World of Warcraft
News, coverage and analysis tracking World of Warcraft across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Blizzard sues private World of Warcraft server for "large-scale, egregious, and ongoing infringement of Blizzard's intellectual property"
Blizzard Entertainment has filed a lawsuit against Project Ascension, a private World of Warcraft server, alleging large-scale intellectual property infringement. The company claims the server has distributed millions of pirated copies of the game software, causing significant financial and reputational harm.
Blizzard issues complaint against Project Ascension WoW private server as Classic Plus rumors build ahead of BlizzCon
Blizzard Entertainment has filed a lawsuit against the operators of Project Ascension, a popular World of Warcraft private server, alleging copyright infringement and other violations. This legal action comes amid growing anticipation for official Classic Plus content from Blizzard, with speculation centering on an announcement at BlizzCon 2026. The lawsuit against Project Ascension, which claims over one million players and generates revenue through donations, follows Blizzard's previous actions against other private servers like Nostalrius and Turtle WoW.
As Xbox eyes layoffs, Microsoft's CEO says its videogames aren't monetised enough—so it's not the cancelled games or $68.7 billion deals or AI overspending, then
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that the company's video games are not sufficiently monetized, suggesting this is the core issue rather than cancelled projects or large acquisitions. This comes amid layoffs at Xbox, with Xbox CEO Asha Sharma calling for a "reset" to better meet fan expectations. The article also touches on the rising costs of game development and the industry's struggle to find sustainable monetization models.
WoW Factor: What are the pros and cons of World of Warcraft in 2026?
This article analyzes the pros and cons of the MMORPG World of Warcraft in its current state, comparing it to other games in the genre. Strengths include a vast open world, diverse race and class options, a rich endgame, and a vibrant art style. Weaknesses identified are the mandatory subscription model, the game's age showing in its dated combat, and the near impossibility of catching up on the extensive story content.
MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars’ Orr, Elder Scrolls’ U50, and EVE’s Cradle of War
This week's MMO news roundup covers Guild Wars 3's monetization and setting, Elder Scrolls Online's new difficulty settings, EVE Online's Cradle of War expansion, and Blizzard's lawsuit against a World of Warcraft emulator. It also touches on Destiny 2 entering maintenance mode, Camelot Unchained's early access, and the ongoing discussions around the Lord of the Rings MMO and industry layoffs.
Blizzard sues to kill another World of Warcraft private server for 'large scale, egregious, and ongoing infringement of [its] intellectual property'
Blizzard Entertainment has filed a lawsuit against Project Ascension, a large private World of Warcraft server, for alleged large-scale intellectual property infringement. The complaint states that the server, which offers a classless, free-to-play experience with purchasable in-game items, has generated millions of dollars for its operators. The suit also notes the server's alleged connection to the Russia-based Aeza Group, which has been targeted by the U.S. Treasury.
Sunday Legal Briefs
Blizzard Entertainment is suing to shut down Project Ascension, a private server for World of Warcraft. The company has stated they have the resources to pursue the legal action to its conclusion.
Blizzard files lawsuit to take down World of Warcraft rogue server Project Ascension
Blizzard Entertainment has filed a lawsuit against Project Ascension, a rogue server for World of Warcraft, seeking its shutdown. The suit alleges intellectual property infringement and violations of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, citing Project Ascension's alleged sale of in-game currency for cosmetics and XP boosts. Blizzard also points to the server's hosting by Aeza Group, a sanctioned Russian company, as evidence of willful intent to engage in unlawful activity.
Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies vet tells me the theme park 'assembly line' MMO just isn't viable anymore, especially as dev costs spike: 'We hit the wall'
Veteran MMO developer Raph Koster believes the 'theme park' style of MMO, popularized by World of Warcraft, is no longer viable due to skyrocketing development costs. Koster, who worked on Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies, argues that the increasing expense of creating static content, coupled with player consumption rates, makes this model unsustainable. He suggests that the genre has become stagnant, with players growing bored and feeling underserved by an industry focused on monetization over innovation.
New Crimson Desert patch lets you hoard 100 pets and gives you more chainsaw access
A new patch for Crimson Desert significantly increases the pet registration limit to 100, up from 30, with new reward items. While only 50 pets can be summoned simultaneously, this update further solidifies the game's comparison to a single-player MMO. Additionally, playable characters Damiane and Oongka can now equip the mining drill and chainsaw.
LOTRO Legendarium: Four quality-of-life improvements that are overdue in LOTRO
This article discusses four overdue quality-of-life improvements for Lord of the Rings Online, including account-wide virtues and reputations, automatic wardrobe collection, and clearer business models for expansions. The author suggests these changes would significantly enhance the player experience in the MMORPG.
WRUP: Every toy version of G1 Devastator from Transformers
This article examines the evolution of the G1 Devastator toy from Transformers across various iterations, including the original 1985 release, Universe (2003), Combiner Wars (2015), and Studio Series (2025). It also includes community members' thoughts on effective and ineffective advertising.
There's rumors of a League of Legends Classic, and I'm not sure how I feel about it
Rumors suggest Riot Games is planning a 'League of Legends Classic' server, potentially launching soon. This follows a trend of classic versions of games like World of Warcraft and Old School RuneScape, sparking debate about the industry's reliance on nostalgia versus player desire for improved current experiences.
World of Warcraft adds new instances, preps new events, and introduces the Omnium Folio
World of Warcraft has released a new patch introducing the Omnium Folio borrowed power system to the Midnight expansion, allowing players to unlock and empower runes of power. The update also adds new rotating areas accessible via a voidportal, a single boss raid in Harandar, Loa-centered quests, and prepares for upcoming events like the Darkspear Dash micro-holiday and Timewalking activities.
World of Warcraft Patch 12.0.7 Overview: Everything Coming in Revelations - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
World of Warcraft Patch 12.0.7, titled Revelations, introduces significant new content for the Midnight expansion, including the Omnium Folio progression system, two new zones (Naigtal and Val), Heroic World Tier, and the experimental Sporefall raid with flexible Mythic difficulty. The update also brings Dragonflight Timewalking, new quests, world bosses, PvP enhancements, and UI improvements, offering substantial content for various player types.
Final Fantasy 11 is one of the greatest MMOs of our time
This article reflects on the enduring legacy of Final Fantasy XI, an MMO nearing its 20th anniversary. Despite its age and a complex login process, the game's design fostered cooperation and friendship, setting it apart from modern, more frictionless MMOs. The author explores the game's unique job system and the challenges of returning to a once-beloved world that has significantly changed.
"They will hopefully p*** off": As World of Warcraft players take on the Casino Bots themselves, lead confirms Blizzard has "a few folks looking into ideas" to get rid of them
Blizzard Entertainment is investigating ways to combat casino bots in World of Warcraft, which are used for real money trading and advertising. Senior game producer Tom Ellis confirmed the company is aware of the issue and is working on solutions to make the activity less lucrative for gold sellers. Players have taken to combating these bots themselves in the interim.
Digital Third Spaces: How Games Replaced the Café
As traditional 'Third Spaces' decline due to economic pressures, video games like WEBFISHING and Flock Around are emerging as digital alternatives for social connection. While platforms like Roblox and Fortnite offer vast online communities, they often come with issues of hyper-monetization and exploitation. Newer, low-stakes social games aim to provide accessible, inclusive gathering places, though concerns remain about the gamification of social interaction and online moderation challenges.
Echoes of Aincrad Hands-On Preview: Like An Episode Of The Anime
Echoes of Aincrad aims to capture the magic of the Sword Art Online anime, allowing players to experience a full season within the game's world before the First Arc's conclusion. The preview highlights detailed environments, fluid combat, and a progression system that emphasizes player skill and weapon mastery. The game is set to launch on July 9 for PC and potentially other platforms.
Xbox CEO unsure whether Activision Blizzard merger is paying off
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma expressed uncertainty about whether Microsoft's $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard has been profitable, despite acknowledging the value of its franchises like Call of Duty and Candy Crush. The article notes that Microsoft has conducted multiple rounds of layoffs since the 2023 merger, impacting various studios and divisions, and that Xbox hardware sales have been in decline.
