In World of Warcraft, there are particularly many newcomers right now. Is this the best moment to start with the massive MMORPG?
Those who take a look into World of Warcraft will find that in the “Mythic+” and current raids, the activity has diminished a bit – the number of groups has significantly decreased. Of course, it’s the phase just before a new expansion, making the current endgame a bit less interesting. However, what is noticeable is that there are many newcomers and returners in World of Warcraft.
The trailer for the current WoW patch 11.2.7:
Why are there so many newcomers and returners right now? This is due to a lot of factors coming together at the moment. On the one hand, we currently have “Legion Remix” – nostalgia for an expansion that many still consider to be “the best”.
At the same time, housing has launched in World of Warcraft. This is a feature that many have wished for in recent years and often even led to players stepping away from WoW. Now, many are enjoying the complexity of housing, which even outshines the once-genre leader WildStar.
Another aspect could be that World of Warcraft now has quite a solid returner program. Because those who log back into the game after a long time are now directly asked if they need a little refresher in terms of gameplay. Along with that, there are suitable equipment and clear guidance on where to travel next.
Furthermore, there are also features like the “1-Button-Assistant”, which make WoW accessible for people who would otherwise be overwhelmed by the complexity of classes.
Last but not least, at least in the German-speaking area, the streamer event Sauercrowd may contribute to some people checking back into WoW, although the interest here seems to be primarily focused on the Classic variant of the game. However, many who check into Classic afterwards also take a look at the retail variant of the game.
Many are returning – and are pleasantly surprised
New and old players report: Even in the WoW subreddit, many have noticed that there are currently many newcomers in the game. This is evident in the “Newcomer” channel with increased questions, but can also be seen everywhere in the game. And many even admit that they belong to the newcomers themselves:
- “Before I stopped playing WoW, Legion was the last expansion I played, and I loved it so much that I just couldn’t continue when it ended. I came back for Legion Remix and I’m excited again. And this time I’m not sad that it ends, but rather excited and looking forward to Midnight. I’m just happy I got to say ‘goodbye’ to the Suramar campaign one last time.” – HyphenGlory
- “I returned at the beginning of The War Within. The game is just so good, just wait until you experience the start of a season. It’s magical, everyone is so active and there’s literally so much to do.
For most people, the ‘boring’ part of the cycle is happening right now. Activity will explode in March. Not just in the game, but also on social media, in streams, and so on.” – aruapost - “I haven’t played since Lich King.
No idea why, but I recently decided to start again, and I’m loving it.” – dudSpudson
What is your perception currently? Have you checked back into World of Warcraft after a long time, or do you know friends who have now returned? If so, it could be worth taking a look at our guide for newcomers and returners to be prepared for any eventualities.
