Blizzard launches the next beta version of its upcoming online game.
Blizzard Entertainment has launched the next phase of its beta test for World of Warcraft, its upcoming online game based on the developer"s Warcraft fantasy universe. The new version of the beta includes all the game"s playable races, including the races of the "Alliance" (humans, night elves, gnomes, and dwarves) and the races of the "Horde" (orcs, trolls, tauren, and undead). The updated beta also introduces the new druid class for testers, as well as numerous additions, like the "rest state," which provides an experience bonus for fresh adventurers who are just starting to hunt monsters, and actually levies an experience "fatigue" penalty against players who fight monsters nonstop. Also featured are inns, hearthstone items that let players return to their home locations, and various changes and additions to each individual character class.