BlizzCon 2013: Warlords of Draenor detailed, Heroes of the Storm beta sign ups live

Titan, WoW won’t go full on F2P

During his opening remarks, Blizzard boss Mike Morhaime reiterated that Project Titan was put on hold for the time being, stating as he did earlier this year that the game wasn’t “up to the Blizzard quality in a reasonable time frame,” and that during the revamp, the team has “come up with something really great.”

He also reiterated that the firm’s signature MMO, World of Warcraft, would not be going 100% free-to-play any time soon.

“We’ve always taken the business model on a case by case basis,” he said. “In the case of World of Warcraft, the first 20 levels are free. It wasn’t designed as a free-to-play game. I don’t see that type of transition happening in World of Warcraft, although we are always looking for new ways to make the game more accessible.”

Warlords of Draenor announced as latest WoW expansion

Chris Metzen, SVP of story and franchise development came on stage to introduce the next chapter in World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor.

According to Metzen, the conflict coming will be the Alliance’s “finest hour,” mixing in all the history, and context of the game, by confronting the “ghosts of the past.”

“We have been thinking a lot about Warcraft, what makes it distinct, what makes it tick and about the early days,” he said (thanks CVG). “Many of you were with us during the events of Orcs and Humans, Tides of Darkness and Beyond the Dark Portal. The events of those came predicated what’s happening in the modern era of WoW

“There’s a huge amount of players that never lived those events, met those characters or had those adventures. As we’re thinking about where to go. Some of the baddest dudes ever in the Warcraft franchise almost had their way and conquered the entirety of the Eastern Kingdoms. If they had history would have taken a turn.

“What if those dark days could come again, what if those vicious villains could threaten our homes again. The conflict coming will be the Alliance’s finest hour. Horde, you’ve had to live with the consequences of Thrall’s disappointments, with Garosh’s reign of terror, but in the face of all that you have a chance at a new start, to redefine yourselves in this brave new world.

“But as is often true, to forge a brighter future, sometimes you must confront the ghosts of the past.”

The expansion includes the new Draenor zone, the level cap will be raised to 100, includes new dungeons and raids, hundreds of new quests, the ability to build and upgrade garrisons, and new character models will be introduced.

Players will also have the option to instantly upgrade one of their toons to level 90 so as to jump in and start playing in the new zones right away.

A session devoted to the expansion will be streamed at 3.30pm EST and if you have a virtual ticket you can watch it at home.

Two videos showing the creation of Draenor and a look at factions have been posted here, along with a set of artwork and screenshots.

Heroes of the Storm beta sign ups go live

During the opening ceremony after Morhaime left the stage, Heroes of the Storm, a “homage” to the player mods created like Defense of the Ancients, was discussed by Dustin Browder, vice president of both StarCraft 2 and the new MOBA.

“Heroes of the Storm is Blizzard the game,” said Browder. “A combination of all of our heroes and villains in one big battle to the death,” the company said during the opening ceremony. “It’s not just enough for us to pay homage to what our fans have created.

“We have to change the genre, Battlegrounds change the way people play.”

A cinematic trailer for Heroes of the Storm was shown before a clip of the Alpha version of the game. Both are posted below.

During the clip, Arthas, Kerrigan, Diablo, were all shown as playable. There were various characters and enemies from Warcraft, StarCraft and Diablo, franchises, and the game has a very “WoW’ look to it.

The game is playable today at show and beta sign-ups are now live.

Hearthstone open beta starts in December, iOS and Android versions coming

Rob Pardo, the firm’s CCO, came on stage to discuss Hearthstone, the developer’s strategy card battle game. The game will go into open-beta next month and the tablet version is playable at the show and attendees get a special Hearthstone card – the Elite Tauren Chieftain.

iPhone and Android versions of Hearthstone are in development for and slated for release during the second half of 2014.

For those interested in the Warcraft movie, director Duncan Jones will be making a presentation tomorrow along with Blizzard’s Chris Metzen. The special effects director, Bill Westenhofer who worked on Life of Pi, will be at the panel as well. He’s been playing WoW since the start and has a level 90 character.

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Struggling Australia Head For Exist…

Sri Lanka 253/8 Australia233/10

As Mahela Jayawardene strode on the far side eleven,000 ODI runs, he created enough at The Oval to depart Australia with a close to not possible task to elbow past land and New Zealand then qualify for the Champions Trophy semi-finals.

Sri Lanka\’s innings flirted with mediocrity within the face of some diligent Australian bowling till Jayawardene\’s delayed arrival, that signalled a late innings surge to 253 for eight. Lahiru Thirmanne had been promoted previous Jayawardene at associate unsure twenty for two, and therefore the switch allowed the senior man to form merry within the later overs against the older ball.

George Bailey\’s facet should currently pass this total at intervals twenty nine.1 overs so as to raise their internet run rate to a high enough level to achieve the knockout section. it\’s associate exceptionally tall task on a drying surface, that offered enough help for missionary Doherty to come back the figures of one for thirty from his ten overs. in contrast, land merely have to be compelled to win to confirm their qualification previous New Zealand.

Mitchell Johnson was swift and Clint McKay correct within the early overs when Bailey sent the Sri Lankans in, and a combine of early wickets were adequate reward. however land remodeled through Thirimanne and Tillakaratne Dilshan, before Jayawardene compete together with his acquainted mix of art and invention to require the full on the far side 250, when two hundred had appeared a a lot of doubtless tally for a lot of of the innings.

Both sides named unchanged line-ups for the match, Australia\’s choices reduced for the fixture by their captain archangel Clarke\’s continuing absence because of back bother, whereas David Warner was dominated out by his suspension for punching Joe Root in a very Birmingham taphouse when the gap match against England. Mitchell Starc was another traveler.

The Oval pitch was brown, however overcast skies and a want to understand his ultimate target inspired Bailey to send land in. Johnson\’s initial 2 deliveries of the match were poor; the primary clattered to the backward purpose boundary, the second scuttling to fine leg off the pads. however his third was straight and too fast for Kusal Perera, World Health Organization was clearly LBW.

Kumar Sangakkara hinted at the genius that had radio-controlled land to a stirring chase against England on this ground last week, however found himself tied down by McKay\’s persistent line and refined movement. Having already chanced a desperate single, Sangakkara was offered a fraction of additional dimension and lashed out, however managed solely to slice a drive to Glenn Maxwell.

At that moment Australia might envision a slim target, however Thirimanne was sent in to steady the innings in Dilshan\’s company, departure Jayawardene in reserve. A serviceable job was done, gaps found each currently then the Australian bowlers weren\’t talented any wickets. It took Doherty to separate them with a ball that straightened only enough to require a position, Watson diving alertly to his right.

Angelo Mathews compete a halting innings in Jayawardene\’s company before losing his off bail to a nicely pitched delivery from James William Faulkner, however Dinesh Chandimal was busier and simpler in a very fifth-wicket stand of sixty five in fifty six balls. The Australians fielded soundly enough and didn\’t bowl an excessive amount of that was loose, however were left to marvel at Jayawardene\’s talent for manipulating the sector because the score mounted.

		Team	P	W	D	L	NR	NRR	PTS
Group A
		NZ	2	1	0	1	0	+1.048	3
		ENG	3	2	0	1	0	+0.960	4
		AUS	3	0	0	1	0	-0.960	1
		SL	3	1	0	1	0	-1.048	2

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India Squard Unchanged For Tri -Series

India have name associate unchanged squad from the one enjoying within the Champions Trophy for the ODI tri-series within the the Indies, that begins on June twenty eight. The continuity is reflective of the team’s success within the current tournament, wherever they need reached the semi-finals once winning all their cluster matches.

The squad includes 5 seam bowlers in Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Irfan Pathan and Vinay Kumar, and 3 spinners: R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra. MS Dhoni, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik and M Vijay represent the batting.

Following the Champions Trophy,Asian nation can trip the the Indies for the series that additionally includes the hosts and land.

The make-up of the squad indicates that the Indian selectors, in regard to the one-day team, have turned their focus firmly on tournament 2015. Asian nation had fielded a new-look team for the Champions Trophy, dropping seniors like Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh. These players yet as others – together with Zaheer Khan, Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh – United Nations agency had been central to India’s success over the previous decade however have had type and injury problems with late, stay sidelined.

Squad:

MS Dhoni (capt/wk), Shikhar Dhawan, M Vijay, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Irfan Pathan, Amit Mishra, Vinay Kumar

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Disappointed With Our Performance: Misbah

Birmingham: West Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq on weekday aforesaid he was defeated along with his team\’s performance when losing to Bharat, their third consecutive loss within the independent agency Champions Trophy here.

India beat arch-rivals West Pakistan by eight wickets during a match marred by rain at Edgbaston to end fourth and last in B.

\”Disappointing performance once more with the bat, the weather additionally vie a section because it was tough to induce in and out such a lot of times. during this style of format, it\’s too short for the groups as a result of you\’ve got one unhealthy day at the beginning of the tournament; you\’re virtually out of it,\” aforesaid Misbah at the presentation ceremony.

\”I suppose the bowling did okay for North American nation, the method they (bowlers) area unit establishing themselves, very a and for West Pakistan.\”

Related Links:- Pakistan , point Table , ICC champion trophy

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England fend off NZ, enter semifinals

England don't body activity aboveboard for themselves in knockout tournaments, about they anchored their access to the Champions Trophy semi-finals through a put calm amazing achievement from the bowlers that followed a active innings from Alastair Cook if the acclimate had accessible to abandon their hopes in Australia's hands.

But while European country were heaping burden on New Zealand's top adjustment as they bolter being a hundred and seventy in twenty four overs, the acclimate still loomed. Rain, that had acquired a five-hour adjournment if the toss, was ample over the alcove and admitting the hunt was abaft the speed, if the bout had been alone afore twenty overs New Seeland would accept earlier and European country would accept appropriate a favour from Australia on Monday.

The twentieth over, beatific down by the incomparable James Anderson, itself amid a lot of ball already Corey Anderson, UN bureau was abroad to New Zealand's band on the morning of the bout as a backup for Grant Elliott, perceived to abuse his dogie if aborticide a run and spent abounding account accepting analysis that didn't affect Ashley Giles and David Saker on the britain balcony.

Still, even if Anderson had completed the over there adeptness are addition twist. Tim Bresnan conceded nineteen aural the next over as Kane Williamson, UN bureau created a adventurous sixty seven off fifty four balls, and Anderson took their affiliation to seventy three afore Williamson skied to adumbrate off Stuart Broad whose heel was dominated, by the third umpire, to be fractionally abaft the road. it actually was a boss bound decision.

England's new-ball bowling had anon created the hunt assume way added black than some envisaged if their endure seven wickets fell for twenty eight in thirty four balls. Anderson set the accent with a 3-over gap spell of testing clip and movement that accounted for the affecting Luke Ronchi and Martin Guptill aural the breadth of three assurance aural the fourth over.

'It's all apropos luck from currently on' - McCullum

When Ross Taylor was stapled lbw by Bresnan - his use of DRS didn't save him - New Seeland were twenty seven for three and their hopes active on Brendon McCullum. about none of the batsmen adeptness appear up of England's attack.

Ravi Bopara, proving about not accessible to attain off, was able to hustle through 5 overs for twenty six and already McCullum force him to abysmal square-leg, wherever Joe Root command a superb low catch, New Zealand's probabilities of acceptable had taken Associate in Nursing about terminal hit. For a abrupt admitting it appeared they were demography allotment in for rain, and accordingly the abandonment, with the new batsmen not accurately hasty to the wicket till Williamson and Anderson gave it one, final, abandoned effort.

New Seeland had perceived to affirmation a big advantage afterwards they won the toss, about the actual actuality that the bout was completed to the adapted breadth while not any interruption, and so the call for Duckworth-Lewis was erased, meant European country didn't ache aural the bureau that may be the case already run chases aboveboard admeasurement bargain if any rain.

But it actually was still boxy to appraise what a matchwinning absolute would be batting initial. That European country had solid advance for eighteen overs was all the way down to their captain. The one architecture Cook doesn't play for European country is Twenty20, about that doesn't beggarly he does not ambition to and he showed what a accomplished ample ballplayer he has become with sixty four off forty seven balls  

Quite terribly, he was built-in thrice and every one 3 probabilities were shelled by Nathan McCullum. there accept been 2 misses at midwicket already Cook has fourteen and thirty seven and, the best, at astern purpose on forty five. McCullum eventually command a appear bolt off the britain captain that publicised Associate in Nursing chaotic in his fortunes. He over the innings accepting command four probabilities.

For the primary time in Associate in Nursing ODI innings Cook hit over one six. about European country couldn't end with a curl as Kyle Mills, UN bureau became the arch wicket-taker in Champions Trophy history, and Mitchell McClenaghan aggregate seven wickets.

Ian Bell and ambrosia angel Trott, UN bureau remained at No. three admitting the beneath match, fell aural the primary four overs, about Root was beeline off active at the crease, corruption his wrists to seek out that gaps (a adeptness not accustomed to all or any England's batsmen) and provided the primary six over the innings already he force Daniel Vettori over abysmal midwicket.

Brendon McCullum switched his bowlers about frequently and it actually was the appear of James Franklin that saw Cook, UN bureau accomplished his fifty from thirty-nine balls, move up a accessory already he beeline collection his antecedent supply into the sightscreen at the beck finish. artlessly to announce he will play "out-of-the-box" he followed that with a beat over abbreviate fine-leg afore his additional activity at midwicket by Nathan McCullum and he after lofted Williamson over advanced long-off.

Once afresh England's ability hitters - Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler - couldn't body a austere appulse and neither adeptness Bopara bout his contempo onslaughts. about this point the bowlers didn't abort in their task.

Group A

Teams	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	N/R	Pts	Net RR	For	Against
England	3	2	1	0	0	4	+0.308	731/124.0	677/121.1
New Zealand	3	1	1	0	1	3	+0.777	298/60.3	307/74.0
Sri Lanka	2	1	1	0	0	2	-0.517	435/97.1	432/86.3
Australia	2	0	1	0	1	1	-0.960	221/50.0	269/50.0

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ICC apologises for US funding foul-up

The Interstate Commerce Commission has apologised to the us Youth Cricket Association (USYCA) when retreating a payment of over $8000 accidentally created to the volunteer body.

In Associate in Nursing embarrassing episode, a wire transfer of a bit over $8100 had to be came to the Interstate Commerce Commission Americas headquarters in Toronto in the week when it had been unconcealed to possess been meant for the us of America Cricket Association (USACA).

\"An body error resulted in funds from the Interstate Commerce Commission Americas regional workplace, meant for the USA Cricket Association (USACA), being sent to the USYCA,\" Associate in Nursing Interstate Commerce Commission spokesperson aforementioned. \"USACA is that the body for cricket, and therefore the ICC\'s Member, within the us. Interstate Commerce Commission Americas has apologised to each the USYCA and USACA for this confusion, that is currently being corrected.\"

The confusion had momentarily left the USYCA\'s president Jamie Harrison hopeful of a a lot of constructive and dependent relationship between his association and therefore the Interstate Commerce Commission, however he was left unhappy once mount Kavenagh, Interstate Commerce Commission Americas Regional Development Manager, requested the money be came.

\"I was excited that the Interstate Commerce Commission had sent United States $8100,\" Harrison told ESPNcricinfo. \"But the money itself is not an enormous deal - they shovel $300,000 a year into USACA, and $8000 even in our budget is not a make-or-break reasonably issue. To Maine what was a lot of exciting was the thought that the Interstate Commerce Commission wished to induce concerned in cricket development within the us.

\"Now I\'ve got notification from the Interstate Commerce Commission that that cash was destined for USACA and that they wished their a reimbursement. That was heavy not from the money perspective, it had been heavy as i assumed there was reaching to be a partner to figure with United States to develop cricket within the us.\"

The United StatesYCA was fashioned by Harrison in 2010 with the intention of creating a a lot of vigorous effort to grow the sport within the US, and has since reached around 250,000 college students. The association has distributed over one,500 cricket sets to colleges across the country. but Harrison aforementioned he had found his efforts to push the sport at the grassroots level had not corresponded to the manner he feels the Interstate Commerce Commission sees the United States - primarily as an additional marketplace for the present Full Member countries.

\"USYCA on the opposite hand, our purpose in life is to show the us into a cricket taking part in nation, to lift up a generation of cricketers UN agency can in some unspecified time in the future play on the international stage.\" aforementioned Harrison.

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Why The Ashes Are About Identified

The greatest rivalries square measure solely part concerning sport. they\'re extremely concerning collective identity, teams shaping themselves con to every different. After all, before any folks is aware of World Health Organization we have a tendency to square measure, maybe we want to understand World Health Organization we have a tendency to are not.

That is definitely the case with the foremost historic of all cricketing rivalries: European country v Australia. The stereotypes have hardened into mythology. As Simon Hughes points move into his diverting new book, Cricket\'s Greatest Rivalry: \"The extraordinary issue concerning European country v Australia is that we have a tendency to square measure in the main from a similar stock. however the players on either facet square measure therefore completely different.\"

In inexperienced and gold: the manful Australian mortal, the plucky uprooter, the band of brothers defying the percentages. In royal navy blue: the marginally superior Englishman, aloof, haughty, half-amused at his upstart enemy. \"The Australians square measure associate degree uneducated and unruly mob,\" sneered Douglas Jardine, the foremost controversial of all European country captains.

Where Jardine looked down his angular nose at the convict colony, his good counterpoint, Jeff Thomson, longed to land a blow on the imperial chin. \"I could not wait to own a crack at \'em,\" Thomson same between thunderbolts in 1974. \"I thought, \'Stuff that stiff upper-lip-crap. let\'s have a look at however stiff it\'s once it\'s split.\'\"

No matter that the overwhelming majority of each Australian and English cricketers don\'t work either mould. Let\'s be honest. Damien Martyn stroked cowl drives with a similar princely statement as Colin Cowdrey did. And place Graham James Francis Thorpe in associate degree Australian jumper and his rear-guard resilience would inspire knee-jerk punditry concerning the illustration indomitable Australian mortal. The stereotypes of the Ashes have continually relied on a strong mixture of reality and story. And, of course, if you repeat one thing typically enough, story takes on associate degree air of honestness.

The notorious Bodyline series, nearly cricket\'s sin, gave the competition a private edge. For the people concerned, Bodyline contusioned everybody it touched. It tormented Bradman, umbrageous the Australian public, and vulnerable British-Australian diplomatic relations. however the welts and bruises inflicted on Australian bodies disappeared additional quickly than the shadows on English reputations. The captain, Jardine, would be forever outlined by the dispute. And Harold Larwood ne\'er vie for European country once more, lost his appetence for the sport, and eventually emigrated - to Australia, of all places.

And nonetheless from a historical perspective Bodyline concentrated and enriched the Ashes. Ever since, hints of morality and guilt have coursed through the competition. all sides jostles for the ethical position. They sledge, we have a tendency to banter; they stand, we have a tendency to walk; they remove catches, we have a tendency to trust the fielder; you started it, we have a tendency to simply control our ground.

That is one reason why the primary match of associate degree Ashes summer carries a special tension. European country can play Australia twenty five times between currently and next Feb. Round one, at Edgbaston last Sat, provided hints concerning however the 2 boxers can approach the fisticuffs ahead. If you think in augurs, Mitchell Starc\'s initial ball bodes unwell for Australia: a leg-stump gift, clipped for four by Alastair Cook. the remainder of the competition was surprisingly bloodless. European country therefore with success bottled up Australia that the competition finished with a significant points triumph instead of one biff.

With Asian nation and West Pakistan, the globe appearance to sport to deflate underlying tensions instead of inflame them. With European country and Australia, we have a tendency to faux there\'s underlying savagery to what\'s extremely a settled diplomatic relationship

The sensible cash is on European country, additional therefore a day. however an area of ME, conditioned by decades of Ashes suffering, refuses to believe that Australia won\'t rally. however maybe i\'m too influenced by the burden of history to evaluate any Australian facet with discerning judgment.

Another epic competition starts once more in the week once Asian nation play West Pakistan within the Champions Trophy. it\'s competition from a really completely different tradition. The Ashes is as safe and harmless as a sporting competition may well be. Even at its most ill-natured, Australian-English relations descended solely to this point as a couple of angry diplomatic cables in 1932-33. The Ashes, a sporting conflict between 2 political allies, will afford to exacerbate the moments of needle and bitterness. After all, the Ashes has solely been suspended by World Wars so the 2 nations may fight facet by facet.

In distinction, Asian nation and West Pakistan suspended cricketing relations between 1962 and 1977. Given the shadow of the India-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971, real military conflict was too immediate to allow the abstraction of a sporting contest.

When the cricket resumed, players were placed during a deeply uncomfortable position. in the week i have been sharing an article box with Aakash Chopra, the previous Asian nation baseball player. He told ME concerning the pressures that faced the preceding generation of Indian players after they competed with West Pakistan.

\"You may do something within the world however you could not lose against West Pakistan. Losing to West Pakistan was sinful, it simply wasn\'t allowed. It\'s silly, however it had been thought-about a betrayal of your country. If they lost, effigies of players were burnt, their homes were vandalised.\"

Related Links:- Australi, England

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