World of Warcraft9Expansions Main articles: World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, and World of Warcraft: CataclysmThree optional expansions are currently available: World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, released in January 2007, World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, released in November 2008, and World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, released in December 2010. Players are not required to purchase the expansions to continue play. However, the expansion packs allow further leveling of characters beyond level 60 and access to newer content and areas. Characters cannot enter the additional regions without their respective expansion packs.