1 Million by X-mas, maybe?

While still small and insignificant looking next to World of Warcraft, the active users mark in Warhammer Online has reached 800,000. While the growth of that number was significantly smaller in October than it was in September, it's still steadily creeping upwards - not down. A repeat of Age of Conan seems to have been averted.

This will also make Mythic and owner EA a modest but substantial but substantial income, assuming the 800,000 players will fork out GBP 8.99 once the free trial month has run out. Warhammer Online has also sold 1.2 million copies, which is a number that silver-haired fox John Riccitiello recently deemed a success for EA.

But all of this will seem fairly insignificant to the towering form of World of Warcraft, which recently posted subscription figures of over 11 million, and expands again on 13th November with Wrath of the Lich King

Still, Mythic plans to be here for the long haul, and has already promised Blizzard a lengthy battle.

Here's for cheering for the underdog. For more information, please check here.