Thousands queue for new World of Warcraft game

More than 2,500 people queued outside a store today to get their hands on a new World of Warcraft computer game.

HMV in Oxford Street, central London, opened its doors at midnight for the dedicated computer gamers who wanted to be among the first people in the world to buy and play the latest instalment in the WoW series.

'The World Of Warcraft: Wrath Of The Lich King' is an online role-playing game which allows people to control characters and interact with other players in a Lord of the Rings-style fantasy world.

Shoppers at Oxford Street also had the chance to meet some of the team who created the game.

Similar events were held in other cities including Los Angeles, Mexico City and Seoul.

Mike Morhaime, CEO of Blizzard Entertainment which makes WoW, said: "We've been looking forward to these launch events all year."

WoW has more than 11 million players around the world and is one of the most popular examples of what devotees call massively multiplayer online role-playing games or MMORPG.

The new game allows players to fight new enemies and find extra powers for their characters.

It is set in the continent of Northrend and pitches players against the evil Lich King Arthas Menethil and his undead army.

The new expansion pack costs £24.99 but players need a copy of the original game, another expansion pack and a monthly subscription costing £8.99.