|
World of Warcraft has been an extraordinary
success since its launch in November 2004. It has impressed game
critics and has captivated millions of players, who adore the world
that the game has created. It is no longer just a game but is now a
genuine phenomenon, and one that shows no signs of abating. It is
one of the key games of recent times, and stands as a landmark title
for online gaming.
World of Warcraft’s appeal lies in that it has created a
truly engaging online world. This massively multiplayer online
role-playing game is set in the world of Azeroth, a fantastic land
that is filled with heroes and monsters and many other creatures.
The game’s strength is that it functions as an experience, as a
world that exists on its own terms that you may visit and explore as
you please.
World of Warcraft is the 4th title in the series of Warcraft
games, which have been entertaining people for over a decade. The
series began in 1994 with the game Warcraft: Orcs and Humans, a real
time strategy game set in Azeroth. This was a fine title, and a good
introduction to the series, but in truth the franchise was just
getting started. The best was still to come.
Indeed, it wasn’t until 1995 and the release of the second game,
Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness, that the series really found its
voice. Warcraft 2 was a masterpiece, and it improved on the original
in every sense. The game had beautiful graphics, epic storytelling
and fascinating, absorbing gameplay. The high standards of the
series continued in 2002, with the release of Warcraft 3: Reign of
Chaos. This was another classic and a remarkable game in its own
right. The predecessors of World of Warcraft were all superb.
Blizzard Entertainment published all of the Warcraft titles, and the
games attracted a huge following. When Blizzard announced that there
was going to be a 4th game in the series, it was natural that people
were interested. This interest intensified when it emerged that the
new Warcraft title was going to be an online multiplayer game. World of Warcraft would make Azeroth more interactive and
redefine it as an experience.
The fans of the series had high expectations for World of
Warcraft, as it promised to be a terrific and innovative new
title. Blizzard held a beta test for the game in March 2004, and
gave selected players a preview. Those who played it were very
impressed and it received great reviews. The anticipation for the
game’s release grew stronger as 2004 went on.
World of Warcraft was officially launched in North America on
Tuesday the 23rd of November 2004. It was well received by critics.
The launch was a major success, and it achieved huge sales on its
first day of release. Blizzard estimated that 240,000 copies were
sold in the first day alone. These were record numbers for a game of
this genre and so World of Warcraft became the
fastest-selling online game in history. It was a smash hit.
World of Warcraft sustained this success; in fact, the
popularity of the game began to snowball. It really took off and
caught the public imagination, with more and more people becoming
enthralled with it. 2005 saw the game explode into a global
obsession. In February it was launched in Europe and in June it was
launched in China, with other countries following suit. It proved
hugely popular everywhere it was released, and by 2005’s close it
had more than five million subscribers worldwide.
World of Warcraft has evolved since its initial release.
There have been a number of updates for the game, and the universe
of Azeroth has grown. Blizzard have made improvements, fixed any
problems, and have worked to make the game user-friendly. They have
also expanded the game, by adding sections like Blackwing Lair, for
example, the dungeon lair of Nefarion, one of the villains in the
game.
In June 2005, Blizzard added major player versus player content in
the form of two special battlegrounds, Alterac Valley and Warsong
Gulch. Alterac Valley allows players to engage in battles of 40 on
40 people, while Warsong Gulch offers new challenges, like stealing
your opponent’s flag from their camp. These battlegrounds are the
most substantial update to World of Warcraft since it was
released.
Now, in 2007, World of Warcraft is as popular as ever.
The
expansion, The Burning Crusade,
has been released,
and has expanded the world of Azeroth even further. World of
Warcraft has become the pinnacle of the Warcraft series, and is
a magnificent and distinctive game.
In February of 2007 World of
Warcraft subscription base reached the 8 million mark.
March 2008 World of Warcraft
has 10 million subscribers and will release it's second expansion in
late 2008 called Wrath of the Lich King.
|
