Do you have to pay to use World of Warcraft?

Question

I just bought the game but I haven't installed it. But I heard you have to pay a monthly fee. Any idea how much it is? And do they bill you on a credit card? I don't get why they charge you.

Answer 1

yes.

World of Warcraft is priced differently in different regions of the world. Usually, the pricing model is similar to that of MMORPGs previously released in the market.

In the United States and Canada, Blizzard distributes World of Warcraft via retail software packages that sold for over US$50 at the time of release. The software package includes one month of gameplay for no additional cost. After a month, a player must purchase additional service using a credit card or prepaid game card. The minimum gameplay duration that a player can purchase via credit card is one month. A player also has the option of purchasing three or six months of gameplay at once for a slight discount. Prepaid game cards are sold for US$30 and provide 60 days of gameplay.[12] Either way, a player pays about US$0.50 for one day of gameplay.

In South Korea, there is no software package or CD key requirement to activate the account. In order to play the game, however, players need to purchase time credits online via credit card or the ARS billing system. The minimum gameplay duration that a player can purchase via credit card is five hours. A player may also purchase game time by thirty hours or by increments of one week. A player also has the option of purchasing game time by one, three or six months of gameplay at once for a slight discount.[13] As of December 17, 2006, 30 days of gameplay costs ₩19,800 (US$21.46).

In China, because a large number of the players do not own the computer they use to play games (e.g. Internet cafes), the CD keys can be purchased independently of the software package. The CD key, which is required to activate an account, is sold for ¥30 (US$3.75) each. The software packages vary in price depending on the items they contain. In order to play the game, the player would need to purchase prepaid game cards in denominations of ¥30 each that can be played for 66 hours and 40 minutes.[14] This equates to exactly ¥0.45 (US$0.06) for one hour of gameplay. A monthly fee model is not available to players of this region.

In Australia and many European countries, video game stores commonly stock the trial version of World of Warcraft in DVD form priced at A$2 or €2 including VAT, which include the game and 14 days of gameplay. After which, the player would have to purchase the full version of the game priced at recommended retail price similar to those sold in United States. As of November 2006, the RRP is A$29.95.[15]

Answer 2

Most Major MMO games, Everquest, Star Wars Galaxies, City of Heroes/Villains, World of Warcraft, require a subscription fee... this pays for the maintenance and upkeep of the servers on which the game is played. This includes the programming of regular updates to improve / expand the game.

Answer 3

yes i play it the monthly fee is 15$ a month 2 buy the burning crusade the update with 2 new races is like 40$ one time payment but u still have to pay monthly fee no more updates pretty much u need to play

Answer 4

Hey,
Are you wondering how to downoad for free Warcraft III The Frozen Throne? You can get it for free here: http://bit.ly/1uSFemZ

WarCraft III: The Frozen Throne Patch is a game utility in which you will find some new features as well as some fixes for minor bugs
It's the best game of its category.

Answer 5

In the UK it's £8.99 a month, or you can buy a 60 day pre-paid card from GAME or other stores.

In the USA, it's $15.99 a month, and again you can buy the cards.

When you buy the game, you get a month free trial so you could see if you like it before getting to the paying part.

Answer 6

A steep 15$ a month for an awesome game with a few free weeks of gameplay. Also guest passes for your friends.

Answer 7

Yes, WoW is the largest MMO there is. If it wasn't safe, then so many people wouldn't be playing it. Though, beware of certain sites claiming to be raids/guilds or something of that nature. I have heard stories of people who have had their characters completely stripped of all of their equipment and level because they signed up for what they though was a raid site.

Answer 8

Yes it runs $14.95 per month, but you can get discounts for purchasing 60 or 90 day subscriptions.

Plus, expansion packs will cost you to if you want to expand.

Answer 9

The game uses a special type of internet so you nedd to pay for it, plus your normal internet, and your electric bill!

Answer 10

Yes, it is $15.00 a month, but soooo worth it!! :) Install it and give it a try..... you will be hooked!