WOW News Blog

Avid gamers of the MMORPG World of Warcraft can now watch a show dedicated to their most loved game. They can log-on and watch the internet TV show which was spearheaded by Web Media company ON Networks can also be be acquired through video-on-demand such as iTunes. The show is for every type and level of players, from serious hard core raiders to even casual gamers which can make their Azeroth immersion more enjoyable. The show is hosted by Marc Majcher and Arwen Lietz, who will provide great information about the game and even play-y-play comments on how to go around the Azeroth universe. The TV show also features gameplay footage and screen shots, as Lietz and Majcher arm viewers with tools designed to guide them through world instances and boss fights from Azeroth to the Outlands. Cliff Wildman the shows’ producer said: “The debut of On Warcraft is sure to appeal to the legions of World of Warcraft players, On Warcraft is for any player who wants to enhance their gameplay and maximize their efficiency.”

The use of virtual worlds like World of Warcraft and Second Life are being targeted by organized criminals to spread key loggers, ID harvesters and to launder money. This was the waring Symantec was trying to spread to the online community of these games, these warnings are contained in their ‘Internet Security Threat Report’ and they also reported that over the next 6 to 24 months these security concerns shall rise. These virtual worlds allow players to carry on real money transactions in these virtual worlds, players can use credit cards or other payment methods to buy virtual credits and then exchange this credits with players in other countries, where they can then e locally exchanged for their currency. Symantec speculates that these worlds have virtual identities and could possibly exploited by criminals. Here is a part of the report:

“… a criminal enterprise could open several thousand MMOG accounts. Each could be used to trade with other players in the purchase or sale of in-game assets, the funds from which would ultimately be withdrawn from the accounts. Since thousands of accounts may engage in millions of transactions, each with small profits or losses, it would be difficult to trace the true source of the funds when they are withdrawn. These transactions can be conducted worldwide without the oversight that typically accompanies international bank remittances. In fact, in February 2007, China’s central bank and finance ministries called upon companies to stop trading QQ coins and virtual currencies, presumably to curb the unregulated exchange of currency.”

Rogan Mallon, Symantec senior systems engineer states that gamers themselves make the mistakes and become more susceptible to these threats. As keen gamers would usually put their security applications down to improve speed and gameplay, and many Lan parties that spread viruses more easily. Some cyber criminals take advantage of cracked software that allows them to run the games without having the disc in the machine.

This report is an update of world-wide Internet threat activity that includes a review of known vulnerabilities, highlights of malicious code and an analysis of networked based attacks. It would also asses the trends in spamming and phising activities in a six-month period.

PC titles are conquering the Multiformat charts in Sweden; EA’s swept the charts with its Sims title taking the number one throne. The charts featured 8 PC titles of the top ten, with Blizzard’s World of Warcraft and its expansion Burning Crusade taking 2 spots in the top ten and the new add-on for Guild Wars: Eye of the North. While the top ten Chart for the Pc Format follows and shows that WSweden has agreat following for Blizzard games and Azeroth.

Sweden top ten PC Chart

1. The Sims 2

2. World of Warcraft

3. Medieval II Total War Kingdoms

4. World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade

5. Guild Wars Eye of the North

6. Counter-Strike 1: Anthology

7. Warcraft III Reign Of Chaos

8. Warcraft III Frozen Throne

9. Battlefield 2

10. Counter-Strike Source

Some gamers have pointed out how rogues are not much represented in the top 5v5 Arena Teams of World of Warcraft. Many players considered the class, arguably to be the best DPS Dealers in the game. Many players are now baffled at this situation, but high level rogues notes that it all depends on the player’s skill in controlling the rogue. Which is very understandable considering that the damage output of rogues (especially non-crit based ones) in 2v2 matches is just amazing. Rogues, are being looked into and resolving balance issues like these are tricky and won’t be instantaneous, but will certainly be dealt with. It makes one wonder how they will balance this class out. It would be nice to see the Rogue class in the spotlight every now and then in the Arena scene.