“10 Things I Love/Hate About...” is a new feature at MMO Life. Each week, one of our writers will pick one of their favorite MMOs and MMORPGs, and come up with ten things they love – and ten things they hate – about their chosen game.

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10 Things I Love About: "World of Warcraft"

I became a paying subscriber to the MMORPG "World of Warcraft" shortly after November 24, 2004, the day of its official American release. I've remained a subscriber since, paying $15 each and every month to roam the land of Azeroth. Like anyone involved in a long-term relationship (call it what you will), I love/hate this significant other. Here are ten reasons why I love Blizzard's hit MMORPG.

(To see 10 Things I Hate About "WoW," read the companion feature here!)

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1. The trading card game, a.k.a. "WoW" lottery tickets

• "WoW" still doesn't include a system allowing users the opportunity to purchase virtual goods using real-world cash, like a lot of upcoming MMORPGs are doing. Instead, Blizzard created lottery tickets. Hidden inside random packs of cards for the trading card game are codes that can be redeemed online for a multitude of items, including the elusive El Pollo Grande, the Black Chicken of Death. You might not agree with this pick if you don't like gambling, but I like playing the odds with a couple of bucks from time to time.

2. 'My first MMORPG: 'WoW''

• Some hardcore MMORPG enthusiasts still dismiss "WoW" as "the easy MMORPG" compared to its grind-heavy cousins "EverQuest" and "Vanguard." To them, I say, "Whatever, doo doo heads." I've played "WoW" with dozens of friends and family who don't normally play videogames, let alone MMORPGs, and this is due largely in part to Blizzard favoring high accessibility and fostering a new community of gamers rather than pandering to the existing hardcore audience.

3. An evolving storyline

• Vanilla "WoW" nudged the "Warcraft" storyline forward with the assault on Ragnaros and the opening of the Gates of Ahn'Qiraj, but the MMORPG's expansions shake the foundations of lore established back when the series was still an RTS. Big bad demonic Night Elf Illidan, former Blood Elf leader (and ally of Illidan) Kael'thas Sunstrider, and an avatar of Burning Legion leader Kil'jaeden were all felled by roaming adventurers (players) in the "Burning Crusade." Now, Arthas Menthil, the (arguable) star of "Warcraft 3" and its expansion, the "Frozen Throne," may meet his doom at the conclusion of "WoW's" latest expansion, "Wrath of the Lich King."

4. Its art direction

• Compared to many other recent subscription-based and free-to-play MMORPGs, "WoW's" pixel counts are much, much lower. "Well, it's an older game," you say? Guess what? "WoW" looked dated, and maybe a little simple, almost five years ago when it first released here in the U.S. Just like back then, many of us don't care -- much. The art direction in "WoW" is without a doubt some of the best not only in the MMORPG genre, but in any game. From the Undead's warped and grotesque Undercity, to the blindfolded statue adorning a Priest's tier 7 armor, Blizzard continues to build upon the beautiful foundation they themselves laid with "Warcraft 3."

5. Stuff via Achievements

• Xbox 360's Achievements serve no real purpose besides satisfying the good ol' e-peen. Some Achievements in "WoW," on the other hand, offer an added bonus: in-game items, titles, pets, and many more neat little things. I normally wouldn't go out of my way in an MMORPG to acquire 50 mounts, but if doing so rewards me with a special albino drake, then I'll make an exception.

6. Mod support

• I wouldn't be able to play as an Enhancement Shaman without the use of mods. No, really. I require more buttons and a greater degree of interface customization than the MMORPG allows. I also require "Peggle" -- also not provided by Blizzard -- to solve disputes over loot. Like any company making millions each year from concerned paying customers, the developers are aware of their title's inadequacies. Throughout the life of the game, the company devoured third-party mods and implemented their designs into the MMORPG. The most recent example? The new equipment manager.

7. Music

• As memorable and eclectic as vanilla "WoW's" music may have been, it still barely rose above the other heroic fantasy soundtracks featured in dozens of similarly themed MMORPGs. In "Wrath of the Lich King," the composers rely less on repetition and evolve their songs over three to ten minutes -- introducing more complex instrumentation, and more importantly, knowing when not to.

8. 11 million subscribers

• 11 million people currently pay $15 a month to play "World of Warcraft," making it one of the most popular online games in the world, and the most-played MMORPG. With that many people playing the game, it's easy to find someone to share anecdotes, compare talent trees, or discuss the latest "WoW"-related apparel with. My girlfriend (a casual gamer) repeatedly notes this as one of her main reasons for playing.

9. Gnomes

• When Blizzard announced the knee-high Gnomes were not only a playable race in "WoW," but also possessed the physical ability to defeat a towering Tauren, the official forums nearly exploded with disbelief. Nearly five years later, passionate, but always entertaining, discourse follows when this topic arises. For added fun, create a thread yourself and contribute to the discussion, fanning the flames of either side; be sure you explain how the battle would play out "in the real world."

10. Accessibility across platforms

• I'm writing this article on MMO Hub using a Mac laptop because my new Windows PC is undergoing a bit of unexpected maintenance. If I wanted, I could download the full "WoW" installer from the official site and play the game on this machine, even though I purchased hardcopies of the MMORPG for my PC. I probably won't, as I'm borrowing this laptop, but having the option to download and play the game on any type of computer makes the MMORPG feel a little less out-of-reach. Yes, I know I'm a sad, sad individual.

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Be sure to check out "10 Things I Hate About 'World of Warcraft,'" also written by Kyle!

Posted by Kyle Stallock
July 1, 2009

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