ESL adds WoW; Epic Gems from Arena

[Tyveris]

WoW added to the ESL - http://www.esl-world.net/masters/news/58791/

ESL announced that WoW will be replacing Warcraft 3 in the upcoming Intel Extreme Masters 3 tournament. The prize money for everything will be $750,000. I'm not sure how much will be allocated for WoW, but with an amount that large I am sure no one will be disappointed. They will be announcing further details soon.


The third season of the Intel Extreme Masters unlocks a new level of eSports and entertainment. The Intel Extreme Masters Season III features events on three continents: Asia, America and Europe. The world's best eSport clans will be playing on highest performing Intel Extreme Processors on Alienware Systems from Dell's Gaming group competing for a prize money of 750,000USD. Counter-Strike 1.6 and World of Warcraft are the disciplines.

Intel Extreme Masters Website (http://www.esl-world.net/masters/)

750,000USD Prize Money for Counter-Strike 1.6 and World of Warcraft

For the previous seasons of the Intel Extreme Masters the games Counter-Strike 1.6 and Warcraft 3 were the two main disciplines. For the third season we are exchanging one game. Instead of Warcraft 3, the world's most popular MMORPG, played by more than 10 million players, will be the second title: World of Warcraft. At the Blizzard and Intel Warcraft Weekend in Hamburg and at the Intel Extreme Masters at DreamHack the ESL presented two major tournaments that introduced WoW to the eSports audience. We are looking forward to see World of Warcraft as a part of the Intel Extreme Masters.

Tournaments around the world

After two exciting seasons of Intel Extreme Masters featuring several events in Europe and the Global Challenge in Los Angeles it is time to take the next step: The third season of world's greatest eSports tournament is featuring events in Asia, America and Europe. The American and European continental league seasons will culminate in continental finals. Individual country finals will be hosted in Peoples Republic of China and the Republic of South Korea. The start of the third season will be at Games Convention 2008. In early 2009 the world finals will determine the world’s best teams at CeBIT 2009!

Further information about the play mode, the qualification system and of course the events will be announced on the Intel Extreme Masters website soon!Epic Gems for Arena Points - http://www.worldofraids.com/news/153.html

Also, epic gems will be purchasable with arena points for 800 points per gem. They are not unique equip, but they are soulbound.
http://www.worldofraids.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=189
http://www.worldofraids.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=190

Gems that can be purchased:

Bold Ornate Ruby (http://www.wowdb.com/item.aspx?id=28362)
Inscribed Ornate Topaz (http://www.wowdb.com/item.aspx?id=28363)
Gleaming Ornate Dawnstone (http://www.wowdb.com/item.aspx?id=28120)
Smooth Ornate Dawnstone (http://www.wowdb.com/item.aspx?id=28119)
Runed Ornate Ruby (http://www.wowdb.com/item.aspx?id=28118)
Potent Ornate Topaz (http://www.wowdb.com/item.aspx?id=28123)

[Goodfight]

Good stuff for sure!

[Blakeyohn]

Hope they add healing gems =\

[krezi]

lulz 800 pts

[Qwey]

lulz 800 pts

It'll be nice once everyone caps with 15+ weeks left of the season :P

[Babbon]

Every fucking time they add something, it takes like 3 major patches to introduce a healing version.

[Irishrover]

Good stuff for sure.

[Tribby]

Unfortunately if someone wants to gem their new arena gear with epic gems immediately... they'll be unable to use these gems.

[Pollox]

Hope they add healing gems =\

Will agree on that.

[Vander]

Interresting, too bad I allready have 7 epic gems in my bags waiting for s4..

[Gann1]

where are the healing gems, wow

[gnog]

Once Again blizz screws the healers. Just like the First pvp gems buyable with honor. Aswell as the first pvp backpieces. Where is the LOVE?

[InsaneSooner]

well its a good thing for mages considering we dont have a 2nd set >.>. I wont have to waste my gold or badges = D

[killtank]

bahh i already stocked up on mats, plus whos gunna waste 800 pts on gems off the bat?

[Arvins]

these guys are such ripoffs...like anybody in his right mind is gonna pay 800arena points for a gem U can get for 250gold:rolleyes:

[Daize]

Anyone who just comes online for arena, instead of grinding.

[Arveene]

and who isn't a healer ><

[Eve]

After the GM/HWL grind and Season 1 how could they continue to screw this up?

Oh wait its Blizzard, question retracted.

[Krazyxkill]

lol. its a good idea, and for those saying its a rip off... where you getting like 300 points a week last season??? i managed 2 full sets 5/5 with weps + wasted a whole bunch by being capped at the end still... at least now i can get a ton of em even if for no other reason than for random gear i dont have yet lol :P

a step in the right direction, BUT WHERE THE FUCK ARE THE HEALING ONES :((((

[Levidian]

We'll I guess regardless of any balance issues bliz is making the whole E-sports thing work as all the major competitions are picking it up.

WTB a 4v4 bracket so we can at least see/compete in tournys on more then one setup.

[Maelfurion]

iunno why the hell they dont add healing gems. can someone explain what the intention is>?

[Arveene]

iunno why the hell they dont add healing gems. can someone explain what the intention is>?

To make every healer quit.