Here’s our new Live Cast format: Lore Cast! Below is the video to begin season 1, and it’s a doozy. It’s almost 30 minutes long, so be ready for such a long episode. There’s plenty to keep you glued. Most of our Monday episodes will be around this length. Come back Wednesday for Episode 2: Enunciate!

You can check below the video for the text version of today’s episode topic agenda.

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This excerpt-review of the upcoming World of Warcraft: Wolfheart novel by Richard A. Knaak is of the mild-spoiler variety.

For the people that don’t know Richard, he has written several novels set in the world of Warcraft before, which include The Sunwell Trilogy and the War of the Ancients. Before I get into it I will warn for some spoilers. If you want to read the excerpts before reading the review head here. I will be giving my thoughts about the two excerpts Blizzard has posted.

After reading the first excerpt, I was impressed with the writing style of Knaak. The long-time Warcraft wordsmith created a bond between common orcs and  their new Warchief, Garrosh. It was obvious that the orcs, whether brownskin or greenskin, would would do everything for Thrall’s successor. This becomes more apparent when Briln, the elderly orc captain, tells the reader that the orcs would have readily given their lives for their legendary overlord of the Warsong Offensive.

To be fair, I haven’t actually read any of Knaak’s novels yet, but these excerpts certainly caught my eye and I am looking forward to digesting his older works. This excerpt kept me intrigued throughout. I really wanted to find out what the cargo is that the orcs carry and what its purpose is. I had the idea that they captured some worgen, seeing the name of the novel, but after a second thought I am not so sure anymore. Briln informs us that they will be using this cargo against the Alliance. The worgen maybe an aggressive race, but they wouldn’t attack their own allies. More engrossing is the idea that the Cataclysm is the first sign of their “day” coming. What does Garrosh mean by that…

The second excerpt entertained from start to finish, largely due to heavy emotions. I read how disheartened Genn became with losing his land and city and how he doesn’t like having this curse. He blames himself for everything that happened. Again, the writing style remains slick (not surprising, given that it’s one book). Other staffers have routinely criticism Knaak for his dialogue and descriptions, but he made me feel the heartache and internal struggles Genn is living with. Just consider the weight of the last line, why would it be Malfurion’s fault that the Gilneans got cursed?

Before I go I really want to know what you guys think of these two excerpts? What kind of creatures do you think are in those cages? Why could it be Malfurion’s fault the Gilneans got cursed? Last but not least, are you going to buy this novel? I certainly am!

Darn previews sucking me in. LoreHound.com will have a full review shortly.

Now that the Pre-E3 blues are gone, Beararms and Mordil return enthusiastically to talk about this year’s biggest gaming convention in the Americas month’s MMO industry news.

Return here to join them Saturday the 25th at 11 AM PDT (2PM EDT) to chat it up with them and see a new toy they’ll be using for the LiveCast!
Whatcha Been Playin?

Kyle: L.A Noire, Rift, Oblivion, Portal 2, Magic: The Gathering, Forsaken World

Nathan: Shakes and Fidget, Pathfinder, Starcraft II, Angry Birds / Hex Empire

General

• Hackers that attacked SOE and Sony now move on to other gaming IPs (EVE, LoL, Minecraft, Nintendo, Bethesda, Epic Games)
• E3 Reception – How did we feel about this year
• Minecraft hits 2.5 million sales

World of Warcraft

• 4.2 Set to release on the 28th
• Authenticator changes that allow the server to memorize your IP address

Rift

• AddOn Capability being added sometime in the future
• Patch 1.3 on June 22nd. Continue Reading