Warhammer beta sign-up opens

It may seem to gamers as if they have been waiting forever for massively multiplayer online role-playing game Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. The project was announced, then briefly cancelled, picked up by developer Mythic, delayed until late 2007, and then delayed again until the first quarter of 2008.

However, it looks as if the wait may nearly be over--the European Web site for the game launched today, offering all Europeans who register a profile on the site the chance to be selected for the upcoming closed beta of the game.

Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning is based on the table-top war game series, which was first launched in the '80s. The games are played with miniatures of different races, including elves, dwarves, and orcs. There have been a number of video games based on the Warhammer universe, including Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat, Warhammer: Dark Omen, and Warhammer: Mark of Chaos.

The MMOG will feature realm-versus-realm gameplay, which will integrate player-versus-player and player-versus-environment combat.

[UPDATE]: EA Mythic has also set up a Web site for North American gamers to sign up for the closed beta program. Interested gamers 18 years of age or older can find out more and register at the beta's official Web site.