Blizzard Introduces the World of Warcraft Starter Edition

Launching alongside Rage of the Firelands, Starter Edition capped at level 20.

World of Warcraft isn't going free-to-play (not with 12 million paid subscribers it's not), but Blizzard is making the game's free trial indefinite courtesy of the new WoW Starter Edition, allowing players to experience a huge chunk of Azeroth and create a character they can level up to a cap of 20.

Alongside Cataclysm's latest update, patch 4.2 Rage of the Firelands, Blizzard has announced it will launch the WoW Starter Edition. The new World of Warcraft trial experience transforms the previous 14-day affair into an indefinite playthrough that includes the core game and some elements of the first expansion, The Burning Crusade.

Players can continue playing the Starter Edition through level 20, but if they want to unlock the full Burning Crusade expansion and continue to advance their character, they'll have to upgrade to the full game and the monthly subscription.

To make the leap into the full game more enticing for Starter Edition players, Blizzard has launched a new bundle of the core game and The Burning Crusade for $19.99. And as a bonus to those who ever purchased the original game, The Burning Crusade will now be available at no additional cost.

Rage of the Firelands is now available for download.

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