If you're interested in checking out the new world of Grizzleheim before it goes live in Wizard101, you're in luck! Grizzleheim can currently be played on the test realm, which is available to subscribers and Crowns Players who have made a purchase in the last 30 days. All the information you need to log on to the test server can be found here.

As we previously reported, Grizzleheim is an outdoor area inspired by Norse mythology. More information on the update, which the Wizard101 team says is "one of our biggest updates yet," can be found on the patch notes page.

Grizzleheim introduces Viking Bears, Ravens and Wolves to the game, as well as a bazaar so players can buy and sell items. A new crafting system will let you create your own equipment and Treasure Cards, and the grouping feature will let you team up with your friends. Also, the update will introduce chat channels and open chat for players ages 18 and up.

According to a post on the Ravenwood News section of the Wizard101 Web site, 18+ chat will be added to the game to allow older players more open communication with each other. In order to keep younger players safe, this option will only be available to active subscribers with a valid credit card on file.

Children under 13 will still only see menu chat, while players 13-18 will continue to see only dictionary chat. The new 18+ chat will be turned off by default until you turn it on in the account management section, and it will be filtered for profanity.

You can read more about the new chat enhancements below.

KingsIsle Entertainment has announced that the 3D world of Grizzleheim will be added to Wizard101 in June. According to a press release, Grizzleheim is an outdoor area inspired by Norse mythology that is home to the Bears, Wolves and Ravens tribes.

The release states that "Grizzleheim will offer new quests, new locations to explore, new opponents and new Viking-themed decorative housing items interspersed throughout the mid and higher levels of the game." As always, the new area will be made available on the test server before it goes live.

You can read the full announcement after the jump.

A new housing system called Wizard Castles and Lands has been implemented in Wizard101 that allows players to customize their own personal dwelling within the game. All players will start off with a dorm room at the Ravenwood School of Magical Arts that can be extensively decorated. More intricate homes, such as luxury castles, can be purchased with in-game gold.

You'll be able to teleport to your house instantly, or you can use your friends list to transport yourself to a friend's house. More than 1,000 decorations will be available through numerous means, including PvP arena points, enemy drops and micro-transactions.

More information on the Castle and Lands feature can be found below or on the official Web site.

As we reported, Wizard101 broke 1 million registered users back in February. According to KingsIsle Entertainment, that milestone has quickly doubled. The company has announced that the game recently surpassed the 2 million registered users mark!

In addition, starting today $10 prepaid Wizard101 gift cards are now available in 7-Eleven stores nationwide. Each card offers a limited edition collectible pet that gives the player special abilities, such as increased damage and accuracy. Also, the pets will be available in colors and patterns that can't be found anywhere else in the game.

The card pets will be available in four sets: Protectors, Assistants, Adventurers, and Heroes. The Protectors are out now, and a new set will be available each month to those who purchase the gift cards. You can read the full press release below for more information.

Allakhazam Editor Christopher "Pywff" Tom recently got a chance to play Wizard101 and gave his first impressions of the game. Well, it seems many players are taking interest in the MMO. KingsIsle Entertainment Inc. announced today more than one million unique users have registered to play Wizard101. Of course, some celebratory gifts are planned:

The company is marking this milestone by rewarding the millionth registered player with a free one year subscription to the game, and a statue with an interactive commemorative plaque featuring the Wizard's name has been placed in the Wizard City Commons. As a special "thank you" all current and future players will receive 101 free Crowns automatically in their account. Crowns are used to purchase game areas and unique items.

This week also marks the unveiling of some Valentine's Day offerings in the game, including a special pet, wands and staves. The full press release can be found after the jump.

It's hard to believe January is over. As we begin the second month of 2009, let's take a look back at some of the most noteworthy news stories and Allakhazam features of the past week. There's more links after the jump.

Allakhazam Features

Wizard101: Our First Look : Allakhazam editor Christopher "Pwyff" Tom supplies a first-hand look at Wizard101, a children’s MMORPG with "collectible card magic, wizard duels, and far off worlds."

Champions Online Interview with Bill Roper : We sat down to talk to Roper about Champions Online, the vision that he brings to the team, and what he learned from Hellgate: London.

Talking Vanguard with Jason "Ikik" Weinmann : We talked with Weimann, a programmer on Vanguard, about some of the changes that he's made to the game's tools as well as some of his secret projects on the side.

Typically, when I want to ‘get away from the grind’ and play something frivolous, I load up my beloved DotA, my gateway drug to trash talking and the opportunity to rampage other kiddies with my Invoker. A short while ago, however, I was assigned to spend my spare time playing Wizard101, a children’s MMORPG with “collectible card magic, wizard duels, and far off worlds.” Thus, the weekend was spent doing just that; collecting hilariously politically correct cards (“Heck Hound”), duelling and attempting to trash talk 12 year old wizards ("You smell bad"), and exploring far off worlds, spending up to 45 minutes in combat, just so I could move forward 5 meters through a crowd of monsters (how!?).

Initially, the game starts you off as a young wizard hatchling; freshly emerging from your character creation screen and ready to cast spells at monsters in the form of a card game. Names are formed from three pre-generated parts, presumably so that your children will not have to deal with obscene character names. Much to my happiness, however, the character name that I reserve for children’s games, Digby Sparklepants, was available. Awesome.