World of Warcraft
News, coverage and analysis tracking World of Warcraft across the outlets.- Massively OP Podcast Episode 565: Happily Farever afterThe MassivelyOP Podcast episode 565 covers Guild Wars 2's new zone, EVE Online studio CCP's rebranding to Fenris Creations, and Path of Exile 2's 'Return of the Ancients' update. The hosts also discuss the early access launches of Farever, Reaper Actual, and Outbound, as well as Ultima Online emulators.
Sony: PS Plus Gets 'Four to Six' Day One Games Per Year - And the Focus Is on IndiesSony's Chris Svensson stated that PlayStation Plus will feature between four to six day-one game releases annually, primarily focusing on indie titles. This strategy differs from competitors like Xbox Game Pass, which offers more day-one releases. Sony curates its PS Plus offerings, emphasizing exposure for developers.
Diablo 4 lead says "there's often no ideal solution" when it comes to doing anything in the action-RPG:…Zaven Haroutunian, associate game director for Diablo 4, discussed the challenges of game development, particularly in action-RPGs where ideal solutions are often elusive. He highlighted the importance of player feedback and iterative adjustments, citing recent additions like the Warlord and Paladin classes in the Lord of Hatred expansion as examples of strategic repositioning and customization.
World of Warcraft streamers attend top-secret Blizzard event, leaving fans hoping for the version of the MMO…Blizzard Entertainment recently invited several World of Warcraft Classic content creators to a secret event, sparking fan speculation about a potential "Classic Plus" version of the MMORPG. While details are under NDA, the presence of prominent Classic streamers has fueled hopes for a modern take on the original game with quality-of-life updates.- The Daily Grind: Which MMO feature is legitimately a ‘You think you do, but you don’t’ feature?This article discusses the concept of 'You think you do, but you don't' features in MMORPGs, using Blizzard's initial reluctance to create World of Warcraft Classic as an example. It explores whether features like decay systems, which players often claim to want removed, might actually be beneficial for the long-term health of sandbox MMO economies.
Turns out you yearn for the return of PC Gamer's two favourite genres just as much as we doA PC Gamer poll revealed that Real-time Strategy and Immersive Sims are the most desired comeback genres among players. Other popular choices included MMOs and point-and-click adventures, indicating a strong nostalgia for '90s and 2000s PC gaming staples. Despite past hopes, the RTS genre has struggled to regain its former glory, while immersive sims remain a niche but beloved category.- MMO Week in Review: The big rebranding of CCP GamesCCP Games, the studio behind EVE Online, has rebranded to Fenris Creations and announced a partnership with Google DeepMind for AI development. This news comes amidst other MMO updates including Guild Wars 2's new zone, Conan Exiles' Enhanced version, and acquisitions like Daybreak buying Cold Iron Studios.
- One Shots: Swiping right at the end of the worldThis week's One Shots column features community screenshots from various MMORPGs, including a romantic scene with a mannequin in Fallout 76, a character preparing for Final Fantasy XIV's Dawntrail expansion, and a player cleaning a dirt floor in World of Warcraft. The article also highlights an NPC smith animation in FFXIV and a player's return to Star Wars: The Old Republic due to a World of Warcraft patch.
Discussion time: Are classic tab-target MMOs with loads of keybinds going out of style?This article discusses whether traditional tab-target MMOs with extensive keybinds are becoming outdated. The author and guest writer Lauren Morton share their perspectives, with Morton expressing a desire for simpler controls and gamepad support, while acknowledging the potential for innovation within the classic MMO framework.- WoW Factor: World of Warcraft needs to throttle back its patch cadenceThe author argues that World of Warcraft needs to slow down its patch release cadence to avoid disasters like the recent 12.0.5 update and to allow for better quality control. This change is suggested as a way to prevent player burnout and ensure more polished releases, drawing a parallel to lessons learned in managing youth retreats.
- World of Warcraft injects major housing love into its next patch while BlizzCon shares more detailsWorld of Warcraft's upcoming Patch 12.0.7, titled Revelations, will significantly enhance player housing with increased decor budgets, outdoor lighting, new vendor items, and dyeable rugs. Blizzard Entertainment also announced that voice actor Darin De Paul will host the BlizzCon community night, featuring cosplay, art, and short films. Details regarding the Mythic Dungeon International season were also shared.
- The Daily Grind: Which MMORPG still really needs to have a mobile client or spinoff?The author questions which MMORPGs still lack a mobile client or spinoff, despite the success of games like RuneScape and Albion Online on mobile. The article highlights the potential for games like Guild Wars 2, City of Heroes, and World of Warcraft to benefit from mobile integration, citing the recent Guild Wars 1 port announcement as a point of discussion.
Andy Serkis says 'there has always been that snobbery' when it comes to videogame acting, but the times are changing thanks to games like Expedition 33Actor Andy Serkis believes there has historically been a snobbery towards video game acting, but this is changing thanks to titles like Expedition 33. He expressed enthusiasm for the game and its visual style, highlighting the importance of recognizing the contributions of mocap actors. The article also touches on past instances of industry figures downplaying the role of acting in games.
Diablo Immortal Will Be Invaded By StarCraft On May 13!Diablo Immortal is set to feature a limited-time crossover event with StarCraft called 'Aeon of Stars' starting May 13. The event will introduce StarCraft-themed enemies, boss fights, new gear, and a special Legendary Gem called Baneboil. Players can earn rewards by logging in and completing daily challenges, including cosmetic items inspired by Kerrigan and other StarCraft units.
Old School RuneScape needs 'to do a bunch of work to stop the game exploding soon', as a problem from 2018…Old School RuneScape is facing a critical issue with its legacy code that could prevent the addition of new scenery if not addressed. Developers at Jagex are working to fix a problem originating from 2018, which involves the game's engine handling of scenery pieces. This technical debt highlights the challenges of maintaining long-running online games.
My most-anticipated but frequently delayed Zelda-like is finally releasing later this month after 6 years in developmentYacht Club Games has announced that Mina the Hollower, a top-down action RPG inspired by classic Zelda titles, is set to release later this month after a development period spanning since 2020. The game, known for its 8-bit inspired pixel art and Castlevania-like aesthetic, faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and industry challenges. The studio considers the game's success crucial for its future, aiming to sell at least 200,000 copies.
Why I love Deadlock's map, which has brought me back to the world of MOBAs long after I swore I'd quitThis article praises the map design of Valve's upcoming MOBA, Deadlock, highlighting its verticality and numerous traversal mechanics that offer more dynamic escape routes and combat engagements compared to traditional MOBAs like Dota 2. The author finds these elements engaging and a key reason for their renewed interest in the genre.- gamescom latam 2026 wraps up with record-breaking resultsgamescom latam 2026 concluded with record-breaking attendance, attracting over 154,000 visitors and showcasing more than 400 games. The event also facilitated over 13,000 B2B meetings, projecting an estimated US$180 million in new business, solidifying its role as a key business platform for the Latin American games industry.
Games Inbox: Is Assassin's Creed: Black Flag Resynced going to be worth getting?Readers discuss the upcoming remake of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, with some questioning the necessity of remaking games that are still accessible. There's also speculation about Grand Theft Auto 6's massive sales potential and Valve's perceived lack of interest in the Steam Machine's success. Other topics include the future of Call of Duty, the impact of AI in creative industries, and the merits of sci-fi horror games.
Microsoft ends Copilot AI on Xbox to help 'get the business back on track,' as new CEO simultaneously welcomes…Microsoft's Xbox division is shifting its strategy away from AI features, with CEO Asha Sharma announcing the discontinuation of Copilot on mobile and console. This move coincides with Sharma bringing in several former colleagues from Microsoft's CoreAI division to leadership roles within Xbox. The company aims to focus on deepening community connections and addressing player and developer friction to improve business performance.