The End Game (also known as Elder Game) refers to the part of the game where level advancement is no longer the goal, and other activities take center stage. In World of Warcraft, these include, but are not limited to:
- Building prestige and socializing
- Role playing
- Obtaining an Epic Mount
- Pursuing "end game" instances such as Onyxia's Lair, Molten Core, Blackwing Lair, Temple of Ahn'Qiraj, and Naxxramas. This typically involves becoming established in a raiding guild.
- Mastering or picking up new professions to possibly expand one's role in the realm economy.
- PvP combat and/or increasing PvP rank through "honor grinding."
- Exploration
In most MMORPGs, this occurs when the players hit the maximum level or skill and look for new ways to keep themselves busy now that they're off the levelling treadmill. In EverQuest and Dark Age of Camelot, for instance, the part of the Elder Game consists of hours of raiding extremely challenging locations in an attempt to earn prestige, alternate advancement points, and "phat lewt". Meridian 59, Ultima Online, Dark Age of Camelot, Shadowbane, and World of Warcraft all attempt to provide an Elder Game consisting of PvP activities: you've got nothing to lose, no real risk, and can gain prestige through killing other, challenging players.
Historically, a game company without a solid plan for an Elder Game risks alienating its player base. The Elder Game should grow and change over time, to keep things interesting for the players who still enjoy participating after "winning the game."
The term "End Game" is not entirely accurate, considering that World of WarCraft is a multiplayer world and does not "end" in the same sense as a traditonal video game. It merely refers to the most challenging content.
See also definitions and commentary at Costik.