World of Warcraft reaches level 5

By Mike Bantick
Tuesday, 24 November 2009 05:38

Entertainment

The global online addiction that is World of Warcraft has reached a milestone and levelled up.   To celebrate, all players get their own pet dragon.

Much to the chagrin of spouses everywhere, and under despite suspicion by the Chinese ministry of culture, World of Warcraft continues to power on.

Today marks the 5th anniversary of the game and also stamps the 15th anniversary of the Warcraft brand.

The original Real Time Strategy game Warcraft Orcs & Humans joined an ever increasingly populated RTS market in 1994. 

Developer,  Blizzard, was able to distinguish its product from the pack with the fantasy setting as well as an injected sense of humour in the game. 

In 1995 the game received a sequel (Tides of Darkness) which spawned an expansion (Beyond the Dark Portal) the following year.

With the final RTS Warcraft version , Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, released in 2002, Blizzard started setting its sights on a Massive Multiplayer Online game set in the Warcraft land.

The initial World of Warcraft imagery was very comical and different from the WOW that players experience today.  The original vision of WOW looked like a Disney version, with Orcs replacing Winnie The Pooh.

Today’s WOW has enthralled millions around the world for the past 5 years, withstanding several rival onslaughts and managing to remain popular through difficult times.  

To celebrate, World of Warcraft players logging on during the anniversary will receive a Onyxian Whelpling pet – a miniature version of the fierce dragon Onyxia.