World of Warcraft
News, coverage and analysis tracking World of Warcraft across the outlets.
Latest coverage
That annoying day one DLC in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced was less than 3% of its initial Steam sales, but…
Despite player criticism, day-one DLC for Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced accounted for approximately 2.8% of its initial Steam sales, generating around $1 million. This analysis highlights how gamers' purchasing habits, even with cosmetic and convenience DLC, can still reward publishers like Ubisoft, similar to past examples like World of Warcraft's expensive cosmetic items.
You Can Earn A $15,000 A Year For Mastering Your Favorite Game
The University of Silicon Valley has launched the Max Achievement Scholarship program, offering up to $15,000 annually to students who demonstrate exceptional mastery in video games. Applicants must complete specific, often rare, in-game achievements across over 50 listed titles or meet platform-specific criteria to qualify for Legendary or Mastery tiers.
Hunger is an "Elder Scrolls-style" extraction RPG from the creators of Hell Let Loose, and I'm already sold on its World of Warcraft leanings
Hunger is an upcoming extraction RPG from Good Fun Corporation, the developers behind Hell Let Loose. Director Max Rea describes it as an "Elder Scrolls-style extraction shooter" that blends MMO elements like professions and character progression with the scavenging loop of games like Escape from Tarkov. The game features a unique Napoleonic-era setting ravaged by a plague and focuses on persistent character development over gear wipes.
World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 14 fans can now earn up to $15,000 in scholarship money by tackling achievements with a less than "1% global completion rate"
The University of Silicon Valley is offering scholarships of up to $15,000 to students who demonstrate exceptional mastery through rare in-game achievements. Players of titles like World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy 14, Minecraft, and Dark Souls can apply if they meet demanding criteria, such as unlocking specific in-game feats that have less than a 1% global completion rate.
WoW devs are 'looking into' an annoying grappling hook that takes a spot on your action bar, despite only…
Blizzard Entertainment is investigating an issue in World of Warcraft where the Lighthook Grapple ability persistently occupies an action bar slot, even when not in use. While initially deemed 'working as intended,' developers are now looking into potential changes to address player feedback regarding UI clutter.
id Software producer says 'you'll never get another WoW or Morrowind in the current climate' in the wake…
id Software producer Andrew Willis believes the current climate prevents the creation of long-lasting franchises like World of Warcraft or Morrowind, attributing this to large publishers and a lack of understanding from executives. He advocates for developer-owned studios as the path forward for sustainable growth and artistic integrity in the gaming industry, contrasting this with Xbox's stated goals of returning to growth through further layoffs.
Summer Games Done Quick raises $2.4 million for charity, cancels sponsored stream with SNK over Saudi Arabia ties
Summer Games Done Quick successfully raised over $2.4 million for Doctors Without Borders. However, the event faced backlash and canceled a sponsored stream with SNK due to the company's majority ownership by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, citing human rights concerns. Games Done Quick apologized for the oversight and committed to strengthening its sponsor evaluation process.
The 'Classic' nostalgia trend continues as League of Legends Classic gets a release date and the promise of player-voted patches
Riot Games announced that League of Legends Classic will launch on July 29th, offering a nostalgic throwback to the game's early era. The company also promised that future patches will be partially shaped by community votes, allowing for player-driven evolution of the classic experience. This move is part of a broader industry trend of leveraging nostalgia through remasters and classic versions of games.
The Daily Grind: Which modern MMORPGs should get a sequel?
This article discusses which modern MMORPGs are candidates for sequels, drawing parallels to the genre's history and upcoming titles like Guild Wars 3. It highlights the potential for sequels to games such as World of Warcraft, The Elder Scrolls Online, and EVE Online, questioning where the next major franchise follow-ups will emerge.
MMO Week in Review: 213
Microsoft's significant layoffs have heavily impacted the Elder Scrolls Online live team, reducing its size to that of 2015-2018. This week also saw Warframe's TennoCon, Aion 2 previewing its monetization, Tencent acquiring the PlanetSide franchise, Star Trek Online launching Undiscovered, and Gamigo porting Fiesta Online to consoles.
Xbox needs to make a choice, says former PlayStation leader Shawn Layden: be a publisher or a platform, but you can't be both
Former PlayStation leader Shawn Layden argues that Xbox must choose between being a major game publisher or a platform holder, stating it cannot effectively be both. He highlights the need for exclusive content to support a platform, contrasting it with the multiplatform approach required for a top publisher, a dilemma exacerbated by recent Xbox layoffs and strategic shifts.
World of Warcraft’s Ion Hazzkostas suggests Midnight’s UI and addon overhaul makes the MMO more ‘approachable’
Blizzard's Ion Hazzikostas stated that the recent UI and addon overhaul in World of Warcraft has made the game more approachable. He believes that while the changes were controversial and led to some addons becoming defunct, the majority of players can now complete content without feeling reliant on external tools, allowing for shorter play sessions.
Why Players Are Re-Evaluating Value In Modern Video Games And Digital Platforms
Modern players evaluate video game value beyond the initial price, considering factors like playtime, updates, social features, and ongoing costs. This shift mirrors trends in other digital platforms, where users scrutinize terms, rewards, and overall experience before committing. Game mechanics like daily logins, progress bars, and leaderboards are increasingly used across various online services to drive engagement and user retention.
Massively Overthinking: What’s your first reaction to meeting someone in your main MMORPG?
This article discusses players' first reactions to encountering others in MMORPGs, particularly focusing on the contrast between competitive PvP and cooperative PvE environments. Contributors share their experiences and preferences, with many highlighting games like Guild Wars 2 for their community-friendly mechanics that encourage positive interactions over competition.
MMO Hype Train: Can Scars of Honor overcome its generic WoW clone identity?
Scars of Honor, an upcoming MMORPG from Beast Burst Entertainment, faces scrutiny over its generic identity and past crowdfunding failure. Despite a colorful visual style reminiscent of RuneScape and Albion Online, the game's features list offers little distinction from existing titles. The article questions whether Scars of Honor can overcome its "WoW clone" label and generate sufficient hype to succeed in the competitive MMO market.
5 Live Service Games to Quit in 2026 | TAG
This article provides a framework for players to quit live service games they no longer enjoy, arguing that obligation and FOMO should not dictate continued play. It identifies five specific games—Destiny 2, Diablo 4 seasonal, Warframe, Lost Ark, and older MMOs—as candidates for quitting in 2026, and offers a step-by-step guide to breaking free from the cycle of retention-engineered gameplay.
The Daily Grind: Have you ever tried to explain MMORPGs to people who don’t play them?
This article discusses the difficulty of explaining the appeal and intricacies of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) to individuals who do not play them. It uses a personal anecdote about explaining guild drama in World of Warcraft to highlight the challenges of conveying the genre's complexities.
WoW's game director thinks its UI overhaul has been 'successful so far,' even if it's 'not…
World of Warcraft Game Director Ion Hazzikostas stated that the game's UI overhaul has been largely successful, despite initial community controversy regarding addon restrictions. While acknowledging ongoing work and some exceptions, he believes the changes allow more players to engage with content without relying on external tools. Blizzard plans further improvements to the base UI and addon interface in upcoming patches.
This gaming chair has RGB lighting and while it didn't make me better at WoW, it did cure my back pain
The ASUS ROG Courser gaming chair offers a comfortable and stylish experience with its RGB lighting and adjustable lumbar support, though its premium price of $750 / £699 may be a deterrent. While the RGB lighting is a notable feature, the chair's true strengths lie in its ergonomic design, spacious seat, and dynamic recline system, which contribute to alleviating back pain during long gaming sessions.
Blizzard knows World of Warcraft's removal of raid add-ons is "controversial," but the MMO's lead says its new UI "has been successful so far"
Blizzard Entertainment director Ion Hazzikostas acknowledges the controversy surrounding the removal of combat add-ons in World of Warcraft with the Midnight expansion, but states the new UI has been successful. He believes the changes promote a more approachable experience and a level playing field, with most players still completing content without external tools.
