World of Warcraft appeals to both genders, but women are not the typical audience for online gaming. Some women started playing because they have joined their significant other in their game. Some have actively sought it out and found new friends online. Around half the women who play do so because their boyfriend or husband does. In general, women now make up a full third of the overall number of online gamers. World of Warcraft is often the main reason these women started playing online.

World of Warcraft has managed to appeal to people who do not normally play any kind of video game. Often these newbies have joined because of a roommate or friend that plays the game. This social hook leads them to the game itself which has many elements that are appealing in their own ways. According to an academic study, the Daedalus Project, by Nick Yee, almost 20% of people now playing multi-player games are new to the genre with little or no prior experience in video gaming it all. World of Warcraft has played a strong role in this leap in gamers.