Warcraft Games

Overview

Warcraft: Orcs & Humans is a real-time strategy computer game developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment in 1994.

Warcraft featured the two opposing factions, like the title says, Humans and Orcs.

The game is set in the Kingdom of Azeroth, part of the fictional Warcraft Universe. The events that take place in this game are known in Warcraft lore as the First War or the Great War.

Release date:

• US: January, 1994
• Europe: 1995

This game is out-of-print and is no longer sold in stores. The game is only playable in MS-DOS 5.0 and Mac System 7.1 or Higher.

Overview

The world of Warcraft is about to invade Battle.net in Warcraft II: Battle.net Edition. This definitive version of the classic real-time strategy game combines the original Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness and the Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal expansion set with free Internet play over Battle.net to allow up to 8 opponents from around the world to compete in fantastic warfare.

Description

Warcraft II Battle.net Edition is the continuation of the ruthless clash between the armies of the noble Humans and the brutish Orcs. From the initial, unexpected invasion of the Orcish Horde to the quest of the Great Alliance to forever seal the Dark Portal that links their two worlds, you will experience the epic saga of the mighty battle to gain dominance over the kingdom of Azeroth. Along the way you'll need to carefully manage your limited resources to successfully construct and rule your medieval empire while engaging in real-time tactical warfare over land, sea and air.

Tides of Darkness
Original release date: (PC), (Mac)

• US: April, 1996
• Europe: 1997

Beyond the Dark Portal
Original release date: (PC), (Mac)

• US: December, 1995
• Europe 1996

Links

• Blizzards Warcraft 2 - battlenet page

The single-player Warcraft III campaigns provide a wealth of information about events in the world of Azeroth. Warcraft III was divided into Alliance, Horde, Night Elves and Undead.

From Wikipedia: The storyline for Warcraft III started with the story of Thrall, which was originally the plot line that was developed for WarCraft Adventures, also known as "Lord of the Clans". Warcraft Adventures was to be a point-and-click graphic adventure game set in the Warcraft universe. However, despite publicized development and positive feedback from many, the entire project was scrapped in 1998. However the story and some game elements would later influence Warcraft III

Lore overview

It has been nearly fifteen years since the war between the orcs and humans ended. An uneasy peace settled over the land while, for years, the drums of war were silent. Yet the kingdoms of men grew complacent in their victory - and slowly, the defeated orcish clans regrouped under the banner of a new visionary leader.

Now a darker shadow has fallen over the world, threatening to extinguish all life - all hope. The drums of war play upon the winds once again - rising urgently towards the inevitable hour when the skies will rain fire - and the world will tremble before the coming of the Burning Legion.

• Four Unique Races armed with distinctive units, magical abilities, and weapons of war.
• Two nations of warriors new to the Warcraft Universe; the plague-ridden Undead and the mysterious Night Elves.
• Brilliant three-dimensional graphics powered by Blizzard's own 3D engine, which offers support for multiple resolutions and customizable detail settings.
• Build Legendary Heroes, whose ability to advance in levels and learn new spells and abilities makes them the core of each race's force.
• Heroes can use Special Items and Equipment dropped by Neutral Units or purchased from Neutral Buildings to turn the tide of battle.
• Neutral Buildings, accessible by each race's Heroes, offer a variety of wondrous magic items and fearsome mercenary units--all for a price.
• Neutral Units inhabit the world of Azeroth and impede the unwarry but yield precious treasure when defeated in combat.
• Full Multiplayer support, including Internet play over Battle.net®.
• New Multiplayer Features including shared unit control and resource trading between players.
• Improved Battle.net Features including improved ladder support.
• Advanced World Editor design tools allow players to create their own maps and customize many aspects of the game.

Release date:

• US: July 3, 2002
• Europe: July 5, 2002
• Japan: 2003

Links
Warcraft III

Lore overview

The stalwart night elves, led by the Arch Druid, Furion Stormrage and the Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind, have vanished back into the shadows of Ashenvale Forest - intent to heal the ancient lands that were scarred by the Legion’s vile corruption.

The battle-weary orcish Horde, led by the idealistic Warchief, Thrall, has settled in the harsh, eastern hills of the Kalimdor Barrens. Finally able to claim a homeland of their own, the orcs work tirelessly to found and protect their new nation of Durotar.

The human survivors of Lordaeron, under the command of the Sorceress, Jaina Proudmoore, have also settled along the eastern coast of the Barrens. The island citadel of Theramore was erected to safeguard the last, rag-tag remnants of the failing human Alliance.

Arthas

And Arthas, the newly crowned King of Lordaeron, has driven the undead Scourge to eradicate the last vestiges of resistance to his iron rule. His kingdom - the once proud bastion of human might and nobility - has become a plagued realm of death and sorrow. Now, driven by haunting visions of the Frozen Throne of Icecrown, Arthas plans to tighten his grip over the rest of the world.

For in some shadowed corner of the world, the wayward creature known as Illidan Stormrage plots… and awaits…

• New single-player campaigns continue the epic Warcraft III storyline and include new cinematic sequences and musical score.
• Many new gameplay improvements including a minimap creep indicator, queuing for upgrades and buildings, and more.
• One new Hero per race, each possessing powerful spells and magical abilities specifically designed to enhance each race.
• Many new units, each equipped with new abilities and spells, giving players the opportunity to create diverse strategic and tactical forms of combat:
• New upgrades available for existing units, such as:
• 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.
• Many new Hero Items available from Player-built Shops, the neutral Marketplace, and found on the battlefield. Including:
• New neutral buildings, which will provide players with numerous new 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.
• Legions of new Creeps to slay for precious experience and treasure, many of which are available for command at the Mercenary Camp.
• Many new multiplayer maps on which to do battle in Ladder and Custom games: Twisted Meadows, Tirisfal Glades, Wetlands
• An upgraded world editor that allows players to create their own custom campaigns, complete with cut-scenes and voiceovers.
• Clan Support over Battle.net allowing player associations of up to 100 players. Clan features include an abbreviation that is displayed after the member names, private channels and profiles, as well as a ladder to rate the overall play of the clan.
• New Automated Tournaments on Battle.net give players a fun new way to compete with users around the world.

Release date:

• US: July 1, 2003
• Europe: July 4, 2003
• Japan: February 27, 2004
• South Korea: July 1, 2003

Links

• Warcraft III - The Frozen Throne