 All
right, we gave you a large sneak peak at Lucas Arts and thought it would
be only fair to show some other big players as well. For this next two-part
article we will discuss what Blizzard Entertainment has kept under its
sleeves for the past two years. Blizzards two big games in production,
'World of Warcraft' and 'Star Craft: Ghost', are scheduled for release
sometime in 2004. Since 'World of Warcraft,' aka WOW, has just entered
the beta release I guess we can expect to see this one first.
Four
years have passed since the aftermath of Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos,
and a great tension now smolders throughout the ravaged world of Azeroth.
As the battle-worn races begin to rebuild their shattered kingdoms, new
threats, both ancient and ominous, arise to plague the world once again.
World of Warcraft is an online role-playing experience set in the award-winning
Warcraft universe. Players assume the roles of Warcraft heroes as they
explore, adventure, and quest across a vast world. Being "Massively Multiplayer,"
World of Warcraft allows thousands of players to interact within the same
world. Whether adventuring together or fighting against each other in
epic battles, players will form friendships, forge alliances, and compete
with enemies for power and glory.
A dedicated live team will create a constant stream of new adventures
to undertake, lands to explore, and monsters to vanquish. This content
ensures that the game will never be the same from month to month, and
will continue to offer new challenges and adventures for years to come.
 Before
I start, WOW is not like the other Warcraft games. While the original
Warcrafts were RTS's [real time strategies], WOW is a MMORPG [massively
multiplayer online role playing game]. Instead of controlling a lot of
small units you will control one major unit. As your character finishes
quests you will earn money and have the option of improving your characters
abilities. You will also be able to use your earned money to buy new weapons,
equipment, and trade skills.
Choose
Your Path
You
will be offered two sides to play for, the Horde or the Alliance. Each
side offers four separate races, each with its own distinct advantages
and disadvantages. After you choose your side you will be unable to jump
ship and join your enemy so choose wisely.
Races
 Horde
Orcs: As an Orc your starting location is Durotar. Your main strength
will be found in brutality and mass.
Tauren:
Allied with the Orcs during the invasion of the Burning Legion. The Tauren
are a noble group that will defend itself with all their strength if attacked
or bothered.
Undead:
Even though they are classed under the Horde, they offer no real loyalty
to anybody.
Trolls:
Offer their loyalty to the mighty Tauren, will come either as a hunter
or a shaman.
 Alliance
Humans: Your starting location will be Northshire, Elwynn. Your race does
all it can for survival.
Night
Elves: The Legion's Invasion united the Night Elves with the alliance.
This race finds comfort in the dark.
Dwarves:
Always stood by the side of the Humans and continue to answer to their
call.
Gnomes:
The Gnomes were nearly wiped out during the Second War. Now they come
back and offer their technological advances.
 This
Land is my Land
WOW
will offer six major areas of play. The first is Teldrassil which is home
of the Night Elves. This map is mostly dark with large woods. The next
area is Dun Morogh, which is home to the Dwarves. This area offers a snowy
landscape. The third major area is called Duskwood and borders the human
encampments. This area offers small villages in a forest setting. Stranglethorn
Vale is one of the more impressive areas as it offers a more jungle environment
with canals and bridges. The main human area is Elwynn Forest which is
lush with green areas. The last area is Westfall which looks similar to
Duskwood but much more open.
The
major areas listed above are not the only places your character can visit.
There is also the starting cities/locations that each character must begin
from as well.
Classes
 For
WOW, you will have up to nine classes to choose from. Each class is limited
to certain races so if you are more worried about what class your character
will be, then choose your race accordingly. Your class options are Paladin,
Rogue, Priest, Hunter, Warlock, Druid, Warrior, Mage, and Shaman.
Each
class will offer a combination of special moves and powers to help you
vanquish foes and progress through your quests.
 Your
Enemies
Besides
just encountering other Online Players to fight with, there will also
be many AI units as well. These units include Gnoles, Thieves, Frost Trolls,
and more.
Each
one of these units are limited to certain maps of the game and will try
to hinder your character as your quests take your through their paths.
 Nothing
Like Home
As
previously stated, each race is offered a starting location. Most of these
locations will be within major cities. The cities alone offer a plethora
of things to do including shop and find quest options. You will also be
able to visit your local bank where you can store weapons and other relics
that you have discovered or taken.
The
cities will also offer areas for you to train your character since each
class will have some type of head quarters located in most of the major
cities. You can also seek out one-on-one matches with other players to
test and hone your skills.
Game
Play Video
The
game play video can be found at the Blizzard website at www.blizzard.com.
The game play video shows means of travel for the characters, such as
riding on a giant bird called a Gryphon, and some battles in progress.
It all looks pretty impressive but obviously will need to have some toned
down graphics in order to support the large maps and massive multiplayer.
The fight sequences look good as characters can help each other take out
enemies.
The
video also takes an ample amount of time to introduce you to a bunch of
the different landscapes you will encounter throughout the game; all which
do in fact look pretty awesome. However, there was not too much to the
video that just blew my mind [unlike the Half Life 2 video or Halo 2].
The background music was not very exciting and there was no real climax
to the video.
We
will just have to give it a few months [or another year] to fully see
what Blizzard has in store for us.
The
game is set for release in 2004, hopefully
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