Core MUD

VS

World of Warcraft Classic

Core MUD is a text-based multi-user dungeon (MUD) launched in 1996, when MUDs were popular among early internet communities. Today, almost all MUDs see very low concurrent activity due to their age and the niche appeal. Based on the genre's decline and absence of a major publisher or active social channels, it's likely Core MUD maintains a very small, dedicated player base.

World of Warcraft Classic, released in 2019 by Blizzard Entertainment, is a major MMORPG revival of the original WoW experience. The game continues to have a robust, though markedly smaller, player base than at launch, thanks to a steady cycle of classic content and expansions (like Wrath of the Lich King Classic). As an MMORPG developed and maintained by a top-tier publisher, it sees strong retention, but is several years past launch and shares its community with retail WoW. Given this, an estimate in the 200,000–250,000 daily player range is reasonable as of 2024.