World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft is a 2004 MMORPG developed by Blizzard Entertainment, set in the fantasy universe of the Warcraft strategy games. It became the most influential and commercially dominant massively multiplayer online game of its era, at its peak drawing over ten million subscribers into the world of Azeroth.
Players create heroes among the opposing Alliance and Horde factions, choosing from races and classes, then quest, explore, gather professions, and group up for instanced dungeons and large-scale raids against powerful bosses. Its accessible design, polished and colourful world, forgiving death penalties, and steady sense of rewarding progression brought online role-playing to a mainstream audience like never before, reshaping the entire genre in its image and drawing countless imitators.
World of Warcraft continues to run today through numerous major expansions that have raised the level cap and added continents, and Blizzard later launched Classic servers recreating the original experience for nostalgic players. It remains one of the most storied online games ever made.
Play it today
Modern alternatives to World of Warcraft, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
Final Fantasy XIV Online
Free + in-app purchasesA story-rich MMORPG with a generous free trial and acclaimed narrative.
Final Fantasy XIV Online runs on PC, Mac. Not available on Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
World of Warcraft
Free + in-app purchasesThe still-running MMO itself, now with a subscription and cosmetics.
World of Warcraft runs on PC, Mac. Not available on Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Steam Deck.
Guild Wars 2
Free + in-app purchasesA buy-to-play MMO with dynamic events and no subscription.
Guild Wars 2 runs on PC. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
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