Blizzard today announced that its MMO World of Warcraft has surpassed two million paying subscribers worldwide. As the game's worldwide population continues to grow, so does the game itself: Blizzard recently introduced the highly anticipated player-vs.-player (PvP) Honor System and the game's first two Battlegrounds, Alterac Valley and Warsong Gulch. These new PvP battlefields offer a variety of fast-paced combat and some of the most valuable rewards yet seen in the game.

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Emerald Shores"... Map info: "Fleets sail from distant lands to loot the treasures of this ancient island. Some even come to brave the mystic defenders of the ancient temple… others know better." This is a medium sized map and the suggested no. of players is 2v2 or 3v3. It is based on the "Sunken Temple" tileset. Go download it here!

Blizzard has released a new update for its MMORPG World of Warcraft. This update adds two PvP battlegrounds, Warsong Gulch and Alterac Valley, as well as a long list of gameplay tweaks, bug fixes, balancing and so forth. Read more for detailed fix list and download links ...

Blizzard today announced that its MMORPG World of Warcraft has officially launched in China. Players in China can now download the game, create accounts and experience the epic adventure of the Warcraft series in an immersive and continually evolving online environment. Needless to say, expect more downtime ...

"A number of additional accounts and CD keys have been tied to the use of a hack or cheat program while playing Warcraft III on Battle.net. In keeping with our aggressive stance against cheating, we have permanently closed 53,928 Warcraft III accounts. 8,168 of the Warcraft III CD keys used with the now-closed accounts have been banned from ladder play for one month, and 3,331 more have been banned from ladder play permanently. Repeat offenders risk having their CD keys disabled, which will result in the permanent removal of their copies of Warcraft III from Battle.net."

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Everfrost"... Map info: "Hidden deep within the wintry crags of Everfrost is a realm of dark Nerubian horrors, protecting their frozen crypt from those that seek gold and wealth. Only when working together can these chilling nightmares be defeated and vanquished under ice forever." This is a medium sized map and the suggested no. of players is 2v2,3v3. It is based on the " Icecrown Glacier" tileset. Go download it here!

The9 Limited and Blizzard today announced that both companies have decided to use an authorized-CD-key system for World of Warcraft in China in order to provide a stable and fair game environment and top-notch customer service for all players.

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Sunken Ruins"... Map info: "In one of the most tumultuous and dangerous parts of the ocean lies an isle run by goblins. Their whole lot in life is to sell zeppelins to wayward seafarers whose ships were destroyed by perilous hurricanes common to these waters." This is a large sized map and the suggested no. of players is 3v3,4v4, FFA. It is based on the "Sunken Ruins" tileset. Go download it here!

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Shrine of the Ancients"... Map info: "There once existed a shrine to the ancient gods of yore, but all that remains is a ruin of rubble, sand, and ore. Though legends persist of creatures from the sea, that have surfaced to guard the treasures of an era long before." This is a small sized map and the suggested no. of players is 1v1. It is based on the "Sunken Ruins" tileset. Go download it here!

The official date for the open beta testing of World of Warcraft in China will be April 26, 2005, earlier than the originally planned April 29, 2005. WoW's open beta testing date has been brought forward by three days to accommodate tremendous requests and strong expectations from players.

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Phantom Grove"... Map info: "An ancient horror lurks in these twisting paths turning away all but the most stalwart of champions. These would-be heroes enter confidently, seeking battle and adventure to immortalize their legacy... but none have returned." This is a small sized map and the suggested no. of players is 1v1 or 2v2. It is based on the "Lordaeron Summer" tileset. Go download it here!

Blizzard issued a small statement announcing they have once again banned a slew of Warcraft 3 accounts from players who were using hacks to cheat. "A number of additional accounts and CD keys have been tied to the use of a hack or cheat program while playing Warcraft III on Battle.net. In keeping with our aggressive stance against cheating, we have permanently closed 5,900 Warcraft III accounts. 2,300 of the Warcraft III CD keys used with the now-closed accounts have been banned from ladder play for one month, and 500 more have been banned from ladder play permanently." Read more about it on the official Blizzard website.

Blizzard Entertainment announced today that an additional 250,000 standard box copies of World of Warcraft, its successful massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), will be available in retail stores across Europe on 15th April. This new shipment of boxes follows the sales of more than 620,000 copies in Europe since its launch on 11th February.

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Full Scale Assult"... Map info: "In these eternally contested lands, war comes and goes leaving behind death and glory. Strike strategically and fight valiantly till your foes fall and you can hear the snowflakes land on the dead. Victory, at last." This is a large sized map and the suggested no. of players is 3v3 or 4v4. It is based on the "Lordaeron Winter " tileset. Go download it here!

Blizzard Entertainment today announced that World of Warcraft, its massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), has surpassed the 1.5 million subscriber mark.

"Over the recent weeks we have been investigating the activities of certain individuals who have been farming gold in order to sell it in exchange for real world currency. After researching the situation, we have issued permanent suspensions to over one thousand accounts that have been engaging in this practice. We do not condone such actions and will take decisive action as they are against our policy and damage the game economy as a whole. We will continue researching this matter. If you suspect someone of taking part in said gold farming, please eMail the report to wowgm@blizzard.com."

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Worm War"... Map info: "Every baby worm dreams of being a gladiator in the worm arena, where burly worms battle it out to eat sheep, grow, and squish their adversaries." This is a tiny sized map and the suggested no. of players is 4-12. It is based on the "Dalaran" tileset. Go download it here!

Blizzard has released new update patches for Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos as well as The Frozen Throne. This upgrade brings your retail game to v1.18 and addresses several game balance, map tweaks, bug fixes, enchancements to the world editor, and other changes. Read more for download links ...

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Cherryville"... Map info: "Cherryville holds the truth of nature... from the vines, life grows and from the sheath, death follows. Those that wield both crush all those who oppose." This is a medium sized map and the suggested no. of players is 3v3 or 4v4. It is based on the "Village Fall" tileset. Go download it here!

Blizzard today announced that World of Warcraft has become an overnight success in Europe, achieving record-breaking sales in its first 24 hours since the game launched on Friday, 11th February. World of Warcraft has sold-through an estimated 280,000 copies at retail on day-one, this figure rose to more than 380,000 units being sold-through by the end of the first weekend.

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Highperch"... Map info: "Highperch bestows beauty and magical powers to those brave enough to withstand savage attacks from the inhabitants who protect its secret healing waters." This is a medium map and the suggested no. of players is 2v2 or 3v3. It is based on the "Barrens" tileset. Go download it here!

Rich in legend and filled with adventure, the World of Warcraft awaits! For the first time, players experience the lands of Azeroth from a new, in-depth perspective. As heroes, they explore familiar battlefields, discover new lands and take on epic quests and challenges in Blizzards massively multiplayer, on-line, role-playing game. Limited amount of slots, so go and sign up NOW!

Blizzard President Mike Morhaime has addressed the WoW community to shed some light on the recent downtime and apologies for the problems some of the players may have been experiencing on the servers. "I am sure that many of you are wondering what has been going on with the World of Warcraft servers, as there was another period of extended downtime during peak hours last night.... Last night, we took down 20 realms for emergency maintenance.... Players on these same 20 realms also experienced service interruptions earlier in the week... Therefore, in addition to the three days already credited to these players as a result of the server issues earlier in the week, players on these realms will be receiving an additional four-day credit to their accounts." Read the full statement on the official WoW forums...

A number of additional accounts and CD keys have been tied to the use of a hack or cheat program while playing Warcraft III on Battle.net. In keeping with their aggressive stance against cheating, Blizzard has permanently closed 12,000 Warcraft III accounts. 6,000 of the Warcraft III CD keys used with the now-closed accounts have been banned from ladder play for one month, and 1,000 more have been banned from ladder play permanently. Repeat offenders risk having their CD keys disabled, which will result in the permanent removal of their copies of Warcraft III from Battle.net.

Over the weekend Blizzard updated some of the World of Warcraft database hardware in order to improve performance. This update required extended downtime for certain realms as data was transferred from the launch servers to the new servers. Due to the extended nature of the server issues, Blizzard will be providing a free 48-hour extension of play time, which will show up as free extra time on your current billing period. You can read more about it on the official World of Warcraft website...