Developer panels are always one of the most popular attractions at BlizzCon, as they offer players a chance to discuss the development process with us in person and give attendees a glimpse at what’s in store for their favorite Blizzard Entertainment games. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the panels we’ll be hosting at BlizzCon 2009.
Heroes & Monsters
The hero you play and the monsters you slay take center stage in any Diablo game. Join us for a look at the design process that brings these characters and creatures to life, as well as the mechanics involved in creating epic and memorable battles.
Lore
Sit down with our lore masters as they delve into the past, present, and future of the Diablo universe. We’ll recap the story thus far, provide new information on the tale Diablo III will tell, and grant some insight into what’s in store for Sanctuary.
Art
From designing characters to creating concept art to placing the building blocks that form the world: Our artists take players on a behind-the-scenes tour of Sanctuary.
Gameplay
The creators of StarCraft II discuss the design process and evolving mechanics of the upcoming real-time-strategy sequel.
Lore
The writers who shape the ever-expanding StarCraft universe bring you up-to-date on the defining characters and events in the interstellar struggle between the terrans, protoss, and zerg.
Art
Join Blizzard Entertainment artists for a discussion about the distinctive art style of the StarCraft universe -- and how that style continues to evolve with the development of StarCraft II.
Class Discussion
Always a crowd favorite, the class-discussion panel gives insight into the intricate workings of class design and balance, from conception to continuing development. If you’re passionate about the class you play, this is the panel for you.
PvP
The crowd thunders, the timer starts, and the battle-hardened combatants take their positions. But this isn’t an Arena match -- it’s the World of Warcraft PvP panel! Join our designers and your fellow players for a lively discussion of competitive play and our PvP battle plan.
Art
Find out what makes the art of World of Warcraft distinctive, from the floating city of Dalaran’s silhouette to the runes that mark a death knight’s blade. Our artists provide insight into the tools and creative processes that shape the world of Azeroth -- and beyond.
Dungeons & Raids
Not to be outdone, the biggest and baddest enemies in Azeroth have united to form a panel of their own. Learn how World of Warcraft’s most epic encounters are created and balanced from the game’s raid and dungeon designers.
UI & Mods
Find out more about the ongoing quest to make a simple yet highly customizable UI. Join the World of Warcraft UI designers and programmers as they explain their philosophy and offer a peek at future features that may be coming to an Interface Options menu near you.
Cinematics
Meet the artists, storytellers, and creators behind the high-quality cinematic sequences you see in all of Blizzard Entertainment’s games. Join them for a behind-the-scenes peek at the creative process.