DirecTV posts

Things are getting back to normal in terms of sales on PC game download sites. Let's look at today's deals:

• Direct2Drive has all of its MMO games on sale for 20 percent off this weekend if you use the code "joker" at checkout.
• Impulse has a number of games on sale this weekend including Madden 08 (the last NFL PC game from EA) for just $4.99. Also Disciples III: Renaissance is on sale for today only for $10.19.
• Games For Windows Marketplace has marked down a number of games 50 percent from now until next Thursday. That includes BioShock 2 for $9.99, Blacklight Tango Down for $7.49 and Osmos for $4.99. Also Microsoft Flight Simulator X Gold Edition is now available on the site for the first time.
• GamersGate has a number of games on sale this weekend including the original Two Worlds for just $4

StarCraft II fans, listen up. If you don't have your tickets yet to attend Blizzcon 2010 you are pretty much out of luck unless you can buy a ticket via eBay or Craigslist. However you can now order up the pay-per-view streaming internet video coverage of Blizzard's big fan event now at the Blizzcon web site.

The fee for the pay-per-view is $39.95 which allows you to watch a whopping four channels and over 50 hours of BlizzCon 2010 broadcast video goodness on October 22-23 from Anaheim, CA. That includes events on the BlizzCon stages as well as tournament coverage. You will also get an unnamed exclusive World of WarCraft in-game item. And for the first time ever, pay-per-view watchers can get access to purchase exclusive BlizzCon merchandise during the event.

As in years past you can also purchase the pay-per-view event and watch it on DirecTV. If you are getting DirecTV for the first time you can get the BlizzCon pay-per-view event for free when you sign up for the service. Current subscribers can pay for the event starting October 9.

It's been rumored for some time but it does look like the Prince of Darkness will indeed make some kind of appearance at BlizzCon 2009. We are talking about heavy metal rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, of course, who made a terrificially funny commerical promoting World of Warcraft several months ago (as you can see from the video above this post).

Our sister site WoW.com spotted the mention of "a special appearance by Ozzy Osbourne" in the schedule of DirectTV who is doing a pay-per-view event of Blizzard's sort-of annual fan get-together on August 21-22. There's no word yet on if Ozzy will actually be taking the "Crazy Train" and performing on stage but we wouldn't bet against it.

While many of us at Big Download are prepping for E3 next month, it's not supposed to be open to the public. That's not the case with BlizzCon, Blizzard's (sort of) annual gathering of fans to both celebrate their games and try out upcoming titles. Today Blizzard relaunched the BlizzCon web site with word that one block of tickets would go on sale May 16 (a second block will be made available on May 30).

Ticket prices for the August 21-22 event in Anaheim, California will be $125, which is higher compared to previous BlizzCons' $100 price tag. Even with the increase tickets are still expected to sell out quickly. However people who cannot attend can check out a pay-per-view event on DirecTV. Blizzard will also offer the DirecTV broadcast via the Internet as a pay-per-view streaming video for $39.95.

Yet another major pro gaming tournament organization has shut its doors. This time it's the Championship Gaming Series which was co-funded by the DirecTV satellite TV service (it also televised CGS tournaments). First announced in 2006, the organization was world-wide in scope, holding tournaments around the globe in 2007 and again in 2008, with the World Finals held in July of this year.

As usual the reason for the shutdown is a old one; lack of money. According to the official statement, "...profitability was too far in the future for us to sustain operations in the interim." Last year we saw the World Series of Video Games shut down dispite sponsors like Intel and a CBS TV deal. Last March the Cyberathlete Professional League also shut its doors. However the CPL could be staging a comeback via new owners.

A while back we mentioned that the DirecTV satellite TV service would be offering exclusive HD coverage of this October's Blizzcon event via pay per view. This week DirectTV announced the details on how new subscribers to the service would be able to get the Blizzcon coverage for free.

Simply put, any new DirecTV customers who sign up for the service by September 30 will be able to get the Blizzcon pay per view for free. Existing customers will have to shell out a whopping $39.95 for the same privilage. That pay per view will offer at least eight hours of HD coverage per day of Blizzard's sort of annual event on October 10-11. Anyone who orders the pay-per-view will also get a cool World of Warcraft in-game item; a polar bear mount with a murloc that waves a Blizzcon flag.

Satellite TV company DirecTV is a co-founder of the pro gaming tournament organization the Championship Gaming Series and while DirectTV has shown coverage of events in the series on their own channels the CGS hasn't had much media exposure beyond that (we are guessing that the actual viewing audience for the CGS coverage is somewhere around 12 people). That will be changing, however, thanks to a new agreement with cable TV channel G4TV.

The new agreement will have the pop culture (with some gaming) cable TV network broadcast four 90 minute specials that cover various CGS events, including this year's North American and World Finals. The first such special is due to air on July 16 and will likely add a ton more actual viewers to the CGS coverage. Financial terms were not disclosed.