Leipzig - The New King of Summer Events

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1. Daily Column

The King is Dead. Long Live the König!

Cody "Micajah" Bye, Ten Ton Hammer's managing editor, filling in for John "Boomjack" Hoskin for the first part of this week. We really don't know how long Boomjack's going to be gone. In fact, we don't really know where he is. He mysteriously disappeared in Berlin and hasn't been seen since. Oh well. Next time we'll have to tag him like a wild gorilla before we let him loose in a foreign country.

Our last day of Leipzig actually occurred earlier than we expected as it didn't make sense for us to stay an extra day. Four days of exploring the show floor, camera in hand, voice recorder in pocket, was more than. However, that still doesn't take away from the fact that Leipzig was an absolutely amazing event this year. By all estimates, Leipzig surpassed its 2006 mark of 180,000 people and was pushing over 200,000 this year, making it one of the biggest shows for the Western marketplace. Most of the Asian shows dwarf their western counterparts, but as far as Western shows go Leipzig was humongous Aside from Comic-Con, I've never been to anything that massive that was totally devoted to the gaming space.

Not only that, but the attention that MMOGs received was absolutely thrilling. Every MMOG that was showing was extremely busy, with players queuing in lines to play Warhammer and huge groups interacting at the Age of Conan booth. The Chronicles of Spellborn had a large presentation while Fury held its own on the show floor. Pirates of the Burning Sea, Cabal Online, Lord of the Rings Online and many others pushing their technologies on the European consumer. On top of that, the European consumer seems to be very attracted to that sort of marketing extravaganza. People of all shapes and sizes were everywhere in those halls, marching up and down rows upon rows of games, their necks craning to view a new movie or trailer of an upcoming game. Oh...and there were painted booth babes.

I'll even go so far as to say that Leipzig GC is the new E3. In my estimation, no other convention this year will feature the sort of announcements that came from Leipzig GC. If you don't believe me, just check out the list I've compiled of games that released new or otherwise inaccessible information:

Age of Conan - Information on PvP and Siege Warfare EVE Online - Details of Trinity 2 and Revelations 2.2 Lord of the Rings Online - Preview of Book 11 and Announcement of the Balrog Tabula Rasa - PvP Information, Tier 4 classes, and user interface improvements Vanguard: Saga of Heroes - New Dragon and Dungeon Detailed Warhammer Online - Introduction of Elves and Four More Classes

And throughout this week we'll have major features on the dominant presence of The Chronicles of Spellborn, Sword of the New World , and Dreamlords at Leipzig GC!

Along with all these new announcements, almost every other major MMOG publisher was at the show either making a deal or talking with the press in some fashion. Really, I've never been this excited about a show since the days of the 2004 and 2005 E3s, where new announcements and products were being displayed at every other gaming stand. Leipzig was that sort of show for the MMOG market. Couple that with the food of my dreams, and the show reached levels of enjoyment that should be reserved for rock stars and debutantes.

Ten Ton Hammer will miss you Leipzig, but there's a good chance you'll see us again next year. Save some schnitzel for me!

2. New MMOG Articles At Ten Ton Hammer Today

Leipzig 2007 - Age of Conan Siege Warfare Video - Jeff "Ethec" Woleslagle Leipzig 2007 - EVE Online - Cody "Micajah" Bye / Phil "Ralphedelominius" Comeau Leipzig 2007 - Tabula Rasa Demo / Q&A Video - Jeff "Ethec" Woleslagle Leipzig 2007 - Tabula Rasa - John "Boomjack" Hoskin / Phil "Ralphedelominus" Comeau PAX 2007 - Guild Wars Eye of the North Preview - Cameron "Aelryn" Sorden Leipzig 2007 - Guild Wars Co-Creator Jeff Strain Interviewed - Cody "Micajah" Bye Leipzig 2007 - Booth Babe Pictures - Phil "Ralphedelominius" Comeau / Cody "Micajah" Bye Leipzig 2007 - Staff Photos - Phil "Ralphedelominius" Comeau / Cody "Micajah" Bye Leipzig 2007 - Blog - Fallout 3 Preview - Cody "Micajah" Bye PAX 2007 - Picture Tour - Cameron "Aelyrn" Sorden DDO - Zone Guide - Antaraxia's Haven - Greg "Darkgolem" Stanley EQ2 - Shadowknight Achievement Abilities - Savanja WAR - New High Elf Classes - Swordmaster - Thurston "Ratboy" Hillman WAR - New High Elf Classes - Arch Mage - Thurston "Ratboy" Hillman WAR - New Dark Elf Classes - Blackguard - Thurston "Ratboy" Hillman WAR - New Dark Elf Classes - Witch Blade - Thurston "Ratboy" Hillman Wiki - AWplanet, Tatsumaki, and Kal Online - Amber "Aurael" Weldon Wiki - The Legend of Ares, Kingdom of Drakkar, and Khan - Amber “Aurael” Weldon WoW - Horde Leveling Guide Update - Level 38-40 - Byron "Messiah" Mudry WoW - Warlock "How to Play" Update - Gabriel "Darkfact" Zamudio LotRO - Community Interview - The Silent Guard - Stacy "Martuk" Jones LotRO - Book 11 Preview - The Balrogs are Coming! - Stacy "Martuk" Jones Vanguard - Pantheon Guide #9 - Summoning of Vol Tunnel - Ben "Machail" de la Durantaye Vanguard - Armor Project - Althea's Armor - Eric "Dalmarus" Campbell Vanguard - Blog - Super Fad - Danny "Ralsu" Gourley

3. Hot Content

Leipzig 2007 - EVE Online - Cody "Micajah" Bye / Phil "Ralphedelominius" Comeau Leipzig 2007 - Tabula Rasa Demo / Q&A Video - Jeff "Ethec" Woleslagle Leipzig 2007 - Tabula Rasa - John "Boomjack" Hoskin / Phil "Ralphedelominus" Comeau PAX 2007 - Guild Wars Eye of the North Preview - Cameron "Aelryn" Sorden Leipzig 2007: Lord of the Rings Online - First Balrog Announced - Cody "Micajah" Bye Leipzig 2007: Lord of the Rings Online - Book 10 Video - Jeff "Ethec" Woleslagle Leipzig 2007: Warhammer Online: Q&A With Jeff Hickman and Paul Barnett - Garrett "Beejay" Fuller Leipzig 2007: Warhammer Online - Press Conference Video - Jeff "Ethec" Woleslagle Leipzig 2007: Warhammer Online - Video Interview With Jeff Hickman and Paul Barnett - Jeff "Ethec" Woleslagle Leipzig 2007: Warhammer Online - High Elf and Dark Elf Classes Revealed - Garrett "Beejay" Fuller Leipzig 2007: Vanguard - Interview With Darrin McPherson - John "Boomjack" Hoskin Leipzig 2007: Vanguard - Update #3 Video - Jeff "Ethec" Woleslagle Podcast: Episode #4 - FanFaire Review and Leipzig Preview - Jeff "Ethec" Woleslagle

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Thanks as always for visiting TenTonHammer.com

- Ten Ton Hammer's Away Team Europe