What is special about WOW?

I'm a non player, and was curious to find out, what are the qualities that make World of Warcraft stand out, from all the other games? In your opinion, why do you enjoy WOW, and why is it special for you?

Also, what would be the best description, to define WOW in your opinion? (For someone, who has never played it before)

There's a lot of things that makes WoW such a "fun" and addicting game. WoW had a headstart on other MMO (massively multiplayer online) games because of its existing Warcraft franchise was already massively popular. I've been playing Warcraft games since the original game back in the '90s.

WoW has a large emphasis on questing where a lot of other MMOs have more of a focus on grinding. Grinding is basically killing mobs over and over to gain XP. Questing is by far more enjoyable because you get a reward from the actions you perform and it is also the faster way to level. Which brings me to my next point.

The WoW leveling curve is much less steep than it is for other games, that is, it's much easier / takes less time to reach max level. Much of WoW's content is not unlockable until you reach max level (70) so that gives players a huge motivation to level and keep playing (and paying) month after month.

Since the game is never over there is nearly always something you can do to improve your toon. When you reach level 70, getting better gear is the only progression for your character but there are so many ways to get better gear and so many different things to achieve at level 70 that most people spend much more time playing level 70 than they do all the other levels. So I'd say what makes players keep coming back is the constant progression and also the rewards you get from doing different things.

There are a million reasons to like WoW but, the thing I like best about WoW is the player community. I have met so many cool gamers that are fun to play with it is outstanding. That is what keeps me coming back.

If I could describe WoW with out knowing any other games you play as reference or with out knowing if you have ever played a video game in your life I would have to say its like a giant grown up playground that is always open and always changing that millions of people are playing on and most all of them welcome you to COME PLAY!!!.

WoW is sweet ive never played it but ive seen people play it and it looks awesome!!!

Because after playing Everquest, WoW is like heaven.

You get to take off to a world quite similar to ours, yet a little more driven by the unrealistic.

I think...I do enjoy the social aspect of the game, I love going and hanging out with my guildies ingame, we have alot of fun. Granted, a fair few of therm are friends IRL aswell.
There is a sense of accomplishment when you acheiev something ingame aswell (ie: hitting level 70....first mount...first kara run...first epic item)
Its a difficult game, and very complex (if you choose it to be) and I really enjoy that about it.

Apart from that...
I get to be a cool undead boney gal that has cool maces that whack things hard!

Think the main reason I choose WOW over other single player games is the social aspect, I enjoy playing with my friends and having some banter over team speak. I also prefer to beat other real players as opposed to AI. The charachter progression and the varied things you can do together (5 mans, raids, grp quests, battle grounds and arenas) means you dont get tired of it as quickly as you would playing CS source or BF for instance.

Originally Posted by Trulyana

I'm a non player, and was curious to find out, what are the qualities that make World of Warcraft stand out, from all the other games? In your opinion, why do you enjoy WOW, and why is it special for you?

Also, what would be the best description, to define WOW in your opinion? (For someone, who has never played it before)

Honestly I have been playing for about 3 years and I still dont know how to answer that question...damn blizzard and their addicting senceless games lol

But honestly probably the best thing about it is that they have incorrperated so much multiplayer content almost forcing you to socialize which is alot different from games like guild wars where u go out into "YOUR" own world, you share the entire game with everyone which means you work with everyone once you have friends in the game it becomes more of an activity that you think of doing with other people rather then just some game....unfortanetly its also a lifestyle choice.

One thing I'd like to add is that there are several different ways you can play so if you don't like one thing about it there is probably another kind of play you can get. What I'm talking about is the distinction between pvp and pve. I personally like both but a lot of people only focus on one.