World of Warcraft
News, coverage and analysis tracking World of Warcraft across the outlets.
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'I cannot do my job when Microsoft refuses to do theirs', say Xbox union workers as destructive reset looms from a company that spent over $80 billion on AI last year
Unionized workers at Microsoft and its subsidiaries are speaking out against the company's pattern of layoffs and studio closures, despite significant investments in AI and high executive pay. Employees express frustration over job insecurity, feeling expendable despite hard work and successful projects. They argue that Microsoft has the financial resources to protect its workforce, citing billions invested in AI and recent console price increases, and are demanding better treatment and transparency.
WRUP: Things the cat tube produces edition
This week's "What Are You Playing" roundup features community members discussing their gaming plans, including Guild Wars 2, Star Wars Galaxies Legends, The Division 2, and Warframe. Several staff members also shared personal anecdotes about unique family traditions, ranging from elaborate fireworks displays to specific holiday meals and egg-cracking games.
One Shots: Mainlining malaria | Massively Overpowered
This week's 'One Shots' feature highlights community screenshots from various MMOs, including Guild Wars 2, Elite Dangerous, World of Warcraft, and Final Fantasy XIV. Players shared their favorite in-game moments and visually striking environments, with a call for more submissions.
MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars goes mobile, Bungie gets layoffs
This week's MMO news includes Guild Wars launching on mobile, Star Trek Online's new update, and Throne & Liberty's summer expansion. However, the industry also saw significant layoffs at Sony and Bungie, impacting hundreds of developers working on Destiny 2 and Marathon. Other news includes Valve's Steam Machine pricing, the ongoing Ashes of Creation lawsuit, and updates on Grand Theft Auto VI's online multiplayer.
The Daily Grind: What concepts do MMORPGs keep trying to reinvent for a new generation?
This article discusses how MMORPG developers often reintroduce older game design concepts as if they are new innovations. A ZeniMax Online Studios developer's comment about a new dungeon type is used as an example, highlighting how open dungeons were common in early MMOs like Ultima Online and EverQuest before becoming less prevalent after World of Warcraft.
Blizzard moves ahead with its Project Ascension rogue server lawsuit by sending motion summons requests
Blizzard Entertainment has initiated legal proceedings against World of Warcraft rogue server Project Ascension by filing official summons requests. This action follows their previous shutdown of Turtle WoW and indicates a continued effort to protect the World of Warcraft intellectual property. Failure to respond within 21 days could result in a default judgment for Blizzard.
Rumor: Microsoft’s next layoffs are poised to hit Blizzard, Bethsoft, and Undead Labs
Rumors suggest Microsoft is planning significant layoffs across several of its gaming studios, including Undead Labs, Blizzard Entertainment, and Bethesda Softworks. These cuts are reportedly the largest for Xbox and come as the company evaluates its recent Activision Blizzard acquisition. Unionized workers at Xbox are reportedly organizing to negotiate over potential job losses.
Bad news, Blizzard won't be running a fresh Season of Discovery server in WoW Classic
Blizzard Entertainment has confirmed there are no plans to launch a new official "fresh start" server for the Season of Discovery in World of Warcraft Classic. Senior Game Designer Josh Greenfield stated that opening and managing new servers requires significant resources and is not feasible given other ongoing development priorities. This news comes despite a recent community-driven "Fake Fresh" event that saw a surge in player numbers for the existing Season of Discovery servers.
Guild Wars 3 may have cracked the MMO code for tired millennials
ArenaNet studio head Collin Johanson stated that Guild Wars 3 aims to respect players' time, allowing them to play as much or as little as they desire. This approach contrasts with many modern MMORPGs and live-service games that can feel like a second job due to mechanics like battle passes and repetitive tasks. The article suggests that if Guild Wars 3 can remain captivating without demanding excessive playtime, it could appeal to a growing audience of adult gamers.
State of Decay studio Undead Labs potentially up for closure, sources claim, with Bethesda and Blizzard also facing layoffs
Microsoft is reportedly planning significant layoffs across its gaming division, potentially including the closure of Undead Labs, the studio behind State of Decay. Bethesda and Blizzard Entertainment are also expected to face substantial job cuts as part of a company-wide "reset." Union workers are negotiating with management to protect jobs or secure severance packages amid these widespread reductions.
The best MMO and multiplayer deals from Steam’s 2026 summer sale and beyond
Steam's 2026 Summer Sale is offering significant discounts on a wide variety of MMO and multiplayer titles, including bundles and individual game sales. Notable deals include discounts on Palworld, Guild Wars 2, Dune Awakening, Destiny 2 DLC, Elder Scrolls Online, and many more, with prices slashed across numerous genres and publishers.
Casually Classic: What were vanilla World of Warcraft’s weaknesses?
This analysis examines the weaknesses of the original World of Warcraft, focusing on enduring issues beyond temporary server problems. Key criticisms include broken and unbalanced classes, unrewarding quest rewards, an aimless endgame lacking variety beyond raiding, and poor in-game grouping tools that hindered player interaction.
Vague Patch Notes: Who owns the eras of an MMO?
This analysis explores the concept of ownership in MMORPGs, questioning who truly owns specific eras or versions of a game that evolves over time. It argues that while players form strong attachments, the ultimate ownership and decision-making power rests with the development studio, such as Blizzard Entertainment for World of Warcraft. The article suggests that accepting this reality and engaging with the current version of a game is more productive than dwelling on past iterations.
GameStop CEO Came Up With Plan To Buy eBay On The Toilet, Wants It To Become Re-Seller Of Digital Gaming Items
GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen has proposed acquiring eBay for $56 billion, outlining a vision that includes creating a marketplace for digital gaming items like skins and weapons. While eBay has rejected the offer, Cohen believes this market has massive potential utility beyond physical collectibles. He also plans to cut costs and expand live commerce if the takeover is successful.
The Ultimate Summer Sale Pairing: Steam Sale Meets GeForce NOW Discounts
NVIDIA's GeForce NOW is offering discounts on its Ultimate and Performance memberships to coincide with the Steam Summer Sale. This promotion allows players to stream PC games purchased on Steam via the cloud, eliminating storage and hardware requirements. New games like Dark Scrolls and The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales are also joining the GeForce NOW library.
I always forget to cancel free trials, so I'm sticking with Newegg's anti-Prime Day deals this week
Newegg is running its Fantastech sale concurrently with Amazon's Prime Day, offering numerous deals on PC gaming hardware, components, and accessories. The article highlights various discounts on items like GPUs, CPUs, monitors, and gaming chairs, encouraging readers to find better prices than those offered by Amazon. It also provides advice on navigating marketplace sellers and checking for price protection.
Diablo 4's Overwatch crossover skins have been revealed and they are completely cursed: "Mercy looks like a…
Players are expressing dissatisfaction with the new crossover skins in Diablo 4, themed after Overwatch. Many find the skins unappealing and unfitting for Diablo 4's aesthetic, with particular criticism directed at the Mercy skin. Concerns were also raised about the high pricing of past collaborations with World of Warcraft and StarCraft, and the overall store pricing in Diablo 4 compared to other games like Fortnite.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 570: Card Wars 3
The Massively OP Podcast episode 570 covers various MMO industry news, including Guild Wars' card game, a potential ArcheAge revival, and Richard Garriott's interest in Ultima. Discussions also touch on World of Warcraft's upcoming patch, Dungeons and Dragons Online's new race, and EverQuest Legends pre-orders.
New Guild Wars card game “Mistbound” announced
ArenaNet and NC Corporation have announced Mistbound, a new collectible card game set in the Guild Wars universe for mobile and PC. The game features a dynamic 5x3 grid with directional movement for units and commanders, offering deep strategic gameplay inspired by Guild Wars 2's professions. Mistbound will be free-to-play with monetization hooks similar to other live service titles.
Warframe dev says 'no one is celebrating' Destiny 2 winding down: 'A game is healthy when you have…
Warframe's community director Megan Everett expressed sadness, not celebration, over Destiny 2 winding down, emphasizing that healthy competition benefits the entire gaming industry. She believes that having strong competitors like Destiny 2 pushes games to improve, and it's a shame to see a game with a dedicated player base reach this stage, especially when support seems to have arrived too late.
