And community, really, is the core reason why Warlords of Draenor will Death Grip back a solid chunk of veteran WoW players no matter the type of content being added. WoW’s community, despite sometimes being fairly juvenile and idiotic in certain chat channels and uh, Stormwind-local inns, has one thing going for it that many newer games just don’t have yet. History.

After a year off from playing WoW, veterans know they can dive back anytime, install a few add-ons, and quickly feel at home. They can try out a few dungeons, re-familiarize themselves with their class, and search for a new guild where they can completely avoid those above-mentioned trolls. For just as many crappy-mouthed players as there are in WoW, there are an equal or larger number of players who are part of the game’s decent, core community. These players care about the same thing that every veteran gamer cares about—a solid gaming experience.

There’s a familiarity in WoW that other games don’t have. All the history becomes like a security blanket, where players may get a little blindsided by rose-colored glasses, sure, but they also know what to expect of their game and know how to best achieve their goals within it. Thus the reason for all the hype. Raiders are already planning their raid groups for WoD. PvPers are planning their takeover plans. There’s comfort in solidarity.

For anyone considering going back to WoW, yes, wishing for the return of that solidarity is an excellent reason to dive back into an MMORPG. Will you be able to find that solidarity? That’s another question entirely. The answer largely depends on the community you associate yourself with upon returning. If you take the time to find a decent guild with like-minded folks, there’s no reason why even a jaded WoW veteran wouldn’t be able to find a good reason to play WoD. Without community, however, an MMORPG loses much of its appeal.

Without community and history, let’s face it—the expansion doesn’t have a whole lot going for it. For those invested in community or history or for those willing to take the time to invest in either, yes, there is most likely a reason to give World of Warcraft a try again. As with all things, the experience will depend on how much effort you put into it.