Truth be told, that headline should read Wrath of the Lich King Expansion Pack & World of Warcraft news. Anyway, as most people easily guessed, the Lich King expansion to the World of Warcraft has been huge. 2.8 million sold worldwide in the first 24 hours qualifies. I wonder how many were pre-orders? Also, within 24 hours came the first media frenzy around gaming addiction as a kid in Sweden collapsed after going on a 15-hour bender. He won't be the last I'm sure. Anyway, all are signs of success, especially that 2.8 million number, since the other 8 million+ paying subscribers who are currently playing will want their copies sooner or later. So, on to the Blizzard PR machine. They've done well in the past with their video campaign (remember Mr. T, the Simpsonesque Stephen Hawking, Shatner...) and so they've ramped that up again, this time apparently targeting the less geeky among us with one from Ozzy and one from the not so little any more Stevie Van Zandt.

And what could be next for WoW? Apparently Blizzard recently opened up servers in Russia and Latin America, so I think what will be next will be more subscribers in the near future. According to Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime, there will be another expansion in about a year and subscription costs will remain as is. Also, it would seem that a WoW movie is becoming more and more likely. Legendary Pictures, is looking for scripts and directorial talent as we speak. I keep threatening to make millions out of nowhere. I had better get on this one before someone beats me to it. Then again something tells me that the WoW party train will be chugging along for sometime and churning out expansion after expansion. So, maybe I'll wait until they need an After School Special written, or better yet, Diablo: The Musical. Yeah, I'll get right on those.

--Hobson's Choice

More gaming articles, reviews, and deals at the GAMING CORNER.