World of Warcraft game modes and versions are only listed below if they are currently active. For information regarding future modes, check out our news site.

Unless otherwise noted, all versions and game modes require an active World of Warcraft subscription.

Modern WoW

• World of Warcraft Free Trial: You can play a limited amount of content in modern World of Warcraft without a subscription
• World of Warcraft: You can play the entire modern World of Warcraft experience except the content of the newest expansion with a World of Warcraft subscription
• The War Within: Purchase of this expansion gives you access to The War Within content in modern World of Warcraft
• Plunderstorm: A "battle-royale" style game mode with unique gameplay. It features both Player-vs-Player (PVP) and Player-vs-Environment (PVE) encounters during gameplay

Classic WoW

• Classic Era: You play the original World of Warcraft experience
• Season of Discovery: You play the original World of Warcraft experience, but with new content added
• Anniversary Classic: You play the original World of Warcraft experience, and these realms will eventually progress to the Burning Crusade expansion
• Cataclysm Classic: You play World of Warcraft as it was during the Cataclysm expansion, and these realms will eventually progress to the Mists of Pandaria expansion

Realm (Server) Types

• Normal: These realms have no special rules and are considered the standard experience
• PVP: These realms automatically make your character able to attack, and be attacked, by other players
• RP: These realms are intended for role-playing (acting as) your character when interacting with other players in-game
• Hardcore: You only have one life. When you die, you are no longer able to play that character unless you transfer it to a non-Hardcore realm