The Division was originally a World of Warcraft style MMO, but "that skill component wasn't there", says Massive Entertainment
Massive Entertainment revealed that The Division was initially conceived as a World of Warcraft-style MMORPG with a hotbar and companion system. The developers discussed how they shifted the gameplay focus to incorporate more traditional shooter mechanics, leading to the game's eventual launch and success. The article also mentions the game's 10th anniversary and the ongoing development of The Division 3.
Eurogamer
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