Blizzard has started the initial fase of the World Of WarCraft open beta test, as you can now participate in a week long stress test over at Fileplanet, although only for subscribers. Next week Blizzard will open the beta test to all, but be prepared for a huge download as the client is over 2gigs large!

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Extreme Candy War 2004"... Map info: "Download Extreme Candy War 2004, a special Halloween map courtesy of the Warcraft III Team!" This is a medium map and the suggested no. of players is 4v4, 5v5. It is based on the "Outland " tileset. Go download it here!

Blizzard send out a msg is to inform us that the beta servers will be coming down at 3:00 PM PDT on Friday, October 29 and will remain offline for a few days in preparation for another stress test. Accounts and characters will be active for this stress test, but a new client download will be required. After the game servers come down on Friday the 29th, you will be able to log in to the community site and download the new client.

The Detroit Free Press website has a column claiming to have confirmation from Vivendi's North American president Phil O'Neil, that World Of Warcraft will ship a week after Half-Life's 2 launch date Nov.16, which would would that, unlike previous predictions, WoW would not launch on Nov15,. but on November 22 instead.

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Echo Isles"... Map info: "Though these islands are surrounded by deep and treacherous waters, they have seen little peace. Many of the creatures dwelling here are refugees from the war. They have nothing left to lose. Don't expect a warm welcome." This is a Small map and the suggested no. of players is 1v1. It is based on the "Lordaeron Summer" tileset. Go download it here!

The official World Of Warcraft website has word that people who did not make it into the closed beta test will get yet another chance to try out the game before its official release date. "We are happy to announce that we will soon be accepting applicants for the World of Warcraft Open Beta Test for North America. The open phase of beta will give people a chance to enter Azeroth and play World of Warcraft before the game is released. More details will become available in the days ahead, so stay tuned."

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Bandit Ridge"... Map info: "The cobbled road that cuts through this bandit-infested ridge is perilous and unsafe for travel. Restless thieves prowl in the night, paying their Ogre and Troll allies with the heads of foolhardy adventurers." This is a Small map and the suggested no. of players is 1v1. It is based on the "Lordaeron Summer " 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 v1.17a and addresses several game balance, map tweaks, bug fixes and other changes, along with two new Neutral Heroes for Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, and The Frozen Throne. Read more for download links ...

If you have been experiencing problems with the World Of Warcraft beta test, you now know why. The datacenter in Virginia, which hosts the servers, has been hit damaged by a tornado. Because water leaked into the building the servers were shut down as a precautionary measure, some hardware had taken on water, and a full inspection will take 48 hours or longer to complete. We encourage you to enjoy the rest of your weekend with other activities, as the World of Warcraft beta test will remain offline for at least that long.

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. 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.

NVIDIA and Blizzard are working together to ready the game for play on NVIDIA graphics hardware, the preferred platform for World of Warcraft. To celebrate the collaboration, the companies will randomly distribute 1,000 closed beta accounts to eager gamers. Sign-ups will be held for one week only, starting today at http://www.nzone.com.

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Sunrock Cove"... Map info: "Sunrock Cove is a famous getaway for those with a lot of gold to explore its rich area. Remember to tip your Goblin Zeppelin after he rides you to a most pleasurable victory!" This is a Medium map and the suggested no. of players is 2v2, 3v3, or FF. It is based on the "Village" tileset. Go download it here!

AT&T and Blizzard Entertainment today announced plans to create a secure hosting solution for the launch of Blizzard's massively multiplayer online role-playing game, World of Warcraft.

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Excavation Site"... Map info: "With the help of Gazlowe's engineers, an unexplored city was recently excavated near Durotar. Quickly secure the gold mines in the center before your enemies do." This is a Medium map and the suggested no. of players is 2v2 or 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 "Predator"... Map info: "The blizzard that once made the high crags of Stone Cold Mountain inaccessible has finally subsided. Rumor has it that the first expeditionary force sent to explore the area returned battered and broken. Time, it seems, has only made the mountain deadlier." This is a Medium map and the suggested no. of players is 1v1 or 2v2. It is based on the "Northrend" tileset. Go download it here!

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.

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Predator"... Map info: "Over the millennium, many hard-won battles have assured a place where fallen generals and countless soldiers of history watch over this land forever." This is a Medium map and the suggested no. of players is 1v1, 2v2 or FFA. It is based on the "Ashenvale" tileset. Go download it here!

Sign-ups for the European Closed Beta Test of Blizzard Entertainment’s highly anticipated MMORPG, World of Warcraft, start today, 5th July 2004. The sign-up period will run for 3 weeks and potential testers can register online via the sign-up pages on the official Blizzard European Web sites: www.blizzard.co.uk /www.blizzard.fr /www.blizzard.de.

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Rolling Hills"... Map info: "Thump... Thump... War approaches. Booming drums call the troops to death and glory. The lines are drawn, and alliances are set. Nothing will hold back the bloodshed. War is here. Thump... Thump! " This is a Small map and the suggested no. of players is 2v2 or 3v3. It is based on the "Lordaeron Summer." 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 v1.16a and addresses several game balance changes for Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, and a slew of tweaks for The Frozen Throne. Read more for download links ...

Blizzard Entertainment today announced the 5th July 2004 as the date players can start signing up for the European Closed Beta of its eagerly awaited MMORPG, World of Warcraft. Potential testers will be able to register online through the official European Blizzard websites for the English, French and German speaking markets.

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Slalom"... Map info: "Even this far south, Northrend has no mercy. Bitter winds slice through the thickest clothes, and cunning arctic beasts race down the slopes to prey upon unsuspecting settlers." This is a Medium map and the suggested no. of players is 3v3 or 4v4. It is based on the "Northrend" tileset. Go download it here!

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Deadlock"... Map info: "After a bloody deadlock that lasted three long years, the Centaur became the undisputed rulers of these wild plains. Claim as many gold mines as possible, or you will fall to the hate of your enemy." This is a Medium map and the suggested no. of players is 2v2, 4v4 or FFA. 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. Read more to check out our preview, part 1.

Blizzard has released yet another new Warcraft III map, this time called "Funny Bunny's Egg Hunt"... Map info: "Hunt for eggs on Bunny Island. The Easter Bunny will share his eggs if you can catch up with him. Be careful, though: the island hosts a gang of evil bunnies who will try to stop you." This is a Medium map and the suggested no. of players is 4 to 8. It is based on the "Lordaeron Summer" tileset. Go download it here!