In 1994, Blizzard Entertainment released a colorful real-time strategy game called Warcraft: Orcs and Humans. The title engendered positive receptions from players and media alike, setting the fantasy-themed property on the path to its current status among the most popular and respected in all of gaming. Its sequel, the universally praised Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, shipped the next year, and the similarly celebrated Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos followed in 2002. By that time, we already knew that World of Warcraft would mark the company's entry into the massively multiplayer realm. The official announcement in September of 2001 actually caught quite a few industry observers by surprise. During the preceding months, we had seen intermittent rumors about the studio planning to enter the persistent state category. However, the property was widely unexpected; far more people were guessing Diablo Online.