World of Warcraft Possible "F2P" Option Datamined

By Michael Byrne, Editor in Chief Posted: January 12, 2015

The datamining into World of Warcraft's 6.1 patch has already started and MMO Champion is reporting that a new "Veteran Edition" in the code could be paving the way for a free-to-play version of Blizzard's massive game.

The current free trial limits players to level 20, but the Veteran Edition will likely have a few differences. Level cap, gold, and chat restrictions (no details on the amounts yet) will be in place, but users will still be able to play the game.

Since Blizzard hasn't said anything publically yet, and datamining can often show pieces of information that never actually make it to the live game, it's hard to know if this is a "free-to-play" alternative or some sort of a move to a more "buy-to-play" model.

I personally think, as do some others online, that this may be a way to allow accounts that no longer subscribe but had at one point access to play with limitations. Sort of a "pad the player base and maybe entice some people to resubscribe" type of offering.

We'll be sure to watch this closely though and if it does turn out to be more of a free-to-play model, we'll be there to provide you with all the details and limitations.

Got a news tip? Contact us directly here!

In this article: World of Warcraft, Blizzard.

About the Author

Michael Byrne, Editor in Chief
Mike “Magicman” Byrne has been a part of the MMOBomb family for years and serves as the site’s current Editor-in-Chief. His love for MMOs and gaming in general has led him to covering games for numerous gaming websites including Gamebreaker TV and XIV Nation where he proudly displays his fanboy flag for FFXIV:ARR.

kalatraba 8 years ago

My thougths on the matter is as follows: I am sure that Blizzard has already WoW's successor on the works if not finished and when this new game is published then WoW will not shut down but instead turned into a free to play model because even after all those years WoW still has some great features that inspired some of the other MMO's in the current market. Even though I am not a WoW player (I plefer Tera or Neverwinter) I acknowledge some influence the game gas in newer games.

baleas 8 years ago

10 million player u realy think it goes f2p? Haha lol never

Xansus 8 years ago

Since you dont really get it :P
The game doesnt go free to play , it goes sell your month for gold , you still need to buy the game and the expansion , but if there are people that want gold instead of going to goldsellers and so they will just get this 30 day token and put it in ah for gold and you can buy it , someone will still pay for you month , but they will get gold for it :)
Its not a bad solution i think it wont get in the way of the game :)

Terranova667 8 years ago

Well if it does go F2P then i sure hope they dont limit it like EA / Bioware did with SWTOR the F2P model for that is gimped to hell and back why have a F2P model if all it does is limit you so much that you should be paying a sub for it.

My hope would be it's buy to play and go the way of Guild wars 2 which i play and enjoy a lot.

blackone 8 years ago

Did you miss the confirmation from one of the devs, that there will be a method to buy gametime and sell it for gold in-game, just like EvE and Wildstar do?

I bet this is pretty much it. The Veteran thing can only be connected to rewards based on the time you payed already, just like EQ2 or SWG did back then.

SWG was imo the best one :D

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Cryght 8 years ago

World of Warcraft. the most successful sub game that is the cash cow for blizzard... i dont think i see it becoming free to play as it would butcher their cash flow.

Jenosyde 8 years ago

Lol I love all the WoW hate. You guys are pathetic.

Mamson 8 years ago

I'm playing World of Warcraft 3 years! its GOD of MMORPG, Blizzard is GOD!
F anime lineage and other SHty mmos!!!!!!

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Player 1 8 years ago

This is not the gam i'm looking for anymore

Milan 8 years ago

B2P system for wow is best

Micheal Bridge 8 years ago

This would be great if the cap was 60 for vanilla style twinks

70calories 8 years ago

wouldn't play this even if it was free to play

Tech 8 years ago

If they do go free to play or buy to play I'll probably get back into WoW. I just wasn't getting my money's worth with the sub.

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