Blizzard announced the World of Warcraft Customer Service has launched its own twitter account with informative ways to protect your in-game account and other tips.

The Customer Service will update the new Twitter page on Tuesday's maintenance and during service outages.

	Blizzard Quote:
	You can now follow all Blizzard Customer Support news and updates on Twitter! Just head over to @BlizzardCS http://twitter.com/BlizzardCS Additionally, you will be able to view updates to our Queue Times for Game Master interactions, account investigations and escalated tickets alike.

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There are a couple of Starcraft II concept art shown at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Taiwan's exhibition Fights, Flights & Frights Inside the Storm that really makes you wonder if they are new units and locations for the Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm expansion.

Artist Peter Lee drew some sort of giant flying Zerg whale. A unit we have never seen before. As a Marvel Comics reader, I can't but find similarities with the kilometers-long Brood enslaved whaleshark-like species: The Acanti.

There is another zerg unit named Behemoth which appears in planet Char during the last Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty mission. It's unknown if that unit will also be playable in the zerg campaign.

The second image below shows what might be a concept art for one of the rooms (similar to the Hyperion rooms: Lab, Bridge, Armory, Cantina). What the zerg interface and rooms will be is a mystery at this point, but we do know the developers will design different ways to interact with the main characters in between missions. Things won't make sense doing it exactly how it was done with the Hyperion, so the art team will have to go through a lot of iteration.





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As reported a few days ago, Blizzard Entertainment launched a museum expo in Taiwan titled "Flights, & Frights - Inside The Storm". A fan named ddsnet posted on Flickr hundreds of photos from his visit to this exhibition for the less fortunate who couldn't attend it.

The exhibition consists of concept art of Starcraft and Starcraft II, Diablo II and Diablo III, Warcraft III and World of Warcraft. You can also see the prototype sculptures of the Diablo III Overthrown diorama, the Tychus Findlay diorama, the new Starcraft II action figures, and World of Warcraft action figures.

Those who participated in past Blizzard Fan Artwork Contests should update their resumes. What's better than winning Blizzard's Fan Art Contest? Earning the zomg opportunity to get your artwork exhibited in an international museum.

Browse through hundreds of photos of this exhibition here.

Thanks, Flux

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Blizzard has confirmed Starcraft II has sold more than 3 million copies worldwide in the first month of release.

This follows on from first week sales that made the game the fastest selling strategy game of all time with the game shifting 1.5 million copies in the first 48 hours.

“We appreciate all the enthusiasm that players around the world have shown for StarCraft II,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO of Blizzard Entertainment. He added, “It was important to us to deliver an overall gameplay experience that was accessible, balanced, and fun, and it’s been gratifying to see how strongly the global community has already embraced the game.”

As the game has received critical acclaim it’s little wonder that after the inevitable initial flurry of sales Starcraft II continues to fly off the shelves.

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A quick heads-up to the StarCraft: Incgamers community about the server outages. We are aware of the problem and we have been working flat-out to get to the bottom of the issue. Fingers crossed we will have this licked within the next 24 hours. Apologies for any inconvenience this is causing.

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Bulgarian orchestrator and composer Penka Kouneva was interviewed by The Universal Gaming Database (UGDB).

She tells the humble story of her beginnings as a child, and her arrival to United States with only $ 130 in her pocket.

The hardships of earning her role in this line of work as a woman. A casual gamer who has orchestrated music for World of Warcraft: Cataclysm and Starcraft II with Blizzard's contributing composer Neal Acree

She loves the music of all Blizzard games including World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, Burning Crusade and StarCraft II.

	Blizzard Quote:
	UGDB: One of your latest projects is the sequel to StarCraft – StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. Are you familiar with the game and the universe? What is it like to be an orchestrator for one of the most awaited games in the history of video gaming, known not only for its competitive gameplay, but also really great music? Penka Kouneva: Yes, naturally. I love real-time strategy games and adore sci-fi. (My dad is an engineer and I have inherited his gene for strategic thinking). I did play StarCraft, and would also watch the video walkthroughs. I feel enormously inspired by all music that Blizzard incorporates in its games: StarCraft II with its modern, edgy music and epic, engaging Main Theme as well as World of Warcraft and its fantasy/epic scores. I’ve been incredibly lucky to have orchestrated some cues contributed by Neil Acree for both StarCraft II and World of Warcraft because these jobs were the most musically energizing and inspiring.

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Russ Frushtick from Multiplayer.MTV interviewed Rob Pardo recently in relation to the progress on the Warcraft film.

Naturally, with the recent release and success of Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty, MTV asked if there were plans for a Starcraft film.

Rob Pardo surprisingly responded Blizzard Entertainment has always wanted to go this route with its franchises, but they really need to find the right production team.

Rob Pardo would love if James Cameron took the reins of a StarCraft film project. Read it over at MTV.

	Blizzard Quote:
	"We've always had an interest in seeing our stuff on film or TV. It's just tricky to find the right partners. We probably could have made a ['StarCraft'] movie or something on TV years and years ago, but it's really important to us that we find creative people that are really talented but also really excited about our properties. That's always been the challenge for us. I think if Jim Cameron came to us tomorrow and said, 'You want to make a 'StarCraft' movie?' we'd probably sign that."

James Cameron is currently planning a sequel to the record-shattering "Avatar".



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Some people just never learn to sing the Blues (pun intended). Daniel Hellerman and a friend developed a software titled Starcraft 2 Gameboard for the iPhone and iPad slated for mid-September 2010.

The app will supposedly report complete unit stats, battle guide detailing unit strengths and weakneses, controllable game map, easy touch access to the games most important hotkeys and macros, selectable unit groups, select individual units, control every units function with the touch of a finger; and other bunch of features.

It syncs your iPhone/iPad with your PC; and controls your Starcraft II game from the handheld device.

Don't go all excited and pre-order the software, however. This product is never coming out after Blizzard Entertainment Legal Department sends them a cease and desist letter.

That's the easiest way to waste your money on something that's not going to take off.

The first big no-no here is to charge $3.00 for the app using the name in the software's title: Starcraft; and launching the app on iTunes. That's grounds for copyright infringement. It's yet to be determined if the app merits Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) violations. Did I see Blizzard intellectual property images too in those UI icons? Oh boy!

Recently, Blizzard Entertainment won a legal case where the judge determined the defendant had to pay $88 million to the studios in statutory damages and attorney fees. Blizzard Entertainment won a partial court decision in Tortious Interference and Copyright Infringement claims against MDY Industries back on 2008 which paid $6.5 million.

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René Koiter (of Twincruiser) updated the tribute page dedicated to his brother Michel Koiter. This extensive update adds short messages sent to him by Samwise and Chris Metzen back on 2003; and spotlights the tribute to his brother with the M. Koiter dog tag held by Jim Raynor when he says: ""...because some things are just worth fighting for" during a Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty cinematic.

It was a special touch added by Nick Carpenter, the Executive Art Director, who is inspired by the work Michel Koiter did for Blizzard Entertainment years ago. The new update at the SonsoftheStorm website is very emotive, showing us the unending love and admiration of this developer for his twin brother.



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Greetings everyone time to show this week's batch of wallpapers in the next installment of the Weekly Wallpaper. This week we have many images of the Hyperion from the game's load screens in the StarCraft II Wallpaper gallery uploaded by eXist . Now let's begin.


This week we start off with a shot of the Hyperion facing off with the zerg as Jim Raynor and company escape with a mysterious artifact.


Wrapping up this weeks installment we have another shot for the Hyperion this time coming out of some clouds.




Click the thumbnails to see larger versions of all these images.


Please also don't forget if you have any wallpapers you have made and want to share them. Go to the gallery upload and share away.

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The chaps on Game.On.Net have posted a new article which looks at some of the custom maps that are doing the rounds. Maps picked out include Marine Arena, Red Circle Tower Defence and Nexus Wars. The article looks at all the mpas and includes videos of them in action.

Don’t forget, you can sybmit your own maps and replays in the StarCraft: IncGamers Maps and Replays section and pop into the Map Makers Forum for hints and tips,

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The latest state of the game update has been posted by Blizzard which looks forward to the next patch. The update entitled v1.1 & Beyond discusses some of the changes they are looking to make to the game for the next patch which is expected some time next month. Points to note inlclude nerfing of siege tank damage, Protoss warpgate cooldown increase, Ultralisk damage decrease and more.

The update also looks ahead to new features as Blizzard want to improve the social features on Battle.Net such as chat channels which is great news.

Read the full update after the break…

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I am not sure if everyone knows how much of a fanboy bootlicker I am of Chris Metzen. Ya' know the bourbon cowboy developer, the thundergod, Blizzard VP of Creative Design. Father of the Warcraft, Starcraft and Diablo lore who's been around in Blizzard the past 17 years.

So you understand the scope of what a true fanboy is, I started playing Blizzard games since 2001 with Starcraft and its expansion Brood War. Obviously, I was a few years late from the 1994 (Warcraft: Orcs and Humans) and 1998 (Starcraft) big bang, but I quickly caught up getting Warcraft: Orcs and Humans, Warcraft III and its expansion Frozen Throne (2002-2003), Diablo 1, Diablo II and its expansion Lord of Destruction. All the World of Warcraft and Starcraft II Collector's Editions -- just to watch the Behind the Scene DVDs with the developers.

Right after my first public IRC chat interview with Richard A. Knaak back on 2003, I got hooked to any Blizzard-related novel and printed media that came out thereafter. I have all the Starcraft, Diablo and Warcraft novels, both comic books, and the manga. So it's no surprise I am a fanboy of Chris Metzen, and all the people involved in the development of all these literature.

I have interviewed Chris Metzen face to face twice, at last year's New York Comic Con with Micky Neilson (Publishing Lead); and at the Blizzard offices during a Starcraft II single player press-invite.

I was so nervous. It was like meeting your favorite Hollywood actor, Rock star, Comic books Stan Lee, Star Wars George Lucas -- you get the drill. He's that type of guy you get all geeked up about and go mute when standing before him. Inside you wish to bear-hug him, but you don't obviously because he might freak out; or say: " I don't swing that way, bro". -- I'm 'straight' by the record.

I know many of you are crazed, geeky, diehard Starcraft lore fans [and if you ain't, I wish to infect you up with my fanboyism] -- so I want to share with you a recent Chris Metzen interview.

A Warcraft lore community fan (Sarahmoo) from 'ScrollsofLore' posted scans from the Games(tm) magazine issue # 99 / August 5, 2010 (a British publication) which interviewed Chris Metzen. It's a good opportunity for some of you to get to know this Blizzard developer more intimately. His early beginnings, before and after joining Chaos Studios (aka Blizzard Entertainment).

In the interview, you will learn how he views his position at Blizzard, what it feels like, his feelings when he's done a mistake, and how he's overcome them. He's learned from those mistakes. He's a geek and a fan like yourself, and he strives to keep everyone happy, and stay true to the lore because as Metzen says: "We don't own Warcraft any more - the fans own Warcraft now."

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Blizzard invites fans to watch the North American MLG Raleigh Starcraft II and World of Warcraft tournaments live streams at 2:00 PM PDT, today, Friday August 27 with the Pre-Game Show featuring Day9, JP, HD/Husky, Vhell and Vansilli.

The Starcraft II Tournament Championship Finals will start on Saturday, August 28 at 2:30 PM PDT with live commentary by Day9, JP, and Husky.

The MLG World of Warcraft Championship match will start on Saturday August 28 at 4:00 PM PDT and the championship finals on Sunday August 29 at 2:30PM PDT.

For more information about the teams attending, tournament schedule and how to watch the streams, visit http://www.mlgpro.com

Additionally, Blizzard posted a few links to eSports events:

	Blizzard Quote:
	Battles are being lost and won in the eSports world every week. We are here to summarise them, giving you an overview of the recent action. Here is what happened last week! World of Warcraft CompLexity.Red, playing mage/warlock/druid, are the winners of this year’s 2010 North American Warcraft Regional Finals. This victory gives them a spot at the BlizzCon 2010 finals, where they will be joined by second place finishers, Arena Pwnage, playing priest/shaman/druid. Check out the official event site for recaps and results. StarCraft II The first Intel Extreme Masters, held at gamescom 2010 in Cologne, Germany, came to a close last Sunday. The tournament generated an insane amount of excitement and produced some amazing games. Thousands of fans cheered for their favourite players, who were fighting for the title and a share of the $15,000 prize money. First place went to Swede Stefan “MorroW” Andersson who beat American Greg “IdrA” Fields in the terran versus zerg final. Third place was taken by crowd favourite Dmytry “mTwDIMAGA” Filipchuk, who won a nail-biting third place playoff against Tomasz “Tarson” Boroń from Poland. You can watch all the VODs of this great spectacle over at ESL TV. You can also check the coverage of the event, featuring updates, galleries and many interesting interviews on mymym.com. In other news, ESL Pro Series Germany, another event organised by Electronic Sports League, started on Tuesday with the first round of matches. To watch all the replays and see who finished on top check out GosuGamers. Warcraft III Philip “Longwalk” Crawford and Abdulaziz “CrunCher” Abed are the two players who qualified for BlizzCon 2010, trumping the very tough field in this year’s 2010 North American Regionals. In the end it was Night Elf player Longwalk, who beat his Human opponent in the final, who took the title. For recaps and replays go to the official event page.

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The massive I40 Multiplay LAN event is taking place this weekend at Newbury here in the UK, and at 7:30PM tonight BST the StarCraft 2 tournament kicks off. The tournament is being aired live with commentary and you can find a live feed of the action over on the main IncGamers.com site. Don’t miss it!

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