Part 2

Dive into Part 2 of the Warcraft: Orcs & Humans guide, covering game details, Blizzard Entertainment's history, and different game releases. Learn more about this classic strategy title.

This FAQ is written and edited by Chris Asher and Jeff Kang. Most material in it has been written and/or compiled by us. Any information that we have not written is by one of the people listed in section 1-5 : (acknowledgements).

Revision History: v0.5 April 7, 1995; v0.6 April 21, 1995; v1.0 August 27, 1995

Getting the FAQ: Available at Kevin Lo's Homepage, Jeff Kang's Ultimax GamePage, GamesDomain, and via FTP at ftp.wustl.edu in the \pub\MSDOS_UPLOADS\warcraft\ directory.

Submissions to the FAQ: Send information to gkang@jupiter.sun.csd.unb.ca (Jeff). Text sent becomes property to change and edit. Full credit will be given. Archived and UUENCODED programs can be sent to Jeff via email.

Acknowledgements: Thanks to Blizzard Entertainment, Tony Evans, Mike Adshead, Roger Wong, and Teri Tokamoto. Contact us if anyone was left out.

Chapter Two (About WarCraft/Blizzard)

What is WarCraft?

WarCraft: Orcs and Humans is a point-and-click strategy game of 24 levels, written by Blizzard Entertainment and published by Interplay. The objective is to build a town that can create an army strong enough to beat your opponent. It can be played against the computer or a human player via serial link, network, or modem. It is incredibly addictive!

Is WarCraft available on any other platforms?

WarCraft is available for the Macintosh.

Who are Blizzard Entertainment?

Blizzard Entertainment is an independent subsidiary of Davidson and Associates. They have produced many console games, including Rock & Roll Racing, The Lost Vikings, and Blackthorne. They were formerly known as Chaos Studios and Silicon & Synapse. Their BBS is 714-556-4602.

Blizzard Entertainment, formerly known as Chaos Studios, is a premiere publisher of next-generation entertainment software. The company has developed more than 30 titles for computer and cartridge systems since its founding in 1990. As a third party developer, Blizzard has developed entertainment software for a variety of platforms including Sega, Nintendo, SNES, and IBM PC in CD-ROM and floppy disk formats. Some of their best known titles include Rock 'n Roll Racing, The Lost Vikings, Blackthorne, and The Death and Return of Superman. The first multimedia computer title offered solely under the Blizzard title is Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, a real-time fantasy strategy game released nationwide in November 1994. Blizzard combines solid gameplay, vivid graphics, exciting soundtracks, explosive sound effects, and extensive character interaction. Blizzard's titles have won three consecutive "Best of the Show" awards at the Consumer Electronics Show, Video Games Magazine named the company "Best Software Developer of 1993," and the company recently won a "Technical Innovations Award" from the Consumer Electronics Show sponsors, the Electronics Industries Association. Blizzard's products are developed at its headquarters in Costa Mesa, Ca., using complete programming facilities. The staff comprises 25 designers, producers, programmers, artists, and sound engineers. Blizzard also maintains a technical support staff. Blizzard Entertainment was founded in 1990 as Silicon & Synapse by president Allen Adham and Vice President Michael Morhaime. In February 1994, Blizzard became an independent division of Davidson & Associates, Inc.

Has Blizzard Entertainment written any other games?

Blizzard has mainly produced console games, including DC Fighters, Rock & Roll Racing, and Justice League. Their only other PC games are Lost Vikings and Blackthorne.

Does Blizzard have an official FTP site or webpage?

They plan to have one by the end of September 95.

How can I contact Blizzard?

Blizzard Entertainment
P.O. Box 18077
Irvine CA 92713

Tel: 800-953-SNOW (Sales), 714-556-5740 (tech support), 714-556-5571

Fax: 714-556-5572

Email: blizzrdent@aol.com, tloving@blizzard.com (Tymothi Loving)

BBS: 714-556-4602

Messages posted to alt.games.warcraft and comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.strategic are read and responded to by Blizzard personnel.

Chapter Three (The different WarCraft releases)

How many different releases of WarCraft have there been?

The different versions publicly released are: 1.21, 1.20, 1.16, 1.15, 1.14, 1.13, 1.12 (original version).

What are the differences between them?

• 1.21 - Full install copy protection removed in CD version. WarEdit included.
• 1.20 - Unknown.
• 1.16 - Added command line option for enhanced connectivity. Copy protection enhancement.
• 1.15 - Enhanced direct link and modem connectivity.