Blizzard celebrates today's 16th anniversary of World of Warcraft with the launch of Shadowlands, the eighth expansion for the MMORPG. The announcement has details on the various versions of the add-on, including ways to avoid the grind of leveling up characters to play the new content. Here's the Official Trailer and here's word:

In World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, the heroes of the Horde and the Alliance will come face-to-face with the mysteries of death as they journey through the next world’s wondrous realms. Along the way, they’ll forge a fate-changing pact with one of the Shadowlands’ four ruling Covenants, drawing upon their otherworldly power to confront the forces of the Jailer, the malevolent entity who holds dominion over the hopeless depths of the Maw. Players’ resolve will be tested as they seek to reclaim lost souls from the Jailer’s watchful eye and venture into the labyrinthine corridors of Torghast, Tower of the Damned, where long-imprisoned horrors—and legendary rewards—await.

“Shadowlands takes WoW players to a part of the Warcraft universe they’ve never set foot in before, and gives them opportunities to shape their characters’ destinies in completely new ways,” said J. Allen Brack, president of Blizzard Entertainment. “Whether they’re exploring every facet of their chosen Covenant or creating their own legendary gear in the Tower of the Damned, we’re excited for players to discover the experiences waiting for them on the other side.”

Shadowlands’ launch follows a number of recent WoW® game updates designed to make it easier than ever for new and returning players to join in the fun. On the island of Exile’s Reach, new players will discover an all-new introductory adventure that teaches them what it takes to be a champion of Azeroth, including quests that showcase the abilities of their chosen class and a two-boss mini-dungeon that imparts the basics of group-based play. Once new players leave the island, they’ll be able to continue straight into the game’s most recent expansion, Battle for Azeroth®, where they can progress up to level 50 in preparation for entering the Shadowlands.