Today in TechWorld of Warcraft expands free trial, gives new players a fresh way to get hooked
If you've somehow managed to resist the global gaming phenomenon known as World of Warcraft, get ready to feel your defenses weakening. Yesterday, World of Warcraft's creator Blizzard announced that the game would be free to play through level 20 via a new Starter Edition, further eroding potential barriers for new players.
Previously, the game had offered a free trial, but it expired after a 2-week period. Now, new players could conceivably enjoy certain aspects of the virtual world for free indefinitely, though the new offer does come with a handful of limitations. In the game, players progress through levels, earning 'experience points' for slaying the world's myriad monsters and completing objective-based missions known as quests.
In the new trial offer, players won't be able to progress past level 20 without paying, but the game won't cut off — they'll just stop earning experience points. The game's maximum level or 'level cap' is now 85, and levels become increasingly difficult to earn as you climb your way up the rungs.
As generous as the offer sounds, Blizzard knows better. The game offers an intoxicatingly expansive fantasy world, and many new players find themselves more than happy to sign up after getting an initial taste of the epic (and epically successful) game.
Interested in getting your toes wet in the wild world of massively multiplayer online games? Check out our guide for exactly that, and you'll be flying a gryphon in no time!
World of Warcraft via WoW Insider
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