by Terrazel

April 12, 2023

WoW Classic Era Is Back: Player Count Peaks in Vanilla 2023

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World of Warcraft Classic Era is experiencing a grand revival. The game’s original version is coming back with a sudden surge in player count. Over the past month, gamers have slowly migrated back to the previously abandoned Vanilla servers. Thus, deserted zones are now crowded with the champions of Azeroth. You will see soon in the videos below that Stormwind and Orgrimmar here are no less bustling that how they stand in Dragonflight.

The increase in WoW Vanilla population is not limited to PvE content. Even PvP matches and Battleground activities are also booming across the realms. And guess what, people are actually lining up in Goldshire to collect free bags!

Can’t Believe What You’re Reading? Check out These Statistics!

YouTuber Solheim Gaming has taken the time to analyze the data for us. Thus, providing a deeper insight into the current state of WoW Classic Era:

So, Why Exactly Is Vanilla Waking up from Its Slumber? Why Now?

There are several reasons behind the renewed interest in WoW Vanilla, as stated by YouTuber Hamsterwheel:

• Players are drawn to the nostalgia and slower pace offered by WoW Vanilla, providing an opportunity to relive the past and enjoy a more immersive gaming experience. The game’s charm and simplicity are especially attractive to those who yearn for a less complicated time
• The rising of the Hardcore Community also plays a big part in this phenomenon. More and more players are trying their hands at this playstyle on both private and official classic servers
• Both WoW retail and WotLK are currently experiencing content drought. Thus, hanging out in Vanilla is a great way to pass the time until Phase 3 is out and Patch 10.1 hits Dragonflight

Rhaazk, a WoW content creator on YouTube, also provides his perspective. He also addressed the impact of the lack of content and talked about how the Hardcore community affects the situation. Aside from that, he mentioned:

• Back in the day, when the Internet was slow, and there wasn’t much to go by in terms of entertainment and communication, WoW was a place for people with similar interests to come together and socialize. The main reason they came to the game was to have fun with other players. The appeal of WoW lies in its ability to foster communication and create a tight-knit community, which proves not as strong in retail WoW
• Another reason is the influence of streamers and YouTubers. They create content for WoW Classic for various reasons. Their viewers love it, and they want to try it out for themselves

And if you’re interested in a live experience, make sure to check out Asmongold‘s video on the matter. Even though it was 1:00 A.M, the thought-to-be-dead servers were packed at high popularity. Thus, He even went as far as interviewing players about their reason for choosing Vanilla over Dragonflight or WotLK Classic.

As of now, it’s unclear if this resurgence is just a momentary hype or if it will continue for the long term. However, it’s clear that there is a devoted fanbase that continues to appreciate the game’s charm and unique gameplay. So if you’re asking yourself, should you play WoW Classic Era in 2023? Then the answer is yes. Definitely yes! Even Mike Ybarra has joined the fun!