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`World of Warcraft
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`World of Warcraft - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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`http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Warcraft
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`1,505 captures
`18 Jan 2004 - 30 Nov 2020
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`World of Warcraft
`
`From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
`
`World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) by Blizzard Entertainment. It is
`the fourth released game set in the fantasy Warcraft universe, which was first introduced by Warcraft: Orcs & Humans
`in 1994.[6] World of Warcraft takes place within the Warcraft world of Azeroth, approximately four years after the
`events at the conclusion of Blizzard's previous Warcraft release, Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne.[7] Blizzard
`Entertainment announced World of Warcraft on September 2, 2001.[8] The game was released on November 23, 2004,
`on the 10th anniversary of the Warcraft franchise.
`
`The first expansion set of the game, The Burning Crusade, was released on January 16, 2007.[9] The second expansion
`set, Wrath of the Lich King, was released on November 13, 2008.[10] The third expansion set, Cataclysm, was released
`on December 7, 2010. At BlizzCon in October 2010, lead producer J. Allen Brack announced that there would be a
`fourth expansion set for the game, though the developers did not yet know what it would be about.[11] On October 21,
`2011, the fourth expansion set of the game, Mists of Pandaria, was announced at BlizzCon 2011 by Chris Metzen.[12]
`
`With 10.2 million subscribers as of December 2011,[13] World of Warcraft is currently the world's most-subscribed
`MMORPG,[10][14][15] and holds the Guiness World Record for the most popular MMORPG by
`subscribers.[16][17][18][19]
`
`Contents
`
`1 Gameplay
`1.1 Starting a character or play session
`1.2 Ongoing gameplay
`1.3 Setting
`1.4 Subscription
`2 Development
`2.1 Regional variations
`2.2 Post-launch development
`2.3 Expansions
`2.4 Audio
`3 Reception
`4 Corrupted Blood plague incident
`5 Security concerns
`5.1 Real ID
`6 Sale of virtual goods in the real world
`7 Community
`8 In other media
`9 References
`10 External links
`
`Gameplay
`
`Main article: Gameplay of World of Warcraft
`
`Starting a character or play session
`
`As with other MMORPGs, players control a character avatar within a game world in third- or first-person view,
`exploring the landscape, fighting various monsters, completing quests, and interacting with non-player characters
`(NPCs) or other players. Also similar to other MMORPGs, World of Warcraft requires the player to pay for a
`subscription, either by buying prepaid game cards for a selected amount of playing time, or by using a credit or debit
`card to pay on a regular basis.[20]
`
`To enter the game, the player must select a realm—sometimes referred to as a server. Each realm acts as an individual
`copy of the game world, and falls into one of four categories. Realms are either player versus player (PvP), where
`open combat among players is more common and promoted, or player versus environment (PvE), where the gameplay
`is more focused on defeating monsters and completing quests. Roleplay (RP) and roleplay-PvP (RP-PVP) variants of
`both primary realm types are also available. Realms are also categorized by language, with in-game support in the
`language available.[21] Players can make new characters on all realms, and it is also possible to move already
`established characters between realms for a fee.[22]
`
`Developer(s)
`
`Publisher(s)
`
`Designer(s)
`
`Composer(s)
`
`Series
`Version
`
`Blizzard
`Entertainment
`Blizzard
`Entertainment[1]
`Rob Pardo, Jeff
`Kaplan, Tom Chilton
`Jason Hayes
`
`Tracy W. Bush
`Derek Duke
`
`Glenn Stafford
`Warcraft
`NA 4.3.0
`(November 29,
`2011)
`EU 4.3.0
`(November 30,
`2011)
`Mac OS X, Microsoft
`Windows
`AUS / NA
`November 23,
`2004
`EU February
`11, 2005[2]
`BR December
`6, 2011[3]
`Online role-playing
`game
`Online multiplayer
`ESRB: T
`OFLC: M[4]
`PEGI: 12+
`(11+ in
`Finland)
`Media/distribution 4 CDs (5 for the game
`of the year edition), 1
`DVD, download
`
`Platform(s)
`
`Release date(s)
`
`Genre(s)
`
`Mode(s)
`Rating(s)
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`To create a new character, in keeping with the storyline of previous Warcraft games, players must choose between the
`http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Warcraft
`opposing factions of the Alliance or the Horde. Characters from the opposing factions can perform rudimentary
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`communication (most often just "emotes"), but only members of the same faction can speak, mail, group, and join
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`guilds. The player selects the new character's race, such as Orcs or Trolls for the Horde, or Humans or Dwarves for the
`Alliance.[23] Players must select the class for the character, with choices such as mages, warriors, and priests
`available.[24] Most classes, except for special "Hero classes," are limited to particular races.
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`Ongoing gameplay
`
`As characters become more developed, they gain various talents and skills, requiring the player to further define the
`abilities of that character.[25] Characters can choose from a variety of professions, such as tailoring, blacksmithing, or
`mining. Characters can learn four secondary skills: archeology, cooking, fishing, and first-aid.[26][27] Characters may
`form and join guilds, allowing characters within the guild access to the guild's chat channel, the guild name and
`optionally allowing other features, including a guild tabard, guild bank, and dues.[28]
`
`Much of World of Warcraft play involves the completion of quests. These quests, also called "tasks" or "missions", are
`usually available from NPCs.[29] Quests usually reward the player with some combination of experience points, items,
`and in-game money. Quests allow characters to gain access to new skills and abilities, and explore new areas.[30] It is
`through quests that much of the game's story is told, both through the quest's text and through scripted NPC
`actions.[31] Quests are linked by a common theme, with each consecutive quest triggered by the completion of the
`previous, forming a quest chain. Quests commonly involve killing a number of creatures, gathering a certain number
`of resources, finding a difficult to locate object, speaking to various NPCs, visiting specific locations, interacting with
`objects in the world, or delivering an item from one place to another.
`
`System requirements
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`▾ About this capture
`Windows XP, Windows Vista or
`Windows 7 (32- & 64-bit supported)
`Intel Pentium 4 1.3 GHz or AMD
`Athlon XP 1500+
`1 GB or more of RAM
`NVIDIA Geforce FX or ATI
`Radeon 9500 video card or better
`25 GB free HD space
`4× DVD-ROM drive (downloadable
`installer also available)
`Broadband Internet connection
`
`Mac OS X
`
`Mac OS X 10.5.8, Mac OS X 10.6.4
`or newer
`Intel processor
`2 GB RAM or higher
`ATI or NVIDIA video card with
`64 MB Video RAM or more
`25 GB free HD space
`4× DVD-ROM drive
`Broadband Internet connection[5]
`
`While a character can be played on its own, players can group with others to tackle more challenging content. Most
`end-game challenges are designed in a way that they can only be overcome while in a group. In this way, character
`classes are used in specific roles within a group.[29][32] World of Warcraft uses a "rested bonus" system, increasing the
`rate that a character can gain experience points after the player has spent time away from the game.[25] When a
`character dies, it becomes a ghost—or wisp for Night Elf characters—at a nearby graveyard.[30] Characters can be
`resurrected by other characters that have the ability, or can self-resurrect by moving from the graveyard to the place where they died. If a character is past level
`ten and they resurrect at a graveyard, the items equipped by the character degrade, requiring in-game money and a specialist NPC to repair them. Items that have
`degraded heavily become unusable until they are repaired. If the location of the character's body is unreachable, they can use a special "spirit healer" NPC to
`resurrect at the graveyard. When the spirit healer revives a character, items equipped by the character at that time are further degraded, and the character is
`significantly weakened by what is in-game called "resurrection sickness" for up to ten minutes, depending on the character's level. This "resurrection sickness"
`does not occur and item degradation is less severe if the character revives by locating its body, or is resurrected by another player through special items or
`spells.[33][34]
`
`World of Warcraft contains a variety of mechanisms for player versus player (PvP) play. Players on player versus environment (PvE) servers can opt to "flag"
`themselves, making themselves attackable to players of the opposite faction.[35] Depending on the mode of the realm, PvP combat between members of opposing
`factions is possible at almost any time or location in the game world—the only exception being the starting zones, where the PvP "flag" must be enabled by the
`player wishing to fight against players of the opposite faction. PvE (called normal or RP) servers, by contrast, allow a player to choose whether or not to engage
`in combat against other players. On both server types, there are special areas of the world where free-for-all combat is permitted. Battlegrounds, for example, are
`similar to dungeons: only a set number of characters can enter a single battleground, but additional copies of the battleground can be made to accommodate
`additional players.[36] Each battleground has a set objective, such as capturing a flag or defeating an opposing general, that must be completed in order to win the
`battleground. Competing in battlegrounds rewards the character with tokens and honor points that can be used to buy armor, weapons, and other general items
`that can aid a player in many areas of the game. Winners get more honor and tokens than losers. However, players also earn honor when they or nearby
`teammates kill players in a battleground.[35]
`
`Setting
`
`World of Warcraft is set in the same universe as the Warcraft series of real-time strategy games, and has a similar art direction.[20] World of Warcraft contains
`elements from fantasy, steampunk, and science fiction: such as gryphons, dragons, and elves; steam-powered automata; zombies, vampires, and other undead; as
`well as time travel, spaceships, and alien worlds.
`
`World of Warcraft takes place in a 3D representation of the Warcraft universe that players can interact with through their characters. The game world initially
`consisted of the two continents in Azeroth: Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms. Two separate expansions later added to the game's playable area the realm of
`Outland and the continent of Northrend. As a player explores new locations, different routes and means of transportion become available. Players can access
`"flight masters" in newly discovered locations to fly to previously discovered locations in other parts of the world.[37] Players can also use boats, zeppelins, or
`portals to move from one continent to another. Although the game world remains relatively similar from day to day, seasonal events reflecting real world events
`—such as Halloween,[38] Christmas, Children's Week,[35] Easter, and Midsummer—have been represented in the game world. Locations also have variable
`weather including, among other things, rain, snow, and dust storms.[37]
`
`A number of facilities are available for characters while in towns and cities. In each major city, characters can access a bank in order to deposit items, such as
`treasure or crafted items. Each character has access to personal bank storage with the option to purchase additional storage space using in-game gold.[39]
`Additionally, guild banks are available for use by members of a guild with restrictions being set by the guild leader.[40] Auction houses are available for players to
`buy and sell items to others in a similar way to online auction sites such as eBay.[41] Players can use mailboxes, which can be found in almost every town.
`Mailboxes are used to collect items won at auction, and to send messages, items, and in-game money to other characters.[25]
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`Some of the challenges in World of Warcraft require players to group together to complete them. These usually take place in dungeons—also known as
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`"instances"—that a group of characters can enter together. The term "instance" comes from each group or party having a separate copy, or instance, of the
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`dungeon, complete with their own enemies to defeat and their own treasure or rewards.[42] This allows a group to explore areas and complete quests without
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`others interfering. Dungeons are spread over the game world and are designed for characters of varying progression. A typical dungeon will allow up to five
`characters to enter as part of a group. Some dungeons require more players to group together and form a "raid" of up to forty players to face some of the most
`difficult challenges.[43] As well as dungeon-based raid challenges, several creatures exist in the normal game environment that are designed for raids to
`attack.[38][44]
`
`Subscription
`
`World of Warcraft requires a subscription fee to be paid to allow continued play, with options to pay in one month, three month, or six month blocks, although
`timecards of varying length are available both online and from traditional retailers.[45] Expansion packs are available online, and are also available from
`traditional retailers. As the game client is the same regardless of the version of World of Warcraft the user owns, the option to purchase expansions online was
`added as it allowed for a quick upgrade. World of Warcraft has 10.3 million subscribers as of November 2011.[46]
`
`World of Warcraft is available as a free Starter Edition, which is free to play for an unlimited amount of time. Starter Edition characters are unable to gain
`experience after reaching level 20, and there are other restrictions in effect for Starter Edition accounts, including the inability to trade, use public chat channels,
`join guilds, or amass more than ten gold.[47]
`Development
`
`World of Warcraft was first announced by Blizzard at the ECTS trade show in September 2001.[48] Development of the
`game took roughly 4–5 years, and included extensive testing. The 3D graphics in World of Warcraft use elements of the
`proprietary graphics engine originally used in Warcraft III.[48] The game was designed to be an open environment where
`players are allowed to do what they please.[49] Quests are optional and were designed to help guide players, allow
`character development, and to spread characters across different zones to try to avoid what developers called player
`collision.[50] The game interface allows players to customize appearance and controls, and to install add-ons and other
`modifications.[51]
`
`World of Warcraft runs natively on both Macintosh and Windows platforms. Boxed copies of the game use a hybrid CD to
`install the game, eliminating the need for separate Mac and Windows retail products. The game allows all users to play
`together, regardless of their operating system. Although there is no official version for any other platform, support for
`World of Warcraft is present in Windows API implementations Wine and CrossOver allowing the game to be played under
`Linux and FreeBSD.[52]
`
`Regional variations
`
`Blizzard Launcher, also known as -
`Patcher or -Downloader.
`
`In the United States, Canada, and Europe, Blizzard distributes World of Warcraft via retail software packages.[53] The software package includes 30 days of
`gameplay for no additional cost. In order to continue playing after the initial 30 days, additional play time must be purchased using a credit card or prepaid game
`card. The minimum gameplay duration that a player can purchase is 30 days using a credit card, or 60 using a prepaid game card. A player also has the option of
`purchasing three or six months of gameplay at once for a 6–15% discount.[54] In Australia, the United States, and many European countries, video game stores
`commonly stock the trial version of World of Warcraft in DVD form, which includes the game and 20 levels[55] of gameplay, after which the player would have
`to upgrade to a retail account by supplying a valid credit card, or purchasing a game card as well as a retail copy of the game.
`
`In Brazil, World of Warcraft was released on December 6, 2011 via BattleNet. The first three expansions are currently available, fully translated, including voice
`acting, into Brazilian Portuguese.[3]
`
`In South Korea, there is no software package or CD key requirement to activate the account. In order to play the game, however, players need to purchase time
`credits online via credit card or the ARS billing system. There are two kinds of time credits available: one where the player is billed based on the actual number
`of minutes that will be available, and one where the player can play the game for a number of days. In the former, time can be purchased in multiples of 5 hours
`or 30 hours, and in the latter, time can be purchased in multiples of 7 days, 1 month, or 3 months.[56] As software packages are not required, expansion pack
`contents are available to all players on launch day.
`
`In China, because a large number of the players do not own the computer they use to play games (e.g. Internet cafes), the CD keys required to create an account
`can be purchased independently of the software package. In order to play the game, players must also purchase prepaid game cards that can be played for 66
`hours and 40 minutes.[57] A monthly fee model is not available to players of this region. The Chinese government and NetEase, the licensee for World of Warcraft
`in China, have imposed a modification on Chinese versions of the game which places flesh on bare-boned skeletons and transforms dead character corpses into
`tidy graves. These changes were imposed by the Chinese government in an attempt to "promote a healthy and harmonious online game environment" in World of
`Warcraft.[58][59] The Chinese government has delayed release of the Wrath of the Lich King expansion, due to what it feels is objectionable content.[60] NetEase
`took over licensing of World of Warcraft from The9 in June 2009 following the expiration of The9's contract,[61] and were able to secure a launch for Wrath of the
`Lich King on August 31, 2010, nearly two years after its Western release.[62]
`Post-launch development
`
`The World of Warcraft launcher (referred to in press releases and the menu bar as the "Blizzard Launcher") is a program designed to act as a starting point for
`World of Warcraft players. It provides a way to launch World of Warcraft and starts the Blizzard updater. It was first included with the version 1.8.3 patch. The
`2.1.0 patch allowed for an option to bypass the use of the launcher. Features of the launcher include news and updates for World of Warcraft players, access to
`World of Warcraft's support website, access to the test version of World of Warcraft when it is available to test upcoming patches, updates to Warden,[63] and
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`updates to the updater itself. The 3.0.8 patch redesigned the launcher and added the ability to change the game settings from the launcher itself. The launcher
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`update from patch 4.0.1 also allows people to play the game while non-crucial pieces of the game are downloaded. This requires a high speed broadband internet
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`connection.
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`18 Jan 2004 - 30 Nov 2020
`Patch 1.9.3 added native support for Intel-powered Macs, making World of Warcraft a universal application. As a result of this, the minimum supported Mac OS
`X version has been changed to 10.3.9; World of Warcraft version 1.9.3 and later will not launch on older versions of Mac OS X.[64] PowerPC architecture Macs
`are no longer supported since version 4.0.1.[65]
`
`When new content is added to the game, official system requirements may change. In version 1.12.0 the requirements for Windows were increased from requiring
`256 MB to 512 MB of RAM. Official Windows 98 technical support was dropped, but the game continued to run there until version 2.2.3.[66] Before Mists of
`Pandaria, World of Warcraft will officially drop support for Windows 2000.[67]
`
`Expansions
`
`Main articles: World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, and World of Warcraft:
`Mists of Pandaria
`
`Three optional expansions are currently available: The Burning Crusade, released in January 2007, Wrath of the Lich King, released in November 2008, and
`Cataclysm, released in December 2010. Players are not required to purchase the expansions to continue play. However, the expansion packs allow further leveling
`of characters beyond level 60 and access to newer content and areas. Characters cannot enter the additional regions without their respective expansion packs.
`
`On June 28, 2011, The Burning Crusade was automatically applied to all previous Warcraft accounts, and all new Warcraft accounts created in the future will
`have The Burning Crusade applied at no additional cost. All The Burning Crusade content is now effectively part of the original game.[68]
`
`Audio
`
`The soundtrack for World of Warcraft was composed and arranged by Jason Hayes, Tracy W. Bush, Derek Duke, and Glenn Stafford. It was released on
`November 23, 2004, together with the collector's edition of the game. It is sold separately on one CD in the MP3 format.
`
`World of Warcraft Soundtrack tracklist
`No. Title
`1. "Legends of Azeroth" (Main title)
`2. "The Shaping of the World" (Exclusive track)
`3. "Legacy" (Exclusive track)
`4. "Song of Elune" (Exclusive track)
`5. "Echoes of the Past" (Exclusive track)
`6. "A Call to Arms"
`7. "Seasons of War" (Introduction music)
`8. "Stormwind"
`9. "Orgrimmar"
`10. "The Undercity"
`11. "Thunder Bluff"
`12. "##### assus"
`13. "Ironforge"
`14. "Elwynn Forest"
`15. "Duskwood"
`16. "Dun Morogh"
`17. "Burning Steppes"
`18. "Shimmering Flats"
`19. "Felwood"
`20. "Stranglethorn Vale"
`21. "Tanaris"
`22. "Teldrassil"
`23. "Tavern"
`24. "Moonfall"
`25. "Ruins"
`26. "Temple"
`27. "Lurking"
`28. "Sacred"
`29. "Graveyard"
`30. "War"
`
`Length
`2:40
`2:24
`2:25
`2:13
`1:53
`2:18
`2:57
`2:14
`2:14
`2:27
`2:35
`2:44
`2:14
`3.03
`6.01
`7:30
`2:26
`4:07
`2:37
`4:12
`4:31
`3:55
`1:13
`0:48
`1:16
`1:03
`1:00
`1:10
`1:07
`0:49
`
`On January 12, 2011, Alfred Publishing produced an officially licensed sheet music series for vocalists, pianists, strings, and other instruments, World of Warcraft
`Sheet Music Anthology in solo and accompaniment formats with CD. These works include four pages of collectable artwork, and vary by number of songs
`included.
`Reception
`
`World of Warcraft was almost universally praised by critics upon release,[70] following a period of high anticipation before launch.[76] Although the game follows
`a similar model to—and was noted for using many familiar concepts from—the roleplaying genre,[20][71] the new approaches to reducing pauses between game
`encounters were well liked.[31] A common example was the approach to character death. In some previous MMORPGs, a player would suffer a high penalty for
`character death; in World of Warcraft, a player is able to recover and start playing quickly.[20] Combat was another area where "downtime", or pauses between
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`play, was reduced. By allowing all character types to recover from damage taken, players can return to combat
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`quickly.[31] Reviewers felt that these changes in pacing would make the genre more accessible to casual players—
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`those who play for short periods of time—[31] while still having "deep" gameplay that would attract players of all
`18 Jan 2004 - 30 Nov 2020
`levels of interest.[30] The concept of a "rested bonus", or increasing the rate at which a player's character gains
`experience, was also welcomed as a way for players to quickly catch up with their friends in progression.[20]
`
`Questing was described as an integral part of the game, often being used to continue a storyline or lead the player
`through the game.[31] The high number of quests in each location was popular, as well as the rewards for
`completing them.[20] It was felt that the range of quests removed the need for a player to "grind", or carry out
`repetitive tasks, in order to advance their character.[30] Quests also require players to explore every section of the
`game world, potentially causing problems for social gamers or roleplayers seeking somewhere quiet.[31] Quests
`that required the player to collect items from the corpses of creatures they had killed were also unpopular; the low
`"drop rate", or chance of finding the items, makes them feel repetitive as a high number of creatures need to be
`killed to complete the quest.[30] The large number of new players in a particular area meant that there were often
`no creatures to kill,[31] or that players would have to wait and take turns to kill a particular creature in order to
`complete a quest.[20] Some critics mentioned that the lack of quests that required players to group made the game
`feel as if it were designed for solo play.[73] Others complained that some dungeon or instanced group quests were
`not friendly to new players, and could take several hours to complete.[30] Upon release, a small number of quests
`had software bugs that made them impossible to complete.[20]
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`Aggregate scores
`2011 2012 2013
`▾ About this capture
`Aggregator
`Score
`92%[69]
`GameRankings
`93%[70]
`Metacritic
`
`Review scores
`Publication
`1UP.com
`Edge
`Eurogamer
`Game Informer
`GamePro
`GamesMaster
`GameSpot
`GameSpy
`IGN
`PC Gamer UK
`
`Score
`A[71]
`9 out of 10[72]
`8 out of 10[73]
`9.5 out of 10[74]
`4.5 out of 5[75]
`93%[72]
`9.5 out of 10[20]
`[31]
`
`9.1 out of 10[30]
`94%[72]
`
`Characters were felt to be implemented well, with each class appearing "viable and interesting", having unique
`and different mechanisms,[73] and each of the races having a distinct look and feel.[20] Character development
`was also liked, with the talent mechanism offering choice to players,[71] and profession options being praised.[20] Character customization options were felt to be
`low,[30] but the detail of character models was praised.[76]
`
`The appearance of the game world was praised by critics. Most popular was the fact that a player could run from one end of the continent to the other without
`having to pause at a "loading screen" while part of the game is retrieved from storage.[76] The environment was described as "breathtaking". Players found it
`difficult to become lost, and each area in the game world had a distinct look that blended from one to the next.[31] Critics described the environment as "a careful
`blend of cartoon, fantasy art, and realism".[71] The game was found to run smoothly on a range of computer systems,[20] although some described it as basic,[31]
`and mentioned that the bloom light rendering effect can blur things.[30] One reviewer described the ability to fly over long stretches of scenery as "very
`atmospheric".[73] The user interface was liked, being described as "simple", with tooltips helping to get the player started.[20]
`
`The game's audio was well received, particularly the background music. By assigning music to different areas of the game world, reviewers felt that the fantasy
`style added to the player's immersion,[71] and that the replay value was increased.[30] The sounds and voices used by characters and NPCs, as well as the overall
`sound effects, were felt to add a "personality" to the game.[71]
`
`World of Warcraft won several awards from critics upon release, including Editor's Choice awards.[20][30] In addition, it won several annual awards from the
`media, being described as the best game in the role-playing and MMORPG genres.[77] The graphics and audio were also praised in the annual awards, with the
`cartoonish style[78] and overall sound makeup being noted.[79] The game was also awarded Best Mac OS X Entertainment Product at the 2005 Apple Design
`Awards.[80] World of Warcraft was recognised at the 2005 Spike TV Video Game Awards where it won Best PC Game, Best Multiplayer Game, Best RPG, and
`Most Addictive Game.[81] In 2008, World of Warcraft was honoured—along with Neverwinter Nights and EverQuest—at the 59th Annual Technology &
`Engineering Emmy Awards for advancing the art form of MMORPG games.[82] In 2009, Game Informer ranked World of Warcraft 11th on their list of "The Top
`200 Games of All Time".[83]
`
`World of Warcraft was the best-selling PC game of 2005 and 2006.[84] As of January 22, 2008, World of Warcraft has more than 10 million subscribers
`worldwide, with more than 2 million subscribers in Europe, more than 2.5 million in North America, and about 5.5 million in Asia.[85]
`
`Less than two months after beginning operation of World of Warcraft in China on September 19, 2009, NetEase was ordered to immediately stop charging players
`and to cease accepting registrations.[86][87] A press estimate indicated that if World of Warcraft were shut down in China, the loss of subscribers would have
`caused Activision Blizzard's earnings to fall from 65 cents per share to 60 cents per share.[86] In April 2008, World of Warcraft was estimated to hold 62 percent
`of the MMORPG subscription market.[88]
`Corrupted Blood plague incident
`
`Main article: Corrupted Blood incident
`
`The Corrupted Blood plague incident was one of the first events to affect entire servers. Patch 1.7 saw the opening of Zul'Gurub, the game's first 20-player raid
`dungeon where players faced off against a tribe of trolls under the sway of the god Hakkar the Soulflayer. Upon engaging Hakkar, players were stricken by a
`debuff called "Corrupted Blood" which would periodically sap their life. The disease was passed on to other players simply by being near infected players.
`Originally this malady was confined within the Zul'Gurub instance, but it made its way into the outside world by way of hunter pets or warlock minions that
`contracted the disease.
`
`Within hours, Corrupted Blood had completely infected major cities because of their high player concentrations. Low-level players were killed in seconds by the
`high-damage disease. Eventually Blizzard fixed the issue so that the plague could not exist outside of Zul'Gurub.
`
`The Corrupted Blood plague so closely resembled the outbreak of real-world epidemics that scientists are currently looking at ways MMORPGs or other
`massively distributed systems can model human behavior during outbreaks. The reaction of players to the plague closely resembled previously hard-to-model
`aspects of human behavior that may allow researchers to more accurately predict how diseases and outbreaks spread amongst a population.[89]
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`http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Warcraft
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`World of Warcraft - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
`
`11/30/2020
`Security concerns
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`1,505 captures
`When players create World of Warcraft accounts, they are asked to choose a username and password. Afterward, whenever they play World of Warcraft, they are
`2011 2012 2013
`▾ About this capture
`18 Jan 2004 - 30 Nov 2020
`asked to supply the same username and password in full. This is also the case when using account management facilities online. This type of authentication is
`vulnerable to keystroke logging. While this is not unique to World of Warcraft and is common to many MMORPGs, the game has been directly targeted with
`trojans being specifically crafted to capture account login details.[90] Attacks have been reported as early as May 2006, and may extend as far back as July 30,
`2005.[91] The game does, however, allow players to save their account name to the program to allow the player to only have to type their password.[92]
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`JAN MAR APR
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`In September 2006, reports emerged of spoof World of Warcraft game advice