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Exploding World of Warcraft Population Hits 10M

Online fantasy game has most subscribers in genre

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 24, 2008 1:39 PM CST

(Newser) – Online role-playing game World of Warcraft has topped 10 million subscribers, making it by far the most popular game of its kind, GamePro.com reports. The fantasy kingdom of Azeroth now has a higher population than many of the real world's countries. More than half of the game's addicts are in Asia, with 2.5 million in North America and 2 million in Europe.

"It's very gratifying to see gamers around the world continuing to show such enthusiasm and support," said the co-founder of Blizzard Entertainment, the game's creator. Player numbers have been climbing since the game launched in November 2004 and with an expansion due later this year, Azeroth's population boom is unlikely to end anytime soon.

Several thousands of World of Warcraft Trading Card Game players take part in various tournaments held around the globe to qualify to participate in the upcoming World Championship Tournament event in San Diego on November 30 through December 2. (PRNewsFoto/Upper Deck)
Several thousands of World of Warcraft Trading Card Game players take part in various tournaments held around the globe to qualify to participate in the upcoming World Championship Tournament event in...   (Associated Press)
This file image from the game World of Warcraft was provided by its publisher, Blizzard Entertainment. (AP Photo/Blizzard Entertainment, file)
This file image from the game "World of Warcraft" was provided by its publisher, Blizzard Entertainment. (AP Photo/Blizzard Entertainment, file)   (Associated Press)
Visitors try out the beta version of the computer game World of Warcraft presented by Blizzard at the Games Convention GC, Europe's leading fair for interactive entertainment, in Leipzig, eastern Germany, on the press preview day in this Aug. 23, 2006 file photo. (AP Photo/Eckehard Schulz, file)
Visitors try out the beta version of the computer game "World of Warcraft" presented by Blizzard at the Games Convention GC, Europe's leading fair for interactive entertainment, in Leipzig, eastern Germany,...   (Associated Press)
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