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IRVINE, Calif. -- AT&T and Blizzard Entertainment today announced plans to create a secure hosting solution for the launch of Blizzard's massively multiplayer online role-playing game, World of Warcraft. When the game launches later this year, thousands of players from across North America will be able to adventure securely through Blizzard's epic world, thanks in part to the robust and reliable hosting services offered by AT&T.
Under the terms of the agreement, AT&T will provide enhanced storage space and bandwidth capabilities for Blizzard's entertainment software applications. Additionally, the hosting solution will significantly strengthen the dependability and scalability of Blizzard's online presence. Included with AT&T's services are load-balancing capabilities that will allow for seamless access to all of the interactive features found in Blizzard's virtual world. AT&T will provide these hosting services through its Internet Data Centers (IDCs) in Los Angeles and Redwood City, Calif., and Ashburn, Va.
"As we prepare to launch our first massively multiplayer online game, we know that secure, fast and reliable hosting services are essential to support the World of Warcraft community and satisfy the expectations of online gamers," stated Paul Sams, senior vice president of business operations for Blizzard Entertainment. "This hosting solution will deliver the speed, reliability and security that we and our multiplayer audience have come to expect from Blizzard games."
AT&T is currently hosting the North American portion of Blizzard's beta test for World of Warcraft, for which more than 400,000 players signed up to help balance the game and ensure stability for an international launch later this year. In addition to providing hosting for World of Warcraft, the new agreement significantly expands the hosting services that AT&T currently provides Blizzard Entertainment for Battle.net.
AT&T owns and operates 22 IDCs around the world and expects to have 25 by the end of the year.
About Blizzard Entertainment
Best known for blockbuster hits including the Warcraft, StarCraft, and the Diablo series, Blizzard Entertainment (www.blizzard.com), a division of Vivendi Universal Games, is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating many of the industry's most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard's track record includes eight #1-selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company's free Internet gaming service Battle.net reigns as the largest in the world, with millions of active users.
About AT&T
For more than 125 years, AT&T (NYSE "T") has been known for unparalleled quality and reliability in communications. Backed by the research and development capabilities of AT&T Labs, the company is a global leader in local, long distance, Internet and transaction-based voice and data services.
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