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World of Warcraft[1] is a popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) for PCs and Macs. Although players can participate individually, World of Warcraft is best known as a fantasy world where players representing different races (like orcs or humans) and classes (like mages and warriors) can team up to explore cities, storm dungeons and fight other players. Developed by Blizzard Entertainment[2] , World of Warcraft was released in the U.S. and Canada on November 23, 2004. It is the world's leading subscription-based MMORPG, with more than 8.3 million players worldwide.
Typical costs: | - New players can try the Starter Edition for free[3] . After that, players typically begin with World of Warcraft Battle Chest, which retails for $20 and can be digitally downloaded from the Blizzard website[4] .
- After installing the game, players need to purchase an online subscription to continue gameplay. The account grants access to the World of Warcraft virtual online world. The software package includes one free month of game play. To continue after the first month, players need to purchase a subscription -- either with a credit card or by purchasing a time card. 30-day time cards cost $15; 60-day timecards cost $30; 180-day time cards cost $78.
- Further expansion sets include Catacylsm[5] , which retails for $20, and the Mists of Pandaria[6] , which was released in September 2012 and retails for $40.
Related articles: EverQuest II, Sims Online, Second Life
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What should be included: | - Operating System requirements: The minimum configuratiuon on a PC is Windows XP running on a Pentium D or AMD Athlon 64 X2 CPU, though 64-bit Windows 7 or 8 running on a Core 2 Duo or Athlon 64 X2 or higher is recommended.
- The minimum configuration on a Mac is OS X 10.7 running on a Core 2 Duo CPU, though OS X 10.8 running on an i3 or higher is recommended.
Additional costs: | - Although it's a violation of the Terms of Use, the New York Times reports that some players spend real dollars[7] to get World of Warcraft gold, so they can buy "the fanciest sword or the most potent charm" online. But Nick Yee[8] , a PhD student at Stanford studying "immersive virtual reality," cites that many players are "vehemently against the sale of virtual goods for real life money."
- Strategy guides such as the "World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria Signature Series Guide" by BradyGames[9] , can assist with game playing and strategies. The guide can be purchased at booksellers such as Amazon[10] for around $21.
- Gameplay requires high-speed internet access.
Discounts: | - Retailers may offer the packages at prices sligtly lower than Blizzard. For example, in May 2013, Amazon[11] offered the Battle Chest game for $13.40 (PC-only), the Cataclysm Expansion Set for $17.77 and the Mists of Pandaria Expansion Set for $32.74.
- Numerous free strategy guides are available online such as WowWiki[12] or ZAM[13] .
Shopping for world of warcraft: | - New users can start by playing the Starter Edition[14] for free, or with the Battle Chest[15] set, either of which can be digitally downloaded.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
| Posted by: Tl08 in st paul, MN. | Posted: February 25th, 2013 08:02PM |
Dont waste your time. Its cost really added up over the course of 3.6 years of hardcore playing. Its social content is the most addicting aspect. You will build bonds with people of all ages and look forward to hearing from them on a daily basis! However, the game is very limited in scope, customization, and variety in quest or unique subject matter. You will become epically bored, but continue to play because it becomes a part of your daily routine long enough to sink its teeth deep. 15 a month is a huge waste of money...and as a person stated above, there are many free games that are more fun and free then WoW. I will say that if you do buy into WoW- get the authenticator, as blizzard cant protect your account and people are hacked constantly, but blizzard is very good about restoring your equipment/gold in a day or 2. |
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| Posted by: Zooey in LA, CA. | Posted: July 7th, 2011 01:07AM |
I am a huge fan of MMOs, and I've been playing the trial for a week or so -- it's absolutely, unquestionably gorgeous, just like they're saying above.
However... It's $80 to start out with Cataclysm and the like, right now (normally $100). AFTER that, it is $15-13/month. That's absurd. In your first 3 months of gameplay, that is $122 at best. Even if I got no expansions, $15-13 after the $20 is like paying for the "entire" game (obvs $20 does not buy the entire anything in this case) AGAIN every two months.
Cheaper MMOs -- Guild Wars has $80 in expansions, but no goddamn subscription. Not nearly as much as an RPG, though, and completely different gameplay. Vindictus is a free MMO which is surprisingly good and has COMPLETELY different gameplay -- no skill bar, etc. |
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| Posted by: Dustin C. Thompson in Jupiter, FL. | Posted: February 20th, 2011 03:02PM |
| Store: Best Buy |
The game is utterly beautiful. The quintessence of MMORPG's. Flawless terrain. The landscape is vast, diverse, and teeming with life. One quest alone is enough to keep you hooked for atleast a week. I guess the graphics aren't perfect, but hey, who is? I do have one probably though. The game itself is a mere $20.00, but the subscription for one year alone is immense! It just isn't worth the humiliation you'll get at school and the time that will truly be wasted on the game. Maybe if Blizzard will decide to lower the price (which I highly doubt they will) then maybe more people will buy it and Blizzard might just get more money. But really it's your choice. If you like MMO's alot, then don't hesitate to buy this game. But if you're like me, just not willing to spend a hundred bucks a year on a video game, then maybe just go ahead and play Runescape or something. That's a pretty good game. |
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| Posted by: Costain in Calgary, Other. | Posted: January 31st, 2011 09:01AM |
| Store: Blizzard |
Have tried some free trials and love it, but the fact is that it is a game and is not worth all the time, money, and social problems that result from people getting addicted. The game is amazing and beautiful. I would love to buy it, but it isn't worth the risk. |
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| Posted by: jrm in N, WV. | Posted: December 9th, 2010 03:12PM |
| Store: none |
I'm currently trying out the free 10 day trial. Though I find the game entertaining, I cannot justify paying roughly $150 per year to play a game that I've already paid $30 to purchase in store. I suppose that's also why I'm a PS3 player rather then 360. I think I'll be sticking to free MMOs like evony. |
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| Posted by: Smack Hobbit in Lancashire UK, Other. | Posted: December 9th, 2010 06:12AM |
| Store: Local Dealer |
I used to be hooked on WoW so was my brother he was younger and worst than me on it. In the end I decided to give it up and start taking heroin (no joke) and it's less addictive doesn't waste your life as much and get a better buzz ;) So now I enchant and gear score for real LOL |
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| Posted by: Koraff L70 Frost Mage in Sunrise, FL. | Posted: October 27th, 2010 10:10AM |
| Store: Best Buy |
Played off my parents' dime, as they played as well. The game doesn't cost much and offers a highly addictive service enjoyable to casual and professional players, but you'll find your free time being wasted, and soon, your work will suffer to "get one more level tonight." It's an addiction like any other. And, much like drug dealers, they offer a "free trial." I wasted my life with this game and spent money on it. If you're going to do that, at least play something for free =/ |
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| Posted by: BertnErnie in Bumphuc, Other. | Posted: September 27th, 2010 02:09PM |
| Store: online |
WoW is the best online mmorpg, there is no comparison, and I've tried almost all of them. Even LoTRO, which was recently made free to play (you can even get through the entire game free of charge though there is pay-to-play Premium and VIP), doesn't compare, not even close.
As far as one person here getting banned from WoW, you have to be a moron to get banned. Just don't be stupid by harrassing people and you'll have no probs. |
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| Posted by: a user in Newtown, CT. | Posted: June 13th, 2010 10:06AM |
| Store: gamestop |
game was tottaly epic, had a bunch of fun, but blizz banned my account :( Have fun playin' and stay out of trouble. Gnome tanks rule! |
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| Posted by: zykini in milano, TX. | Posted: November 3rd, 2009 05:11PM |
| Store: online |
The wrath of the lich king trial version was so very awesome and i couldnt get enough of it! Although I dont know the rates on the full experience, I plan to get it as soon as possible! |
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| Posted by: death pope in clearwater, FL. | Posted: May 18th, 2009 02:05PM |
i did world of warcraft free 10 day trial and it was awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i got to lvl 10 on a hunter and it was fun because like in runescpae i only did range and getting a gun in game was awsome |
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| Posted by: Dankonater in Walla walla, WA. | Posted: February 27th, 2008 09:02AM |
i have played this game every day for 6 months and omg i love it so much |
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External Resources: | - us.battle.net/wow/en/
- us.blizzard.com/en-us/
- us.battle.net/account/creation/wow/signup/
- us.blizzard.com/store/details.xml?id=110000044
- us.blizzard.com/en-us/games/cataclysm/
- us.blizzard.com/en-us/games/mists/
- www.nytimes.com/2005/12/09/technology/09gaming.html?ex=1291784400&en=a723d0f8592df...
- www.nickyee.com/daedalus/archives/000861.php
- www.bradygames.com/store/product.aspx?isbn=074401414X
- www.amazon.com/World-Warcraft-Pandaria-Signature-Bradygames/dp/074401414X/ref=sr_1...
- www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=warcraft
- www.wowwiki.com/Portal:Main
- wow.allakhazam.com/wiki/
- us.battle.net/account/creation/wow/signup/
- us.blizzard.com/store/details.xml?id=110000044
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