Microsoft announced today that a free, downloadable version of Asheron's Call is now available for play in the U.S. and abroad on the MSN Gaming Zone at http://www.zone.com/. Playable for a ten day period, the open trial gives gamers full access to the epic virtual world of Asheron's Call. Participants will be able to interact with thousands of other players and explore the 500 square mile isle of Dereth before the game is commercially released in November. Asheron's Call is an epic, massively multiplayer, role-playing game developed by Turbine Entertainment.

For those who would prefer to forego the download, the Asheron's Call beta is currently available on the demo disc in the November issue of Computer Games magazine (look for the issue with Asheron's Call on the cover). The magazine is available at major bookstores including Barnes & Noble and Borders, large supermarkets, Wal-Mart, CompUSA, Fry's and other stores where magazines are sold.