WOW vs. Warcraft — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 13, 2023
WOW refers to "World of Warcraft," a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). Warcraft encompasses a larger universe, including games, lore, and media from which WOW originates.
Difference Between WOW and Warcraft
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
WOW, commonly recognized as "World of Warcraft," stands as one of the most successful MMORPGs in gaming history. Developed by Blizzard Entertainment, WOW allows players to immerse themselves in the vast world of Azeroth, teaming up with other players to explore, battle, and undertake quests. Warcraft, on the other hand, denotes the broader universe and story that encompasses not only WOW but other games, novels, and media content.
The genesis of the Warcraft universe predates WOW by several years. "Warcraft: Orcs & Humans" debuted in 1994 as a real-time strategy game. This pioneering game, and its subsequent sequels, laid the foundational lore, characters, and settings that would eventually birth WOW. It's vital to understand that while WOW is part of the Warcraft universe, not all of Warcraft is WOW.
WOW, as an MMORPG, provides a continuous online experience, with players joining in from all over the world. Its gameplay is distinct, focusing on character progression, raids, PvP battles, and more. Warcraft's identity is multifaceted: while it does encompass the MMORPG aspect through WOW, it also includes strategy games, novels, comics, and more, detailing the ongoing saga between the Alliance and the Horde.
One could argue that WOW brought Warcraft's lore to the forefront, captivating a global audience and placing Azeroth's stories on a pedestal. Yet, it's essential to respect that the richness of the Warcraft universe made WOW possible. The depth of characters, factions, and tales in Warcraft provided the fertile ground from which WOW sprouted and thrived.
In conclusion, while both WOW and Warcraft relate closely, they represent different facets of a larger narrative. WOW is a game within the Warcraft universe, and Warcraft stands as the overarching saga, spanning multiple media types and games beyond just WOW.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
MMORPG developed by Blizzard.
Broad universe including games, lore, and media.
Origin
Launched in 2004.
Started with "Warcraft: Orcs & Humans" in 1994.
Gameplay Type
Multiplayer online role-playing.
Varies; initially real-time strategy.
Primary Focus
Online character progression and interaction.
Story of the conflict between Alliance and Horde.
Media Types
Primarily an online game.
Games, novels, comics, and more.
Compare with Definitions
Wow
Developed by Blizzard Entertainment.
Blizzard continues to release expansions for WOW, keeping the game fresh.
Warcraft
A universe consisting of games, lore, and media.
He's a huge fan of everything related to Warcraft, from games to novels.
Wow
A massively multiplayer online role-playing game.
He spent hours playing WOW with his guild.
Warcraft
Encompasses stories of the Alliance and Horde.
The battles between the Alliance and Horde form the core of Warcraft's lore.
Wow
Part of the larger Warcraft universe.
WOW introduced me to the broader stories of the Warcraft saga.
Warcraft
Has expanded into novels, comics, and even a film.
The Warcraft film brought familiar characters to the big screen.
Wow
Expressing astonishment or admiration
‘Wow!’ he cried enthusiastically
Warcraft
Began with the game "Warcraft: Orcs & Humans."
Warcraft initially captured audiences with its strategic gameplay.
Wow
A sensational success
Your play's a wow
Warcraft
The overarching world from which WOW was born.
Without the rich tales of Warcraft, WOW might not have been conceived.
Wow
Slow pitch fluctuation in sound reproduction, perceptible in long notes.
Warcraft
Warcraft is a franchise of video games, novels, and other media created by Blizzard Entertainment. The series is made up of five core games: Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, World of Warcraft, and Hearthstone.
Wow
Impress and excite (someone) greatly
They wowed audiences on their recent British tour
Warcraft
(uncountable) The art or skill of conducting a war.
Wow
Used to express wonder, amazement, or great pleasure.
Warcraft
(countable) A warship.
Wow
An outstanding success.
Wow
Slow variation in the pitch of a sound reproduction resulting from variations in the speed of the recording or reproducing equipment.
Wow
To have a strong, usually pleasurable effect on
A performance that wowed the audience.
Wow
An indication of excitement, surprise, astonishment, or pleasure.
Wow, I sure was surprised!
Wow
An expression of amazement, awe, or admiration.
Wow! How do they do that?
Wow
Used sarcastically to express disapproval of something.
Wow… good job using all of our supplies on the first day.
Wow
To amaze or awe.
He really wowed the audience.
Wow
(informal) Anything exceptionally surprising, unbelievable, outstanding, etc.
He did? That's a wow!
Wow
(audio) A relatively slow form of flutter (pitch variation) which can affect both gramophone records and tape recorders.
Wow
A joke that seems extremely funny
Wow
Impress greatly;
The speaker wowed the audience
Wow
Set in the universe of Azeroth.
In WOW, players can explore the diverse regions of Azeroth.
Wow
Centers on the conflict between the Horde and the Alliance.
She chose to play as the Horde in WOW because she liked their lore.
Common Curiosities
How did Warcraft begin?
Warcraft began with the real-time strategy game "Warcraft: Orcs & Humans" in 1994.
What does WOW stand for?
WOW stands for "World of Warcraft," an MMORPG.
Is WOW the only game in the Warcraft series?
No, WOW is one of several games within the broader Warcraft universe.
Who developed WOW and Warcraft?
Both WOW and Warcraft were developed by Blizzard Entertainment.
How often does Blizzard release WOW expansions?
Blizzard periodically releases WOW expansions, usually every couple of years.
Are the stories in WOW continuous with earlier Warcraft games?
Yes, WOW continues and expands upon the lore set by earlier Warcraft titles.
How is the gameplay of WOW different from other Warcraft games?
While WOW is an MMORPG, the earlier Warcraft games were primarily real-time strategy.
Can I learn about Warcraft lore outside of games?
Yes, Warcraft lore spans novels, comics, and even a film.
What are the main factions in both WOW and Warcraft?
The main factions are the Alliance and the Horde.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Absolutism vs. Relativism
Next Comparison
Pinnatifid vs. PinnatisectAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
