World of Warcraft
News, coverage and analysis tracking World of Warcraft across the outlets.
Elder Scrolls Online vet hates when people call the MMO a "WoW clone" since "you're not going to have fun at all" if you play it like Blizzard's gameFormer The Elder Scrolls Online director Matt Firor expressed frustration with comparisons of ESO to World of Warcraft, stating that approaching the game like a 'WoW clone' leads to a poor experience. Firor emphasized that while both are MMORPGs, ESO's systems are fundamentally different from WoW's, and players should engage with it as an Elder Scrolls title to enjoy its strengths, particularly its story.
World Of Warcraft Just Got Its Most Expensive Housing Microtransactions YetBlizzard Entertainment has introduced its most expensive housing microtransactions to World of Warcraft, with new exterior bundles priced at $40 and $75. This follows previous controversial pricing for housing items, which Blizzard initially promised would be inexpensive and largely obtainable in-game. The high cost of these new exteriors is particularly criticized given the limited in-game options currently available to players.- Vague Patch Notes: Stories in MMOs have always been hereThis opinion piece argues that storytelling in MMORPGs is not a new phenomenon, citing examples from Ultima Online, World of Warcraft, and Guild Wars. While the presentation and execution of narratives have evolved, the core concept of integrating stories into MMOs has been present since the genre's inception. The author highlights how developers have consistently grappled with balancing overarching narratives and player-driven adventures.
- Diskutera – Ditt drömspel från BlizzardThis article invites readers to discuss their dream game from Blizzard Entertainment, considering options like a sequel, remake, or a completely new IP. It highlights Blizzard's popular franchises such as World of Warcraft, Diablo, Starcraft, and Warcraft, acknowledging the strong desire for a new hit title from the developer.
- The Daily Grind: Have you ever felt like an MMO announced an update too far in advance?This article discusses the potential downsides of MMORPGs announcing future expansion plans too far in advance, using World of Warcraft's Worldsoul Saga as an example. It explores how early announcements can lead to player disappointment and boredom before content is released.
- Quiz – Diablo! Warcraft! Starcraft! Vad kan du om Blizzards guldålder?This quiz tests knowledge of Blizzard Entertainment's most successful period, focusing on iconic franchises like Diablo, Warcraft, StarCraft, and World of Warcraft. Players are invited to log in to participate and see how much they remember about the company's golden age.
- Empires of EVE author has launched the Kickstarter for his new MMORPG history bookAndrew Groen, author of the Empires of EVE books, has launched a Kickstarter for his new MMORPG history book, "The Archive: Epics of Virtual History." The book aims to preserve the cultural history of virtual worlds by documenting significant events and moments within games like EVE Online, World of Warcraft, and Runescape. The Kickstarter has already surpassed its initial funding goal.
- WoW Factor: The times when World of Warcraft’s story did everything rightThis article analyzes the narrative strengths of World of Warcraft, particularly highlighting Mists of Pandaria as a peak for its deliberate pacing and earned story moments. It contrasts this with the perceived lack of consequence and rushed plot developments in the recent expansion, Midnight, arguing that modern WoW's stories feel unearned due to their speed. The author advises current writers to adopt a slower, more methodical approach to storytelling, drawing parallels to the successful character development and faction conflict resolution seen in Mists of Pandaria.
Blizzard's former president wanted there to be a WoW 2 rather than 'the same WoW 1 expansions over and over…Former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra expressed a desire for a "World of Warcraft 2" instead of continuous expansions for the original game, though he noted that such a decision would have been up to current game director Ion Hazzikostas. Despite recent issues, World of Warcraft remains a profitable MMO for Blizzard and Microsoft.- Snabbkollen – Blizzards bästa?This article asks readers to vote for their favorite Blizzard Entertainment game series, highlighting the company's significant impact on gaming history since the 1990s. Popular franchises like Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, World of Warcraft, and Overwatch are presented as options, with an invitation for write-in suggestions.
- Children’s Week has returned to World of Warcraft with new Silvermoon City contentWorld of Warcraft's annual Children's Week in-game event has returned, featuring new content in the refurbished Silvermoon City. Players can participate in various activities with an in-game orphan to earn themed pets and transmog gear. The event is available in both the core game and World of Warcraft Classic until May 4th.
- MMORPG The Quinfall announces a new project to name and shame cheaters and RMT botsVawraek Technology, the developer of the MMORPG The Quinfall, has announced a new 'Wall of Shame' project to publicly list banned players. This initiative aims to increase transparency regarding rule violations such as real money trading and cheating. The studio previously stated that around 100 RMT accounts were actioned.
- World of Warcraft’s Anniversary Classic realms start up phase 2 testing on the test serverBlizzard Entertainment is launching phase two testing for World of Warcraft's Anniversary Classic realms on test servers this week. This phase includes testing of the Serpentshrine Cavern and The Eye raids, along with increased drop rates for several 25-player raids.
- Blizzard – toppar, floppar och omöjliga förväntningarBlizzard Entertainment has a storied history marked by both critical acclaim and fan disappointment, from the groundbreaking Warcraft, Diablo, and Starcraft series to the monumental success of World of Warcraft. Despite challenges with titles like Diablo 3 and Warcraft 3: Reforged, and a shift towards monetization, the company continues to be a significant force in the gaming industry, with its legacy often judged against its past triumphs.
5 Marketing Mistakes Fan Conventions MakeThis article analyzes common marketing mistakes made by fan conventions, such as over-reliance on social media and neglecting email campaigns or local community outreach. It highlights successful strategies employed by events like FanimeCon and MAGWest, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive marketing plan beyond just booking a venue and running ads. The piece also touches on the importance of networking with local fan communities and being present at other conventions to build direct connections with the target audience.
'Please be fake' — PlayStation fans panic as Sony seemingly introduces ridiculous new '30-day license check' on digital gamesSony is facing backlash from PlayStation fans over a rumored new '30-day license check' for digital games on PS5 and PS4. This feature, reportedly implemented after a March system update, requires consoles to connect to the internet at least once every 30 days to maintain access to purchased digital titles. While initially speculated to be a bug, user reports and PlayStation support interactions suggest the DRM measure is intentional, drawing comparisons to Microsoft's controversial Xbox One DRM policies from 2013.
Ex-Blizzard boss says World of Warcraft's devs are "accountable" for its struggles, as patch 12.0.5 woes persistFormer Blizzard president Mike Ybarra has criticized current World of Warcraft developers, suggesting they are not as dedicated as the original team and that the game will continue to decline without more personal sacrifice. The article argues that Ybarra's comments are out of touch with modern game development practices, which prioritize work-life balance over excessive crunch, and are hypocritical given his own history of layoffs.
World Of Warcraft 2 Was Something Former Blizzard President Advocated ForFormer Blizzard president Mike Ybarra stated that he advocated for a 'World of Warcraft 2' during his tenure as a way to reset the long-running MMORPG. Ybarra also pushed for more focus on raids and core player experiences over casual content. He clarified that as president, he had limited direct influence on game design decisions, with the game director ultimately holding creative vision.
Blizzard brought Korn out of its 4-year hiatus to write a song for Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred, confirming that nu metal is…Blizzard Entertainment has partnered with the band Korn to create a new song, "Reward The Scars," for the upcoming Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred expansion. The song and its accompanying music video, featuring the demon lord Mephisto, aim to evoke nostalgia and complement the game's dark themes. Korn's lead singer, Jonathan Davis, is a known gamer and former World of Warcraft guild leader.- In lamenting World of Warcraft’s decline, ex-Blizzard boss is trying to find the guy who did thisFormer Blizzard president Mike Ybarra has been critical of World of Warcraft's current state on Twitter, suggesting the game needs a complete reset. This criticism comes despite Ybarra's own tenure being marked by declining player numbers and controversial studio decisions, including a studio meeting that demoralized staff and a handling of profit-sharing bonuses and remote work policies that led to significant talent loss.