Downloadable World of Warcraft Classic and Expansion clients, but still need to buy a retail copy for the cdkey?

Are you tired of digging out your game CDs and sitting through long installation processes with multiple disc swaps? I am. Luckily, when I went to install WoW again a few days ago (I quit last summer), I discovered that my WoW CDs can now be tossed in the garbage. It is a little-known fact that one can download the full World of Warcraft Classic (non-expansion) installer officially from Blizzard. For some reason Blizzard does not publicize this download option and hides it away on their support site.

Download World of Warcraft - Classic:
PC
Mac

More people are aware of the download for the Burning Crusade expansion as it is shown in the WoW Account Manager and publicized on the WoW homepage.

Download World of Warcraft - The Burning Crusade:
PC & Mac

Although Blizzard allows the full WoW installers to be downloaded (thanks <3), Blizzard apparently does not provide the option to simply upgrade from a trial to full account on worldofwarcraft.com. I was under the distinct impression that one could download a trial installer, sign-up for a trial account, and simply pay to upgrade the trial account to a full account online, instantaneously. Luke of Terminally Incoherent pointed out that Blizzard actually forces gamers to purchase the game from a retailer after the trial period. I agree with Luke’s observation that allowing instantaneous upgrading of a trial account would lower the barrier of entry and attract more World of Warcrack addicts.

It is possible to purchase WoW online and receive the authentication key without waiting for the physical media. Direct2Drive allows WoW to be downloaded after purchase (which is no big deal since Blizzard is providing that option as well, as mentioned above), and provides the authentication key online. However, Direct2Drive isn’t promoted or mentioned by Blizzard. There are also many retailers, including eBay merchants, who will sell you un-used authentication keys online, but most seem unofficial and unsanctioned by Blizzard.

Perhaps Blizzard is pressured by brick and mortar retailers to encourage users to purchase the game from them. Just as retailers are worried about movie and music sales going online, they must also be worried about video game sales going online. As a pioneer of efficient online content distribution using P2P technology, I hope Blizzard will fight the pressure from backwards retailers and offer more convenient and sensible distribution options, for the benefit of consumers as well as their own bottom line.

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4 Responses to “Downloadable World of Warcraft Classic and Expansion clients, but still need to buy a retail copy for the cdkey?”


  1. 1 WZ

    hey im downloading wow classic i have world of warcraft BC i touch need Classic is if waork im SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. happy XD……….

    - i say SOOOO THANKS if it workd =D

  2. 2 WZ

    IT WORK IT WORKD IT WOKR’s thanks u soo must and if your think ”his happy but he aint got a account” muhahaha, i got a account

    (HOW DO U ALL LIKE THAT) MUHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA. >=D

  3. 3 WZ

    EVRYBODY WAS KUNFUFIGHTHING SWING U LIKE AND HIT THE FIGHT ”DIDDIDIDIDIDID”

  4. 4 WZ

    the key to wow is: ”TK6BBY-8FFD-H92C9Y-MXGP-HG6PET”

    - now u dont have to buy it hahah XD

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