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Warcraft: Orcs & Humans
In late 1994, the developer released Warcraft, which took the real-time strategy game out of science fiction of Dune (its RTS only predecessor and rival of the era) and into the realm of fantasy. Via Gamespot: A History of Real Time Strategy Games -
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RTS Era
This Time Period is that in which the franchise existed only in a Real Time Strategy (RTS) format. -
Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness
Released in late 1995 Warcraft II received critical acclaim, including the following from Coming Coon Magazine, in 1996: "Warcraft II is from far, the best episode of the series with astonishing graphics and cut-scenes. It has a compelling soundtrack that plunges you into the battle of Azeroth as if you were there yourself with the enemy lying all around you. " Via Coming Soon Magazine -
Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal
In mid 1996 Blizzard released Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal, an expansion CD-ROM. The add-on disk provide[d] an all-new Warcraft II experience with new Orc and Human campaigns and 50 new custom maps. Via The Official Press Release -
Warcraft II: battle.net edition
The Battle.Net Edition was a bundle release of all the Warcraft II content, with "with extensive multiplayer support and a few select gameplay enhancements." Via Gamespot's Review -
Of Blood and Honor
Of Blood and Honor is a novella by Chris Metzen taking place in the Warcraft universe. It marks both the first official mixed media content and the first book set in the Warcraft universe. -
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Mixed Media Era
The Franchise moves into an increasingly mixed media situation, with books, Tabletop RPGs, and other content released in a manner meant to be taken as a cohesive whole. This era is ongoing into the present year. -
WarCraft III: Reign Of Chaos
Released in July of 2002, Warcraft III signaled what Eurogamer described in their review blurb as "Blizzard resumes reign over RTS genre." Via Eurogamer -
Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne
Released in July of 2003. The Frozen Throne was arguably the best received content of the entire Warcraft franchise's history. As IGN put it: "The Frozen Throne is a good example of why Blizzard has retained its fans for so long." Via IGN's Review -
Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game
Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game is the first edition core rule book for the Warcraft RPG. he book was initially published in 2003 under the d20 System License and was basically a campaign setting for the revised 3rd edition of Dungeons & Dragons. Blizzard's official stance on its RPG titles is that nothing in the RPG books are not considered cannon unless they specifically state otherwise. Via Wowpedia -
World of Warcraft
In late 2004 the franchise made a marked shift from its traditional era of RTS games to its entry into the then young MMORPG market. The game would go on to be a Titan in the industry; even in 2004 it had a highly positive reviews. Via GameSpot -
World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game
World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game is the second edition core rulebook for the Warcraft RPG, the successor to Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game. The new game was updated with second edition rules and moved the series closer to the time frame of the World of Warcraft MMORPG. Canonality of this edition remains as with its predecessor. Via Wowpedia -
Warcraft Archive
Warcraft Archive is a collection of stories that take place in the Warcraft Universe by authors Richard A. Knaak, Christie Golden, Jeff Grubb, and Chris Metzen. It was published by Pocket Star Books, and represented the first foundational series of books that set the mixed media stage for the franchise. Via Wowpedia -
World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade
World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade is the first expansion set for the MMORPG World of Warcraft. On its release date alone it sold nearly 2.4 million copies,making it, at the time, the fastest-selling PC game released at that point. Via Blizzard Press Release -
War of the Ancients Archive
The Warcraft: War of the Ancients Archive is a single book containing the War of the Ancients Trilogy (published in 2004-2005). It represented a single anthology covering a pivotal part of the early history of the world of Azeroth. Via Wowpedia -
World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King
World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King is the second expansion set for World of Warcraft, following The Burning Crusade. It sold 2.8 million copies within the first day, making it the fastest selling computer game of all time released at that point. Via Arstechnica -
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
The third expansion of World of Warcraft, Cataclysm completely overhauled many major systems and the world itself, adding the ability for players to fly in the main map of the game and updating it at the same time. Selling 3.3 million copies in the first 24 hours of release, at the time it held the distinction as the fastest selling PC game at the time. Via BBC News -
Chronicles of War
World of Warcraft: Chronicles of War is a 3-in-1 novel compilation by Christie Golden, Jeff Grubb and Aaron Rosenberg. Together the three cover a large amount of Azerothian history during the time period of the RTS series.
