World of Warcraft
News, coverage and analysis tracking World of Warcraft across the outlets.- World of Warcraft adds new instances, preps new events, and introduces the Omnium FolioWorld 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, ReviewWorld 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 timeThis 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 themBlizzard 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 CaféAs 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 AnimeEchoes 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 offXbox 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.
Guild Wars 3 won't have a 'battle pass fee buried in it', says studio head: 'We're not gonna…ArenaNet studio head Colin Johanson stated that Guild Wars 3 will not feature a battle pass fee, aiming for a 'buy and play' model similar to previous titles. The studio is committed to respecting players' time and avoiding the 'modern version of the subscription' that battle passes can represent. This approach aims to differentiate Guild Wars 3 from other live service MMORPGs.
Solarpunk MMO Loftia Is Heading into Early Access on Steam Soon!The solarpunk-themed MMO Loftia, inspired by games like Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley, is set to launch into Early Access in Fall 2026. Developed by Qloud Games, the game focuses on farming, crafting, decorating, and social interaction on floating islands, with an emphasis on sustainability and renewable energy. Loftia will be available on PC and Nintendo Switch.
A new MMO announcement is more exciting than all the other SGF news combinedThe announcement of Guild Wars 3 has generated significant excitement, overshadowing other gaming news. The author expresses a deep love for MMORPGs, particularly the Guild Wars series, and anticipates Guild Wars 3 will offer a fresh experience with its new setting and mechanics. The article also touches on the decline of new MMORPG releases and the unique shared discovery that defines the genre.- The Daily Grind: What MMORPG pet have you spent the most time with?This article discusses players' favorite MMORPG pets, inspired by a Guild Wars Reforged tweet and personal experiences with SWG Legends and World of Warcraft. It asks readers which in-game companion they have spent the most time with, highlighting examples like a Hunter's turtle in World of Warcraft and a piggy in Guild Wars 2.
Rivage is a time loop puzzle game where something's gone terribly wrong, power's at a premium, and your…Rivage is a new time loop puzzle game set on the A.R.E.S. space station above the planet VESTA, where players control Miranda Vigneau. The game focuses on puzzles involving gravity, magnetism, and time, with power management serving as a core mechanic. Rivage is set to release on August 13, and a demo is available on Steam.
Xbox's big pitch for the future sure involves a lot of going backwardsXbox's recent showcase emphasized a return to familiar franchises and a focus on exclusivity, aiming to recapture a sense of nostalgia and differentiate itself from competitors like PlayStation. However, the article questions the long-term viability of this strategy given ongoing controversies and the evolving landscape of game development and distribution.
Arkheron, an isometric Diablo-like battle royale where you ascend a tower, is getting a more forgiving Spire mode to…Arkheron, an isometric PvPvE battle royale action RPG, is introducing a new 'Spire' mode to offer a more forgiving experience for players learning the game. Developer Bonfire Studios is implementing this mode based on player feedback from recent playtests, aiming to bridge the skill gap between the training and core 'Ascension' modes. The game is slated for a 2026 release.- WRUP: The future of Guild Wars games as covered by me it’s all true editionThis article discusses the future of Guild Wars games, announcing potential expansions like 'Guild Wars: Time To Pivot' and 'Guild Wars: Re-Prophecized,' alongside a speculative 'Guild Wars 4.' It also touches on other games players are engaging with, including Star Wars Galaxies Legends, Skate, Division 2, and Final Fantasy XIV, and includes a bonus question about art that requires multiple exposures to appreciate.
Question time: How often do you actually talk to strangers in MMOs?This article discusses the evolving social dynamics within Massively Multiplayer Online games, noting a trend towards more solo-friendly content. It questions how often players actually interact with strangers in modern MMOs like Final Fantasy 14 and World of Warcraft, contrasting this with the genre's historical emphasis on group play.
Guild Wars 1 and 2 will continue to get updates even after Guild Wars 3 is out: 'We are not replacing your favorite…ArenaNet has announced that Guild Wars 3 will not lead to the discontinuation of Guild Wars 2 or Guild Wars. Both existing titles will continue to receive updates for the foreseeable future, with Guild Wars 2 seeing a slowdown in new content as Guild Wars 3 approaches release. This approach mirrors successful strategies seen in other long-running MMORPGs like Final Fantasy XIV and RuneScape.
Indie devs mixed on Steam's latest redesign over visibility complaintsIndie developers are expressing concerns about Steam's latest store redesign, particularly the new "Popular Upcoming" page, fearing it will negatively impact game visibility. While Valve claims the changes are based on player feedback and introduced a new "Personal Calendar" feature for niche releases, some developers argue that the new system favors larger, established titles over smaller indie games, making it harder to gain traction on the platform.
As someone with over 1,000 hours in Guild Wars 2, I hope ArenaNet has a better plan this time aroundArenaNet has announced Guild Wars 3, a follow-up to their long-running MMO Guild Wars 2. The announcement comes after a period of inconsistent content updates and narrative conclusions for Guild Wars 2, leading to player concerns about the developer's planning. The new title aims to be a fresh start for the series, with hopes of attracting new and returning players.
After 7 years, devs behind one of the most emotional indie games I've ever played unveil release date for new Hades-like project: a co-op roguelike for 33 playersThunder Lotus has announced a June 10 release date for their co-op roguelike, 33 Immortals, developed over the past seven years. The game, inspired by Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy, features instant matchmaking for up to 33 players to battle divine hordes, drawing comparisons to Hades, World of Warcraft, and Diablo 4. A demo is available for free on Steam.