"Warcraft: Orcs & Humans" is a real-time strategy (RTS) video game developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. It was originally released in 1994 for MS-DOS and Mac OS, and it is the first game in the Warcraft series, which would go on to become one of the most popular and influential franchises in the gaming industry.
The game is set in the high-fantasy world of Azeroth and features two factions, the humans and the orcs, engaged in a brutal conflict. Players can choose to play as either the human Alliance or the orcish Horde, each with its own campaign. The game was notable for its innovative gameplay, which allowed players to gather resources, build bases, and command armies in real-time battles.
Key features of "Warcraft: Orcs & Humans" include:
1. Resource Management: Players must gather resources, such as gold and lumber, to construct buildings and train units.
2. Base Building: The game involves building and expanding bases, which serve as the player's hub for creating units and conducting research.
3. Unit Variety: Players can recruit various units, each with unique abilities and strengths, to create armies for battle.
4. Tactical Gameplay: Battles are fought in real-time, requiring strategic thinking and tactical maneuvering.
5. Multiplayer: The game supported LAN play, allowing players to compete against each other in multiplayer matches, which was a novel feature for its time.
6. Lore and Storytelling: "Warcraft: Orcs & Humans" introduced players to the rich lore and storytelling that would become a hallmark of the Warcraft series.
The success of "Warcraft: Orcs & Humans" laid the foundation for the Warcraft franchise, which would later include games like "Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness" and "Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos," as well as the massively popular MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) "World of Warcraft." The Warcraft universe has since expanded to encompass novels, comics, and other media, making it a major part of Blizzard Entertainment's portfolio.
