This year's Games Convention at Leipzig was a sure fire success. And though some of you might not think that the same could be said about E3, GC 2009 has already been scheduled. Via press release, we find out that this year's event has set records above and beyond what GC 2007 had, and reception from the masses has definitely shown a good sign that the video games industry is booming more than it used to.

Good news out of the Leipzig Games Convention for Blizzard fans! The studio has just released the opening cinematic for World of Warcraft's Wrath of the Lich King expansion. Check it out in the full article!

The good folks at 1UP have posted a bunch of new photos from the site of the Leipzig Games Convention as the booths are being set up for the big event tomorrow. From what we're seeing, it looks like we might find at Leipzig what we found lacking at E3. Pics in the full article.

Blizzard has already confirmed its presence at the Leipzig Games Convention, but Kotaku recently found some extra information pertaining to Blizzard's presence at GC. Specifically, Blizzard will be showing off some new media for convention-goers to drool over. More after the jump!

The Leipzig Games Convention 2008 is about to get even more exciting as Blizzard confirms their attendance for the event. They didn't say anything about making a presentation on the highly anticipated Diablo 3, but there sure are a lot in store for those who will be attending. More information are provided in the full article.

 

Most of the world's well-known MMORPGs are works in progress, and Blizzard's World of Warcraft is no exception. Blizzard has patch version 2.2 in the works, while the Public Test Realm has already implemented voice chat for testing. But while version 2.2 is still under testing phase, a plausible content addition (hopefully, version 2.3) is still nowhere in the horizon.

Although it's been a while since Blizzard updated the Under Development page at the official website, it does have a lot of improvements brewing in its kitchen for version 2.2, with a list that constantly gets updated. The development team may also squeeze in an additional fix or two, if they were able. But for now, community manager Nethaera could only highlight a few certainties.

Perhaps much to the dissatisfaction of PC gamers is the voice chat update which would enable Mac players to finally record in-game videos. Previously mentioned fixes for various classes are also stewing in the development team's pots, despite the fact that there is no confirmation if all these address player's issues with their class specialties and talents.

For sure, Zul'Aman and the 25-man dungeon, Sunwell Plateau, is definitely baking in the oven right now, as most people have heard from interviews in the recently concluded Leipzig Games Convention. There is more info to be had, but Nethaera said, "There are some details that aren't ready to be shared yet." So it's back to the waiting, gaming game again for us - not that we'd have troubles with the gaming part.

ActionTrip was able to score an interview with Blizzard's lead designer Jeff Kaplan and art director Chris Robinson during the Leipzig Games Convention (GC 2007). In the interview, they were able to discuss how the World of Warcraft's Wrath of the Lich King expansion is more in tune with the original Warcraft look, PVP, and an announcement about a new patch just before the Lich King arrives.

Robinson explains how they decided to go back to the Gothic feel that the original Warcraft gave in Wrath of the Lich King. Kaplan furthers there is also a drive to bring back old elements as well: "We are constantly in a push and pull; we are creating a universe that we want to be broad and deep. We want there to be stuff that players of the old Warcraft games can refer to, but also push it and make new things."

Kaplan also explained how the expansion will be putting more emphasis on 10-man instances. In the same line of thought, he announces that there will be a patch just before Lich King comes out. Aside from getting a 25-man instance, Sunwell Plateau will also get a 5-man instance in both Normal and Heroic mode.

Changes were also made to accommodate more world PvP. Lake Wintergrass will be a non-instanced zone and will have siege weapons and destructible buildings. The zone is located in the center of Northrend and about the size of Westfall. The effect they are going for is a really massive, epic feel.

Here's more news about Wrath of the Lich King, the next expansion for Blizzard's World of Warcraft MMORPG, straight from the Leipzig Games Convention. If you're a long-time Warcraft fanatic, you'll probably be happy to hear that Northrend will be "a little bit darker and a little bit more Hardcore", bringing the popular MMO's vibe closer to that in the original series that spawned it.

Speaking to video game news website CVG, lead game designer Jeffrey Kaplan promised a return to the more "hardcore" roots of World of Warcraft. "It's kind of a reaction to how high fantasy we got for the last expansion - going to space and some of the stuff that strayed from the feel of Warcraft and some of that hardcore fantasy vibe," said Kaplan.

Kaplan pointed to the new Death Knight class as an example of how the expansion will do just that. "The Death Knight armour is very dark with spikes and skulls, and then we have the 15-foot tall Vikings who are going to be very prevalent in this cold environment."

Blizzard's Lead Designer for World Design in World of Warcraft Jeff Kaplan (otherwise known as Tigole at the official WoW Forums), recently spoke at the Leipzig Games Convention about what's going to be in the latest expansion Wrath of the Lich King.

Judging from what he said, it looks like happy times are coming to gamers everywhere. He gave word that there are quite a few things that weren't announced in BlizzCon regarding WotLK. Among them includes the five man level 80 raid Caverns of Time which will be in Stratholm.

Kaplan also gave word that they're looking into pursuing what the Bronze Dragon Flight is up to as well as give players a chance to fight beside Arthas before he was corrupted by the power of the Lich King.

A few details on the Death Knight were also clarified by Kaplan. First up is the fact that they haven't completely finalized the level requirements for the hero class.

He hinted that it might be unlockable with a level as low as 55 and 60. However, the quest to gain it will most likely be implemented as well as being able to keep your race. Yes, that means that we might actually be seeing Gnomish Death Knights rampaging the fields.

Finally, the designer gave word that more hero classes will be introduced in the future. The Demon Hunter, Archmage, and Blademaster will probably be coming. However, it has been confirmed that the Death Knight will be the only hero class available when Wrath of the Lich King debuts.

Good times are definitely in store for WoW players with all the new content in the new expansion. We're hoping that they start working on more hero classes. After all, (insert favorite race here) does not live on one class alone.