WARCRAFT III expansion announced

Blizzard recently announced its plans to release a new expansion to the successful PC game WARCRAFT III: REIGN OF CHAOS.

The expansion pack, entitled WARCRAFT III: THE FROZEN THRONE, takes place several months after the end of REIGN OF CHAOS, and now 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. 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.

"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."

New features in the expansion will include one new Hero for each race, new units, and player-built shops for each race, equipped with items designed to aid the units of each race. Also included are neutral buildings that provide upgrades, neutral Heroes that you can recruit and new multiplayer maps.

THE FROZEN THRONE will be released this summer for about $35.