‘Warcraft 3: Reforged’ release date: Access the remastered game right now despite the confirmed launch delay

It was confirmed earlier this month that the release date of “Warcraft 3: Reforged” is delayed for another month, effectively pushing it to 2020. The update was undoubtedly not the holiday news many fans would have wanted to receive, especially those who were expecting to play the remastered game within this year since it was announced at BlizzCon 2018.

‘Warcraft 3: Reforged’ beta: How to immediately access the game before 2020 arrives

The announcement of the delay of “Warcraft 3: Reforged” may be disappointing to many, but it was not a total shocker. The game’s multiplayer beta opened in late October, and by the time December arrived, many gameplay assets were still needing polishing or have not yet been added. At that point, a change in the release date became even more imminent.

On the bright side, Blizzard Entertainment has decided to let the “Warcraft 3: Reforged” multiplayer beta more accessible than usual. Testing for upcoming “Warcraft” games are usually on an invitation-basis only, and not everyone who wants to join is guaranteed to get an invite. However, given the change of plans, it is not surprising for Blizzard to be more generous this time.

Every pre-purchase of “Warcraft 3: Reforged” is promised to provide access to the multiplayer beta. It appears that players do not even have to buy the more expensive Spoils of War Edition, which costs $10 more than the Standard Edition, to get the invitation.

‘Warcraft 3: Reforged’ release date, Spoils of War Edition

Paying for the $39.99 copy of “Warcraft 3: Reforged” gives access to a slew of exclusive perks such as the “World of Warcraft” Meat Wagon mount. Spoils of War also comes with bonus items for other Blizzard games including the Third War Card Back for “Hearthstone,” “Heroes of the Storm” characters (Jaina, Thrall, Anub’arak, and Tyrande), a “Diablo III” Mal'ganis pet, “StarCraft II” Alliance, Horde, Sentinels, and Scourge console skins, and the Spoils of War console skin for “StarCraft: Remastered,” and four animated sprays and five player icons on “Overwatch.”

The Standard Edition for $29.99 only ships with the base game and “The Frozen Throne” expansion. In terms of the gameplay, “Warcraft 3: Reforged” comes with what players expect from a remastered title.

The campaign story and missions were not tweaked, but Blizzard has promised a complete redesign on all game assets, especially on the game characters, buildings, and surroundings. “Warcraft 3: Reforged” will now be released on Jan. 28, 2020, globally at 3 p.m. PT.