This intrepid reporter was dragged along to a midnight release, despite not being able to afford it herself. So what else to do, but talk to the people there, to bring you some wonderful insights?

Clad in a borrowed “Home is where the hearthstone is” t-shirt, with my handy notebook to jot down interesting facts, I ventured forth bravely into a gathering of WoW players so much more experienced than I.

We arrived about 11:30pm, and were gestured inside by the waiting staff. The pre-order paid off, receipt stamped to show we had paid. As we were then ushered outside again, the queue began to form. Clutching their receipts, fans (and their support crews) waited excitedly for midnight. I took the opportunity to survey some of the people waiting in line.

The majority were proud owners of at least one level 70 character, all classes represented in those I talked to. Most of the people were Alliance, with Horde players being a smaller percentage of those lining up just before midnight.

But then the moment comes, and the first copy is given out. The first person emerges from the store, clutching box and poster in their hands, and the excitement seems to push even higher, if that was possible. But time passes, and the line shortens. People arrive late, tagging on to the end of the line, but its the end of the evening for us.

Or not, really, because it was time to head home at watch it install, to be one of those flooding Northrend, playing a Death Knight, just being there as the moments ticked over, and watching people push to higher and higher levels, unreachable until this moment.

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A world event has just been triggered in World of Warcraft portraying numerous scripted events across the world of Azeroth, as a prelude to Thursday’s Wrath of the Lich King midnight launch worldwide.

The Orcish capital of Orgrimmar sees itself under attack by the Lich King’s Scourge invasion in an event that repeats every 20-30 minutes. After the scourge forces are beaten back, the reserved leader of the Horde, Thrall and Garrosh Hellscream disagree over the suggestion of invading the Lich King’s home directly, in Northrend.

Thrall urges prudence and paitence, but Garrosh suggets an immediate assault. The argument escalates heated, and the two begin fighting, with Garrosh nearly winning before the Herald of the Lich King announces yet another attack on the city.

The harbour of the human capital of Stormwind has also been reported to be under attack by the Lich King’s forces, with the scorned King Varian Wrynn and other noble heroes of the Alliance attempting to put up their best defence against the oncoming invasion by sea from the bitter frozen wastes of Northrend.

Will you be fighting the good fight?

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Blizzard has just released a full listing on its European site of all confirmed midnight shop openings for the launch of Wrath of the Lich King all across Europe tomorrow.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a country that isn’t on the list, to be honest.

In addition, the game itself is gearing up for its launch with the Lich King’s forces currently laying siege to capital cities all across Azeroth. Will you be fighting the good fight?

World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King launches at midnight, November 13th.

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