Is WoW expensive to play?
No, World of Warcraft (WoW) does not have to be an expensive game to enjoy in 2024 if you budget wisely as an average player. While the upfront costs seem high at first glance, the amount of entertainment time and gameplay value you get per dollar spent is quite good.
As an avid MMORPG gamer for over 10 years, I analyze WoW‘s pricing model in depth to help fellow players understand the full costs breakdown. My goal is to provide an objective view so you can decide if WoW fits your gaming budget.
Upfront Purchase Costs
The initial box cost is $49.99 for the latest Dragonflight expansion. This unlocks the new 2023 zones, dungeons, raids, playable Dracthyr Evokers, and dragon riding mounts.
You can also buy the WoW Complete Collection for $99.99 which includes:
- All previous expansions
- 1 month game time subscription
- Character boost to level 60
However, all previous expansions are already included when you have an active subscription. So the Complete Collection is best for brand new players who want everything upfront.
For existing or returning players, all you need is game time on your account to access all legacy WoW content from 2004 to 2022.
Expansion Launch Cadence and Costs
New expansions launch every 2 years or so. Here’s a quick historical pricing reference:
| Expansion | Release Date | Box Price |
|---|---|---|
| Dragonflight | Nov 28, 2022 | $49.99 |
| Shadowlands | Oct 27, 2020 | $49.99 |
| Battle for Azeroth | Aug 14, 2018 | $49.99 |
The core WoW game evolves quite substantially with each expansion cycle, changing classes, mechanics, systems, and zones. So most dedicated players do purchase the latest expansion to play the cutting edge content. You can still play all legacy content whether you buy the current expansion or not.
Recurring Subscription Fees
The bread and butter of WoW’s business model is a perpetual monthly subscription. This ensures sustained revenue to continually update the game and servers.
2022 Subscription Rates
- 1 month – $15
- 3 month bulk rate – $41.97 (14.99 per month)
- 6 month bulk rate – $77.94 (12.99 per month)
The subscriptions automatically renew unless you cancel. You can cancel at any time without penalty and keep playing until your game time runs out.
In 2022, the average WoW player spent $15 per month on a rolling subscription to play regularly. The slight bulk discount incentivizes more committed players to subscribe for longer terms to save a couple dollars.
Over 2022, a totally free-to-play but full featured game like Fortnite or Genshin Impact might seem better value. However you have factor in other entertainment costs for a fair comparison.
Other Optional Purchases
Here are some optional investments players sometimes spend money on:
Character Services
- Faction Change – $30
- Race Change – $25
- Name Change – $10
- Server Transfer – $25
- Character Boost – $60
These offer convenience and customization but no gameplay advantage. For example, some long term players may love their old character but want to play through the latest stories again on a fresh one with the new races. Hardcore players might shift main characters between factions to optimize raiding too. But for a budget oriented gamer, these are completely optional and often unnecessary to enjoy WoW.
In-Game Shop Items
Blizzard does offer various cosmetic microtransactions like mounts, pets, transmogs (costume skins) and toys through an in-game shop. Quantifying how much an average player might spend here is complex. But you can easily play for years without buying any of these costly digital items. I typically budget $0-20 per year on some skins I really love or an awesome Celestial Steed mount. But transmogs and mounts can also be earned through playing so your total expense here might be $0 if you have patience!
WoW Tokens
WoW Tokens let you exchange $20 of real money for in-game gold. You can sell them at the dynamic Auction House price, often worth over 200,000 gold. This legitimizes player-driven gold selling that happens anyway in gray markets. Clever goblins might fund their entire subscription using gold earned without spending any real dollars. But as a new player, it’s best not think about these until you understand WoW‘s economy better.
In summary, all the optional purchases provide minor quality-of-life perks or cosmetics without any player power gains. You absolutely can get by without them as most average players do.
Entertainment Hours Per Dollar Spent
The best way to measure a game’s value is by quantifying hours you might reasonably play for the money invested. This lets you compare against other entertainment options.
Let’s assume a budget player pays for:
- Dragonflight expansion every 2 years = $25 annualized cost
- Standard $15 per month subscription = $180 per year
- No extra character services or shop purchases
That’s around $205 per year invested into WoW. Now how many hours might you play per week?
- Casual player: 5 hours
- Moderate player: 10 hours
- Committed player: 20+ hours
Over a full year playing WoW an average of 10 hours per week, you would play 520 hours annually.
That comes out to around 39 cents per hour of entertainment! Compare that to the calculations below:
| Entertainment Option | Typical Cost | Estimated Hours | Cost Per Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Movie Ticket | $15 | 2 | $7.50 |
| Netflix | $20 per month = $240 per year | 10 hours per week = 520 hours per year | $0.46 |
| Console Game Purchase | $60 | 40 hours | $1.50 |
| WoW w/ Subscription | $205 per year | 10 hours per week = 520 hours per year | $0.39 |
Based on typical gaming hours, WoW provides more cost efficient entertainment than even streaming services! While free games like Fortnite require no upfront payment, more casual gamers likely play less than 10 hours per week to warrant a fair comparison. WoW warrants more engaged play given the subscription, providing better dollar value.
The counterpoint is that WoW EPICALLY fails the cost comparison if you aren’t playing regularly! You would bleed ~$15 per month for nothing. Evaluating your gameplay habits helps determine if you should subscribe.
Occasional players are best served buying game time only for the months they plan to play heavily. You can purchase game cards from retailers when the mood strikes for quick one month bursts without committing to recurring billing.
Is WoW Worth Playing in 2024?
Absolutely! While the upfront box cost of Dragonflight and ongoing subscriptions seems expensive, you’re paying for a live service with continuous content updates and server maintenance. When you quantify the entertainment hours per dollar, WoW remains one of most cost efficient choices for your gaming time AND money.
Sure, free games like Fortnite offer excellent value and quality too. And they serve a more casual audience better. But for players who enjoy progressing a character long term, mastering deep systems and dungeon mechanics over hundreds of hours, WoW enters a class of its own as a lifestyle game that evolves over years or decades even. Its sheer breadth and variety of challenges is unparalleled.
If I simply compare WoW’s cost to going for drinks or a nice dinner, an evening‘s entertainment for the same $15 subscription fee, WoW is clearly more valuable and long lasting.
As long as you actually play regularly each week, WoW warrants its subscription cost better than nearly any other entertainment option. Try going without your daily Azeroth adventures for too long and boredom quickly sets in!
So join us for more adventures in the Dragon Isles and Shadowlands beyond in 2024! Just be sure your real-world obligations still take priority, and budget your time and money wisely. But for sheer joy per dollar spent, you can’t beat World of Warcraft as the value MMORPG champion after nearly 20 years. Adventure awaits!
