World of Warcraft beta update

Blizzard Entertainment has launched the next phase of its beta test for World of Warcraft, its upcoming online game based on the developer's Warcraft fantasy universe.

The new version of the beta features all of the game's playable races, including the races of the "Alliance" (humans, night elves, gnomes, and dwarves) and the races of the "Horde" (orcs, trolls, tauren, and undead). The updated beta also introduces the new druid class for testers, as well as numerous additions, like the "rest state," which provides an experience bonus for fresh adventurers who are just starting to hunt monsters. However, it actually levies an experience "fatigue" penalty against players who fight monsters nonstop. Also featured are inns, hearthstone items, which let players return to their home locations, and various changes and additions to each character class.

World of Warcraft is tentatively scheduled for release later this year. The game's closed beta test is expected to run for at least several more months. Stay tuned to GameSpot for more beta reports on this upcoming online game.