Our goals for Warhammer Online are not easily met. The game includes many new and innovative ideas, a feature set that is going to blow players away, and, most importantly, the best RvR system in MMORPG gaming. These things take time to implement and test properly. During the last phase of beta testing, we received valuable feedback from our testers that will help make these features even better. When we looked at our options, two paths lay before us: 1) Ship the game on time with fewer features and less polish, or 2) Extend the development cycle and spend the needed time and money to make WAR great. We chose the latter path - to invest additional time and effort in implementation and polish to make WAR great. Fortunately, we have the resources and support of EA behind us to extend our development cycle; time that will be used to make sure the game is everything we want it to be. WAR is coming, and it will be glorious.

One of the “popular” topics of discussion regarding EA Mythic this past week has been the subject of layoffs within the studio. While we did let several people go from the Warhammer Online team, the number was *quite* small and their loss had no impact on our development schedule. These layoffs were part of our normal studio operations and a necessary step for EA Mythic to ensure that we have a focused and committed team working on WAR going forward.

On the Beta front, we will begin a new phase of testing in December, and we look forward to getting even more people involved in WAR by the end of the year. We are approaching a half a million registrants, and, to my knowledge, this could be the most signups ever for a Western MMORPG beta. I am very proud of this as it is a testament to the strength of the community, the popularity of the Warhammer license, and the outstanding work the team at EA Mythic is doing on the game. When we open the beta in Asia, we expect the numbers to continue to climb as we’d like to see one million players signed up to test the game. At that point, we will be well on our way to bringing about the second part of the double entendre of our motto as WAR really will be everywhere.

Over the next few months in Beta, our players will find all-new content to experience, careers to play and cities to siege. Our Capital City team continues to push the envelope by creating the next generation of living cities in MMORPGs and Altdorf is simply breathtaking. New Community systems will be in place and we look forward to getting many existing guilds into the beta to try them out.

In addition, we’ll be making changes to the RvR (open field RvR FTW!) and Server Rule Set Systems. These changes bring WAR a step closer to fulfilling the promise that “War is Everywhere” while ensuring a great play experience for those that do not choose to engage in RvR 24x7. This is another example of how EA Mythic talks to the community, listens to what they have to say, and takes action. We will continue this process over the next three quarters as we continue to develop, expand and improve WAR.

As I often quote from movies, one line particularly leaps to mind right now: “Creation is an act of sheer will,” said John Hammond in Jurassic Park. Unlike his creation in that film, however, what EA Mythic creates will be great and glorious, and nobody will get eaten by giant reptiles. That is, until we bring Lustria to life and then all bets are off.

As always, we thank you for your patronage, support and interest.

Mark Jacobs
VP and General Manager, EA Mythic

The High Elf Shadow Warrior

When Nagarythe was riven by civil war, most of the Elves there sided with the Witch King, becoming Dark Elves. Those faithful to the Phoenix King swore to fight Malekith and his treacherous forces. These ill-fated Elves became the Shadow Warriors – the darkest, most sinister and brutal of all the High Elves.

Many High Elves have observed the brutal behavior of their kin from Nagarythe and recoiled in horror. Unsurprisingly, there are High Elves that whisper that the shadow war has left the vicious warriors of Nargarythe more like their Druchii enemies than they would dare admit.

- Warhammer Armies: High Elves

Watch the exclusive video introduction of the Shadow Warrior and stay tuned for more career information in future newsletters.

“Enlightenment is achieved by mastering not only the body, but the soul. Only then can a warrior truly understand the value of life, and why it should be protected at all costs.”

- Belannaer of Hoeth, Bladelord of the White Tower

Read more about the Swordmaster >>

All players begin WAR as part of an army, but they are not your everyday, rank-and-file grunts. No, each player is part of an elite fighting force that will play a significant role in their race’s ongoing war efforts.

The Shining Guard

The Shining Guard is the elite band of warriors charged with the defense of Ulthuan when the Phoenix King takes the armies of the High Elves west to aid the Empire.  Led by the renowned warrior Prince Tyrion, the Guard is a small but highly skillful fighting force. Prince Tyrion personally selects the High Elves who are elevated to the ranks of the Shining Guard from among the best and bravest of the citizen militia. These prestigious warriors stand as an example of the highest honor that a High Elf in the militia can hope to achieve.

High Elf Shining Guard NPC’s

A rugged region of green hills that rise to meet the piney slopes of the Annulii Mountains, Chrace provides its defenders with many advantages. As they draw nearer to the mountains, the Dark Elves will find the steep and rocky terrain increasingly difficult to navigate. The province is littered with forts and hidden redoubts from which the High Elves can launch harassing actions and stage ambushes.

Chrace is also home to many fierce creatures that will savagely attack the invaders on sight. The king of these beasts is the mighty White Lion, a strong and savage predator who has prowled the mountain slopes since before the Sundering. The White Lion is a proud symbol not only of the province, but also its most storied regiment, the White Lions of Chrace.

Read More About Chrace >>

High Elf Great Swords

High Elf Shields

We have recently completed the second phase of our closed beta and the servers are currently down while the team works to address the great feedback we have received. However, the beta will begin again in early December and now is the time to sign up if you’d like to take part in one of the largest beta tests ever for an MMORPG. We are always looking for new recruits so sharpen your sword, unleash your inner mutation, and prepare to meet your destiny on the battlefields of Warhammer Online.

Greed? Revenge? Justice? What motivates a man to take reign of his own destiny, throw off the shackles of everyday life, and aspire to the heroic?

There are a million stories in the Age of Reckoning just waiting to be told. What is your tale?

Read This Month's Beta Journal Entry >>

Click Image to Watch Video

Will you someday be defending this grand place or attempting to raze it to the ground? This month we take a look at the development of the capital city of Altdorf, including some early glimpses of the city under siege!

Die, chaos spawn!
By Fray

Night Goblins
By Noah Hulsizer

Exalted Daemon of Nurgle
By Matthijs Nikos

Furie
By Dzinovic Gordan

Orc Choppa
By Danny Kuang

Raznek Gutcrusha
By Leigh Tomlinson

Sa'an'ishar!
By Joshua Letson

Visit the Fan Art Gallery >>

Submit your artwork >>

Correction: Last month, the fan-submitted image “Dwarf, Ironbreaker” was featured in this section and credited to a reader. In fact, this image was painted by noted artist Howard Lyon (www.howardlyon.com) for Wizards of the Coast.

Welcome to the WAR Grab Bag, where our friendly neighborhood community team answers the most pressing, the most popular, and the most interesting questions from fans. Keep those questions coming, as we’re eager to hear what you have to say!

Check out this month’s Grab Bag >>

"It took me a long time to fully appreciate all that Warhammer has to offer. Initially I was skeptical about working on a licensed game, but Warhammer is a gaming license at heart, which has made the transition to an MMO a natural one. In addition, you’d be hard pressed to find a more bottomless mine of great ideas. Warhammer’s 25 year existence has grown some really wonderful worlds, characters, and stories, all designed to work well in a game."

Developer Profile >>

"The coolest thing about Warhammer is the fighting of course! I hope that we can bring the hatred that the races have for each other to light. I would like for our players to become so immersed in the conflict that everyday events stir memories of battles."

Developer Profile >>

October Winners:

D. Hargrave/North America	J. Giannikopoulos/Europe
M. Kuehl/North America	H. Vartiainen/Europe
J. Hansen/North America	W. McGill /Europe
M. Gannon/North America	H. Pace/Europe
K. Fetterman/North America	T. Parise/Europe
M. Bondura/North America	K. Rain/Europe
K. Kinney/North America	C. Cook/Europe
P. Levesque/North America	M. Watson/Europe
W. Hutchins/New Zealand	G. Pacce/South America
J. Christie/Australia	C. Jaquet/New Zealand

Visit the WAR booth for your
chance to play the latest build
of the game!

D3 Copenhagen 2007
November 16-18, 2007

Stay tuned for more information
about our upcoming 2008 show schedule!