vastly improved game quality in Mists of Pandaria they still arent able to counter their subscriber drops as more and more players stop playing the game, growing tired of the same content. We know that Titan development was restarted from scratch, this means WoW will need to endure a bit longer.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens to WoW’s subscriber rate once Blizzard implements in-game microtransactions. After all, it’s very possible that they could end up driving the subscriber numbers down faster, but at the same time if the people who stay start buying items in-game then it’s possible that those transactions could offset the loss of revenue from the subscribers. Only time will tell. For more information you can visit the official site.

Diablo 3 Release Date For PS3 And Xbox 360 on September 3, 2013

There are some news came from the official Diablo III website that may make PS3 owners sad when the companies decided to announce the formal, console release date, they also decided to show that it isn’t just for PS3 owners anymore. People with Xbox 360s and PS3s will be enjoying this RPG come September 3, 2013. This is the first time that we’ve heard of D3 appearing on the Xbox 360.

In addition, there is now a Diablo III pre-order bonus. People who jump in immediately will get an Infernal Helm for their in-game avatars. It’s an item that boosts experience earned when worn, meaning you’ll level up quicker and be a more desirable ally to all the other people also playing Diablo III. There are no level restrictions on this DLC equipment, so your character can equip it the second you begin the game.

Though Diablo III is no longer an exclusive, I’d still argue the PS3 version is superior simply because of the online advantage. Diablo III is a social kind of RPG, where you’ll get more out of it when you play with other people online. This gives PS3 owners, with its free online multiplayer, an edge as Microsoft forces Xbox 360 owners to subscribe to Xbox Gold to do this. Granted, many Xbox 360 owners do end up caving and paying for Xbox Gold, so in the end it could be a push.

We do know that the PlayStation version of the game will play on a different realm and not be accessible by PC consoles. It’s probably safe to assume the same will be true for the Xbox 360. We don’t know if these console realms will be able to interact with each other. The console versions of the game are also having their UI updated to a more console-friendly format.

The play testing on the PS3 version of Diablo 3 has generally been positive. Blizzard’s move to bring the game to the Xbox 360 bodes well for it appearing on the next generation Xbox console as well, although no announcement has been made there. Diablo 3 is expected to have its first expansion announced at BlizzCon in November this year.For more information about  game you can visit the official site.

Blizzard is running a 50% off sale Only this week for all of WOW services

Are you still looking to do any World of Warcraft race changes, name changes, appearance changes, or server transfers, there’s no time like the present. More specifically Blizzard Entertainment announced the discount yesterday but it will only be available for a limited time. Character Transfers, Faction Changes, Races Changes, Appearance Changes, and Name Changes are all 50 percent off until June 10, 2013. Normal and discounted prices are as follows:

Character Transfers, the movement of one character to a different realm normally costs $25. Discounted this service should be about $12.50.

Faction Changes, the switching of factions from either Horde to Alliance or Alliance to Horde normally costs $30. Discounted this service should be $15.

Race Changes, the transformation from one race to another available to the original character’s faction normally costs $25. Discounted this service should cost $12.50.

Appearance Changes, the ability to re-customize the player character normally costs $15. Discounted the service should cost about $7.50.

Name Changes, the opportunity to change a character’s name normally costs $10. Discounted the service should cost $5.

Denizens of Azeroth from on US or EU region can enjoy the 50 percent discount. Sale ends June 10th 2013! Buy Seize the Time！Click read more for all the details! 

Blizzard claimed that the host version of Diablo 3 will not be fully ported to the PC version

In February2013，the vice president of Blizzard Entertainment Mason announced theDiablo 3 host version，this also means that Blizzard continue for many years the PC route may change，then the host version of the Diablo 3 be any different? Will absorb the PC version of the disadvantages of an improvement? Recently, in an interview, one of the Diablo 3 core designers Matthew Burger expressed: We do not want to see fully ported to the PC host of Diablo 3.

Explained: PC and host operating habits are very different, you did not shy away from the PC, but the host version you can use the joystick around four directions to avoid this host players an operation action, which also help to solve some of the problems of the host PC transplantation; in PC when Players use the mouse to manipulate their characters, where you click on where he will move to, the version of the operating mode of the host will changed to completely handle user habits; They also do a lot of modifications to BOSS war so that the player of host version be able to enjoy the fun of fighting, rather than discomfort.

Recently, Blizzard host version of Diablo 3 team product director John Hight, game designer Josh Mosqueira experience and advanced system designer Jason Bender for the first time through a video interview brought us the relevant details.Click read morefor all the game details!

Travis Day guaranteed players that the Diablo 4 will Certainly Come

Last week Travis Day spoke on the same live stream that brought us that great Wyatt Cheng interview. The stream is run by ArchonTheWizard, and Travis joined him for nearly two hours of chat. Travis had a *lot* to say, answering dozens of questions, chiefly about the upcoming itemization changes, but also touching on skill issues, class balance, his development time working on World of Warcraft, and much more.  There is a very interesting information mentioned on the ladder mode will once again return to the Diablo games, Travis express it is very possible, and Diablo 4 will meet with players in the soon future!

Ladder seasons some day?

Travis: Everyone keeps asking about this! It’s something we talk about. It’s possible someday. One of the things I want is for Diablo 3 to remain playable for the long term, even after we’re not working on new updates anymore. It’s like D2 where there was hardly anyone working on it long term. Like, 5 years from now we’ll probably not be releasing new content patches for Diablo 3. We’ll have moved on to working on Diablo4 or whatever.

Ladders work very well for that. They keep the game fresh and reset the economy for people who want to opt into it. That’s great, but it does come with some baggage. But we probably want to have that one day, but I don’t know when we’ll do it or how it’ll work.

Oh, I just said Diablo 4. Okay, I’ll break news and you that someday in the future, there will be a Diablo 4. It’ll probably be twenty years from now. *laughing*

The time gap between Diablo 2 and Diablo 3 was a little over a decade, but this wasn’t because they were working on Diablo 2 for 10 years, but because they didn’t really start making Diablo 3 until 2003. To make matters worse there were several hurdles that came in the way of Diablo 3 which stalled it for such a substantial amount of time.

When it comes to a Diablo 4, provided Blizzard doesn’t have any more substantial staff changes, or shutdowns, they should finish it in sometime around 3-6 years. While this may not sound like a joyous amount of time to wait, it’s worth it in order to play another game as great as Diablo 3.

If we’re lucky, it might not take that long, as they may have been working on it for a year or two already. With Blizzard it’s difficult to really know when and how they work on games, and for all we know it might be ready to ship in a year or two. Until then we’ll just have to wait and see how things unfold.If you are looking for a full guide on all professions and a complete leveling guide for Diablo 3  then check out

The ladder on Diablo2 will reset on May 14

Diablo 2 ladder reset is coming! Diablo 2 ladder system will be reset on May 14.The “Ladder” in Diablo 2 is essentially a scoreboard that keeps track of the top characters in each realm. Interesting! May 15 is the one-year birthday of the Diablo 3 on-line, so select the day for ladder reset that there any particular significance to it?

It’s that time again! On the morning of Tuesday, May 14, they’ll be conducting maintenance in order to reset the Diablo II ladder. They anticipate the realms could be down for up to six hours, and during that time all existing ladder characters will be converted to non-ladder. All characters and items being converted to non-ladder will remain intact, but once converted these characters will no longer have access to ladder content such as creating ladder-only rune words.

 This ladder reset, like all those before it, creates a clean slate where all ladder characters begin at level 1 with no previous items to help them. To participate, simply wait until the Diablo II realms return to service on May.

There are two main character types on the Diablo II Realms: Normal and Ladder. Players choose these character types when creating their characters via check boxes as they are naming their characters.Any character that is not marked as a Ladder Character is a Normal Character. A Ladder Character is a special character type that is allowed to compete on the ladder. These characters are separate from Normal Characters with their own games and economy.

Overall, Ladder in Diablo 2 is a way for Blizzard to help control the economy. If the economy is getting out of hand, a new Ladder season will just start the economy over because everything is removed and has to be found from scratch again.For more information about Diablo3 you can visit the official site.

Blizzard confirmed they has purchased the IPL form IGN today

Today Blizzard confirmed that they has purchased IGNPro League technology and assets form IGN, This purchased including all the equipment, technology and 23 employees. Along with purchase, Blizzard is bringing onboard members of the IPL staff as the foundation for a new team based in San Francisco，whose primary focus will be on creating high-quality web and mobile content in support of Blizzard games, this team first job may be is 2013 World Championship project.

Regarding the transaction, Peer Schneider, executive vice president of IGN, stated, “With the continuing evolution of the eSports space and the renewed focus on our core media brand, we made the decision to sell the IGN Pro League technology and assets and become agnostic in our competitive gaming coverage. Following Blizzard’s acquisition of IPL assets, IGN will partner with multiple organizations and cover their events.” All the IPL brand will become past, the main items of IPL before including“Starcraft II”and “Heroes Union” and “Shoot Mania Storm”, with the disappearance of the IPL, this events will cease to exist.

According to GameSpot reported that 23 members of the IPL team including IPL general manager David Ting, he will responsible for the selection of his execution, a member of the creative core in the Blizzard team, departments of Marketing Manager Kevin Knocke will joined the new team as Manager of Online Broadcasting.

Itzik Ben-Bassat, Blizzard’s executive vice president of publishing said“This new team will help us to further develop the rich media experiences that extend the fun and engagement of our games online, we’re looking forward to now leveraging their expertise and technology to support a variety of online efforts.”

Dazzling Pegasus Mounts in WOW Patch 5.3

Blizzard joined the Pegasus mount into World of Warcraft 5.3 version, this Pegasus has rock body and light hair and A pair of wings, shape is very cool.

Pegasus, is one of the best known mythological creatures in Greek mythology, He is a winged divine horse usually depicted as white in colour, The symbolism of Pegasus varies with time，Pegasus is the subject of a very rich iconography .

How is the Pegasus name come? In ancient Greek mythology, as the hero Perseus cut witch Medusa head, the blood flow out from the witch head, out of a winged horse Pegasus. Later, Perseus ride this horse, rescued the fairy Andelo toner. Later, the horse Pegasus into heaven, become the pegasus.Let us review the mounts as the followings:

Diablo III, let Blizzard joy or sorrow?

Diablo III, let Blizzard joy or sorrow?

Diablo 3 auction houses including: cash transactions and virtual transactions, game players can purchase items through the auction house. Before release this game, Blizzard have several forecasts for this auction.

1: they think auction houses will reduce fraud

2: auction houses will provide services for game players

3: there will be only a small amount of players will use the auction, and the price of the goods may be affected by the quantity and sales of goods.

But since the game released, there are about 1000000 game players login the game everyday, there are more than 50% of players often visit the auction houses, they's goals are earning money, this is damage to this game, once more and more players use the auction, prices will fluctuate. it completely ruined our reward mechanism，but the reward mechanism are the core of this game.

Blizzard now is fall into the awkward situation, they also wanted to shut down the auction house, after all, this system is very hurt game, but they fear losing too many players, they don't know how many players are like this system, Blizzard said, the development team are trying to find a feasible solution. once have a good solution, they will tell everyone.more professions guidance,leveling guide for game, check here.

Why Blizzard Developed HearthStone: Heroes Of Warcraft

Blizzard has announced a new game on 2013 PAX East, this new game is <hearthstone: heroes of warcraft>

The HearthStone is a free card game , simple design, even if you do not understand or never play the Warcraft series before, it's easy to master, you can select one of the nine classic heroes in the warcraft series, set up your own cards, or play against with others to win new cards, it's very fun, this game will run on Windows, Macintosh and IPad.

Chief Creative Rob Pardo explained Why Blizzard developed HearthStone? This game is different from previous game, just like World ofWarcraft, Diablo III, StarCraft, the development team only including 15 peoples, we referred it to "Team 5", Compared to the past, it is a very small team. Previous development teams are large and long cycle, in the long development time, we can take this opportunity to develop more interesting things for players, so we designed the HearthSone for you, it is a running board and paving stones. The first batch will launch 300 cards, will be launch in  the 2013 summer in North America

More information about HearthStone: heroes of warcraft, please check here

Last week top 10 PC game in Britain

Foreign media released the list of top 10 PC game in last week(3.17 - 3.23) in Britain area, despite there are many problems for the server on sales about the《SimCity》,but it does not seem to give the sales bring obvious obstacles, it occupy the first position for three weeks in British, The second position is 《StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm》,now let me see the name list of top 10.

1. SimCity     
2. StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm   
3. The Sims 3: University Life      
4. ManagerZone      
5. The Sims 3     
6. Tomb Raider     
7. Guild Wars 2        
8. Aliens: Colonial Marines   
9. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim    
10. Resident Evil 6

《SimCity》, create your ideal city in the game, every decision, whether big or small, will have different consequences, this game is suitable for over 7 years old players.

《StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm》is the second episode , Blizzard divided the 《StarCraft II》into 3 chapters on sale, the heart of the swarm had launch on March 12,2013

《The Sims 3: University Life》，it’s a large-scale expansion, launch on March, this game allows players to experience the university life, make friends with student, fall in love, enter the student union……

《Guild Wars 2》,Being the sequel to the Guild Wars series which is currently in development by Arenanet,Guild Wars 2 is featured a new game engine as well as changes to character development and the PvP system.

Blizzard: different shapes of sword for glory

If you worked at least five years in Blizzard, they will reward you different
shapes of swords for every year, the annual modeling is not the same. And other employees, one year, two year, three year, four year also can get some wine glass or ring or shield reward. Let us look at these reward pictures, it’s very wonderful, more Diablo III information, please click here