On that note, by concentrating on art style over technical realism, Blizzard has had more flexibility over the scalability of the graphics. This means that the game can be run on a broad spectrum of PCs, from the high-end gaming rig to the average PC with a decent video card. Gamers with top-of-the-line video cards can run WoW in incredibly high resolutions with all the latest DirectX shaders and filters, enhancing the visuals without a major hit to the gameplay frame rate. Players with lower end machines can still run the game with confidence without losing a majority of the visual appeal or smoothness, even on a Mac.

  The player character models are well done, though some of the races are more aesthetically appealing than others. Many of the masculine avatars do appear overly bulky and simplistic in comparison to the more well-defined females. Players will be able to choose one of eight races, divided by alignment, when they begin. While each race is visually unique, the spectrum of distinguishing feature options within each is limited. In comparison to other MMOs with vast player creation options, like Star Wars Galaxies, this is disappointing. Thankfully, WoW sports one of the largest selections of player equipment in any MMORPG. Since most pieces of armor have a unique model and skin, players won抰 have to worry about being fashion clones. The biggest problem gamers will have to worry about is finding matching pieces, as putting together the best selection of statistical gear doesn抰 necessarily mean completing a specific armor set. The design variety is incredible, but many optimal configurations outside of class pieces lead to players looking like Christmas trees. Gamers do have the option of turning off the visuals for the helms and capes to help with overly gauche combos, and thankfully so ?many of the helms in-game border on hideous. Hopefully an armor dye option will be available in the future.