Blizzard Entertainment Announces 'Warcraft III'; Blizzard Sets Out to Redefine the Strategy Genre.

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 7, 1999--

During a news conference today at the European Computer Trade Show, Blizzard Entertainment(R) announced what promises to be its most highly anticipated title ever.

Departing from the current generation of real-time strategy games, Blizzard is developing "Warcraft(R) III" as a 3D RPS, or Role-Playing Strategy game.

By introducing role-playing elements to the "Warcraft" universe, Blizzard intends to elevate strategy games to a new level of interactivity. Instead of focusing on resource gathering and accumulating massive numbers of expendable units, "Warcraft III" will immerse players in a dynamic world, making the game environment much more compelling.

Players will control smaller, more powerful forces as they adventure, complete quests and interact with non-player characters, while simultaneously devising strategies to succeed in the overarching mission of defeating opponents.

Key features in the game include:

--   Six different races to command including Orcs, Humans and Demons,
     each possessing unique units, magical abilities and weapons of
     war.

--   Legendary heroes lead powerful forces while completing quests,
     gaining experience and acquiring special items.

--   Fully interactive world that incorporates non-player characters;
     wandering monsters; neutral towns, strongholds and temples; and
     environmental effects.

--   Skeletal and skinning animation process allows infinite frames of
     animation resulting in true fluid movement of 3D models.

--   Advanced world design tools allow players to customize every
     aspect of the game including tile sets; character art; quests;
     mission objectives; and unit types, AI, attributes, special
     abilities and spells.

--   Expanded multiplayer options over Battle.net(TM) including a
     larger number of players per game and multiple game types,
     including team play and questing.

Said Mike Morhaime, president and co-founder of Blizzard Entertainment: "With the release of 'StarCraft,' we felt that we reached the pinnacle of what could be accomplished in the current generation of strategy titles. Our goal with 'Warcraft III' is to carve out a new direction for strategy games by incorporating the interactive dynamics present in role-playing games and applying them in a competitive strategic combat environment."

The company's No. 1-selling "Warcraft" series has won industry acclaim and has shattered sales records. Since the original "Warcraft: Orcs and Humans" released in 1994, the series has sold more than 4 million copies worldwide. "Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness" won multiple Game of the Year awards, as well as Best Multiplayer Game.

"Warcraft III" is expected to release by the end of 2000 in Windows 95/98/2000/NT formats. The game will be available for about $55 at retailers nationwide and through the company's Webpage at www.blizzard.com.

Best known for blockbuster hits including the "Warcraft"(R) series, "StarCraft"(TM) and "Diablo"(TM), Blizzard Entertainment(R) (www.blizzard.com) is a premier publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating many of the industry's most critically acclaimed games.

Blizzard's track record includes three consecutive No. 1-selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company's free Internet gaming service Battle.net(TM) reigns as the largest in the world with millions of unique users.