Feeling bored and wondering how to start off this preview, I decided that I wanted to test Blizzard's cultural significance. Outside of The Sims, Blizzard's three PC universes (Diablo, Starcraft, and Warcraft) are possibly the most well known and respected computer game series' on the planet. I tried to think of the one person I know that's most out of touch with computer gaming, and then I called my mom.

(This is an actual, real conversation.)

"Hey, how's it going mums?"

"Eric? You never call anymore. I miss you so much, and you didn't even call on my birthday!"

"Yeah. So, I'm calling because I'm writing something for a Web site, and you're involved."

"Why?"

"Do you know what Warcraft is?"

"Oh, that computer thing with the green guys?"

"Yeah. Okay, that's it. Thanks."

I'm not making that up. My mom really knows what Warcraft is, though I suspect it may be because she saw me play hundreds of hours of Warcraft II when I was younger. Blizzard is depending on universal brand recognition to sell millions of copies of its upcoming massively multiplayer online role-playing game, World of Warcraft, and going by what I got to play at E3, I know that those millions are going to be very satisfied, sleep-deprived customers.

I haven't been selected for the World of Warcraft beta that's going on right at this moment, nor do I personally know anyone involved in it. My only frame of reference for this most-wanted of beta tests is the little bit of information and screen shots that beta testers post on the Internet. So, when E3 opened its doors to the media, I immediately took off searching for Blizzard's booth. I introduced myself as a member of the press, casually mentioned under my breath my disappointment that I didn't get selected for the beta even though I've put over 200 hours into Warcraft III online, and then found myself seated in front of a computer to play in the World of Warcraft beta.

I played Everquest and Asheron's Call back in the late Stone Age, so I knew what to expect here. But I didn't expect the beautifully textured, streamlined interface that greeted me. Blizzard has the best artists in game development, and the low-polygon count of World of Warcraft doesn't stop it from looking stunning and inspired.

I chose to create a Dwarf Warrior, because I love the Mountain King hero in Warcraft III. I named him "OMGDwarf" because I could, and then found myself dropped onto a snowy mountain within the next ten seconds. The character creation was incredibly non-tedious while also making me feel like I had control over what I was making good old OMGDwarf out to be. Blizzard says that character creation will be balanced so that it’s very hard to create a “gimped” character, such as one that has his/her stats and feats perpendicular to what you’re trying to accomplish. If you want an awesome Dwarf Warrior with hands full of magic, you should be no less powerful than the Dwarf Warrior that spent all his points in giving himself a ridiculous amount of attack strength.

Straight ahead of me, I saw a fellow Dwarf with an exclamation mark over his head. I figured he either had something to say or I was really tired and actually playing Metal Gear Solid 3, so I ran over to him and he gave me a quest to fetch wolf pelts. Within the first five minutes of sitting down to play World of Warcraft, I already had something to do. Anyone that has played an MMORPG before knows that such an event is ridiculous to even consider, so I have to congratulate Blizzard for not wasting my time.

Conveniently, there were wolves roaming all over the nearby hills, so I went over, clicked on them, and watched them fall over. This is the same auto-combat that every MMORPG features, but I adored the wild animations and the energy dripping off of the polygons on the screen. Blizzard has always given their games more character and personality than necessary, and you can feel that same special touch has been applied to World of Warcraft.

This wolf stabbing continued for about twenty more minutes before I decided to be nice and let someone else play. It’s a bit disappointing that WoW is stuck in the same “swing at a small animal to level up at the beginning” rut that most MMORPGs have had problems getting out of, but that’s okay. I know that when the final game comes out later this year, it will be so good that even my mom will want to play it.

If you ever see OMGDwarf running around and stabbing wolves, feel free to say hi.

· · · Eric Williams