Following the announcement that Rift will launch on March 1 and pre-orders are now available, Trion Worlds has released a new TV spot and a pre-order FAQ. As you can see from the above image, the commercial ends on some fighting words for World of Warcraft. You can watch the entire commercial after the jump.

The pre-order FAQ covers all sorts of questions, including how to gain access to the remaining closed beta events. Also, all closed beta characters will be wiped before the Head Start event begins on Feb. 24. Check out the full FAQ below for even more answers. (UPDATE: The pre-order FAQ have been updated to answer more questions.)

Rift Pre-order FAQ

Where do I find my VIP code after I pre-order Rift? How do I apply it to my account?
When you pre-order through Trion, your account is automatically entitled for VIP access.

If you ordered through a partner, you need to:

1. Go to https://account.riftgame.com to login or create a new account
2. Click “Apply Code” on the left-hand navigation bar and enter your pre-order code.

I pre-ordered earlier from a partner and still have not received a code to enter on my account. When do I get that?
Our partners will be sending the codes out for their own orders. You should receive a code from the merchant directly.

Will other methods of payment (PayPal, for example) are offered for pre-orders?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discovery and American Express. Game Time Cards (available at major retailers) and PayPal will be accepted by March 1.

Do the in-game pre-order rewards apply to only one character on the account, or all characters?
They apply to all characters you create.

What if I already pre-ordered RIFT via a local retailer, or wish to pre-order RIFT via a retailer? Will I still get VIP access to upcoming beta events and the Head Start?
Yes. Once you apply a pre-order code to your account, you’ll receive an invitation to each beta event a few days before it begins.

Will the RIFT Collector’s Edition be available at European retailers?
Yes.

Why is RIFT being released on different dates for North America (March 1st) and Europe (March 4th)?
Typical retail releases days are Tuesdays in North America and Fridays in Europe.

Is the start-date for the head-start period (February 24th) the same for every region?
Yes.

If I purchase a digital copy of RIFT but live in Europe, will I be able to play on the North American servers on March 1st?
Yes.

Will our closed-beta characters be wiped for the Head Start and launch of RIFT?
Yes

I have purchased my pre-order. How do I access the beta?
Invitations with info on downloading the beta client will be sent right before each event. We will inform you here on the forum when invitations start going out.

Updated to address more questions:

Will Retail CE pre-orders access the head start the same way we accessed beta through a download, or will we receive the physical game early?
Beta and Head Start are two different clients; each will require their own download. As long as you have applied a pre-order key to your account, you'll be able to download the launch client and play in the Head Start. We'll post more information about downloading the launch client in the coming weeks.

Will pre-order items be available during beta or Head Start?
No. Pre-order items will not be available until the game is released.

Do I have to pre-order to get the Founder's Subscription pricing?
No. In order to receive Founder's Pricing, you must choose a plan before March 15th. See www.RIFTgame.com/subscriptions for more information.

Do the pre-order codes serve as both VIP key (for betas) and Head Start access?
Yes.

Can I order a retail Standard Edition or retail Collector's Edition box directly from Trion?
No, Trion sells only the digital versions.

Will there be a grace period where pre-order customers can continue playing after launch?
No, there is not a grace period. On 3/1, players on North America servers must apply a retail key (from either the Standard or Collector's Editions) to continue playing. On 3/4, players on European servers must apply a retail key to continue playing.

Can I play RIFT on both European and North American servers?
Yes. We want you to be able to play with family and friends, no matter where in the world they live.

Where are the servers located?
North American servers are located in Dallas, TX and European servers are in Amsterdam.