World of Warcraft
News, coverage and analysis tracking World of Warcraft across the outlets.- World of Warcraft shows off its quality-of-life improvements for Curse of Ula’tekThe upcoming Curse of Ula’tek update for World of Warcraft will introduce several quality-of-life improvements, including making Voidforge services available in Silvermoon, a one-time profession reset, reduced housing decor costs, and the option to display map coordinates by default. The update also addresses recurring bugs and adds a "Back" button to the Achievement tab.
- Vague Patch Notes: The struggle of expansions against MMO identityThis analysis explores the challenges and identity shifts inherent in MMO expansions, using examples like Final Fantasy XIV and World of Warcraft. Expansions that introduce new areas can either seamlessly integrate or create a jarring tonal clash, impacting the game's overall feel and player perception.
- The Daily Grind: What tools do you consider essential for playing MMOs?This article discusses the essential tools players consider necessary for enjoying MMORPGs, beyond just the game itself. Essential items include a decent PC or console, a keyboard and mouse, a headset with a microphone, and browser access for wikis and communication platforms like Discord. The author also notes the common use of game mods, with Project Gorgon being an exception.
Clair Obscur is flawed on purpose, says director: 'Games that try to be perfect, that try to fix all their flaws—they're usually just really boring'Guillaume Broche, creative director for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, believes that games with intentional imperfections are more endearing and less boring than those striving for unattainable perfection. He argues that flaws contribute to a game's personality, much like they do in people, and that embracing 'jank' can be a source of fun and character.- Massively Overthinking: Unbundling the MMORPG genre, 12 years laterIndustry figures like Raph Koster discuss the 'unbundling' of the MMORPG genre, where its core components like live services and subscription models have been adopted by other game genres. The article explores what truly defines an MMORPG in the current landscape, with contributors suggesting elements like persistent virtual worlds, community, and a unique 'glue' holding disparate game elements together, rather than just player count.
It’s Not Too Late To Shop Best Buy’s 4th Of July SaleBest Buy is holding its annual Fourth of July sale, offering discounts on a wide range of products including video games, gaming PCs, and accessories. Notable deals include titles like Borderlands 4, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Resident Evil Requiem, as well as Alienware gaming desktops and various peripherals from brands like Razer and Asus. The sale provides an opportunity to purchase gaming gear at reduced prices before the holiday ends.
On the unionization frontlinesTwo significant unionization victories occurred in the video game industry: Bethesda Game Studios employees formed a union at Microsoft, and the World of Warcraft development staff formed the World of Warcraft Game Makers Guild at Blizzard Entertainment. The Communications Workers of America, represented by Emma Kinema, spearheaded these efforts, with insights from Bethesda's Autumn Mitchell and Chris Lusco discussed in the Game Developer Podcast.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
World of Warcraft's on the quality-of-life boost warpath, with fixes including an auto-loot setting that's been mildly inconveniencing alt-lovers for yearsBlizzard Entertainment is implementing several quality-of-life improvements in World of Warcraft, including a persistent auto-loot setting that no longer resets for new characters. Other updates include performance enhancements for Silvermoon City, faster Prey hunts, EXP buffs, reduced repair costs for raiders, and profession knowledge point resets. Future additions will make the Voidforge accessible from Silvermoon City and reduce the cost of crafted housing decor.
WoW's bug-filled April patch was actually from trying to fix too much too fast, says director Ion Hazzikostas—like an elevator from 13 years ago that blew up housingWorld of Warcraft director Ion Hazzikostas explained that the numerous bugs in Patch 12.0.5 were not due to a rushed development cycle, but rather an aggressive attempt to fix issues close to the release date. One significant bug that disabled player housing was traced back to a last-minute fix for a 2013 Siege of Orgrimmar elevator issue, highlighting the complex interdependencies within the game's code.- World of Warcraft releases animated shorts showcasing Lor’themar and Torundo in The Bitter TruthWorld of Warcraft has released new animated shorts titled 'The Bitter Truth,' focusing on the animosity between the Blood Elves and Amani Trolls. The shorts depict a tense diplomatic meeting between Lor'themar and Torundo the Grizzled, featuring voice actors and light animation to convey the depth of their conflict.
World of Warcraft patch 12.1 tackles bug fixes and housing decor costs, as Blizzard focuses on delivering a "polished experience"Blizzard Entertainment is addressing numerous bugs and quality-of-life issues in World of Warcraft with upcoming patch 12.1, following a rocky launch for its latest expansion. Game Director Ion Hazzikostas discussed the challenges of maintaining a 20-year-old game and detailed improvements to player housing decor costs and profession resets. The patch aims to provide a more polished experience for players.- Perfect Ten: The 10 worst problems in the MMORPG community that we could probably fixThis opinion piece identifies ten fixable problems within the MMORPG community, ranging from nostalgic revisionism about past game experiences to issues with player entitlement and antisocial behavior. It argues for greater honesty, acceptance of change, and a focus on constructive community engagement to improve the overall player experience.
- World of Warcraft kicks off another timewalking dungeon event full of shiny gear and mountsWorld of Warcraft has launched its Turbulent Timeways event, offering players six weeks of timewalking dungeon activities and rewards until August 11th. During the event, players receive increased reputation gains and heroic-difficulty loot from timewalking dungeons. Completing the event for four weeks grants the Spawn of Vyranoth flying mount, with other rewards including mounts and transmog items available for purchase with timeworn badges.
The ESA quietly starts walking back baffling statements about private servers being 'illegal', though it's still tutting and wagging its fingerThe Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has softened its stance on private game servers, clarifying that concerns primarily relate to those that host or distribute copyrighted content without authorization. While still asserting publishers' rights to enforce intellectual property, the ESA's updated statement acknowledges that private servers are not inherently illegal and that publishers may approach them differently. This follows earlier, more condemnatory statements made by the ESA regarding private servers for games like Minecraft.
'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 yearUnionized 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 editionThis 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 OverpoweredThis 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 layoffsThis 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.