Est. 1998
Playing Out of Control Gaming

Retro reviews, vintage hardware, classic PC builds, and modern ways to keep old games alive.

Search the Archive
New Release
/ Adam Richardson

Asheron’s Call Beta Sign Up a Success

Microsoft said today that on one day alone, Friday, March 26, there were over 21,000 unique registrations for the chance to win one of 200 exclusive slots as early beta testers for the long-awaited massively multiplayer role-playing game, Asheron's Call.

Asheron’s Call Beta Sign Up a Success is the story today, and it is the kind of late-April 1999 news blast that makes the pre-E3 season feel like someone kicked the hornet nest. Microsoft said today that on one day alone, Friday, March 26, there were over 21,000 unique registrations for the chance to win one of 200 exclusive slots as early beta testers for the long-awaited massively multiplayer role-playing game, Asheron’s Call. Sign-ups were offered on 20 popular online gaming sites. Ten lucky winners on each site were guaranteed a slot in the initial testing phase at the end of April, with others to be allowed in later this summer. Developed by Turbine Entertainment, Asheron’s Call is a massively multiplayer role-playing game that draws together thousands of gamers within a dynamic, 3-D online world.

It may not be the same thrill as a fresh demo, but this stuff shapes what actually reaches players. Boring paperwork today can turn into games on shelves tomorrow.