The World of Warcraft: The War Within beta launches this week

Beta testing for World of Warcraft’s next expansion, The War Within, begins on June 5, Blizzard has announced.

Players who purchase or who upgrade to the Epic Edition of the expansion will be able to gain immediate access to the beta and a minimum three-day early access to The War Within.

In April, Blizzard opened registration for the chance to participate in the beta. Players selected to take part will receive an email invitation directing them to download the game client directly from the Battle.net desktop app.

“New systems, the complete leveling experience, zones, dungeons, delves, Warbands, and the new playable Earthen are all available in the beta,” Blizzard said. “Raid testing will come at a later time.”

VGC recently had a chance to play The War Within and chat to the studio about the upcoming expansion.

Launching later this year, The War Within is the first of three World of Warcraft expansions announced at BlizzCon last November.

The Worldsoul Saga, which is described as an “epic story that celebrates the first 20 years of World of Warcraft and sets new foundations for Azeroth’s future”, will comprise of The War Within, Midnight and The Last Titan.

Blizzard launched World of Warcraft Cataclysm Classic on May 20.

As with World of Warcraft Classic, Burning Crusade Classic and Wrath of the Lich King Classic, the recreation of the game’s third expansion is available to all players with an active WoW subscription.