What is World of Warcraft?
World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). In World of Warcraft, thousands of players have the opportunity to adventure together in an enormous, persistent game world, forming friendships, slaying monsters, and engaging in epic quests that can span days or weeks.

What is an MMORPG?
MMORPG stands for massively multiplayer online role-playing game. In an MMORPG, thousands of players exist in the same game world at the same time. This creates an incredibly rich and active environment in which interesting things are constantly taking place. MMORPGs provide thousands of hours of game play, with a nearly infinite variety of goals to achieve across a vast world covering miles of land and sea. For World of Warcraft, we have been and will continue to add new content on a regular basis, thus ensuring that there will always be new adventures, new locations, new creatures, and new items to discover.

How does World of Warcraft differ from other MMORPGs?
World of Warcraft differs from other MMORPGs in many ways. Players are able to complete quests and experience the world at their own pace, whether it be a few hours here and there or entire weeks at a time. Additionally, our quest system provides an enormous variety of captivating quests with story elements, dynamic events, and flexible reward systems. World of Warcraft also features a faster style of play, with less downtime and an emphasis on combat and tactics against multiple opponents.

How many languages have the game been localized for?
In addition to being available in English, the game has been fully localized into French, Spanish and German for the European players. Realms are available for all four languages. The game box and manual is also available in Italian.

Can I play on a different language Realm than my purchased box?
You can play on any Realm located in Europe, regardless of what language your game is in. Please be aware that most players will communicate in the language of the Realm and support will also be provided in that language.

Can I get the game in languages other than the one I bought?
Yes, you can download the game in English, French, Spanish and German from our web site. Please note that you still need an authentication key from a purchased box to create an account.

What kinds of game boxes are available?
During the initial shipping of World of Warcraft, the game box was available in two versions: Alliance (Night Elf) and Horde (Orc). In addition there was a limited quantity of Collector's Edition boxes with additional World of Warcraft memorabilia inside. The recently published expansion, The Burning Crusade, is also available in standard and Collector's Edition.

How much does the game cost?
World of Warcraft is available at a suggested retail price of 14.99€ (£9.99 in the UK), while its expansion World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade is available at a suggested retail price of 19.99€ (£14.99 in the UK). The exclusive Collector's Edition of World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade is available in limited quantities, for a suggested retail price of 69.99€ (£44.99 in the UK). The cost includes a free one-month subscription to the game, after which additional time can be purchased through a monthly subscription fee.

What is the monthly fee to play the game?
After the end of the one-month subscription included with the game, you will need to subscribe in order to continue playing. There are three options in our flexible subscription structure: month-by-month subscription costs 12.99€/£8.99 per month, 3-month subscription costs 11.99€/£8.39 per month and six month subscription costs 10.99€/£7.69 per month.

Why isn't World of Warcraft free?
World of Warcraft requires a fee to play. This fee is used to support the costs associated with the high-quality levels of service, support, and ongoing content creation for World of Warcraft.

Do I need to enter credit card information to register an account?
When registering an account to play the game you will have to choose one of the available payment methods. If none of the alternative payment methods apply, you would be required to use the credit card option.

Can I change my preferred payment method after creating an account?
Yes. You will be able to edit your account and your preferred method of payment. If, for example you wish to switch from credit card to the pre-paid solution, you will be able to do this as soon as you have your pre-paid game card number.

If I change my preferred payment method is the change activated immediately?
The change of preferred payment will be activated immediately if it is made within the first one-month free period. If the change is made after the one-month free period then the change is made at the end of the current chosen payment method period.

What payment methods are currently supported?
Payment is accepted in Euros and British pounds and includes the following methods:

• Major credit cards: Visa (including Electron), MasterCard, American Express.
• Local cards: Carte Bleue (France), Switch, Solo, Delta (United Kingdom).
• Electronic Direct Debit: including country specific such as ELV (Germany).

How much do the pre-paid cards available in Europe cost?
Each card comes with a suggested retail price of 26.99€/£18.49, and will give a 60-day subscription to the game, accessible via this website using the scratch-off code on the reverse of the card. The cards are sold in DVD sized boxes, localized into English, German, French, Italian and Spanish, and will be available through retail outlets where the game is sold.

If I pay by pre-paid card, will I still need to have another payment method stated on my account?
No. The pre-paid card’s number is the only one required.

Can I use US pre-paid cards for a European account?
No. You will need to use a European pre-paid card for a European account.

Can I buy a used box and create an account?
No. A registration key may only be used once. Buying a used box means you will have the game but be unable to create an account.

How long will Blizzard keep my characters if I stop playing?
We will keep your characters for a minimum of 6 months from the day your account was closed.

Where can I buy the game?
You're able to purchase World of Warcraft at retail outlets and online retail sites. In order to play, you will need to sign up for an account on the official website using the authentication key from the game box.

What platforms is the game available on?
The game is available for Macintosh and Windows and the discs can be used on both platforms.

Can you alt-tab in and out of the game?
Yes. You can also run the game in a window.