World of Warcraft
News, coverage and analysis tracking World of Warcraft across the outlets.
Latest coverage
World of Warcraft's Venomous Abyss raid is "what we'd hoped for" from the war on add-ons, Ion Hazzikostas explains
Blizzard Entertainment's Ion Hazzikostas and Paul Kubit discuss the impact of banning combat add-ons in World of Warcraft's latest expansion, Midnight. They believe the change has successfully encouraged more vocal raid leading and human cooperation, aligning with their hopes for the game's progression. The developers also touch on ongoing UI improvements and adjustments to bonus roll mechanics.
MMO Week in Review: Joy of movement
This week's MMO news roundup covers a preview of Guild Wars 3's combat and movement, with ArenaNet's Colin Johanson taking on the game's direction. Other news includes Xbox's cloud gaming plans, Aion 2 lacking an Oceania server, Elder Scrolls Online's roadmap, and rumors of a StarCraft successor from Nexon and Blizzard.
The MOP Up: World of Warcraft’s doggo raises $1.3M for Habitat for Humanity
World of Warcraft successfully raised over $1.3 million for Habitat for Humanity through sales of the in-game pet Roofus. Blizzard donated 100% of the purchase price during the promotion. The article also rounds up other smaller MMO news, including updates for Pokémon Go, Myth of Empires, MapleStory, and Raven2, alongside announcements for RuneFest 2026 and delays for No Rest for the Wicked.
One Shots: Going for the spacegold
This week's "One Shots" column highlights community screenshots from various MMOs, including Ryzom's virtual sporting events, Final Fantasy XIV's nighttime cityscapes, and a humorous take on a hero invading a villain's lair in City of Heroes. Players are encouraged to share their own memorable in-game moments.
Riot Games knows its MMO is a big risk. "But f*** it, it's The Grail, so let's go."
Riot Games is proceeding with its ambitious MMORPG project, acknowledging the genre's high failure rate and calling the endeavor 'The Grail.' Despite a recent project reset and the cancellation of its fighter 2XKO due to sustainability concerns, studio co-founder Marc Merrill expressed confidence in the team's ability to execute and deliver a worthy experience.
2026 is the best year ever for video games and GTA 6 isn’t even out yet - Reader's Feature
A reader argues that 2026 will be the best year for video games, despite industry challenges, citing a packed release schedule including titles like Grand Theft Auto 6 and Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee Remastered. The author highlights numerous anticipated games across various genres and platforms, suggesting a peak in gaming quality.
World of Warcraft makes "different mistakes" each patch, but "that's to some extent inevitable, and a little bit our goal"
World of Warcraft Game Director Ion Hazzikostas and Associate Game Director Paul Kubit discuss the direction of the Midnight expansion and patch 12.1, Curse of Ula'tek. They acknowledge that mistakes are inevitable with large content rollouts and that the team learns from them, aiming for different errors in subsequent patches. The developers also touch on the importance of variety in content, future updates like Labyrinths, and express respect for the Final Fantasy XIV team.
Confession time: Alright, come clean—how tidy are your bags in your MMOs?
This opinion piece discusses the common practice of disorganized inventory management in Massively Multiplayer Online games. It explores player habits, the role of auto-sorting features, and asks readers about their personal approaches to managing in-game items.
WRUP: Absolutely true facts about The Wolf edition
Several Massively OP staff members share their weekend gaming plans, including time in City of Heroes, Monster Hunter Wilds, Final Fantasy XIV, and World of Warcraft. The discussion also touches on personal anxieties related to job interviews and important decisions.
Weekend PC Download Deals for Sept. 4: Steam PvE Survival Crafting Fest
This weekend's PC gaming deals include a Steam PvE Survival Crafting Fest, the Epic Games Store's End of Summer Sale with discounts on various titles, and bundles from Humble Bundle. Notable deals include free games on Amazon Luna and significant discounts on popular titles across multiple storefronts.
World of Warcraft previews its new adventures coming in the 12.1.5 mid-point patch
World of Warcraft is previewing its upcoming 12.1.5 patch, which includes a new single-boss raid featuring Kith'ix, a megadungeon expansion of Delves, and new outdoor Aqir Invasions. Players can test these features on the public test server.
New World of Warcraft mount will cost you 5 to 7 million gold, and you've only got a limited time to buy it
A new mount, the Sporebearer Fungal Strider, has been introduced in World of Warcraft patch 12.1.5, costing 5 million gold and available only until the end of the Midnight expansion. Players can further customize it with an auctioneer or transmogrifier for an additional cost, potentially reaching 7 million gold. Blizzard has also introduced WoW Tokens for real-money purchases of in-game gold.
StarCraft Remastered Website’s Glitches Hint at Upcoming Announcement at BlizzCon 2026 – Rumor
Glitches appearing on the StarCraft Remastered website, coinciding with the approach of BlizzCon 2026, suggest an upcoming announcement for the real-time strategy franchise. While StarCraft 2's website remains unaffected, these visual anomalies hint at potential new developments for the original game, possibly including a rumored shooter with a realistic art style.
Universes Beyond Coming To Dungeons & Dragons Is Fine, Actually
The integration of 'Universes Beyond' properties into Dungeons & Dragons is a positive development, despite concerns stemming from its implementation in Magic: The Gathering. The collaborative nature of D&D and the ability for players to opt-out of specific crossovers make it a less disruptive addition than in the collectible card game. This initiative is seen as additive, potentially creating new opportunities and expanding the player base without detracting from existing in-universe content.
A Long-Dormant Blizzard Franchise Could Be Coming To Dungeons And Dragons
Head of Dungeons & Dragons Dan Ayoub expressed interest in a StarCraft crossover for the tabletop game, stating it would be 'badass.' While no official plans were confirmed by Blizzard Entertainment, Ayoub and World of Warcraft VP Holly Longdale engaged in coy discussion, hinting at potential future collaborations beyond the upcoming D&D: World of Warcraft set.
D&D’s World Of Warcraft Crossover May Not Be A One-Way Street
Wizards of the Coast and Blizzard Entertainment are exploring a reciprocal crossover between Dungeons & Dragons and World of Warcraft, following the announcement of a D&D expansion set in Azeroth. While no official plans have been revealed, key figures from both companies hinted at future possibilities, with potential announcements expected at BlizzCon.
D&D Says Universes Beyond Is Designed To Bring In New Players, Not Push Out Existing Fans
Wizards of the Coast states that its Universes Beyond initiative, which integrates external intellectual properties into Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, is designed to attract new players without alienating existing fans. Head of Dungeons & Dragons Dan Ayoub emphasized that these crossovers are additive and not essential for core gameplay, ensuring that original content remains a priority. Product architect Laura Hohman added that the company has increased resources to support this expansion.
Game Boosting Risks: How Anti-Cheat Detects Account Sharing
This article discusses the risks associated with game boosting and account sharing in multiplayer titles like Valorant, Call of Duty, and World of Warcraft. It highlights how anti-cheat systems are designed to detect such activities, driven by the pressure of battle passes and seasonal rank resets.
Guild Wars 3's devs think they've found an answer to one of MMOs' biggest problems, but can ArenaNet pull it off?
ArenaNet is developing Guild Wars 3 with a focus on dynamic momentum-based movement and combat, aiming to break away from traditional MMORPG design. Studio lead Colin Johanson and combat lead Kevin Stocker demonstrated how chaining traversal and combat actions creates a more fluid, action-RPG-like experience, contrasting it with the static nature of many MMOs. The game will also feature more defined player roles and cooperative multiplayer combos.
ArenaNet says Guild Wars 3 will make you "fall in love with MMOs." Here's why I think it could
ArenaNet aims to revitalize the MMO genre with Guild Wars 3, focusing on innovative 'Momentum' systems that allow for fluid movement and dynamic combat. Studio head Colin Johansen believes the game will attract both existing Guild Wars fans and new players seeking a fresh experience, potentially making them 'fall in love with MMOs.' The design prioritizes a cleaner UI and more action-oriented gameplay, a departure from traditional MMO mechanics.
