The actual game disks are a separate buy with original game and the expansion, but the disks for the original game can be had for a couple of bucks. The trial versions have the full game on them. You can also download it for free. It’s only the account that must be upgraded when you go to the full monthly fee version. So you only really have to put down more than about $2 on the expansion if you want it.
They don’t charge you extra per month for having the expansion on your account.
I knew it wasn’t extra per month, I meant the expansion disks were separate. Not that I’m gonna worry about that for a while, don’t you have to be at level 58 to even get into the expanded area?
The high-level areas, yes, but there are two new races available in the expansion, and each side gets (on their new race) access to a class that previously only the other side had.
Which means, you could play this game for quite a long time with the basic game (and the 500-700 mb “patch” downloaded). After all, people played it without the expansion for a year and a half…
Two years, two months. The original game was released November 23, 2004. I was on vacation that week and bought it on release day.
I’m confused. Are you saying you can get the expansion discs for just $2, or the expansion and full access for $2? Because for that latter part I could’ve sworn you needed to buy a retail copy to get the authentication key so you could upgrade your account.
(I don’t suppose anyone’s on Baelgun? Faint, faint hope here…)
I have a friend who had to stay with us over a weekend a few weeks ago when the power went out in his neighborhood.
He spent part of that weekend looking over my shoulder while I played WoW. I’d tried to get him interested in the game before then, but he declined “…not wanting to lose what little life I have.”
This morning he asked me how much a monthly WoW accound cost. Seems he’d been to Fry’s over the weekend and seen the $2 10-day trial disks there, and had almost picked one up.
Slowly I’m turning him to the dark side… 
Well, into Outlands, yes, but the expansion also added two new player races (draenei and blood elves) and a new tradeskill (jewelcrafting), none of which is available without the expansion. You can’t even get to the new races’ starting areas to do quests or explore.
Neither. I wasn’t talking about the expansion there, but the original game. I don’t think the expansion has any presence in the trial packs at all.
Bwaahahahahaha!!
one of us one of us one of us one of us
I’ve been eyeing WoW for a while now, but I’m not sure it would float my boat. I’d be pretty much playing alone (don’t have time for a Guild or anything like that and none of my friends currently play) and I absolutely despise the idea of “grinding” as I understand the phrase. Based on mostly these two things I’ve assumed that it’s not for me.
Am I right?
I’m in a guild, but have basically been soloing. My guild is mostly comprised of IT guys from my office who are really high level. You could always download the game and do the 10 day trial. That would give you a chance to see if you like it.
Nope. WoW is very solo friendly, and the grind is kept to a minimum. I’ve never joined a guild. Most of the grouping I do (with the exception of my husband) is a temporary thing (a few minutes, for example), like several of us going after one boss creature or doing a quest or two where it’s more expedient that way. You could probably reach level 70 without ever grouping with another person, though there will be some quests that are too hard to do solo. Still, there are enough quests to pick and choose from.
Alrighty then, maybe I’ll give it a try. I’ve come to trust you video game assessments, Mrs. Accurate.
No, he’s saying you can get the original disks for $2 but have to pay full price for the expansion. So it’s not quite getting both in a package for one price, but for the sake of two bucks it’s near enough.
Thanks, that makes more sense. I still thought you needed to buy a retail copy (for the authentication key) to switch from a guest pass to full account status, or am I mistaken?
No. I downloaded the game from their website and activated it online.
Alright, so I was mistaken. Ignorance has been fought once again, thanks.
When I had to reinstall and found that one of my original discs was unreadable (scratched since the last install), I downloaded the trial from the website and got in no problem on my existing account.
Thank you, Jayrot. I didn’t know anyone really noticed me. I hope you enjoy it.
Well I’ve signed up for the 10-day free trial and after a full night of downloading and patching I’ll be ready to get started after work today.
Any suggestions on a good soloing setup? Which race? Which class? Other suggestions for just getting started? No big words please, I know nothing about this game so far (except that 5 million other people seem to be playing it).
I started out as a human paladin and have found the learning curve pretty easy. At least for your first character you probably want to go on a PvE or normal server. (PvE=Player versus Environment) If fighting other players is your cup of tea, you could go on a PvP (player versus player) server later on.