WIth the new cata beta out i really started wanting to hop into this game but i feel the barrier of entry is way to high for me to even know where to begin. None of my friends play WOW or video games for that matter so i'm not sure if its worth hopping in for soloing

I was wondering this too.

It would be best to wait until the expansion comes out, most of the oldworld is dead and not very fun.  
 
EDIT: 
 
Also Blizzard are constantly making changes to the game that makes it faster and easier to start, they've added more tutorials for the starting zones which makes starting even easier!

I'm dling the trial as we speak, i just need people to play with to at least show me the ropes

It should be pretty easy to just hop in. They made leveling a whole lot easier. And with that dungeon search tool it will be simple for you to get into dungeons.

I'll say this once. 
Don't. It's not worth the time and the effort. 
 
If you're dead set on it, wait until the expansion, or try the trial.

yes

I don't have the time to get to lvl 80 in three weeks or however long it takes the hardcore to achieve it, i have a job and im in college so i just wanted to be able to play this casually as it looks interesting

A lot of the old stuff will probably end up feeling dated for new players. If I were you, I'd wait for Cataclysm.

Wait for the expansion.  You don't need to own anything but the original game to get all the new content in the old world, with the exception of the races in the expansions.  The changes being made are for everyone, especially new players.  The 1-10 game is going to be far better and easier to grasp then, currently it's changed very little from 2004 and it shows.

Absolutely not. The starting zones are most definitely not even close to dead, and if anything, the barrier for entry is lower now due to a ton of user-friendly enhancements, such as the Dungeon Finder (that allows you to queue for dungeons/instances anywhere, with people from other servers), and faster leveling. World of Warcraft IS the greatest MMORPG on the market, and it's only getting better and easier. And really, now's your only chance to experience many of those locations - after Cataclysm, Azeroth is getting some major changes.

Is it easy to just party up with players in the new player zones, also what character/race should i try in the trial?

The social horror stories related to this game and any MMO discourage me from even using the trial. What kind of thing can turn a fairly responsible, functional person into an MMO obsessed mess is something I'm curious about but might fall victim to.

" Is it easy to just party up with players in the new player zones, also what character/race should i try in the trial? "

"

The social horror stories related to this game and any MMO discourage me from even using the trial. What kind of thing can turn a fairly responsible, functional person into an MMO obsessed mess is something I'm curious about but might fall victim to.

"

I don't think it's too late to get into World of Warcraft at all. It takes less time to level up than it used to and most of the mechanics should be pretty familiar to you if you've played an MMORPG before.

I'd wait till Cataclysm is released. When that happens, try to persuade a friend to play with you. The game is 10x better when your with friends. 
Expect to spend a lot of money buying the expansions as you get to max level. Probably will be $80+ US, depending out how quickly Blizzard puts the current expansion on their battlechest pack.

" Have you ever played a MMO before? if not, everything will feel new to you, and it'll properly be overwhelming at first, but if you simply focus on doing quests, and leveling up, the game will hand hold you all the way to lvl 80 :) Oh, and coming from an lvl 80 ICC raider, who has on/off played the game since original release, I'm super jealous of you trying all the old content for the first time.  "

" I'll say this once. Don't. It's not worth the time and the effort.  If you're dead set on it, wait until the expansion, or try the trial. "

Considering you felt the need to ask, yes.

i just resubbed today. Laksa on draka horde side. hit me up if u decide to roll there

game in general isnt challenging and every expansion downgrade the game
 
i recomment you to w8 until diablo 3 comes out

" @Ryax:  I'm not Anti WoW, but If someone asked me 'Do you think it's a good idea to play WoW' I'd say no.  I wouldn't stop someone playing it or call them stupid for playing it, but I wouldn't encourage anyone to play it. I don't think it's worth the time and effort that you put in...but that's just my opinion. As to waiting...personally I'd wait for the expansion..but If you've never played before..would it make a difference? "

 ah, it is never too late to get into any videogame (so long as it is active). In fact the rorcraft video got me thinking enough about it to finally recover my account that i had forgotten about, go figure it used my gmail didn't think i had one back then. I was thinking about maybe going back in for a bit but apparently i don't have any characters anymore so i guess i wont do that. But it is wow if anything it is easier to get into now then it was.

Sigh, I can't believe I was thinking the same thing too after watching the quick look thing.

Go for it.  You sound like your into the game for all the right reasons op.  Mainly the social aspect.  Its still a lot of fun to level and make builds with friends.  Certain classes go great with certain others.

" It would be best to wait until the expansion comes out, most of the oldworld is dead and not very fun.   EDIT:  Also Blizzard are constantly making changes to the game that makes it faster and easier to start, they've added more tutorials for the starting zones which makes starting even easier! "

" Wait for the expansion.  You don't need to own anything but the original game to get all the new content in the old world, with the exception of the races in the expansions.  The changes being made are for everyone, especially new players.  The 1-10 game is going to be far better and easier to grasp then, currently it's changed very little from 2004 and it shows. "

" It would be best to wait until the expansion comes out, most of the oldworld is dead and not very fun.   EDIT:  Also Blizzard are constantly making changes to the game that makes it faster and easier to start, they've added more tutorials for the starting zones which makes starting even easier! "

I just picked up the Battle Chest and WotLK expansion (thanks for the Cataclysm walkthrough GB) after 5 years away from the game.  I don't know what I've done.  I won't be playing with people I know so I'll be going in fresh.

If you want to yeah

I am going to agree with some of the others in here and tell you to just wait until Cataclysm. The game in it's current form is a bit tricky to get in to and is a lot to take in. And when Cataclysm hits they are changing so many of the little details and mechanics that it will just frustrate you to have to relearn everything after you just finished getting your head around the original concepts.

On the contrary actually, with Cataclysm, it's a great time to start playing, well, when it comes out of course.
 
Also, who are you hanging out with? They dont play video games, that's just weird, almost everyone under 30 who I know plays video games at least a little bit of the time.

Don't do it. Wow is too good. It will eat up all your time. When you play wow you don't play anything else. You stop being a real gamer cause you just play that one game. If you raid for gear one day you will regret all the time you pumped in.
 
Also, hey guys, Do you think it's too late to start cocaine? I mean i hear its really good, but its so 80's isnt it?

"

The social horror stories related to this game and any MMO discourage me from even using the trial. What kind of thing can turn a fairly responsible, functional person into an MMO obsessed mess is something I'm curious about but might fall victim to.

"

Not really. Money would be the only factor, it'd be probably around $100 for vanilla and all three expansions once Cata launches. Not that that's bad.

You should go ahead and start playing now. If you are worried about everyone else being better than you because they have been playing for six years or whatever, don't. I don't know dick about WoW (and I still don't) and I got to level 80 and had a fantastic time. You'll meet good people and they'll help you out. Unless you're an ass. If that's the case, you'll probably have a pretty bad time.
 
Once Cataclysm comes out, most people, regardless of how long they've been playing, will be starting a new character. That might be a good time to get in as well. Personally, I would suggest that you go in now so that you can see Azeroth before it gets all blown to hell. I haven't played the game in a year or so, but I totally plan on going back when Cataclysm hits to see what kind of changes have been made.

Start playing soon if your going to. Dont wait for Cataclysm because you will be missing out on one of the largest things it will offer. If you never got to see how the world was before then it wont be as big of a deal after they change it. If your concerned with being less "skilled" or something then dont. Just find a good guild(easy to do) and ask questions. Stick with one class at first until you get the hang of it. 

I'd say if you want to start, start now. Try to be level 80 for when the expansion drops, then you'll be on par with everybody else.

I actually bought the game about a couple of months after release, but I never installed it and I don't really have any plans of doing so now. But, I must admit, after checking out the "QL" of Cataclysm, I kinda wanted to try it out.

Nah, you could totally play a little before the expansion. It's kinda dry compared to the new stuff, but it'll be cool to see all of the changes. It'll never really be 'too late' to get into WoW, until the game has a foreseeable ending point, anyway.

Not too late, but don't expect to see many people in the leveling areas. It'll actually feel pretty desolate especially since there is no global chat channel (since the last time I played at least), but on the bright side, finding people to go into dungeons with is usually a breeze thanks to the dungeon finder.
 
Anyway, if you're interested, give it a try, it's not too late.

Is it ever too early to quit WoW?

Can I just start with the expansion? Or do I have to play through BC and Lich King?

it is NEVER to late to get into World of Warcraft :D

I would say its not too late as long as you find a friend or two to play with because I tried to go back and I just felt like there was no one starting new characters. Also, it is a bit depressing that you have missed all that original, burning crusade, and lich king end game stuff because once cataclysm comes out, that stuff is going to be obsolete. Those are the two reasons that I am not getting back into it. 
 
But actually, if there is anyone wanting to start playing WoW or at least make a new character I am seriously considering jumping back in and making a new character. So pm me or something if your interested.