The Burning Crusade is the long-awaited expansion for the best-selling World of Warcraft online game. It goes on sale in Europe and the US on 16 January.

Amongst many other changes, the expansion pack introduces two new playable races to the world of Azeroth. Blood Elves (left) for the Horde and Draenei (right) for the Alliance.

Some lucky players have been given access to the test, or beta, version of The Burning Crusade. There are still some bugs to be seen in the early versions of the expansion.

The expansion features a host of new locations for players to explore. Some, such as the Blood Elf city of Silvermoon are spectactular in design.

The Draenei have their share of spectacular sights too. This is the interior of the Exodar - the capital of the Draenei which is actually part of a crashed space ship.

High-level players in The Burning Crusade will also get access to flying mounts so they can get around much faster. Gryphons, wyverns and nether drakes will be available.

The Burning Crusade will also see the introduction of arenas where small teams of players - 2v2, 3v3 or 5v5 - can take each other on for high value rewards.