So, I got my World Wide Invitational tickets at last (or rather the stuff I needed to be allowed to collect them next weekend). To be honest, its been a tortuous process and some of the security concerns smack of paranoia.
To pick up my ticket I need my booking confirmation e-mail, another e-mail (printed) with an ID number on it, and a photo ID (passport in my case). Contrast that with picking up tickets for a transatlantic flight where my passport serves as proof of ID ...
Next up, no computers allowed in the venue (I can understand that on from a computer games company) but also no bags (despite requiring you to bring a scheaf of documents to the event) or drinks (for "security reasons", which is nonsense given the dozen or so times I've been to the venue before ... its to protect the consession stands) but you ARE allowed ipods (but no connecting them to kit). You are allowed to bring babies ... but no prams, and so on.
All a bit odd.
I've been to Porte de Versailles numerous times (I worked there for a week in the mid 90s) and this all seems a little ... overdone. I'm sure they're expecting plenty of attendees, but are they expecting the same sort of numbers as GenCon in the US (25-30,000 over 4 days), Spiel in Essen (151,000 over 4 days in 2006 which was when I last attended) or even the "Mondial de la maquette et du modèle réduit/Salon des jeux" held at the Porte de Versailles(100,000 visitors over a week), all of which are "turn up and pay" rather than this massive security arrangement Blizzard have for the WWI.
Ho hum.
To pick up my ticket I need my booking confirmation e-mail, another e-mail (printed) with an ID number on it, and a photo ID (passport in my case). Contrast that with picking up tickets for a transatlantic flight where my passport serves as proof of ID ...
Next up, no computers allowed in the venue (I can understand that on from a computer games company) but also no bags (despite requiring you to bring a scheaf of documents to the event) or drinks (for "security reasons", which is nonsense given the dozen or so times I've been to the venue before ... its to protect the consession stands) but you ARE allowed ipods (but no connecting them to kit). You are allowed to bring babies ... but no prams, and so on.
All a bit odd.
I've been to Porte de Versailles numerous times (I worked there for a week in the mid 90s) and this all seems a little ... overdone. I'm sure they're expecting plenty of attendees, but are they expecting the same sort of numbers as GenCon in the US (25-30,000 over 4 days), Spiel in Essen (151,000 over 4 days in 2006 which was when I last attended) or even the "Mondial de la maquette et du modèle réduit/Salon des jeux" held at the Porte de Versailles(100,000 visitors over a week), all of which are "turn up and pay" rather than this massive security arrangement Blizzard have for the WWI.
Ho hum.
; "Onwards into Ulduar")
; "How to get ahead")
; "Completing the Siege of Ulduar")
; "Razorscale.jpg")
; "Temper Tantrum")
; "Fashion sense")
; "Koralon Downed!")
; "Battling Flame Leviathan")
; "Flame Leviathan Down")
; "Ignis downed")
No computers allowed? So, how are you going to blog your experiences live from the event? Stupid Blizzard.