Let’s be honest: everyone here at pixelatedgeek has either a) played World of Warcraft incessantly; or b) thought about playing WoW incessantly.  It is the most expansive and creatively engaging (with its massive history and stories) MMORPG that has ever existed.  Recently, during one of my hourly constitutionals through the internet, I stumbled upon (seriously, I literally used Stumple Upon) some fascinating statistics.  I think my favorite is that the annual revenue generated by WoW players for Blizzard is greater than the GDP of Samoa.  Furthermore, my disused Foresaken Death Knight of the Horde is upset that humans are the favored race across the board.  Check out the other details after the break.

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We posted last week that Blizzard had planned to release two new in-game pets along with matching plush toys. The World of Warcraft pet store has now added the two new pets for players to purchase. The Wind Rider Cub and the Gryphon Hatchling are available today at the Blizzard Store for $24.99. This price is $15 more than the previous two pets the store launched with. The reason being is the added bonus of receiving a plush toy of the pet you purchase. As another added bonus, you also receive a bag that has been printed with the symbol for the faction the pet is associated with.  If the sales numbers for the previous pets are any indication of how much people love buying WoW related pets, there are going to be a lot of people cuddling up to WoW plushies really soon.

Since the launch day of World of Warcraft, people have been wondering if Blizzard would ever finish the story of Arthas Menethil. After many years of waiting, people will now see the end of his story in the video below.  That is, unless you don’t want to spoil it for yourself.  But then you’d have to get the newest patch, get into a guild or raid group, then gear up for many trash and boss fights in several dungeon wings, then wipe multiple times to understand the boss fights, then finally getting to see a non-cinematic in-game sequence of the video below.  It’s your choice.

Thank you Blizzard, for finally ending this huge chapter in the story of Warcraft.  I guess James T. was right.  There is always a need for a Lich King.

Ever wonder what the inside of a dream gaming job look like? Well, it’s basically what you probably already imagined. A workplace filled with toys, whiteboards that aren’t used for productivity, video games, and overall awesomeness. Check out all 106 pics of photos from Blizzard HQ.

[via leenks]

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We all know that Diablo 3 isn’t coming out for at least another year.  But that doesn’t Gamestop in trying to snag up some early pre-orders. Right now, on their website, you can pre-order Diablo 3 with no incentives.  Well, except for the thought that you theoretically own a copy of it.

[via Gamestop]

We all saw this coming. The next step in Blizzards’ plot to take over the world, or at least your salary. Blizzard micro-transactions using their new Battle.net platform.  Today Blizzard has added 2 new items to their online store for World of Warcraft players.  Two new in-game pets.  A mini Kel’Thuzad and Pandaren Monk for $10 each.

Some people are acting like this micro-transaction thing is new to WoW when in fact, it’s not.  It’s just presented in a different way.  Instead of going through the official World of Warcraft site, it goes through Battle.net.  Blizzard already has a bunch of paid for services like server transfer, name changing, sex changes, race changes and faction changes.

Are any of our readers planning on buying one or both of these new in-game pets? Or are you one of those than can resist these two new cute vanity items.

This video was what most people at WoWcon– erm.. Blizzcon were waiting for.  The confirmation of all the rampant rumors about the word “Cataclysm.”  At Blizzcon, everyone was treated to the debut trailer by Blizzard’s cinematics team.

If you’re a WoW fan and not drooling over this, well. Then you’re not really a WoW fan. Enjoy the video. And clean yourself up when you’re done watching it.

I remember when this intro was the greatest and most realistic graphics I have ever seen on a computer.  It sucked though that my 25Mhz computer (with TURBO button on!) couldn’t handle this intro.  So, I had to watch it at my neighbors house.  Boy was I jealous.

When I finally got a computer that could run Warcraft 2, I immediately started playing and fell in love with my first RTS game.  I also remember my first days of Battle.net.  They consisted of a 28.8Kbps modem over the Prodigy ISP, my dads cell phone, and my friend from middle school.  We played 2v2 matches until our bedtimes. Boy did my dad get mad and ground me off the computer when he noticed his cell phone bill the month after.

See, my friend from middle school had it good.  He already had 2 phone lines.  One for his computer, the other for regular phone calls.  I didn’t.  So, I used my dads cell phone as my walkie-talkie or VoIP as we would call it today. I would be yelling out:

“He’s spotted me!”
“Do you need help?”
“GO GO GO!”

At that time, my dad didn’t know what I was yelling about. But I was a good boy and wasn’t doing drugs. So, he let me play my computer games.  this is the game that got me into the Blizzard franchise.  It was like my gateway Blizzpill.  Cause right after that was Starcraft, Starcraft: Brood Wars, Diablo, Diablo 2, Warcraft 3, Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne, then finally, the World of Warcraft.

Thank you Blizzard for making such great games.  I can’t wait to cover Blizzcon Friday.

Blizzcon 2009 is just days away! If you’re too cheap to buy the internet stream or can’t watch it while at work.  Join us here for a liveblog from Anaheim, CA.

Blizzcon 2009 Opening Ceremony – [Liveblog]

Blizzcon 2009 Costume Contest – [Liveblog]

You can also join us on our adventure at Blizzcon and pretend you’re there.  We’ll be going to the pre-parties, talking to fans and just posting up random stuff.

PixelatedGeek’s Blizzcon 2009 Adventue – [Liveblog]

Contrary to what WoW.com is spectulating, SoundBlaster.com has released a press release that they will be demoing their first World of Warcraft headset.  They will have both an Alliance version and a Horde version.  SoundBlaster isn’t confirming anything about a Catclysm expansion.  Just their headsets.  That is all.

Full press release after the break.

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