15 January 2013 Last updated at 23:49

In pictures: Unlicensed World of Warcraft theme park in China

World Joyland, an unofficial theme park inspired by the World of Warcraft video game series, reportedly cost $48m (£30m) to build in China's coastal Jiangsu province and is spread over 600,000 square meters.

The amusement park has two sections dedicated to World of Warcraft and Starcraft, named "Terrain of Magic" and "Universe of Starship".

Blizzard's World of Warcraft online role-playing games have been hugely popular since its launch eight years ago. At its height, the title boasted 12 million global subscribers.

"I thought it was great. A lot of the rides used 4-D and special effects, which I hadn't experienced much of before," said Francesca Timbers, who took these photographs.

"There was a good roller-coaster with loops, where you are lying horizontally, face forward, like you are flying. That was my favourite ride. The water log ride ("Splash of Monster Blood’) was pretty good too," Francesca Timbers said.

Some rides have a "Happiness Index," a “Splendour Index”, and "Thrill Index" (but no damage index) - probably showing their intensity.

China wants World Joyland to compete with Universal Studios and Disney in the United States. The theme park was even featured in a local tourism promotional video.

China is already famous for a fake Disneyland and even a counterfeit Angry Birds theme park. Blizzard declined to comment.

Technology

In pictures: Unlicensed World of Warcraft theme park in China

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