World of Warcraft

Summary: World of Warcraft (or WoW) is a “massive multiplayer online role-playing game” (MMORPG) by Blizzard Entertainment. It is extremely popular and had more than 11.5 million monthly subscriptions in December 2008. Players choose a character avatar where they explore the fantasy world of Azeroth inhabited by humans, orcs, elves, dwarves, trolls and other ceatures. In this setting your character explores the landscape, fights monsters, goes on quests and fights “non-player characters.” Players choose the faction they are playing for (Alliance vs. Horde), the race of their character (for example, Orc, human or dwarf) and the “class” of their character (magician, rogue, hunter, for example). Characters develop as the participant continues to play (gaining more knowledge, for example, or new abilities). The gamee is a "Persistant Online World" in that the setting continues to evolve even when you're not playing.

Critical Evaluation: WoW has really good graphics in an immersive magical world. It draws on classic fantasy and literature archetypes for characters and classes (think Lord of the Rings). It is a very polished product and is considered easier to use than most RPG (role playing games). (http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=36669&tab=review)

One warning is that play can be addicting for some people. For some teens it has become such an addictive time drain that parents had to intervene and limit play. After purchasing the game, players must pay $15.00 per month to play. Blizzard Entertainment is constantly updating the game (players get downloads).

Reader's Annotation: Battle monsters! Go on quests! Be an Orc or fight one!

About the author: Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. is a Californian video game developer and publisher. It was founded under the name Silicon & Synapse by three graduates of UCLA, Michael Morhaime, Allen Adham and Frank Pearce. Blizzard Entertainment was acquired by Davidson & Associates in 1994.

Curriculum ties: N/A

Booktalking Ideas: This game will definitely appeal to Lord of the Rings fans.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 15 and up.

Challenge Issues: Violence. Rated for teens. Extremely addictive.

Why Chosen: This game is extremely popular among teens.