New details on Warcraft III emerge

Game developer and publisher Blizzard Entertainment has revealed new details about their forthcoming “role-playing strategy game” Warcraft III.

The company has offered up the final name for the game — Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos. They’ve also unveiled the roster of the four races of creatures who will vie for control on the dominion in the game.

Players will get to choose from either Orcs, Humans, Undead and Night Elves as they struggle to control the world of Warcraft III. Each race sports unique units, different magical abilities and varied weapons of war. The game will also feature Demons — a non-playing race that “interacts with the four playable races and advances the game’s storyline.”

Warcraft III team lead Frank Pearce explained that the game’s race makeup is the result of months of design effort to create the best playing experience possible.

“We will now focus our efforts on finalizing each race’s units, the AI and the campaigns,” said Pearce.

Blizzard provided some basic information about each race in the game, and how they differ. From the press release:

Humans. The noble defenders of humanity continue to fight for survival in a world plagued by darkness and war. The humans concentrate their skills in the realms of martial discipline and technology. They alter their environment, use armor, weapons and machines; and domesticate animals. Human units include the Footman, Knight, Elven Priest, Elven Sorceress, Dwarven Mortar Team and Dwarven Rifleman. Human heroes include the Paladin, Arch-Mage, Half-Elven Ranger and the Dwarven Mountain King.

Orcs. The savage Orcs have rallied once again and stand ready to face the terrible demons who corrupted their society long ago. The Orcs rely on brute strength and melee combat. Units used by the Horde include the Grunt, Troll Head Hunter, Wyvern Rider, Shaman and Troll Witch Doctor. Examples of Orc heroes are the Farseer, Blade Master, Tauren Chieftain and Shadow Hunter.

Night Elves. These mysterious, shadowy beings are one of the eldest races of the world. They have emerged from their centuries-long seclusion to defend the world from the coming apocalypse. Units include the Ent, Archer, Sentinel, Assassin, Treant and Hippogryph. Elven heroes are comprised on the Keeper of the Grove, Demon Hunter, Priestess of the Moon and Arch-Druid.

Undead. The plague-ridden undead army known as the Scourge has come from the frozen wastelands of the north to topple civilization in its darkest hour. The undead Scourge is renowned for its ability to generate units on the battlefield. Corpses of fallen foes are very important to the Undead. Several abilities and spells rely on corpses as components for their spells. Undead units include Dredge, Ghoul, Banshee, Necromancer, Gargoyle and Frost Wyrm. Heroes include the Death Knight, Lich, Dread Lord and Abomination.

Warcraft III is the latest edition of the game series that introduced many gamers to the real time strategy game genre. According to Blizzard, the new Warcraft III puts players in control of smaller groups of units, with an emphasis not only on real time strategy and combat, but also on role-playing adventure.

The game play takes place in a 3D environment populated by non-player characters, wandering monsters, and various places where players can explore like strongholds and temples. Unlike previous Warcraft installments, which depended on sprite-based animation, the game sports a skeletal and skinning animation process. The net result is a fluid 3D experience, according to Blizzard.

The game also features legendary heroes that must complete questions, acquire special items and gain experience while leading powerful forces. Multiplayer play will also be supported through Blizzard’s own free Battle.net online service.

A campaign editor will also be included to enable players to create their own custom 3D maps and scripted missions — it is unclear at this time whether the Mac version of the game will sport this editor.

Blizzard says that Warcraft III is expected to be released in 2001 for Windows PCs; a Mac version is expected in early 2002. The game will retail for about US$50. More information about Warcraft III, including screenshots, is available from Blizzard’s Web site.