World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft

Developers
	Blizzard Entertainment
Publishers
	Blizzard Entertainment
Engines
	World of Warcraft
Release dates
macOS	November 23, 2004
Reception
IGDB	86
Resources
	PCGamingWiki
	Apple Silicon Games
	Codeweavers
	WineHQ

World of Warcraft initially launched for PC/Mac on November 23, 2004. Blizzard has a long history of releasing their games concurrently on both Windows and macOS. This tradition continues through World of Warcraft. Each subsequent expansion was released same day for macOS with both versions playing the same servers.

World of Warcraft was one of the first games to support native Apple Silicon. Support was added in patch 9.0.2, releasing on November 17, 2020, the same day as the release of the M1 MacBook Air. Blizzard continues to support the Intel and ARM macOS versions of World of Warcraft.

General information

US Official forums

EU Official forums

WoW Wiki

WoWhead

macOS Compatibility

Method	Rating	Notes
Native	Perfect
Compatibility layer
CrossOver	Unknown
Wine	Unknown
Virtualization
Parallels	Perfect	Playable.

Version Differences

PTR

Public Test Realm (PTR) are unique servers that Blizzard releases to test upcoming patches and game versions. These are usually released before every new patch and allows anyone (including those with an expired WoW subscriptions) to play and test the new changes and features. More structured content like raids are usually only tested during certain days and times. Players can usually make a new character or copy an existing one from standard realms to help test higher level content with helpful NPC's added where players can pick up free gear or get teleported to new instances. Once the patch is released these realms are shut down and all characters on them are deleted. They cannot be transferred to a standard server or future PTR.

PTR's are found under Game Version and it will say which version the PTR is for next to it. New cinematics and story scenes are usually not available during PTR and are only unlocked once the patch is officially released.

Beta

Beta's come out before an expansion release and allows chosen players to test the new expansion before it officially releases. Beta's usually do no include any cinematics or main story spoiler scenes. The goal of the beta is the same as PTR but for an entire expansion launch and not just a patch update. Beta's are invite only. Players can usually submit their account for consideration for beta access and multiple waves of invites will usually go out over the course of development. In some cases prepurchasing the expansion can secure a spot in the beta as well. Should you be accepted for beta access Blizzard will usually send an email at which point you can select the beta client under Game Version in the Battle.net client under World of Warcraft.

Characters can be created or copied from standard servers to allow players to better access the new content and changes. Any characters created or copied to the beta server are deleted right before the expansion release once the beta server is closed. Characters cannot be copied to standard servers.

DLC

Name	Notes
The Burning Crusade	Formerly standalone. Now part of the World of Warcraft subscription.
Wrath of the Lich King	Formerly standalone. Now part of the World of Warcraft subscription.
Cataclysm	Formerly standalone. Now part of the World of Warcraft subscription.
Mists of Pandaria	Formerly standalone. Now part of the World of Warcraft subscription.
Warlords of Draenor	Formerly standalone. Now part of the World of Warcraft subscription.
Legion	Formerly standalone. Now part of the World of Warcraft subscription.
Battle for Azeroth	Formerly standalone. Now part of the World of Warcraft subscription.
Shadowlands	Formerly standalone. Now part of the World of Warcraft subscription.
Dragonflight	Formerly standalone. Now part of the World of Warcraft subscription.
The War Within	Available to purchase on Battle.net store and retail. Is required to progress levels 70-80 and access The War Within content.

Availability

Source	DRM	Notes	Keys	OS
Battle.net		Available in Base, Heroic, and Epic editions.
Retail		Only a 20th Anniversary The War Within Collectors Edition was released

See PCGamingWiki for Windows and/or Linux availability.