For the fortunate fans that managed to get their very own tickets to the BlizzCon event this August (we won't ask how...), there's much more than just Starcraft II goodies, souvenirs, and other delectable freebies that await you. Blizzard has just sent word of three competitions that are expected to take place at the event: the costume, character sound-alike, and dance contests. And in case you're wondering what's in it for the competitors, the site posted some rather tempting prizes for each event's first-prize winners:

• For the Dance Contest: One Dell XPS laptop with an approximate retail value of US$ 4,000.00, and a two-year subscription to Sponsor's World of Warcraft game service with an approximate retail value of US$ 300.00.
• For the Character Sound-Alike Contest: One Nvidia graphics card, one Logitech keyboard, one Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi sound card, and one gift certificate with approximate retail value of the prize package to be no less than US$ 1,500.00.
• For the Costume Contest: One Dell XPS laptop with an approximate retail value of US$ 4,000.00, and a two-year subscription to Sponsor's World of Warcraft game service with an approximate retail value of US$ 300.00.
  

Full application rules and details should be available at the BlizzCon site (read link). Just check back in case we pick up an update for these upcoming competitions.

 

Just how polished are your leveling skills? You think you can go from level 1 to 10 in record time? Here's your chance to get more than just bragging rights.

Almost Gaming is hosting a contest for the best power levelers in the World of Warcraft. It's dubbed the WoW Leveling Contest (1-10) and it will basically test your ingenuity and resourcefulness when leveling. Here's what Almost Gaming's James Smith said: "The real challenge is that players are being asked to master a part of game they probably haven't looked at critically before."

Three players from each faction (Horde and Alliance) will have a chance to bring home the following:

• First Place - Hanns-G HX-192RPB Black 19" 2ms DVI LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 700:1 Built in Speakers
• Second Place - Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard and a Logitech MX518 2-Tone 8 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB + PS/2 Wired Optical Gaming-Grade Mouse
• Third Place - 60 day WoW game card

Players can choose to do anything they want to win the contest - as long as it follows Blizzard's Terms of Service. You can solo or have your guildies help you power level. You can even use strategy guides. And remember the famous WoW Forums adage: screenshot or it didn't happen. In this case though, you'll be needing video as proof of your leveling prowess. And when you roll the character you'll be using for the contest, you have to stay at level 10 until the contest ends.

Interested players can click on the Read link below to check out the additional info on video submissions. Submissions will be accepted until June 30.

According to Almost Gaming, they have a number of contests lined up including a level 1 to 20 contest this summer, which leaves us kind of intrigued. What race/class are you guys planning to roll? Any power leveling suggestions?

Every single World of Warcraft addict player is either a member of the Alliance or of the Horde. But regardless of allegiances, every player wants to get the best possible gameplay experience by having the best hardware system possible. In this case, AlienWare PC units are probably one of the most suitable systems out there today.

No, we're not selling AlienWare items, and no, they're not paying us for this. It's just that the company has teamed up with Blizzard on various occasions now whenever the latter comes up with contests and competitions. Anyway, AlienWare recently announced that these units have been customized for players depending on the side they're playing for.

 Here now are the specs of an AlienWare WoW PC:

• Windows Vista Home Premium
• Intel Core 2 Duo E6700
• Dual 640MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS
• Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer
• Exclusive AlienFX lighting control
• 2GB DDR2 PC-6400 SDRAM at 800MHz
• 500GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s 7,200 RPM
• Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard
• Logitech MX518 Gaming-Grade Optical Mouse

Also, these systems come in either blue or red. Just imagine being with the Horde and playing with a blue unit. It just feels weird. Anyway, try your luck in those contests and you might win one of these. If you aren't so lucky, you can still get them for £ 2,499.22 or US$ 4,870. These AlienWare PCs will be shipped starting March 5.

Time to dust off that old Photoshop icon sitting on your desktop!

As a way to celebrate the coming of the WoW expansion, The Burning Crusade, WoW Insider is holding a contest for fans who have talent and little time to spare.

At the moment, three contests are open, and the call for lyrics, fanart, and Machinima entries (have I mentioned that we just love Machinima) is loud and strong. In the meantime, the lucky (and talented) contestants can expect to receive anything from a Logitech G15 keyboard, to the trademark Green Linen Shirt.

Think this is the contest for you? Then just head over to WoW Insider for the full set of rules and the full list of prizes.