Seven. That's easily the smallest number that's ever been associated with Blizzard's record-smashing MMO opus, but it's an important one nonetheless. While the game's small country's worth of rabid fans isn't quite as foamy mouthed or prone to biting over-eager children as it once was, it's still going remarkably strong. To celebrate, Blizzard's giving away a free, er, “Celebration Package” in game, which consists of some fireworks, a snazzy new tabard, and a temporary experience buff. Meanwhile, in the real world, Blizzard's commemorating the big seven with a seven thousand year-old meme about a seven million year-old martial artist (apparent encounter with the Fountain of Youth notwithstanding), because... we're not really sure. Check it out after the break.

Every MMO with any sense is headed for the bountiful hills of free-to-play, and it's not hard to see why: Down in subscription valley, two Godzilla-sized juggernauts are about to go to war. In one corner, we have perennial 800 lb gorilla king World of Warcraft, and in the other, EA's own Death Star, The Old Republic. And as it turns out, TOR's decided to rush WoW head-on this holiday season. That's right: $15 a month. It's as if a million wallets cried out in terror and weren't suddenly silenced – but will be eventually after many expansion packs and half-hearted utterances of “Oh, I'll cancel it later.”

A few weeks ago, we took a not-so-fond look at the console portion of the grotesque, unruly mass (in some circles known as a “family”) that is the gaming world. As we often do with those with whom we share any sort of relation, we proceeded to list off all the ways they've wronged us. We find it to be a good ice-breaker. Now, though, we've been struck with some strange and debiltating malady that top scientists are calling “civility,” and we've realized there's plenty of good mixed in with the bad. No, seriously. Consoles, we may not always get along, but we'd be remiss if we didn't give you due praise for having our backs every once in a while. Now go! Jump past the break before we change our minds.