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Along with the release of its second major content patch, Rage of the Firelands, for World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, Blizzard has also announced that the massively multiplayer role playing game is now free to play up to level 20.
They've renamed the trial the World of Warcraft Starter Edition and removed the previous 10 and 14 day time trial restrictions. Now there's a chance for everyone to get hooked, as playing up to 20 levels of the game gives you just enough time to start caring about your character. They'll even let you make Blood Elf and Draenei characters, races that were previously only available with The Burning Crusade expansion. All you have to do to start your trial is create a Battle.net account and download the game.
Additionally, Blizzard is selling both World of Warcraft Classic along with The Burning Crusade expansion together for $19.99 as part of a new digital Battle Chest. Plus, if you only purchased the original WoW and none of the expansions, Blizzard is also giving you access to The Burning Crusade for free now as well.
What do you think about Blizzard giving everyone the opportunity to play the world's most popular MMO? After they mentioned that they were going to start adding premium content like playing with friends for a price, it's interesting that they're giving away so much content for free. This just seems like another step in the World of Warcraft is going free-to-play direction and that Blizzard is testing just how many more customers they'd get with this model.
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Comments
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Lartoon
I just want to play WoW but cant stand the new 12-17 yo they allow to play. You can't raid, dungeon etc without a nerdrage. Most are only there for a quick thrill no commitment. Now, like EQ, something will replace WoW and when it does those 6 of 11 million will quickly jump ashore. You know how many 13yo's pay for server transfers, race changes, etc with their parent's credit cards? Blizzard is making money hand over fist and don't care to keep those devoted Vanilla players. Lost forever is what I am at the moment. I'm looking for another MMO but can't stand Shoot'em up heavily induced testosterone games. StarCrap, CoDooty, etc. Personally I like the male and female species to co-mingle. Elves, Wolvery blah blah blah.
westraz
ok is there any MMO that is now not some how free to play? lol WoW was like all most the last one
NeySevour
Wow that's the first sign I see Blizzard becoming that desperate about their game. What's next completely free 2 play and only deep pockets can buy elite stuff?
SWTOR will be fun, I wonder if they will ever make a ME MMO :) I would definately put my sub in that.
hoof_hearted4
i got to like lvl 46 with WoW and just stopped cold turkey. it got mad boring. idk how ppl can get to 80 (+?) multiple times over. with TOR i can see myself playing more then one toon (maybe not to lvl cap idk) because i actually like the Star Wars universe.
i personally still wanna see a World of Starcraft! (ill keep dreaming)
Keth
It almost makes me want to reinstall the game. Sadly I don't have any room because THE GAME IS TOO DAMN BIG!!!
leper1983
WoW2 is the only WoW Killer
merivigian
Oh cool, cause GW2 is free to play... forever. Nice try Blizzard, but no thanks, you can keep your MMO.
DrowNoble
I'm not surprised by this move. They lost 600k subs recently and with TOR on the horizon they have to do something to stop the bleeding. With other mmos having success with a F2P model, WoW is just jumping on that bandwagon.
Lord_Xarti
To quote South Park, "How do you kill that which has no life?" Nuff said.
H_G_P_Wellscraft
I don't want to see WoW go FTP so i can pay for everything in game. I'd rather just pay the monthly subscription and get the paying over with. But i'll only leave World of Warcraft when blizzard comes out with Skies of Starcraft. :D But then again why can't i have both?
GrimGalore
World of War Who?
I thought the only MMO was TOR.
FreshCut_T70
Its like a crack dealer giving the first batch for free........then, it owns forever............. :(
Luck702
I really love mmo's, but I will never pay for subscriptions.
crocodilius
good marketing. you know, i think ive bought 4 copies of the Diablo battlechest over the years...blizzard games just dont die.
thegreatmabel
There goes the neighborhood...
Mashpotaters
I think they should just go F2P. Basically make leveling available for free, but charge for for raids. I mean they already nickle and dime character transfers and in game cosmetic items, so they shouldn't even be charging a monthly fee.
Raisinbman
What have they done?
CFenix
This is just like if they made cigarettes free for 2 months. Just because it's free doesn't mean you don't have anything to lose ( in this case a life).
MindTricked
Oh... oh, no.
Greedyjew6964
You know its funny, I have lost count of how many games are going to "Kill" WoW, or make it free to play to just stick around. The latest being Rift. Now we have GW2 and Star wars, whats going to change? WoW will still remain at the 11 million subscribers it has for the last 4-5 years. The only thing that is going to be the "WoW Killer" is blizzard themselves.
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