LADYDRAGON.COM - BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES WARCRAFT III: THE FROZEN THRONE

Wednesday January 22, 2003

BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES WARCRAFT III: THE FROZEN THRONE

Blizzard Entertainment*, a division of Vivendi Universal Games, announced today plans for Warcraft® III: The Frozen Throne(tm), the expansion set to the fastest selling PC game ever*, Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos*. Since the game's release in July 2002, Warcraft III has now surpassed 2 million units sold worldwide. *

"We are very pleased by the success of Warcraft III," said Mike Morhaime, Blizzard Entertainment president and co-founder. "Our plans for the expansion set include increasing the strategic gameplay possibilities and depth of the Warcraft universe by introducing a wide array of new Heroes and units, specifically designed to enhance each race."

Following in the tradition of previous Blizzard expansion sets, Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne provides gamers with a vast new chapter in the epic Warcraft saga. In the single-player campaign, players revisit the war-torn world of Azeroth. Several months have passed since Archimonde and the Burning Legion were defeated at the battle of Mount Hyjal, yet a new threat has arisen throughout the land.

The evil Lich King Ner'zhul has been imprisoned inside the Icecrown glacier, deep within the arctic continent of Northrend. Although the former Orc Shaman lacks physical form, his soul lives on, forever seeking a means to escape his icy prison. As the saga continues, it is revealed that both the Night Elf renegade, Illidan, and the traitorous Death Knight, Arthas, seek the Icecrown glacier and the mysterious powers found inside. While it is uncertain as to what is being sought inside the icy tomb, players must traverse uncharted lands and battle treacherous new enemies to uncover the schemes of these nefarious beings, and save all of Azeroth from the forces of darkness.

Key features include:

* One new Hero per race, each possessing powerful spells and magical abilities specifically designed to enhance each race

* A host of new units, each equipped with new abilities and spells, giving players the opportunity to create diverse strategic and tactical forms of combat

* 3 new tilesets featuring extraordinary new lands to explore, complete with numerous creeps and critters to wage war upon

* Player-built shops, unique for each race, equipped with items carefully designed to improve and aid the units of every race

* Neutral buildings, which will provide players with numerous new upgrades, items and abilities

* Neutral Heroes, available for recruitment by all players, that can supplement and strengthen a player's army with all new spells and abilities

* An advanced world editor that allows players to create their own custom campaigns, complete with cut-scenes and voiceovers

* Many new multiplayer maps

* Expanded multiplayer options over Battle.net® including multiple new game types, clan and tournament support

Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne is currently slated for worldwide release in the summer of 2003, and is expected to retail for approximately $35.00. The game is expected to receive a Teen Rating from the ESRB.

Since its debut in 1994, the #1-selling Warcraft series has won industry acclaim and has shattered sales records worldwide with over 8 million copies sold. In 1995, Blizzard followed the well-received Warcraft: Orcs and Humans* with the critically acclaimed Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness*, which won multiple Game of the Year awards and is still considered by many critics to be one of the best games ever made.

Best known for blockbuster hits including the Warcraft, StarCraft*, and Diablo*series, Blizzard Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Universal Games, is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating many of the industry's most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard's track record includes seven #1-selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company's free Internet gaming service Battle.net reigns as the largest in the world, with millions of active users.

*Based on EDI sell-through, internal company estimates, and reports from key retail accounts around the world.