News of Blizzard's plans to create a persistent online RPG using the Warcraft universe as a backdrop first surfaced back in 2001 to an understandably enthused reception from the benchmark RTS title's immense fanbase. Now, finally, after whetting our appetites with a strong showing at both E3 2002 and 2003, the end is 'almost' in sight as the development team prepares to put the finishing touches to the colossal game world. Ironically, one of the all-time MMORPG greats, Everquest, recently made precisely the opposite transition between the genres with lacklustre strategy romp Lords Of Everquest, begging the question of whether extending the Warcraft franchise would also turn out to be another unjust exploitation of its guaranteed profitability.