INTRODUCTION
Have you ever dreamed about exploring a vast and immersive fantasy world that you can share with millions of others around the globe? Great, then keep on reading. This beginner-friendly guide will introduce you to World of Warcraft. Often abbreviated as WoW, it is one of the most popular and enduring online games of all time. The magic of World of Warcraft is its ability to immerse players into a rich and grand fantasy world that continues to grow and evolve. It is an epic game and tons of fun – once you get the hang of it!
WHAT IS WORLD OF WARCRAFT?
World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). Developed by Blizzard Entertainment, it was first released in 2004 and has since grown into a massive online world with millions of players worldwide.
In the game, you create your character, choose a race and a class, and set forth into the world of Azeroth, a place filled with magic, mythical beasts, and endless adventure. Unlike other video games that have a definite end, World of Warcraft is a living, evolving world that continues to provide new and exciting challenges.
Comparatively, consider World of Warcraft like an online version of Dungeons & Dragons – with way more people. You are part of an ongoing, interactive story that you share with people globally.
HOW IT WORKS or HOW TO GET STARTED
Before you can set out on your adventures, you’ll first need to set up an account on the official World of Warcraft website. Once that’s done, you’ll download and install the game on your home computer. Then, it’s time to create your character.
1. Choose Your Faction: In the World of Warcraft, there are essentially two major factions – the Alliance and the Horde.
2. Choose Your Race: Each faction is made up of several races. For example, on the Alliance side, you could be a Night Elf, Human, or Dwarf, among others. If you choose Horde, your options include being an Orc, Troll, or Undead, to name just a few.
3. Choose Your Class: This is essentially your character’s profession. Want to cast spells like a wizard? Choose to be a Mage. Dream of being a brave knight? Pick a Warrior class. There are many classes to choose from, each with its unique abilities and play style.
4. Customize Your Character: Finally, you get to decide how your character looks. Hair, face, and even tattoos are entirely up to you. Once you’re done, you’ll start in a “starter zone” specific to your chosen race.
WHAT YOU NEED TO PLAY
Foremost, you’ll need a good internet connection and a reasonably powerful computer to play World of Warcraft. Blizzard provides system requirements of the game on their website, so you can make sure your device can run it. You will also need to buy the game or pay a monthly subscription fee to play most of the content.
TIPS FOR ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS
1. Take Your Time: One of the beauties of WoW is that there is no right way to play. You can quest, join guilds, explore, or even just socialize.
2. Try Different Classes: Don’t feel stuck on your first choice for a class or race. Take time to experiment and find what feels right for you.
3. Use The Game’s Help Option: The developers have built in a help option that’s great for answering common questions about the game or specific tasks.
4. Join a Guild: Guilds are groups of players that come together to help each other out in the game.
5. Make Friends: WoW is much more fun when playing with friends. Whether that’s people you meet in the game or friends from the real world, try to connect with others.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
1. The Official World of Warcraft Forums: An excellent place to ask questions and learn more about the game.
2. WoWhead: A very detailed database of all things World of Warcraft.
3. Icy Veins: A site that gives in-depth guidance on every class in the game.
GLOSSARY: COMMON TERMS EXPLAINED
1. MMORPG – Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game.
2. Guild – An organized group of players who come together for mutual benefits.
3. PvP – Player vs. Player. This refers to fighting against other players as opposed to computer-controlled enemies.
4. PvE – Player vs. Environment. This means fighting against computer-controlled enemies.
5. Faction – One of two groups (Horde or Alliance) that the player’s character can join.
NEXT STEPS: WHERE TO GO FROM HERE
The real fun in World of Warcraft comes from exploring and discovering everything the game has to offer. Keep consistent – the more you play, the more fun it gets. Keep in mind that there will always be new experiences, challenges, and secrets to discover in the World of Warcraft. The fun is just beginning! Welcome to Azeroth!
