MTV takes a look at Blizzard's decision to add weather to their massively popular MMORPG, World of Warcraft, and -- more interestingly -- how they implemented it. "[E]ach sub-zone among the 11 where weather is currently available is now linked to a set of variables that allow for the possibility of precipitation. The variables have been set to make the potential weather appropriate, meaning heavy showers are more likely in one region and drizzles in another."

For now the weather doesn't have any ancillary effects beyond enhanced atmosphere and verisimilitude. Blizzard is hesitant to add in side effects like wind slowing down your character or rain rusting your armor; though, they did suggest bonus effects like "more herbs grow after it rains."