Could it be...

[Xenorin]

I don't know. But something is up...maybe.

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/splash.html

The splash page of the front of the official website is "frozen" over. For the longest time they had the Arena stuff. But now it is just ice.

Is my computer not loading everything or is everyone else getting this?

o.O

http://us.media.blizzard.com/232309/_images/ice1.jpg

There is the image I see.

[Xenorin]

Also, the wikidot thing has been removed.

Anything you want is now located here:

http://wotlkwiki.info/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

[Boulderdash]

Looks like they're getting ready to shift the site over to a more WOTK-ish theme.

Take a look at the World of Warcraft graphic in the upper left. The right side is starting to "freeze over" a little bit.

Just part & parcel of the cool stuff blizz does.

[Arnok]

If you click the image it takes you to the normal site, which hasn't updated since the Midsummer notice.

[Taknar]

That right side has been freezing over since Wrath was announced last summer.

[Pyrisath]

I think they did that sort of thing with the logo for TBC, too... Blizz always has fun with their expansions. April Fool's, logos, etc.

[Xenorin]

http://us.media.blizzard.com/232309/_images/ice2.jpg

So, the ice is "cracking more"...

I have this feeling that...

in 4 days, Blizz is having their world wide invitational

...Will it be annoucned? Hmm Hmm?

[EnheilRas]

they need to do something, WAR is getting too much momentum

750,000 sign-ups

[Xenorin]

Logically, it would be a wise move on Blizz's end to do this.

But god only knows...

[Evanthe]

Logically, it would be a wise move on Blizz's end to do this.

But god only knows...

They're also having another Blizz Con this year. I thought the date would be announced then, but earlier would be better with WAR heating up.

[Yichimet]

Maybe it'll be playable at this weekend's event, but my guess is this is something NOT warcraft related. Which gets my panties in a bunch.

I think the Kotaku writer who mentioned World of Lost Vikings must be on to something...

Regardless, Blizz is doing some amazing stuff with their PR/advertising nowadays.

[Boulderdash]

Warcraft 4? Diablo 3?

[EnheilRas]

They actually never had commercials for their products before WoW. Everything was done through viral advertising.

[Anthek]

It's Diablo 3, or at least somehow related to Diablo.

[Xenorin]

It's Diablo 3, or at least somehow related to Diablo.

As awesome as that would be...I hope not. XD

[EnheilRas]

sauce

[Anthek]

As awesome as that would be...I hope not. XD

It's already been kinda proven. The circular markings on the splash page match the runes from Diablo 2.

[Irontoe]

Yep, this explains the whole World Wide Invitational and Diablo theories pretty thoroughly, complete with image overlays and conspiracy debates:

http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/24/blizzards-icy-splash-screen-changes-as-diablo-3-and-wotlk-specu/

[EnheilRas]

What's all this then about Frostmourne shattering the World Stone?

[Irontoe]

What's all this then about Frostmourne shattering the World Stone?

rofl.

[Geofforan]

Pfft. Artanis is SO behind the ice. They're probably just dropping the references to Diablo and Warcraft to distract you from the TRUTH.

[Pyrisath]

Warcraft 4 is NOT happening. You are technically playing Warcraft 5 right now, just without the RTS. Judging from runes and icy-theme, I'd have to say something to do with WotLK.

[Xenorin]

So...update. First rune was something from the Frostmourne. Second rune is from Diablo 2. Third rune is from Starcraft 2.

Eh...?

http://us.media.blizzard.com/232309/_images/ice3.jpg

[EnheilRas]

Hell, SC2 already has freaking demos.

The thing is, Bill Roper and FlagShip Studios no longer work for Blizzard.

[Irontoe]

Oh goddammit. It's just a stupid fanfest announcement, isn't it?

[Evanthe]

Oh goddammit. It's just a stupid fanfest announcement, isn't it?

Looks like it. Or, they're announcing something completely new and just want to build excitement.

[Yichimet]

I'd be game for something completely new from Blizzard. There's not a game by them I don't like.

Seriously though...World of Lost Vikings.

[Xenorin]

They ARE announcing some game. So...no clue.

[Agnarr]

Maybe their next-gen MMO they've hinted at?

Blizzard Universe Online. Warcraft, Starcraft, AND Diablo.

[Moknim]

For way more than you wanted to know (or for Brox, probably not enough) about the theories on this:

http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/24/blizzards-icy-splash-screen-changes-as-diablo-3-and-wotlk-specu/

[Xenorin]

For way more than you wanted to know (or for Brox, probably not enough) about the theories on this:

http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/24/blizzards-icy-splash-screen-changes-as-diablo-3-and-wotlk-specu/

Is it sad I read that yesterday?

AND WHATCHOO MEAN BY THE ANYWAY?!

[Amoola]

see to me it kind of looks like the lich king's mask up top now and we are being flipped the bird at the bottom. >.<

[edit] I do agree that it seems something is to be announced in tandem with thewhat ever is going on in Paris.

[Moknim]

Is it sad I read that yesterday?

AND WHATCHOO MEAN BY THE ANYWAY?!

I mean nothing...nothing at all. <.< >.>

You beat Digg to it...well done.

And, I don't really care what it is. WOTLK or Diablo 3, either way I'm freakin' happy.

Just no RTS please.

[Xenorin]

I mean nothing...nothing at all. <.< >.>

You beat Digg to it...well done.

And, I don't really care what it is. WOTLK or Diablo 3, either way I'm freakin' happy.

Just no RTS please.

Digg?

[Moknim]

Digg?

wow...never heard of digg?

digg.com

social networking meets geek news (or it used to be, less geeky as of late)

[Anthek]

Okay, the Diablo 3 theory got tossed out the window, since today's version of the splash page has the Protoss symbol, so that gives one from Warcraft, one from Diablo, and one from Starcraft.

[swiftbleid]

Seriously though...World of Lost Vikings.

THat..... would Rock!

Then again, the lost Vikings are in wow..

[Agnarr]

THat..... would Rock!

Then again, the lost Vikings are in wow..

And I still carry the shield.

[Swerto]

I still say D3...

[Sinthe]

I'd be game for something completely new from Blizzard. There's not a game by them I don't like.

Seriously though...World of Lost Vikings.

I'd play that.

And I highly doubt it's Diablo 3. That's just everyone being hopeful.

[Xenorin]

http://us.media.blizzard.com/232309/_images/ice4.jpg

Fourth image. Another rune thing at the bottom left. No one is quite sure what it could be. A planetary system? Something else?

Anyway, we now have eyes. Some people say it fits Arthas eyes with the crown on. To me, they look a little less "human." Draconic maybe.

-shrug.-

[Yichimet]

THEY ARE THE EYES OF A VIKING LONGING FOR THE SHORELINE OF SCANDINAVIA, LOST AMIDST THE VAST REGIONS OF SPACE

PRAISE BE TO ODIN!

[Lythas]

THEY ARE THE EYES OF A VIKING LONGING FOR THE SHORELINE OF SCANDINAVIA, LOST AMIDST THE VAST REGIONS OF SPACE

PRAISE BE TO ODIN!

WE COME FROM THE LAND OF ICE AND SNOW

[Tillna]

Are you trying to start the immigrant song?

[EnheilRas]

Travelling in a fried-out combie
On a hippie trail, head full of zombie
I met a strange lady, she made me nervous
She took me in and gave me breakfast
And she said,

"Do you come from a land down under?
Where women glow and men plunder?
Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder?
You better run, you better take cover."

[Amoola]

*chuckles*

Good one guys. I'm not against seeing a new game. And I know Swift would go nuts (in a good way) if the viking game was announced.

But.....

I also want to know a release date for WOTLK.

Dang choices!

[Xenorin]

Someone was saying somewhere it could be a combination of things. The runes and all.

Diablo 3? WotLK? Starcraft 2? Some new game they mentioned?

[Mohan]

Keep in mind, also, that diablofans.com used to be called diablo3.com, until they handed the domain name over to Blizzard...

[Irontoe]

For way more than you wanted to know (or for Brox, probably not enough) about the theories on this:

http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/24/blizzards-icy-splash-screen-changes-as-diablo-3-and-wotlk-specu/

Lrn 2 read previous posts.


Yep, this explains the whole World Wide Invitational and Diablo theories pretty thoroughly, complete with image overlays and conspiracy debates:

http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/06/24/blizzards-icy-splash-screen-changes-as-diablo-3-and-wotlk-specu/

[Sanrin]

What if its not eyes? What if its just some fucking beef snowflakes?

[Swerto]

WE COME FROM THE LAND OF ICE AND SNOW
You
Win


Amon Amarth rox mah sox

[Anthek]

You
Win


Amon Amarth rox mah sox

*facepalm*

Try again.

[Swerto]

Manowar?

I don't know I get lyrics mixed up sometimes.

[Riffs]

Manowar?

I don't know I get lyrics mixed up sometimes.

Try again. (http://www.vikingkittens.com/)

[opalexian]

and here I was thinking Led Zepplin...crazy kids.


They have announced that they are going to produce optional token authentication for anyone who wants to buy them (wtf) Maybe that's what the hubbub is all about. >_>

[Swerto]

Try again. (http://www.vikingkittens.com/)


Ahhh the immigrant song...

-sepuku-

I don't know... I'm really fucking tired, I"m annoyed and not really smart right now

Kill me later.

[Cpike]

http://www.battle.net/forums/thread-search.aspx?ForumName=d3-general

Well by this..Diablo will go all way up to 6. If taking out the 3 and going up. However 4-6 are kinda different in terms of FAKE!

Back to D3 though. Just now I re-checked the link and now it says ERROR. Hrmmm!

*Returns to lurking and being unknowingly silent*

[Karkarov]

Uh well the screen is covered in ice.... deathknights use runes.... the eyes look like arthas's.... it is following wow's graphical style.... and the wotlk expansion is due out in 5-6 months.

It is kind of a no brainer if you ask me. people saying diablo are just fantasizing.

[Amoola]

Well there is another rune today and I'm officially going to put money (the whole fifty cents I have to my name right now. :P ) on WOTLK.

That's all I'm going to say. ;)

[Mabius]

nothing about those images says Diablo 3 to me..

its all WOTLK.

[Xenorin]

The last rune is the compass from Vikings.

http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/june/splashfinal2.jpg

Yes, I am 99&#37; sure it is WotLK. However, the thing between the eyes does not exactly match up to the crown on Arthas. It almost looks like "bone" plate. The eyes match up...but I dunno. Just wait till tomorrow.

[Amoola]

Gotta love it! I showed my oldest (8yo) the latest splash screen and as his jaw hit the floor he managed to get out a revered whisper of "It's the lich king!"

I love melodramatic kids. He just wanted to sit and look at it. :)

[Xenorin]

See, the more I look at it, the less I see Arthas. As I stated about, the V of the brow looks more..."natural." Bone. Or something.

Someone stated before that it could very well be Blizzard announcing a bunch of crap at once. I mean, we have the rune from Frostmourne, rune from Diablo 2, marking from Starcraft, an assumed outline of the Arcane sanctum and a compass from Vikings.

It could be this:

• More info on WotLK
• Beta/Release date on SC2
• Something Diablo related (D3 maybe? 2011 releaselol?)
• Something new with Lost Vikings?

We will really just have to wait. Also...the hidden art was a penguin, which looked like the King Penguin from WC3.

[Xenorin]

Also, something fun someone put together.

http://tranquility.1host.hu/inti/ice2.gif

I am sure your son will love that Amoola. XD

[Pyrisath]

Probably they got a newer artist who wasn't there for TFT and he didn't really study his job. I'm going to take a look at a couple of videos then report back with the Lich King helm...

Yeeeep, its not Arthas in the center. The glowly blue eyes look like his, but it just isn't... It looks something like Kil'Jaeden's face, eredar/draenei style... It may be something to do with the Draenei. Google draenei and look at the full front images. Their eyes glow blue, and they have that bone-thingy sticking down.

[Xenorin]

Yeah, I want to say it is the LK. But...

Blizz did say they were announcing a "new" game this weekend. Something big. -shrug.-

Something beyond what they have done.

And a new theory is that it is the Blue Dragon Aspect. XD Awesome and ridiculous.

[Pyrisath]

I just checked model viewer. It isn't a dragon of any kind xD I couldn't even see Azuregos' eyes when I looked straight down his nose. Though it could be Malygos taking on some insane orc-ogre-tauren muscle-man form for the first part of the fight where he rips your tank in half and showers himself in the blood.

But... I want to believe that it is the Lich King, and not something else. I've heard too much yet too little about Wrath for them to be announcing something else now!

[Yichimet]

COME, BROTHER VIKING, STAND ON MY SHIELD TO REACH THE NEXT PUZZLE!

[Amoola]

LOL Yichi! :)

Here's hoping for announcements that will make everyone happy.... even our viking friends.

Hell I'd play a viking game. From the very little I know it would be right up my alley. ;)

[opalexian]

Gotta love it! I showed my oldest (8yo) the latest splash screen and as his jaw hit the floor he managed to get out a revered whisper of "It's the lich king!"

I love melodramatic kids. He just wanted to sit and look at it. :)

When I have kids I want them to be like that. Start a training program for awesomely gifted children plzkthx :D

Edit: Also, Amoola's kid- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lXdyD2Yzls

[Amoola]

he just sat and watched the movie one. :)

Yup Geekdom reins here. :D

[Yichimet]

A Lost Vikings game for Wii would make my summer.

[Pyrisath]

A Lost Vikings game for Wii would make my summer.

World of Warcraft for the Wii would make my summer. I'd be closer to the kitchen for when I get hungry! xD

[Regnanetah]

They almost look like Protoss eyes....

[Xenorin]

They almost look like Protoss eyes....

As everyone on other forums have been saying:

It looks like Protoss eyes.

It looks like Lich King eyes.

It looks like Diablo eyes.

It looks like Kel'Thuzad eyes.

Tomorrow cannot get here sooner.

[Amoola]

Tomorrow cannot get here sooner.

QFT!

There are three people in this house waiting on baited breath.

[Raziel]

5 days till WAR! WHOOO!!

[Pyrisath]

As everyone on other forums have been saying:

It looks like Protoss eyes.

It looks like Lich King eyes.

It looks like Diablo eyes.

It looks like Kel'Thuzad eyes.

Tomorrow cannot get here sooner.

Don't forget teh Draenei eiz!

COUNTDOWN TO TOMORROW(West Coast Time... Damn you east-coasters!) 5 hours, 47 minutes(my computer)

[Thalarios]

http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/june/splashscreenhorn2.jpg


Oh my.

2 hours to go?

[Abric]

It's me.

Give me 5000 gold.

[Sinthe]

It's 1:08PST. Nothing new yet. Grr.

I want to know.

[Sinthe]

http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/7901/faithv23tk1wk8.jpg


This is fake. Don't believe it if you see it. It's a photoshop job using a skull from Diablo 2. Figured somebody might run into it.

[Thalarios]

Huzzah. Diablo 3 has been confirmed.

Now if I could get on the stream...Damn world taking the room.

[EnheilRas]

that's a fucking helmet.

[Sinthe]

Huzzah. Diablo 3 has been confirmed.

Now if I could get on the stream...Damn world taking the room.

Again, that's NOT confirmation. It's a photoshop job.

[Thalarios]

Haha, stream is up with Blizzard Event. Game demo is being tested, it looks damn sweet.

EDIT: Here's a link to a live blog, the stream seemed to have crashed. Well, it's not responding for me anyways.

http://pc.ign.com/articles/884/884836p1.html

[Anthek]

The damn teaser didn't mean anything at all! Damn you Blizzard and your red herring!

[Thalarios]

Ah, finished finally!

http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2008/june/diablo3.jpg

[EnheilRas]

OH LAWD WUZ 'DAT SUM TRISTRAM?

I watched the gameplay; it looks like it's running off of NWN2. Hahahaha
I heard a quillboar squeal.

Hahahaha.

[Sinthe]

Oh hey. It really IS Diablo 3.

So worth staying up for.

[Chikt]

Pants = Creamed.

[Cedes]

the game play looks gooder than sex

[Amoola]

Male *AND* Female versions of the classes!!!!!!!

WOOT!!!!!


Color me happy.

NO offence I could have cared less for a SC announcement. Tried to play it and it didn't grab me and suck me in.

Played some Diablo (after Swift had finished) and I really liked that. This looks like something Swift and I will both be playing. Guildies stand forewarned. LOL!

But, seriously it's about time for male and female characters for the classes. That was the one annoying thing from when I played (and thus it didn't completely suck me in...) was the 'if you want to play a female you can play these two classes' stuff. :P