BlizzCon 2023 Recap

BlizzCon 2023 is in the books! Blizzard Entertainment outdid themselves with a slew of exciting updates for all their top-tier games. Here’s the rundown:

World of Warcraft (WoW) has some amazing stuff on the horizon. Fall 2024 will bring The War Within, plunging us into Azeroth’s hidden depths. Picture exploring the realms of the Earthen and Nerubians, all while the Sword of Sargeras saga unfolds. They’re even adding cool new features, like account-wide reputations and Delves, tailored for small groups.

Then there’s World of Warcraft Midnight. It’s a nostalgic journey back to the Old World, specifically Quel’Thalas, with an epic confrontation against the Old Gods on the cards.

And get this: The Last Titan. The grand finale of the World Soul saga is set against the frosty backdrop of Northrend. It’s centered around Ulduar, with Titans making a grand return to Azeroth, promising to spill some long-hidden secrets of Azeroth’s past.

For WoW Classic enthusiasts, Cataclysm is coming early next year. It’s shaking things up with new hybrid class combos and an exciting raid.

Don’t forget The World Soul Saga. It’s a massive storyline stretching over multiple expansions, promising faster content delivery.

Diablo IV fans, you’re in for a treat. The Vessel of Hatred Expansion, slated for 2024, continues the saga, throwing us into the jungles of Nahantu and the sinister plans of Mephisto. Plus, there’s a brand-new class waiting in the wings.

Over in Overwatch 2, meet Mauga, the latest tank hero. Season 8 will let players try him out, alongside a new PvP mode named “Clash”. This mode brings the action to Hanaoka, inspired by the classic Hanamura map.

As for the event itself, BlizzCon 2023 made a triumphant return to the Anaheim Convention Center. It was the first in-person event since 2019, offering an unforgettable experience for attendees and online viewers alike.

The finale was a blast, with a performance by South Korean girl group Le Sserafim. It coincided with an Overwatch 2 event, featuring snazzy new skins and a special capture-the-flag mode.

All in all, this year’s BlizzCon reignited the passion in the Blizzard community. With these thrilling announcements and updates, it catered to both the die-hard fans and those just getting started in the Blizzard universe.

My Blog

I started this blog in 2007 (apparently) to document my World of Warcraft adventures. I was heavy into the whole WoW scene, and blogs were part of that scene. Since then, my content has waxed and waned. Sometimes, I would write about my in-game escapades, and sometimes, I would write about my characters. The focus fluctuated, as did my enjoyment of World of Warcraft.

I started to try other things. I’d write about other games. I’d drop nuggets about my personal life. Anything to put content on this blog. My posting has been quite scattershot in the sixteen years I’ve been putting on the Internet.

Lately, my focus has turned to my home Pathfinder RPG campaigns. It has pretty much pulled me out of WoW completely. I don’t recall the last time I logged into my account, not that I was doing much when I logged in anyway. My attention has been drawn to GM’ing my Pathfinder campaigns – from Second Darkness to the recently completed Rise of the Runelords. I’d post tidbits about my games here, usually linking to my campaign’s World Anvil page.

But now I find I’m not even posting that here. So what’s the point?

I’m not sure.

I’m not deleting this blog. Maybe the mood strikes me, and I clean it up, revamp it, and start putting content back in here. I guess the point is that I haven’t posted anything here in months, and I felt I should put something. And I’ll put more when I feel I have something worth sharing. Or saying.

Maybe I’ll let the domain name lapse and save some money. Gone for now, but not forgotten.

BLIZZCON 2023 TICKETS ON SALE JULY 8 AND JULY 22

Finally… the announcement has cometh.

BlizzCon 2023 Tickets are on sale July 8th and July 22nd!

After four years away, BlizzCon® is returning to Anaheim, California on November 3-4! We’re so excited to get everyone together again, celebrate our communities, and share what we’ve been working on.

This year, the goal is to make BlizzCon® feel more experiential than ever before. It will be a one-of-a-kind immersive experience, bringing attendees into the universes of Warcraft®, Diablo®, and Overwatch® with massive installations, art, and thematic spaces where friends can connect. Whether you’re kicking back in Azeroth, exploring the mysteries of a dark cathedral of Sanctuary, playing alongside the heroes of Overwatch®, or tuning in from home, we want you to feel you are entering universes alongside your friends as you celebrate and experience what we’re building next, and hear from developers all across Blizzard about their vision for our games, their craft, and more.

This is the first time we are building BlizzCon this way, and our vision is that building a giant playground for our communities will allow everyone to create memories, share stories, and celebrate what unites us.

Here’s what you need to know!

Tickets

Tickets will be sold in two waves through AXS: if you don’t have an AXS account already, we recommend making one in advance. The first wave will go on sale Saturday, July 8 at 10 a.m. PDT. The second wave will go on sale Saturday, July 22 at 10 a.m. PDT. Please note that you can purchase a maximum of two tickets per transaction. You’ll find more information about BlizzCon tickets at BlizzCon.com. Some content at BlizzCon is rated for Mature audiences and is not suitable for children: children under 7 will not be permitted to enter, and anyone under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult.

If you can’t make it to the show in person, BlizzCon 2023 will be live streamed free of charge. The Virtual Ticket will be back as an optional purchase, featuring in-game goodies, early access to exclusive BlizzCon merch, and more. Details to come.

Are you hoping to attend BlizzCon in person? Or are you going to watch the festivities for free at home?

Handling Absentee Players

Are you a Dungeon Master (DM) or Game Master (GM) who often encounters the challenge of absentee players in your role-playing game (RPG) sessions? It can be frustrating when players can’t attend the game, but fear not! In this article, we will provide you with valuable tips and strategies to effectively handle absentee players and ensure an engaging and immersive experience for everyone involved.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Dealing with Absentee Players
2. Setting Clear Expectations
3. Preparing Alternative Adventures
4. Incorporating Absent Players’ Characters
5. Encouraging Communication and Feedback
6. Balancing the Game
7. Utilizing Technology and Virtual Platforms
8. Empowering the Present Players
9. Conclusion
10. FAQs

Introduction: Dealing with Absentee Players

As a DM or GM, it’s crucial to address the issue of absentee players in a way that maintains the enjoyment and integrity of your RPG sessions. When players can’t attend, it can disrupt the game flow and leave gaps in the storyline. However, with the right strategies in place, you can overcome these challenges and keep the excitement alive.

1. Setting Clear Expectations

One of the first steps in managing absentee players is to establish clear expectations from the beginning. Make sure your players understand the importance of attendance and communicate the potential consequences of frequent absences. By setting ground rules and discussing the impact of absenteeism on the overall gaming experience, you can encourage greater commitment from your players.

2. Preparing Alternative Adventures

To ensure a seamless gaming experience, it’s beneficial to have alternative adventures or side quests prepared for situations when players can’t attend. These adventures can focus on other characters or allow the present players to explore different storylines that won’t directly affect the absent players’ progression. This way, the game can continue smoothly, even in the absence of certain individuals.

3. Incorporating Absent Players’ Characters

When a player cannot attend a session, you can still incorporate their character into the game. Designate another player or the DM/GM to temporarily control the absent player’s character, ensuring their presence is felt. However, it’s essential to respect the character’s abilities and motivations, making decisions that align with their established traits.

4. Encouraging Communication and Feedback

Maintaining open lines of communication with your players is vital, especially when absenteeism becomes a recurring issue. Encourage players to inform you in advance if they won’t be able to attend a session. This allows you to plan accordingly and make the necessary adjustments to the story or encounters. Additionally, regularly seek feedback from your players to better understand their availability and preferences.

5. Balancing the Game

When a player is absent, it’s crucial to balance encounters and challenges appropriately. Adjust the difficulty level based on the number of present players to ensure the game remains engaging and fair. Scaling encounters can be achieved by altering the number of enemies, adjusting their stats, or introducing allies to assist the remaining players.

6. Utilizing Technology and Virtual Platforms

In today’s digital age, technology offers various solutions to manage absentee players. Virtual tabletop platforms and communication tools like Discord or Roll20 can be invaluable resources for remote gaming sessions. These platforms allow absent players to participate via video calls, chat, or even control their characters remotely, providing an immersive experience for all players.

7. Empowering the Present Players

When a player is absent, it’s an opportunity to give the present players a chance to shine. Provide them additional responsibilities, such as controlling non-player characters (NPCs), leading the party, or making critical decisions. Empowering the present players creates a sense of agency and encourages their active involvement in the game.

Conclusion

Handling absentee players in RPG sessions can be challenging, but it becomes a manageable task with the right strategies. Setting clear expectations, preparing alternative adventures, incorporating absent players’ characters, encouraging communication, balancing the game, utilizing technology, and empowering present players are all effective ways to ensure a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience for everyone involved.

FAQs

1. What should I do if a player frequently misses sessions? Regularly communicate with the player and address their reasons for frequent absences. If necessary, consider discussing the impact on the overall game and potentially finding a solution that suits everyone’s availability.
2. Should I punish players for absenteeism? It’s essential to balance encouraging commitment and fostering an enjoyable atmosphere. While consequences can be discussed, it’s generally more productive to focus on creating incentives for attendance rather than punitive measures.
3. Can absent players catch up on missed sessions? Depending on the circumstances, you can provide summaries or key information from missed sessions to help absent players stay informed. However, encourage them to participate in future sessions to maintain the immersive experience.
4. What if multiple players are absent simultaneously? If multiple players are absent simultaneously, you may consider rescheduling the session or temporarily pausing the campaign until everyone can attend. Alternatively, you can run one-shot adventures or side quests to keep the remaining players engaged.
5. How can I prevent absenteeism in the first place? Setting a consistent schedule, discussing expectations from the beginning, and fostering a positive and engaging game environment can help prevent absenteeism. Encourage open communication and emphasize the importance of collaboration and commitment.

In conclusion, managing absentee players in RPG sessions requires careful planning and effective communication. By implementing the tips and strategies outlined in this article, you can ensure that the gaming experience remains enjoyable and inclusive for all participants. Embrace absenteeism’s challenges and opportunities, and let your creativity as a Dungeon Master shine!

Running High-Level Monsters and Encounters

If you’re a Game Master (GM) in a role-playing game (RPG) and want to challenge your players, running high-level monsters and encounters is the way to go. These monsters and encounters are often the culmination of a long campaign and are meant to test the players’ skills and tactics. However, running high-level monsters and encounters can be tricky, especially if you’re not familiar with the rules and mechanics of the game. In this article, we’ll provide some advice on how to run high-level monsters and encounters successfully.

Understanding High-Level Monsters and Encounters

The first step in running high-level monsters and encounters is understanding what makes them different from lower-level ones. High-level monsters are often more powerful, have more hit points, and deal more damage. They also have special abilities and resistances that make them harder to defeat. On the other hand, high-level encounters often involve multiple enemies or complex scenarios that require players to use different tactics and strategies.

Planning the Encounter

Before running a high-level encounter, it’s essential to plan it thoroughly. Start by determining the level and abilities of the players. This will help you decide what monsters and encounters are appropriate for them. Next, choose a suitable location for the encounter. This can be a dungeon, a castle, or an open field. Finally, determine the objectives of the encounter. Are the players trying to defeat a powerful monster or retrieve a valuable artifact?

Choosing the Monsters

Once you’ve planned the encounter, it’s time to choose the monsters. High-level monsters should be challenging but not unbeatable. Choose monsters that complement each other and have unique abilities. For example, if you’re running a high-level encounter in a dungeon, you could choose a group of powerful undead creatures with different resistances and abilities.

Running the Encounter

During the encounter, keeping the players engaged and focused is essential. Ensure they understand the encounter’s objectives and the rules for combat. Encourage them to use their abilities and tactics creatively. Be flexible and adjust the difficulty of the encounter if necessary. Don’t be afraid to let the players fail, but also ensure they can recover.

Conclusion

Running high-level monsters and encounters can be challenging, but with the right planning and execution, it can also be incredibly rewarding. Remember to choose monsters and encounters appropriate for the players’ level and abilities, plan the encounter thoroughly, and keep the players engaged and focused during the game. With these tips, you can create memorable and exciting high level encounters that your players will talk about for years to come.