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<b style="font-size:125%;">[[Media Coverage: 2008|2008]] - [[Media Coverage: 2009|2009]] - [[Media Coverage|2010]]</b>

August was a tremendously busy month for news, headlined by the biggest ever outpouring of Diablo 3 news, from Blizzcon 2009. There was also a fair amount of info released at the Gamescom convention, and items from those events are grouped found in the sections below. ===BlizzCon 2009===[[BlizzCon 2009]] was held on August 21-22 at the Anaheim Convention Center. As is past years, BlizzCon created an amazing amount of news and content. The following sections hold it all, sorted by type and importance. Check [http://www.diii.net/categories/category/blizzcon-2009/ the Blizzcon news category] to see every single news item related to Blizzcon; this Media Coverage page only archives the items with useful content. ====BlizzCon 2009 Interviews====Interviews with various developers on the D3 team. * [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/jay-wilson-on-d3s-violence/ Jay Wilson @ Wired.com]. Jay talks about violence in D3, parental guidance, and much more.* [http://g4tv.com/games/pc/28197/diablo-iii/articles/68225/BlizzCon-2009-Diablo-III-Game-Director-Interview/ Jay Wilson @ G4TV]. Issues covered include end game variety, itemization, the Monk, and lots more. * [http://gaming.freedomblogging.com/2009/08/26/3633/3633/ Jay Wilson @ The Orange County Register].* [http://pc.ign.com/articles/101/1017305p1.html Jay Wilson @ IGN]. Long interview.* [http://g4tv.com/videos/41158/BlizzCon-2009-Diablo-III-Preview/ Jay Wilson @ G4TV] short Monk-focused feature.* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/exclusive-blizzcon-interview-julian-love-and-kevin-martens/ Julian Love and Kevin Martens] @ Diii.net. Questions cover cinematics, act design, act boss battles, beta testing, and much more.* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/group-fansite-interview/ Julian Love and Kevin Martens] do a group fansite interview.* [http://interviews.slashdot.org/story/09/08/24/1552233/Blizzard-Answers-Your-Questions-and-More?from=rss Leonard Boyarsky @ Slashdot], talks about Battle.net integration and other technical issues.* [http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/Feature/153717,diablo-iii-qa.aspx Leonard Boyarsky and Christian Lichtner @ Atomic PC]. * [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/gamespot-video-interview-from-blizzcon/ Gamespot video interview] with Christian Lichtner and Leonard Boyarsky.* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/gamespot-video-interview-from-blizzcon/ Christian Lichtner and Leonard Boyarsky] video interview with Gamespot.* [http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/blizzard-interview-leo-boyarsky-and-kevin-martens-on-diablo-3/ Leonard Boyarsky and Kevin Martens @ Joystiq.com]. Interview covers D3's plot and lore, Monk weapons, and much more.* [http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/pc/games/156898.Diablo-III/features/133759.20090831.BlizzCon-Diablo-III-devs-discuss-design-decisions-direction-depth-drops/ GamePlanetNZ posts the transcript] of another Julian Love and Kevin Martens interview.* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/more-blizzcon-reports/ Leonard Boyarsky and Kevin Martens] in a video interview with GiantBomb.* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/d3-devs-blizzcon-interview/ GamerZines talks to] Christian Lichtner and Julian Love.* [http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/features/133735.20090825.BlizzCon-Blizzard-confused-why-other-devs-abandoning-PC-says-MP-experience-is-piracy-solution/ Rob Pardo @ GamePlanetNZ] on Battle.net 2.0 features.* [http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=1187 Greg Canessa @ ShackNews], speaking about Battle.net 2.0.* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/paul-sams-wired.com/ Paul Sams @ Wired.com]. Blizzard's COO talks about future plans for Battle.net. ====BlizzCon 2009 Screenshots, Artwork, and Movies====Visual aids and delights. * [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/6-new-hi-res-screenshots/ Six new screens] from the press CD.* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/new-shots-environment-monk-monsters/ The first 11 Monk screenshots]. Also 2 new monster art, 6 new environmental art, and 2 monk character art images.* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/new-monk-screenshots/ Fourteen more screenshots], new Monk shots on the official site, plus several more of other characters from the Blizzcon press CD.* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/diablo-3-monk-introduction-trailer/ Monk introductory trailer]. Not a cinematic, but a cool video of the Monk created with the game engine. Also [http://www.blizzard.com/diablo3/media/#movies available from Blizzard].* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/diablo-iii-monk-class-gameplay-video/ Blizzcon 12 minute gameplay] movie, featuring the Monk and multiplayer action. Also [http://www.blizzard.com/diablo3/media/#movies available from Blizzard].* Blizzcon Art Museum coverage of much new Diablo 3 artwork. [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/blizzcon-art-museum-souvenirs-part-i/ Part one], [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/blizzcon-art-museum-souvenirs-part-ii/part two], [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/blizzcon-art-museum-souvenirs-part-iii/part three], [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/blizzcon-art-museum-souvenirs-part-iv/ part four], [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/blizzcon-art-museum-souvenirs-part-v/ part five], [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/blizzcon-art-museum-souvenirs-part-vi/ part six].* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/77-photos-from-blizzcon-2009/ Miscellaneous photos] from Blizzcon and the Blizzard fansite summit.* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/character-skill-tree-design-project/ All 4 character skill trees] are revealed in a community art project.* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/blizzcon-best-bits-video/ IncGamers.com posts a nicely-edited] "best of E3" video.  ====BlizzCon 2009 Game Reports and In-depth Coverage=========Character Skill Tree Previews=====* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/full-monk-skill-tree-discussion-and-status/ Monk skill trees and stats]. All 8 skills, with play test comments.* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/full-barbarian-skill-trees-and-stats1/ Barbarian skill trees]. All 35 skills, plus analysis.* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/full-witch-doctor-skills/ Witch Doctor skill trees]. All 35 skills, plus analysis.* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/full-wizard-skill-trees/ Wizard skill trees]. All 30 skills, plus analysis. =====Monk hands-on play reports=====* [http://pc.ign.com/articles/101/1017306p1.html IGN PC], [http://kotaku.com/5344009/hands-on-with-diablo-iiis-monk Kotaku], [http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/diablo-iii/1017288p1.html Gamespy], [http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/pc/games/156898/previews/133728.BlizzCon-We-played-Diablo-III-and-it-was-good/ GamePlanetNZ], [http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=1185 ShackNews], [http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/games/2784941/Preview-Diablo-III Stuff NZ], [http://www.planetdiablo.com/community/events/blizzcon09/reports/monkpreview.shtml Planet Diablo], [http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/diablo-iii-hands-on_8 EuroGamer], [http://www.gamepro.com/article/previews/211901/diablo-iii-monk-supernova-preview/ GamePro], [http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/joystiq-on-the-desert-wastes/ Joystiq.com], and [http://www.gameshark.com/previews/3451/Diablo-III-Mini-Monk-Preview.htm GameShark.com]. =====Other demo reports=====* [http://www.rpgamer.com/games/diablo/diablo3/diablo3blizz09imp.html RPGamer on all aspects of the demo].* IGN with [http://pc.ign.com/articles/102/1020729p1.html 10 things you should know about the Monk].* [http://www.crispygamer.com/previews/2009-09-01/diablo-iii-is-totally-90s.aspx Crispy Gamer comments] on the graphics and other technical details.* [http://www.incgamers.com/Previews/130/Diablo-3-Hands-On-Preview IncGamers hosts a general audience article] by Diii.net's Flux about the Blizzcon D3 experience.* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/blizzard-offices-d3-demo-report/ Overall discussion] of the Blizzcon build, as seen in a demo from Blizzard HQ the day before Blizzcon.* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/blizzcon-2009-t-minus-one-day-thursday/ Another game report] based on the demo seen during the Fansite Summit at Blizzard HQ.* [http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,693458/Diablo-3-Techies-do-the-hands-on-test/Practice/ PC Games Hardware hands-on] from a technical PoV.* [http://www.fearnet.com/news/b16409_blizzcon_2009_diablo_3_even_diablo_ier.html FearNet.com posted] a short and somewhat critical writeup.* [http://www.gamearena.com.au/videos/latest.php/bigpond-gamearena-blizzcon-feature Australian GameArena] with a video report on Blizzcon.* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/d3-skill-trees-and-character-skill-notes/ Diii.net's short report] on the Wizard and Witch Doctor.* [http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/diablo-3-live-chat-sessions/ Post Blizzcon live] chat with Diii.net staff and fans who got hands on play time. =====Official FAQs and Info=====* Diablo 3 [[BlizzCon 2009 Diablo 3 Official Preview|Sneak Preview with Jay Wilson Q&A]]* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/blizzcon-battle.net-faq/ Blizzcon B.net 2.0 FAQ]. Includes numerous press CD screenshots.* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/official-diablo-3-faq/ Official Diablo 3 FAQ]. Updated for Blizzcon with Monk info.* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/diablo-iii-fact-sheet/ Diablo 3 Fact Sheet]. ====BlizzCon 2009 D3 Panel Coverage====Coverage of the three Diablo 3 panels held at Blizzcon. Click to the panel pages in the wiki for full coverage, transcripts, and more. =====Diablo 3 Heroes and Monsters Panel=====[[BlizzCon 2009 Panel: Diablo 3 Heroes and Monsters|Full panel coverage]] in the wiki.* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/heroes-monsters-panel/ Video of the whole panel]* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/why-the-monk/ Bullet points from the] panel's PowerPoint presentation.* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/monk-panel-discussion/ Diii.net's detailed discussion] of the panel's coverage of the Monk.* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/d3-character-panel-skill-improvements/ Diii.net on the] recent improvements to the Barbarian, Witch Doctor, and Wizard, as well as why skill runes are not in the BlizzCon build.* [http://www.blizzard.com/blizzcon/recaps/heroes_monsters-panel.xml Blizzard's own summary] of the panel.* [http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/27/blizzcon-2009-a-hoard-of-diablo-3-info/ Joystiq adds their coverage] of the panel. =====Diablo 3 Art Panel=====See [[BlizzCon_2009_Panel:_Diablo_3_Art|the panel page]] for full coverage.* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/diablo-3-art-panel-live-blogged-now/ Diii.net's rough transcript] from live blogging.* [http://www.blizzblues.com/us/blizzcon-2009-art-panel-19595102181.html Bashiok offered a] quick summary in a forum post. =====Diablo 3 Open Q&A=====[[BlizzCon_2009_Panel:_Diablo_3_Open_Q_and_A|This panel]] replaced the Diablo 3 Lore panel, and was held on Saturday afternoon. The whole panel was audience questions, and as usual at such events, the quality of the queries varied widely.* [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/diablo-3-open-qa-full-transcript1/ Panel transcript]. =====Diablo 3/WoW Press-Only Q&A=====Not an official D3 panel, but this hour long conference interview was for the press only, and was not streamed live. See [[BlizzCon_2009:_D3/WoW_Press_Q_and_A|the panel page]] for full coverage.* Summarized transcripts: ** [http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=19458 Zam.com] provided the most complete transcript.** [http://www.gamespot.com/news/6216012.html Gamespot] and [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/94101-Blizzcon-09-Diablo-III-WoW-Private-Q-A The Escapist] provided summaries. ====BlizzCon 2009 Diablo 3 News====Chronological highlights of the ongoing Blizzcon news coverage. These do <u>not</u> include the interviews, game reports, panels, and other features already listed. * 21 August, 2009 -- [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/fourth-class-revealed-monk/ The Official Korean D3 Site] accidentally leaks advance word of the Monk.* 21 August, 2009 -- [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/the-blizzcon-2009-goodie-bag/ Blizzcon Goodie Bag inventoried].* 21 August, 2009 -- [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/directv-fubard/ The DirectTV online stream] of Blizzcon was broken and useless for the first few hours of the show, presumably due to heavy demand.* 22 August, 2009 -- [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/blizzcon-costume-contest-winner/ Rainyia's Mistress of Pain] wins the Blizzcon costume contest. (Making of [http://forums.diii.net/showpost.php?p=7117865&postcount=54 photos] here.)* 23 August, 2009 -- [http://www.incgamers.com/News/18182/two-blizzard-releases-next-year IncGamers reports] that WoW:Cataclysm and Starcraft 2 are coming in 2010. Diablo 3 = 2011+* 23 August, 2009 -- [http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3175718 1up.com] reports on the potential for Diablo 3 to move to consoles.* 23 August, 2009 -- [http://kotaku.com/5343307/blizzcon-2009-the-show-so-far Kotaku posts] an info-rich item on Day One of Blizzcon.* 23 August, 2009 -- [http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1051/1/ Legit Reviews] with an interesting feature about the vendor booths set up inside Blizzcon.* 23 August, 2009 -- [http://www.ocregister.com/articles/blizzcon-game-world-2536975-blizzard-warcraft The OC Register] with a feature on non-gaming friends and family who attended Blizzcon.* 23 August, 2009 -- [http://kotaku.com/5343305/blizzcon-costume-contest-jay-mohr-craves-blue-elf-sex Kotaku on the Blizzcon costume contest].* 25 August, 2009 -- [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/cinematic-diablo-revealed/ Cinematic Diablo is a girl?] Surprising early images of the cinematic Diablo seen during the Blizzcon Direct TV broadcast. * 25 August, 2009 -- [http://gaming.freedomblogging.com/2009/08/24/what-blizzard-gets-out-of-blizzcon/3409/ The Orange County Register] interviews Blizzard employees about what they get out of BlizzCon.* 25 August, 2009 -- [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/94134-Is-There-a-Zombie-on-Blizzards-Lawn Blizzard loves PopCap games], by The Escapist.* 25 August, 2009 -- [http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-av-club-at-blizzcon-zerg-worgen-and-felicia-da,32069/ The Onion AV Club] on Blizzcon and the games found therein.* 25 August, 2009 -- [http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1052/1/ Legit Reviews' cute] cosplay girl collection.* 25 August, 2009 -- [http://kotaku.com/5345172/where-are-the-official-diablo-iii-rainbow-unicorn-shirts Kotaku wonders where] the Diablo 3 Rainbow and Unicorn shirts went.* 27 August, 2009 -- [http://www.joystiq.com/photos/blizzcon-2009-costumes-1/2227842/ Joystiq posts a large gallery] of photos from the Blizzcon costume contest.* 31 August, 2009 -- [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/character-skill-tree-design-project/ Mock up skill trees] posted for all 4 classes.* 31 August, 2009 -- [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/weekend-news-tidbits/ More Blizzcon news tidbits] surface.* 1 September, 2009 -- [http://www.ausgamers.com/features/read/2781543 AusGamers on all things Diablo 3] from Blizzcon.* 3 September, 2009 -- [http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/more-blizzcon-reports/ More post-Blizzcon reports surface].* 4 September, 2009 -- [http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/yet-more-blizzcon-leavings/ Collection of misc] late-breaking Blizzcon news items. ===August 2009: Gamescom===The first annual [http://www.gamescom-cologne.com/ Gamescom convention] was held in Cologne, Germany, August 19-23, 2009. Blizzard staffed a large booth and sent playable versions of Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3. The interesting thing was that this event overlapped with BlizzCon's August 21-22 schedule. So while Blizzard wanted to show off new stuff in Diablo 3 at Gamescom, they had to gimp their build to withhold any details of the [[Monk]] until after the big character announcement at the Blizzcon opening ceremonies. There were some early news reports of interesting D3 stuff from Gamescom, but the last 2 days of the event were entirely overshadowed by the much bigger news and media coverage coming from Anaheim. {{oth}} 14 August, 2009. [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/play-d3-in-germany-gamescom/ Blizzard confirms that Diablo 3] will be playable at the Gamescom.{{pre}} 19 August, 2009. [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/gamescon-diablo-iii-hands-on/ Kotaku posts a hands-on from Gamescom], and some shaky cam footage of D3 in action surfaces.{{pre}} 19 August, 2009. [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/1up.com-gamescom-d3-preview/ 1up.com posts a hands-on] report from Gamescom.{{pre}} 20 August, 2009. [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/ign-gamescom-witch-doctor-report/ IGN posts a Witch Doctor] hands-on report from Gamescom.{{vid}} 20 August, 2009. [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/gamescom-wizard-gameplay-footage/ Game Trailers posts some Gamescom gameplay footage].{{pre}} 20 August, 2009. [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/more-reports-and-movies-from-gamescon/ More Gamescom reports] and some more video footage as well.{{vid}} 21 August, 2009. [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/4-more-gameplay-videos-from-gamescom/ Four more videos of D3] from Gamescom hit YouTube. ===August 2009: Pre-Blizzcon===Blizzard kept very quiet pre-Blizzcon; saving up all their big stuff for the convention. Even Bashiok was busy planning Blizzcon events and had little time for the forums. {{blz}} 13 August, 2009. [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/blizzard-joins-the-twitter-revolution/ Blizzard officially launches Twitter] accounts for Diablo, Warcraft, and Starcraft. {{blz}} 11 August, 2009. [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/respecs-planned-for-d2-v1.13/ Blizzard reveals that the D2X v1.13 patch]] is underway, and will likely include some method of respecs. {{blz}} 10 August, 2009. [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/bashiok-on-stereo-3d-and-pvp/ Bashiok on "Stereo 3D" and PvP]. No PvP details yet, sadly. {{pre}} 10 August, 2009. [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/blizzcast-episode-10/ Blizzcast 10] is released, with entirely ''World of Warcraft'' content. {{com}} 8 August, 2009. [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/naked-ironman-hardcore-uber-tristram/ D2 players complete the entire game], including [[Pandemonium Event|Uber Tristram]] in naked, ironman mode. {{blz}} 6 August, 2009. [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/bashiok-on-d3-qas/ Starcraft 2 is officially delayed]. But we're told this delay is due to Battle.net issues, and [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/sc2-delay-will-not-affect-other-blizzard-titles/ will not affect other in-progress Blizzard titles]. {{blz}} 4 August, 2009. [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/bashiok-on-skill-rune-visuals/ Bashiok on skill rune visuals]. {{com}} 2 August, 2009. [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/mad-prophecies-3-respecs-and-skill-use/ Does player skill exist in Diablo 2]? Or is it all determined by equipment and buld? And how will this translate to Diablo 3? {{com}} 1 August, 2009. [http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/guest-article-shared-skills/ Shared skills are debated]. Should characters in Diablo 3 have the ability to use another character's skills, as some Runewords and Uniques allow in Diablo 2?