Strategy gamers' long wait for Warcraft III may be over before too long.  Blizzard has developed a whole new engine for the game and it now appears in full 3D - the terrain varies in slope and altitude and can be deformed through spells and you can zoom in to watch the action close-up. The new engine also incorporates a new unit animation process that results in very fluid movement.  Also new to Warcraft III are legendary heroes which give you powerful units that can improve through experience, completing quests, or capturing special items.

Warcraft III will ship with a campaign editor which will allow players to create their own custom 3D maps and missions, complete with scripts for units, spells, and event triggers.

Blizzard has also released details on the four playable races appearing in Warcraft III:

• Humans: Humans concentrate their skills on martial discipline and technology. Units include the Footman, Knight, Elven Priest, Elven Sorceress, Dwarven Mortar Team, and Dwarven Rifleman. Human heroes include the Paladin, Arch-Mage, Half-Elven Ranger, and the Dwarven Mountain King.
• Orcs: These creatures rely on brute strength and prefer melee combat. Orc Units include the Grunt, Troll Head Hunter, Wyvern Rider, Shaman, and Troll Witch Doctor. Orc heroes include the Farseer, Blade Master, Tauren Chieftain, and Shadow Hunter.
• Night Elves: Mysterious race that has only recently come out of seclusion. Units include the Ent, Archer, Sentinel, Assassin, Treant, and Hippogryph. Elven heroes include the Keeper of the Grove, Demon Hunter, Priestess of the Moon, and Arch-Druid.
• Undead: An army known as the Scourge which has descended from the frozen north. The Undead can generate units on the battlefield from their fallen foes. Units include the Dredge, Ghoul, Banshee, Necromancer, Gargoyle and Frost Wyrm. Undead heroes include the Death Knight, Lich, Dread Lord and Abomination.