Robin Torres
Los Angeles - http://cosmic-geek.com
Robin Torres juggles multiple alts across multiple servers, two cats, one preschooler, one loot-addicted husband and a yarn dependency.
Battle.net preview: Real ID
by Robin Torres 
on Feb 9th 2010 (5 hours ago)
Blizzard mentioned this new cross-game social aspect of Bnet at last year's BlizzCon. Real ID is an optional system for chatting with and keeping track of "real life" friends in any Battle.net game. You invite friends with your Real ID. If they accept, you can find out what game they are playing and on what realm and character. You can also chat across realms or games. You won't have to remember the usernames of your Real ID friends and family, because you will see their real names on the interface. And you will also be able to broadcast messages to all on your Real ID friends list, rather than just chatting one at a time.
I cannot wait for this to be implemented for WoW accounts. I would love to be able to chat with my friends who are scattered across many realms and who defect to play StarCraft. I really think this is great for more hardcore players (I'll be on my Alliance alt until you Hordies can get your act together for the raid) or very casual, chatty altoholics.
Will you use the Real ID system?
Filed under: Blizzard, News items
Maintenance extended [Updatedx6]
by Robin Torres on Feb 9th 2010 (10 hours ago)
We'll update this post with any changes to the realm status.
Update 8:14pm: All realms are up, theoretically. However, many are having severe latency issues and others can't get past the character loading screen. Blizzard says they are working on it.
Update 7:21pm: All realms are up, but expect some latency issues.
Update 6:24pm: Some realms are up. They will give us another update on the rest of the realms by 7pm EST. Bored? Come visit It came from the Blog, Zangarmarsh U.S. Horde side. Send a tell to Robiness or any Lurker for a guild invite.
Update 5:10pm: Even more issues have been found and they'll get back to us at 6pm EST.
Update 4:21pm: They are resolving more issues and have extended maintenance again to 5pm EST.
Update 3:26pm: Maintenance has been extended to 4pm EST.
Filed under: Realm Status
Debunking another hacked authenticator story
by Robin Torres on Feb 8th 2010 (1 day ago)
We can't confirm any of the facts in this case. I am willing to believe that Anonymous is truly upset and believes the story he tells to be true, even though he is posting anonymously. There are some serious red flags, however, that seem to point to Anonymous not having all of the facts:
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Account Security
No new WoW accounts in China
by Robin Torres on Feb 8th 2010 (1 day ago)
For those unfamiliar with this story, Netease was told to cease WoW operations last year by GAPP and the Chinese Ministry of Culture stepped in and contradicted the ruling. Netease has continued taking new accounts until now, while waiting for the decision of these governmental bodies. Assuming Netease can finally get approval to release The Burning Crusade, they will still need to apply for permission to release Wrath of the Lich King. At this rate, the rest of the world will get Cataclysm before mainland China sees Northrend.
The timing of this is unfortunate, considering that Lunar Festival begins next week. Lunar Festival is based on Chinese New Year.
We'll keep you posted as this seemingly never-ending drama continues.
[via Joystiq]
Filed under: News items
It came from the Blog: Love is in the Blog
by Robin Torres on Feb 8th 2010 (1 day ago)
- When: 5:30pm EST (2:30pm PST, 3:30pm realm time) Saturday, February 13 2010 (Show up at 5pm EST for the Meet and Greet)
- Where: Court of the Sun fountain, Silvermoon City Zangarmarsh U.S.
- Who: Any Horde character, any level.
- What: Love is in the Air daily quests.
- How: Ask Robinator, Robiness or any It came from the Blog Lurker or above for an invite to the guild.
If you have any questions about It came from the Blog, like why Horde or why U.S., please see our FAQ.
We hope to see you there!
Filed under: WoW Insider Business, It Came from the Blog
WoW Moviewatch: Craft of War: Blind rerun
by Robin Torres on Feb 8th 2010 (1 day ago)
Our intrepid Moviewatch host, Michael Gray, is fine but is dealing with the aftermath of far too much snow and has asked me to show a rerun. He tells me that he's been receiving submissions again for Craft of War: Blind. Percula's wonderful machinima is easily our most requested video and rather than try to fight it, we just succumb to reader pressure and show it every few months or so.
The history: Percula made this amazing movie and promised us more. He hosted it on Vimeo, who decided that it was gameplay footage (which they don't allow) and deleted it without warning, taking all of the comments and views with it. Percula was able to get it rehosted with a promise not to delete it again. In the meantime, Percula has stopped playing WoW and is no longer planning on creating the much anticipated sequel. A sad, sad thing.
Of course, we're mostly playing this again for our pleasure. We don't really think our readers will stop submitting this, telling us it's a crime that we've never posted it in Moviewatch before. But just to set the record straight, we showed it here first on December 26, 2008 and often since then. Enjoy!
Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an e-mail at machinima AT wow DOT com.
The history: Percula made this amazing movie and promised us more. He hosted it on Vimeo, who decided that it was gameplay footage (which they don't allow) and deleted it without warning, taking all of the comments and views with it. Percula was able to get it rehosted with a promise not to delete it again. In the meantime, Percula has stopped playing WoW and is no longer planning on creating the much anticipated sequel. A sad, sad thing.
Of course, we're mostly playing this again for our pleasure. We don't really think our readers will stop submitting this, telling us it's a crime that we've never posted it in Moviewatch before. But just to set the record straight, we showed it here first on December 26, 2008 and often since then. Enjoy!
Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an e-mail at machinima AT wow DOT com.Filed under: WoW Moviewatch
Loot is in the air
by Robin Torres on Feb 6th 2010 (3 days ago)
- Winking Eye of Love
- Heartbreak Charm
- Shard of Pirouetting Happiness
- Sweet Perfume Broach
- Choker of the Pure Heart
- Forever-Lovely Rose
- Vile Fumigator's Mask
- Toxic Wasteling
- The Heartbreaker
Stay tuned for more Love is in the Air info as it comes in.
Filed under: Events
Creative giving away WoW headsets on Facebook
by Robin Torres on Feb 6th 2010 (3 days ago)
These highly anticipated headsets are only available for preorder at this time, but word has it they are fresh off the assembly line and will be available soon. We gave away a few at the end of last year and also got to play around with the prototypes at BlizzCon.
They've given their first three headsets already. So if you are interested, hurry over and leave a comment about what features you are most looking forward to. The contest continues until March 15, 2010.
Note: Commenting here will not enter you in the contest. You must comment at the provided link for your entry to be valid. Also, please go to Soundblaster's facebook page (click on the above picture) for any rules and restrictions.
Filed under: News items
It came from the Blog: Winter Veil snapshots
by Robin Torres on Feb 5th 2010 (4 days ago)
Upcoming for It came from the Blog:
- Battleground Bonanza II snapshots
- Lunar Festival event
- Maybe a Love is in the Air event. Maybe.
Filed under: WoW Insider Business, It Came from the Blog
Drama Mamas: We're going on a guilt trip
by Robin Torres on Feb 5th 2010 (4 days ago)
So all your friends play WoW, but do you play WoW with all your friends? Even though you have this interest in common, you may find that in-game your ideas of fun vary drastically. You may all start out with the same plan, but after a while, you may find that your friends have changed their minds. Or maybe you have. What do you do if time, drama, game changes, etc. make you want to explore a different part of the game than your friends are ready for? Do you stick it out and remain loyal? This week, WantingMore tells us the story of him and his circle of gamer friends.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Drama Mamas
