How Many World of Warcraft Games Are There?
As one of the most popular and enduring MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) of all time, World of Warcraft has had a profound impact on the gaming industry. With a dedicated player base and a wealth of content, it’s no surprise that the game has spawned numerous expansions and iterations over the years. But exactly how many World of Warcraft games are there? In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Azeroth and explore the answer to this question.
The Original Game
The first World of Warcraft game was released in 2004 by Blizzard Entertainment, a renowned game developer and publisher. The game was initially a subscription-based service, with players paying a monthly fee to access the game’s vast open world, quests, and raid content. The game’s success was swift and significant, with millions of players subscribing to the game within the first year of its release.
Expansions
Over the years, Blizzard has released numerous expansions to World of Warcraft, each adding new content, zones, and gameplay mechanics to the game. Here are the major expansions in chronological order:
• The Burning Crusade (2007): The first expansion, which added a new continent, Outland, and a level cap increase to 70.
• Wrath of the Lich King (2008): The second expansion, which introduced a new continent, Northrend, and a level cap increase to 80.
• Cataclysm (2010): The third expansion, which revamped the game’s original content, introduced a new level cap of 85, and added new zones and gameplay mechanics.
• Mists of Pandaria (2012): The fourth expansion, which introduced a new continent, Pandaria, and a level cap increase to 90.
• Warlords of Draenor (2014): The fifth expansion, which added a new continent, Draenor, and a level cap increase to 100.
• Legion (2016): The sixth expansion, which introduced a new continent, the Broken Isles, and a level cap increase to 110.
• Battle for Azeroth (2018): The seventh expansion, which added new zones, gameplay mechanics, and a level cap increase to 120.
• Shadowlands (2020): The eighth expansion, which introduced a new continent, the Shadowlands, and a level cap increase to 120.
Classic and Vanilla
In 2019, Blizzard released Classic World of Warcraft, a nostalgic take on the original game, set in 2006, just before the release of The Burning Crusade. This new version of the game allowed players to experience the original content, mechanics, and raids in a more authentic way. Later, in 2020, Blizzard released Vanilla World of Warcraft, a version of the game set in the year 2004, just before the release of the original game.
Wrath of the Lich King Classic
In 2022, Blizzard announced Wrath of the Lich King Classic, a classic version of the Wrath of the Lich King expansion, set in 2008. This new version will allow players to experience the game’s content, including the Icecrown Citadel raid, in a more authentic way.
Table: World of Warcraft Games and Expansions
| Game/Expansion | Release Year | Level Cap | New Zones | New Gameplay Mechanics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanilla WoW | 2004 | 60 | – | – |
| The Burning Crusade | 2007 | 70 | Outland | – |
| Wrath of the Lich King | 2008 | 80 | Northrend | – |
| Cataclysm | 2010 | 85 | – | – |
| Mists of Pandaria | 2012 | 90 | Pandaria | – |
| Warlords of Draenor | 2014 | 100 | Draenor | – |
| Legion | 2016 | 110 | Broken Isles | – |
| Battle for Azeroth | 2018 | 120 | Zandalar, Kul Tiras | – |
| Shadowlands | 2020 | 120 | Shadowlands | – |
| Classic WoW | 2019 | 60 | – | – |
| Vanilla WoW | 2020 | 60 | – | – |
| Wrath of the Lich King Classic | 2022 | 80 | Northrend | – |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many World of Warcraft games are there?
There are 8 World of Warcraft games, including the original game, 7 expansions, and 2 classic versions.
- What is the original World of Warcraft game?
The original World of Warcraft game was released in 2004 and is set in the world of Azeroth.
- What are the major expansions in World of Warcraft?
The major expansions in World of Warcraft are: The Burning Crusade, Wrath of the Lich King, Cataclysm, Mists of Pandaria, Warlords of Draenor, Legion, Battle for Azeroth, and Shadowlands.
- What is Classic World of Warcraft?
Classic World of Warcraft is a nostalgic take on the original game, set in 2006, just before the release of The Burning Crusade.
- What is Vanilla World of Warcraft?
Vanilla World of Warcraft is a version of the game set in the year 2004, just before the release of the original game.
- What is Wrath of the Lich King Classic?
Wrath of the Lich King Classic is a classic version of the Wrath of the Lich King expansion, set in 2008.
- Can I play the original World of Warcraft game?
Yes, you can play the original World of Warcraft game through Classic World of Warcraft or Vanilla World of Warcraft.
- Can I play the Wrath of the Lich King expansion?
Yes, you can play the Wrath of the Lich King expansion through Wrath of the Lich King Classic.
In conclusion, World of Warcraft has a rich and diverse history, with numerous expansions, iterations, and classic versions. Whether you’re a veteran player or a newcomer to the game, there’s something for everyone in the world of Azeroth.