To give you an insight into what will be taking place at the Blizzard Entertainment Worldwide Invitational 2008, we’ve compiled a list of some of the attractions awaiting you. Please note that this list is not complete – we will be unveiling more exciting news in the coming days and weeks! Over the weekend of June 28^th and 29^th, we will offer you more than 12 hours each day of activities and live on-stage entertainment, including:

Members from the development teams of Blizzard games including World of Warcraft and StarCraft II will be sharing all their latest news in public presentations, as well as taking your questions.

Impressions from previous Blizzard events.

Developers will be discussing such topics as gameplay, lore and art and giving the audience a chance to pose questions and give comments. These panels will give you the chance to talk directly to the people who make World of Warcraft and StarCraft II. During the following weeks we will announce more information on the types of panels that we are planning for the event. Check back often for updates!

Various artists and developers from your favorite Blizzard games will be on-hand to sign your game boxes, books, or exclusive Blizzard merchandise available in the goodie bag that you receive when entering the event!

Impressions from previous Blizzard events.

Whether you’re an avid collector of game boxes, artwork, books and Blizzard memorabilia, or would just like a memento of the first Blizzard convention to be held in Europe, Blizzard artists and developers will be attending autograph sessions during the Worldwide Invitational. Meet and chat with your favorite game artist and celebrate the event with a signed item.

Be among the first to try out all the newest features of our upcoming World of Warcraft expansion and the long-awaited sequel to StarCraft at the Worldwide Invitational!

In the cold, harsh northlands the Lich King Arthas has set in motion events that could lead to the extinction of all life on Azeroth. With the armies of the undead and the necromantic power of the plague threatening to sweep across the land, only the mightiest heroes can oppose the Lich King's will and end his reign of terror for all time...		StarCraft II continues the epic saga of the Protoss, Terran, and Zerg. These three distinct and powerful races will clash once again in the fast-paced real-time strategy sequel to the legendary original, StarCraft. Legions of veteran, upgraded, and brand-new unit types will do battle across the galaxy, as each faction struggles for survival...

Submit a hidden bid for the chance to win exclusive Blizzard-themed items for your personal collection.

The Worldwide Invitational will offer you the chance to show your talent and enthusiasm by competing in a variety of contests. Dress up as your favorite character from any of the Blizzard game universes, bring that night elf dance to live perfection, or show your skills in creating machinima to the world. You’ll be able to find more details on the contests and instructions on how to sign up for them on this website in the future.

Impressions from previous Blizzard events.

In addition to the goody bag that every attendee will receive, there will also be a variety of souvenirs, including exclusive commemorative 2008 Blizzard Entertainment Worldwide Invitational items, available in the Blizzard store and as contest prizes.

All Worldwide Invitational attendees will receive some great Blizzard swag in their personal goody bag. Check here for a first look at some of the contents, with more to be announced in future updates. You will receive your goody bag when you pick up your ticket at the event.

On both days of the 2008 Blizzard Entertainment Worldwide Invitational the famous European raid guild Nihilum will be present on-site with three players and one shoutcaster and will visit together with the rest of their guild the new Sunwell Plateau introduced in World of Warcraft patch 2.4! After their performance on the Blizzard booth at the Games Convention 2007 in Leipzig, Germany, Nihilum will once again join a Blizzard event to bring fear to some of the most powerful bosses in the World of Warcraft! You will have the opportunity to meet the following Nihilum members on-site and watch them raiding both on Saturday and Sunday:

• Kungen (Thomas Bengtsson), guild leader of Nihilum, playing his tauren warrior
• Hath (Luke Brown), playing his undead mage
• Sniffy (Bryndis Sturludottir), playing her blood elf paladin

They will be supported by Gustav Käll aka Marilyn in his role as live shoutcaster of the raid.

Live raid at the Games Convention 2007

Following thunderous shows at previous Blizzard Entertainment events and in-game within World of Warcraft, Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain, an all-Blizzard rock band, will bring their customary madness, mayhem and metal to the Blizzard Entertainment Worldwide Invitational’s closing ceremony — their first live European appearance. The band’s pounding rock anthems will be followed by a Video Games Live symphonic performance, featuring favourite themes from Blizzard Entertainment games, played by a full orchestra and choir, with an epic multimedia backdrop. Read more about the live concerts at the Worldwide Invitational 2008!

Impressions from previous Blizzard events.

The 2008 Blizzard Entertainment Worldwide Invitational will feature exciting eSport invitational tournaments, drawing top Warcraft III, StarCraft and World of Warcraft Arena players from around the world to play for over $100,000 in prizes! In addition to these professional gaming matches, community player tournaments will allow you show your skills for fun and glory – and some exclusive tournament prizes.

Impressions from previous Blizzard events.

As the 2008 Blizzard Entertainment Worldwide Invitational gets underway, we’ll be updating with video and photos live from the event floor. Be sure to visit over the course of the show to see galleries from the panels, tournaments, contests and other Worldwide Invitational activities. We are also offering a live video stream from the event both on Saturday and Sunday!