World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. Released in 2004 for Windows, it is set in the high-fantasy Warcraft universe, picking up shortly after the events of Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne. Players create a character from one of several races and classes, then explore the vast continents of Azeroth, completing quests, battling monsters, crafting items, and interacting with thousands of other players. The game quickly became the most popular MMORPG, surpassing five million subscribers within its first year. Its success is often attributed to its polished gameplay, accessible interface, and the way it reduced the downtime and tedium that plagued earlier entries in the genre. Over time, World of Warcraft has received numerous expansion packs that have added new continents, classes, and storylines, keeping the world fresh for a dedicated player base. As of 2023, the game is still actively maintained, with a classic version also available for those seeking the original experience.
The Vault · 2004
World of Warcraft
The MMORPG that gets it right.
WarcraftPCMMORPGRPG
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Original Hardware
Original retail copies on CD-ROM are widely available secondhand, but a subscription is still required and the game will patch to the latest version. Requires Windows XP/Vista and a broadband internet connection.
Modern Re-release
World of Warcraft is still actively maintained by Blizzard. The base game and all expansions up to the current release are available as a digital download from the official website. A monthly subscription is required, though free trial accounts are available.
Emulation / Other Options
Not applicable, WoW is a live service game and private servers exist outside the scope of this guide.