The Blizzard Worldwide Invitational 2008 was an amazing event! It was a two day event in the city of Paris, France - Two days full of fun activities, entertainment, concerts and various exciting tournaments for different games. It was so worth the time!

I have so many things to blog about, was going to divide this into two blogs, but due to time constraints, I will combine everything together into one big blog. Hope you guys like the pictures.

We arrived in Paris on the 26th June, had a nap in the hotel in the afternoon, then Blizzard treat all the gamers to a nice dinner. After dinner, we had time to catch a little football in a bar - Russia vs Spain. Then we got invited to shoutcaster Tasteless's room to drink wine. Tasteless was so happy that wine in France is so cheap. I think we hung out and drank till 1 or 2am before retiring to our room.

The next day, it's rehearsal day for the gamers. By now all the gamers had arrived - be it Starcraft, Warcraft III or World of Warcraft. The rehearsal is for the opening ceremony where all gamers has to go on stage.

On Saturday, BWI opened officiallly, together with the announcement of Diablo III - which was really cool! Tournaments went on for the whole day and whole evening. Sunday was the finals for all games, and there were also alot of fun activities on stage - such as costume contest and dance contest.

In Tasteless's room, fnatic's general manager, 2GD is also there.

Tasteless - a very popular Starcraft English shoutcaster who lives in Korea.

Grubby bought some groceries and water from the small supermarket on the way to the event venue, for rehearsal.

The band was also having their rehearsal onstage. And that!! - is the most beautiful screen I have ever seen!! Soooo beautiful!

Sase, xlord, Lyn and Grubby on stage during rehearsal.

Found this at the Fan Art Gallery. Sexy Dark Ranger.... gotta love it.

The outside of the building - big poster of Blizzard Worldwide Invitational.

FoV and Grubby having discussions while watching replays.

Also another piece of great fan art! Didn't know so many great artist are also Blizzard's fans! ;p

This is our hotel - Pullman. Really nice hotel too.

After a nice speech, he declared BWI open!

Contest of "Who's the tallest of them all?".
jk! Warcraft III progamers on stage: Sase, xlord, Lyn, Grubby, Sky and Moon.

Sky:"At least I am taller than xlord and Lyn!"

Sky and Grubby waiting to go on stage for their game against each other.

Manuel "Grubby" Schenkhuizen. As usual, very few people can pronounce his last name correctly. :P

Blizzard shoutcaster Bunny interview's Grubby on stage before the game.

They played at a small stage, which was also pretty nicely set up. There are three big screens for the audience. Grubby's screen, shoutcaster's screen and Sky's screen.

Grubby confidently answers all the questions thrown his way.

Sky's translator, Sky and Bunny.

Oh a life size Murloc!!

Lyn interviewed by the Korean media.

There was a long queue where everyone can go up to the Frozen Throne, wear the mask and take pictures! I didn't have a chance to do that.

Korean Starcraft progamer, Savior having fun!

What is she dressed as? Sexy! ;)

Saw this marine figurine at the Blizzard museum. Wish I can bring it back home. ;p

What a cute sewing of Orc!

His Mom made it for him! So lucky!

An autograph section was organised by Blizzard.

Moon, Lyn and Grubby, being the top 3 for Warcraft III, were involved with the autograph section.

Autograph section in progress.

Me with three people dressed up as WOW characters I think.

A group picture.

Moon, Lyn and Grubby posing. :)

Stephen from Blizzard on stage, playing against a Warcraft III fan.

Looks like big eyes were watching him from behind.

These Warcraft III fans won Frostmourne Swords! If I had known earlier, I would have also taken part in those contests. Hehe..

Grubby in 3rd placing.

MC asking questions to Grubby.

Lyn in second placing.

Moon is the champion! $11,000 USD, nice prize.

Group picture.

Group picture.

Posing for the cameras.

Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain is a Blizzard band - they are very special because the band members are all employees of Blizzard.

As you can see the game designer, Chris Sigaty is on the left playing the guitar.

The lead singer!

Do you spot a big evil face in this picture?

While they performed, lyrics were flashed across the big screen, a really nice idea.

After each song, they level up by 2 levels.

So after the second song, they became level 74!

Admiring the long beautiful screen again.. :)

By the way, during the annoucement of Diablo III, the preview was amazing and the presentation was done rather perfectly. The audience was going wild and clapping so hard. And several Blizzard employees had tears in their eyes. It was amazing to be there to witness it. :)

And finally, after singing 5 songs, they became level 80! Now they are the great Level 80 Elite Tauren Chieftain!

This had been such a great successful event by Blizzard Entertainment. Everyone totally enjoyed themselves. We look forward to the Blizzcon this year.. hopefully there will be one!

This weekend, we have the ESWC Masters in Paris again. The tournament dates are Saturday and Sunday 5th and 6th July. For Warcraft III, top two of each group will pass into the next stage - where 8 players will then play single elimination.

The Player List:

Group A:

Sky
Tod
HG
XlorD
Lucifer

Group B:

Lyn
Grubby
Demigod
Wolf
Rotterdam

Group C:

Reign
HoT
Psyko
DNA
Kleenex

Group D:

Moon
Who
Liild.C
Yaws
FoV

Top three will get a spot to play in the ESWC Grand Finals in San Jose, USA. Some of these players like Grubby and Rotterdam had already qualified and won a spot in their own country, so I guess for some players are in for the prize money and playing experience!

First Prize: 2,500 USD

Second Prize: 1,500 USD

Third Prize: 1000 USD

I will try to blog and upload pictures from the event if I can find available computers in the press room. MYM will also be providing LIVE coverage, so keep checking back! :)