WoWInterface - News

Comic Contest

Cairenn — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:11:17 GMT

Okay guys, we�ve got another one for you. This time we�re opening it up to any of our registered members that have a good sense of humour and artistic talent.

Everyone has probably already seen the comic we have on all of our sites, by Woody of GU Comics:

However, we thought it might be nice to have some other comics that we could use on our site(s). And, we have 20 WWI key cards (WotLK beta key code & mini Tyrael pet code) to hand out. So we thought to ourselves, "Selves, why don't we have them draw us some comics. We can pick our 20 favourites and give them these cards!" (Don't you just love it when we talk to ourselves? ;) ) You might get your very own WotLK beta key and mini Tyrael pet! Plus, we may use your comic on our site(s)!

Rules:

You must be a registered member of WoWInterface
Only 1 card per winner (More than 1 person can work on the comic, but there will only be 1 card per winning comic. You�ll have to fight it out between yourselves on how to split the key codes)
All the artwork must be your own original work. No using copyright images!
Your comic must be PG13
Your comic must not violate any of Blizzard's or WoWInterface's site rules, ToU, EULA or CoC.
It should be appropriate to the site (you know, having to do with, like, UIs and stuff ;) )
Anyone that is using either the US or the EU WoW client may enter (the EU beta key codes can be exchanged for a US beta key code if necessary)
By entering this contest, you grant WoWInterface a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, transferrable license to display your entry publicly
WoWInterface reserves the right to deny any entry.

How to enter:

Submission is easy. Just post a reply to this thread with your comic as an attachment.

Submission deadline is 11:59pm pacific, Friday, 29 August, 2008.

The WoWI staff will pick our favourite 20 over the weekend and post our decision on Monday, 1 September, 2008.
Codes for the Beta key and mini Tyrael pet will be sent to the winning members via private message here on the site.
All decisions by the staff of WoWI are final.

Get out your pencils & crayons boys and girls! Let's see what you can come up with!

A Time to Say Goodbye

Kudane — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 05:59:16 GMT

This is my last post as part of the Admin Staff here on the MMOInterface sites.

After co-founding the first site 6 years ago and helping all of them grow, it is with a heavy heart that I post my final news blurb on the front page.

While I am sad to be officially be stepping down from the Admin staff of the MMOInterface sites, it is not all sad, because, I will still be lurking around and you will still find me sneaking into the forums and hiding among the file downloads. I look back on the 6 years I have spent with the sites to those days when I was posting add-ons from emails by hand the first month EQInterface was up. To the numerous phone calls and emails Dolby and I got from our host provider when we team up saying that our bandwidth usage was crushing the server we were on. Then I look at what they have become today, each a leader in the games community and respected by the company that makes the games they support

You know, it wasn't long after Dolby and I teamed up for EQInterface/EQGui that we picked up our first staff member (and forum moderator), a fiery Canadian who the whole community fell in love with right from the start (of course I can only mean Cairenn). Cairenn has stepped into my role over the last year with all the sites (not just WoWI) as I transition out and she, doing what she does best, stepped up and kicked butt. I leave the sites knowing they are in the best hand possible with Cairenn and Dolby.

A single post can not express to you you what it has meant to be a part of the UI Community for the last 6 year. From Fanfaire to Blizzcon, you all have been amazing and I would not trade one minute of my time with all of you, I will miss it dearly.

Be safe out there amongst the Murlocs, the Drolvarg, the goblins and the bandits, remember its a jungle out there (in some zones!)

- Kudane
retired Admin and co-founder MMOInterface

AddOns Gone Crazy Winners!

Cairenn — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:33:06 GMT

Wow, the response to this was amazing! In the three weeks we ran the contest we went from having a half dozen addons in the Mini Games/ROFL category to having 86 to try to choose between! And trust me, it was a hard decision. The work and thought that went into most of these was phenomonial. It would have been impressive enough if it were for a �serious� addon. But for addons that are just to be silly, just intend to amuse you? Absolutely astounding.

All I can say is that I am very glad I didn�t have to try to make this decision on my own. I don�t think I could have, there were so many great ones to pick from. Trying to narrow it down to just 10 took us all weekend of everyone weighing in, discussing and debating which ones we were going to choose. We did finally come up with our �Top 10� though. In alphabetical order (not �rank� order) the top 10 Crazy AddOns as chosen by the WoWI staff are:

AGT - Automatic Goblin Therapist by Duugu;
Arcade Panel (Minigame Bundle) by MoongazeMods;
Comix by Si_;
Fall-O-Meter X103 by Cargor;
GnomeDust by Lilsparky;
Joo Janta 200 Super-Chromatic Peril Sensitive Sunglasses by Mikma;
Manamana by Neal;
Raid Excuse Generator by Korsibar;
World of World of Warcraft by Moskau; and
Zap-A-Gnome by Mery.

Congratulations to all of our winners! Each of you can expect a private message from me shortly with the code for your in-game Dragon Kite!

And the biggest congratulations goes to all the rest of us, because now we�ve got all these fun addons to use. ;) Check out our winners and all the rest in the category. There are lots of really fun addons in there now.

Get a job!

Dolby — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:54:42 GMT

Ever wanted to work on Allakhazam? Thottbot? Wowhead?

Zam is hiring and has two full time positions available, one for a Programmer and the other for a Designer. If you're interested in finding out more about the requirements check out Zam's job openings page.

BlizzCon� 2008 Tickets on Sale August 11, and Group Hotel Rate!

Cairenn — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:28:23 GMT

BLIZZCON� 2008 TICKETS ON SALE AUGUST 11
Unprecedented event coverage also available exclusively on DIRECTV

IRVINE, Calif. � July 29, 2008 � Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. today announced that tickets for its third BlizzCon� gaming convention will go on sale August 11 and that live coverage of the event will be available as an exclusive DIRECTV pay per view event. BlizzCon is a celebration of the global player communities surrounding Blizzard Entertainment�'s Warcraft�, Diablo�, and StarCraft� game universes. The event will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California on October 10 and 11.

"Meeting and interacting with our players at BlizzCon is always a great experience for us," stated Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. "We're also pleased to be working with DIRECTV this year to bring the show, for the first time, to those players who are unable to attend."

In addition to serving as a gathering place for the different Blizzard Entertainment gaming communities, BlizzCon will offer an array of activities, including discussion panels, hands-on playtime with upcoming games, tournaments, contests, and more. Tickets to the convention will be priced at $100 USD each, and will be available for purchase directly from the official BlizzCon website at www.blizzcon.com.

The pay per view event will deliver a minimum of eight hours of live HD coverage from the show floor on each day of the convention, including exclusive interviews, demos, and more. Beginning in August, DIRECTV will run a promotion offering the BlizzCon pay per view event free to new DIRECTV subscribers. Pricing for existing DIRECTV customers and programming details will be available in the coming weeks from Blizzard Entertainment and DIRECTV.

"BlizzCon is one of the most highly anticipated gaming conventions of the year, and we are excited to partner with Blizzard Entertainment to deliver coverage of the show to gamers nationwide," said Steven Roberts, senior vice president, new media and business development, DIRECTV. "With our BlizzCon pay per view package, members of Blizzard's gaming communities who are not attending the event can now experience it in crystal-clear HD."

As the event draws closer, further details will be announced at www.blizzcon.com.

Plus, because I really believe in taking care of our community ...

Group Hotel Rate:

I've been in discussion with the hotel I stayed at last year for BlizzCon (Cortona Inns and Suites) and arranged a group rate with them. So, if you are planning on going to BlizzCon, there is another hotel option beyond the ones Blizzard will be advertising on their site. The hotel is less than 3 minutes away from the convention center, so it's very convenient.

This is the information you will need if you want to book with Cortona.

ROOM TYPE: Dlx King or double Queen
BOOKING URL/LINK: https://www.reservations-page.com/C0...ashx?pc=wowi08
PROMO CODE: WOWI08
$75.65 + fees and tax.
1-4 people per room max.

As our guest, you will enjoy the many attractions located in perfect proximity to the hotel. Such attractions include the Disneyland� Resort, the Anaheim Convention Center and the Downtown Disney� District, which offers a multitude of Shopping and dining experiences along with a variety of entertainment choices.

Includes free parking, Deluxe Continental Breakfast each morning, free high speed internet access in public space (lobby, breakfast room, pool area) fee based Internet access in guest rooms.

Attached Thumbnails

Upcoming 3.0 Changes - Concise List

Cairenn — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:08:33 GMT

As usual, Iriel's post from the Blizz UI forum.

This is a consolidated list of the announced (and sometimes observed) changes in the User Interface API's and functionality for the Wrath of the Lich King expansion (3.0) repease. Please note that this thread is to discuss the upcoming changes and any clarifications or features that are a direct result of those changes.

IMPORTANT: Off-topic or entirely redundant posts are liable to get deleted. It is however in everyone's best interest to not post them in the first place - We'd rather slouken could spend his time coding us cool things than moderating this thread!

(Last update 2008-08-08 18:03 Pacific)

Significant Changes
* The blizzard UI is being converted to use 'self' and the other local arguments in favor of 'this' and argN. The old style arguments are going to be obsoleted, so AddOn code needs to be updated too. This may mean there are changes in the signatures of Blizzard UI functions - update code that hooks or replaces the blizzard UI where necessary as well. !!!

* The SecureStateHeader has been replaced by a new secure template which allows for a more natural specification of rules in lua rather than via complex state tables. More details will be forthcoming. !!!

* Key bindings, macros, and many UI settings are now stored on the server and will be available wherever you play.

* Button objects appear to no longer have their own internal Font objects, and have replaced the various methods to alter them with methods to reference existing Font objects to use for each state (SImple color changes can still be done without creating your own Font objects by using the |c color escape)

* The old crafting API's have finally been retired and enchanting moved onto the more common tradeskill API

* UPDATED: The incompatible slash command change has been reverted.

Settings and Preferences
* The following functions have been replaced with server-stored cvars: SetAutoLootDefault(), GetAutoLootDefault(), ShowNameplates(), HideNameplates(), ShowFriendNameplates(), HideFriendNameplates()
* Saving the settings on the server can be disabled by setting the "synchronizeSettings" cvar to 0. You can then use the new UploadSettings() and DownloadSettings() functions to manage synchronization manually.
* NEW value = GetCVarBool("cvar") - Returns the value of the cvar as 1 or nil instead of requiring you to compare the cvar value with "0" or "1"
* NEW name, defaultValue, serverStoredAccountWide, serverStoredPerCharacter = GetCVarInfo("cvar") - Returns information about the named cvar
* There is a new FOCUSCAST click modifier (with no default value) which will cause spells to be cast on your focus.

Macros
* You can now maintain a backup copy of your macros and restore them at any time with the following functions: BackupMacros(), RestoreMacros(). These functions can not be called by AddOns while you are in combat.
* The number of account-wide macros has been increased to 36.

Buff Information
* The various GetPlayerBuff functions have been removed and integrated into the appropriate unit functions, adding a new UnitAura function and updating the others:

name, rank, texture, count, debuffType, duration, expiryTime, untilCanceled = UnitAura("unit", [index] or ["name", "rank"][, "filter"]);
name, rank, texture, count, debuffType, duration, expiryTime, untilCanceled = UnitBuff("unit", [index] or ["name", "rank"][, "filter"]);
name, rank, texture, count, debuffType, duration, expiryTime, untilCanceled = UnitDebuff("unit", [index] or ["name", "rank"][, "filter"]);
CancelPlayerBuff([index] or ["name", "rank"][, "filter"]);

GameTooltip:SetUnitAura("unit", [index] or ["name", "rank"][, "filter"]);
GameTooltip:SetUnitBuff("unit", [index] or ["name", "rank"][, "filter"]);
GameTooltip:SetUnitDebuff("unit", [index] or ["name", "rank"][, "filter"]);

* The "filter" parameter can be any of "HELPFUL", "HARMFUL", "RAID", "CANCELABLE", "NOT_CANCELABLE". You can also specify several filters separated by a | character to chain multiple filters together (e.g. "HELPFUL|RAID" == helpful buffs that you can cast on your raid). By default UnitAura has "HELPFUL" as an implicit filter - you cannot get back BOTH helpful and harmful at the same time. Neither "HELPFUL" or "HARMFUL" have meaning for UnitBuff/UnitDebuff, and will be ignored.
* AddOns displaying remaining time should cache the expiry time and decrement their own counter, do not re-query the information every OnUpdate.
* The untilCanceled return value is true if the buff doesn't have its own duration (e.g. stealth)

Companions
* Mounts and non-combat pets have been changed to be spell rather than item based. There are a number of new API methods to query and use them (See post #57 from slouken for more details)

* NEW count = GetNumCompanion(type) -- Gets the number of a specific type of companion (type is "CRITTER" or "MOUNT")
* NEW creatureID, creatureName, spellID, icon, active = GetCompanionInfo(type, index) -- Gets information abotu a specific companiion
* NEW PickupCompanion(type, index) -- Load a companion onto the cursor for placement into an action bar
* NEW CallCompanion(type, index) -- Summon a specific companion

Also, the PlayerModel frame has a new method

* NEW PlayerModel:SetCreature(creatureID) -- Show the model for the specified creature

Aggro Awareness (aka Threat)
(NOTE: Still very much subject to change -- See slouken's detailed post below (#80) for more details)

* NEW state = UnitThreatSituation(unit[, mob]) -- Determine a unit's threat situation with respect to the given mob (or the mob which has the highest threat for the unit if omitted), the result is one of:
nil = unit not on threat list
0 = 0-99% raw threat (no indicator shown)
1 = 100% or more raw threat (yellow indicator)
2 = tanking, other has 100% or more raw threat (orange indicator -- you may lose primary target)
3 = tanking, all others have less than 100% raw threat (red indicator)

* NEW isTanking, state, scaledPercent, rawPercent, threatValue = UnitDetailedThreatSituation(unit, mob) -- Returns detailed information about the unit's state on a mob's threat list.
isTanking -- true if the unit is the primary target of the mob (and by definition at 100% threat)
state -- Unit's threat situaton, as above
scaledPercent -- Distance-scaled threat percentage (0-100%)
rawPercent -- Current percentage threat of the unit relative to mob's primary target
threatValue -- Raw 'threat amount' for the unit, roughly approximate to amount of damage and healing done by the unit

* NEW r, g, b = GetThreatStatusColor(state) -- Gets the color to use in the standard UI for a threat situation state

There are also two new events, UNIT_THREAT_LIST_UPDATE is fired when a mob unit's threat list changes, the unit id of the mob is the first event argument. UNIT_THREAT_SITUATION_UPDATE fires when a unit's threat situation changes, the unit in question is the first event argument (Note this only fires for status value changes, not raw threat changes)

Frame API's

Texture Methods
* UPDATED - exists = Texture:SetTexture(path[, tiled]) -- Added a new tiled parameter, if this is true then the texture is tiled in each direction rather than the edge stretching to infinity.

Other Observed Changes
* Item strings have changed format to include character level

Reminders!

Cairenn — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:58:56 GMT

While everyone is busy going crazy over the various giveaways and contests going on, just wanted to remind people of a few things that are always available on our site.

For authors, in addition to the Beta Key giveaway and the Crazy Mods contest, we've got our SVN for version control, the portal system which allows you to have your own mini-site on WoWI complete with bug tracking, feature request tracking, etc., and the uploader to make updating your mods on the site even easier! Plus, don't forget that we've got a separate download category and forum for you to use to get your mods beta tested for WotLK.

[edit] Okay, Dolby has added the WotLK flag. It is *off* by default, for now. But it does mean that you can tag your "live" addons as being WotLK compatible as well.

In addition, Dolby has added some code so that there is a link at the top of the WotLK Beta download category that links to any "live" addons that have been flagged for WotLK. So now if you have a "live" version that works for both live and WotLK, you don't have to have it in both categories seperately. If you still want to have a seperate version in the WotLK Beta though, because they still need testing or whatever, you are certainly welcome to.

For everyone (users and authors), we've got our Updaters for both Mac/Linux and for Windows, to make being sure you've got the latest version of your favourite addons from this site easy and painless. We also have a weekly spotlight of new or updated addons to give you an overview of an addon you may not have seen before.

[edit] We also have a listing on the front page (community tab) right side menu that lists the latest new or updated mods for WotLK beta, in addition to our usual list. As well, Dolby has added an RSS feed for them, which can also be found on the front page side menu. If you are in the Beta, help the authors help you. Test their mods and give them bug reports and feedback so they are ready to go when the expansion goes live. :)

Plus, we've got more contests and giveaways coming up over the next few weeks and months!

WotLK Beta Author guilds

US PvE (Northrend server)

Alliance:
Horde:

EU PvE (Coldarra server)

Alliance:
Horde:

Addons Gone Crazy!

Cairenn — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:13:29 GMT

You've thought about it. You've considered doing it. You've wondered to yourself, "Self, why should engineers be the only ones that get to make crazy things?" Well, now we�re giving you a reason to go for it! You too can write a crazy mod that has no apparent �worth� other than just to make you laugh. And if it�s crazy enough, you�ll get rewarded for it! We have 10 (in-game) dragon kites that we are giving away to mod authors!

Go here to get the full scoop!

Massive Mod Author Wrath of the Lich King Beta Key Give-Away

Cairenn — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:42:32 GMT

We took care of you last time and we aren’t letting you down this time either. It was so highly successful that we are doing it again! Another massive Beta key give-away for mod authors, this time for the upcoming expansion Wrath of the Lich King!

This is not a contest! Whether using US or EU client, if you are a mod author that hosts with us and you have been keeping your mods current, you are eligible for a key!

Update: Okay guys, I've sent in the first batch of names. If your ticket is: US 000001 - 000475 or EU 000013 - 000474, your information has been sent to Blizzard. Hopefully you will see your key within the week, but neither we nor Blizzard are making any promises on that count.

Update #2: 476 - 591 went in today.

We are continuing to collect names and will be sending in a batch to Blizzard once a week hereafter. If you haven't signed up yet or didn't sign up in time for today's list you don't have to worry, you still have time to do so. Sign up here.

Also, don't forget about our Addons Gone Crazy contest. You have until 8 August 2008 to submit your funny, silly addon.

Once you get the chance to get your mod ready for beta testing in the expansion, upload it to our WotLK Beta download category and check our WotLK Beta forum for possible feedback.

Rules:

You must have an active World of Warcraft account.
You must be an addon author with one or more mods on the site that are current to 2.4 (Compilations & "Hello world" or its equivalent do not count).
One key per author. Blizzard will check to make sure you aren't getting multiple keys, so don't try to scam.
Your WoWInterface account must be registered to a valid email address. This does not need to be the same account you are using for your WoW account, it just has to be a valid one that you will check.
Both US and EU can sign up for keys. Make sure you check the radial button that applies to you.
Do not upload addons that are not your own. Anyone caught uploading someone else's work will be banned from the site. All addons submitted are manually checked.
Blizzard and WoWInterface reserve the right to deny anyone a key.

Also, don't forget that we've already opened up a WotLK beta download category and forum for you guys to use as well.

WotLK Beta Author guilds

US PvE (Northrend server)

Alliance:
Horde:

EU PvE (Coldarra server)

Alliance:
Horde:

Wrath of the Lich King beta mods

Cairenn — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:30:06 GMT

With the new World of Warcraft expansion, Wrath of the Lich King, going to beta shortly and the NDA being lifted, we've added a download category and a forum for WotLK beta mods.

These resources are so authors can upload beta versions of their mods to allow users to help them with their testing, and providing a place for the authors to get bug reports and feedback on them.

World of Warcraft Client Patch 2.4.3

Cairenn — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:34:19 GMT

Of immediate interest for authors and users:

User Interface

The help interface has been simplified dramatically. Players will no longer be required to select a category when opening a GM ticket. In addition, players can use the “Talk to a GM” button to fill out a ticket that requires a GM response or the “Report Issue” button to fill out a ticket that does not require a GM response.

Target buff/debuff timers that appear when you cast a spell are now more visible.

Time Management features have been implemented! These features include an alarm clock, stopwatch, and viewing your computer’s local time.

The new stopwatch feature can be accessed via the /stopwatch, /sw, or /timer slash commands. Inputting a time into the slash command will make the stopwatch count down. For example, /stopwatch 1:0:0 will make the stopwatch count down from an hour, /stopwatch 1:30 will make it count down from 1 minute, 30 seconds, and /stopwatch 30 will make it count down from 30 seconds.

Added the following macro commands: /targetenemyplayer, /targetfriendplayer.

Added key bindings for tab targeting players.

Ctrl-Tab and other target nearest friend functions will no longer target you.

Targeting using /target will prefer live targets over dead ones.

You can no longer click the minimap to cast ground targeted spells.

Invisible players with Hunter’s Mark can see the hunter that put the mark on them.

Vendor items now show their Duration in Inventory.

For additional notes on Lua and XML changes please visit the UI & Macros Forum.

Our final winners in the WoW Programming raffle

Cairenn — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 04:57:29 GMT

Congratulations to our final three winners:
Tirya, wulfy27 and Keias!

Hopefully the entire UI community will benefit from the 11 copies of the
popular World of Warcraft Programming book that we raffled off,
in the form of new authors/mods.

Congratulations again to all of our winners!

Also, don't forget to check out the most recent picks of the week!

Our latest winners in the WoW Programming raffle

Cairenn — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:14:17 GMT

Congratulations to our next two winners:
herel and Hexe!

Next week is our final draw. Through the generosity of another of our users, Flarin, we actually have 3 copies of the popular World of Warcraft Programming book left to raffle off, instead of the usual 2 copies we've raffled off in all of the previous draws.

If you haven't signed up already, this is your last chance. Click the book below to go to our rules page and sign up for the raffle.

Also, don't forget to check out the most recent picks of the week!

Diablo 3 announced at Blizzard World Wide Invitational '08

Cairenn — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 10:33:46 GMT

Blizzard just announced their newest upcoming game, Diablo 3, during the opening ceremony at the Blizzard World Wide Invitational '08 in Paris France. Keep your eyes open on all your favourite sites for more details as the sites get their feeds out.

Cladhaire is at WWi and will hopefully get a chance to play it while there and give us some feedback on it when he gets home, so watch for that as well.

You can download their game play trailer here.

Our latest winners in the WoW Programming raffle

Cairenn — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:51:48 GMT

Congratulations to our next two winners:
Syzgyn and Fritos!

We have 4 copies of the popular World of Warcraft Programming book left.
If you haven't already, sign up now for your chance to win!

Raffle will take place every Sunday for the next 2 weeks.

Click the book to go to our rules page and sign up for the raffle.

Also, don't forget to check out the most recent picks of the week!