World of Warcraft
News, coverage and analysis tracking World of Warcraft across the outlets.
Latest coverage
The MOP Up: Jagex prepares to migrate all of its legacy RuneScape accounts
Jagex is preparing to migrate all legacy RuneScape accounts to Jagex Accounts on November 17th, 2026, and will also release a MacOS Silicon launcher. The article also rounds up other recent MMO news, including updates for Elder Scrolls Online, Ultima Online, Trove, Helldivers II, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Ace Combat 8, World of Warcraft, PUBG Battlegrounds, and The Finals.
'There were a lot of disagreements across the place': Former Marathon director Joe Ziegler on leading Bungie's extraction shooter, playing Path of Exile for 3,437 hours, and why he'll never uninstall Kingdom Hearts
Former Marathon director Joe Ziegler discusses his extensive gaming habits, including thousands of hours in Path of Exile and Destiny 2, and his enduring love for Kingdom Hearts. He also touches on his experiences at Bungie, the challenges of leading the Marathon project, and his appreciation for the social aspects of games like World of Warcraft.
Discussion time: Do you think zone chats in MMOs are forces for good, or evil?
This article discusses the nature of zone chats in Massively Multiplayer Online games, such as World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy 14. While intended to foster community, these chats often devolve into toxic or nonsensical conversations, with specific examples like 'Barrens Chat' and bot-dominated trade channels highlighted. The author questions whether these chats are ultimately a force for good or ill within the gaming community.
World of Warcraft Forever beta patch makes sweeping changes to racials and classes
Blizzard Entertainment is implementing a significant patch for the World of Warcraft Forever beta, introducing changes to racial abilities and classes based on player feedback. The update includes new racial effects, class fixes, and an improved tutorial experience for new players. A stress test for the beta is scheduled for October 21st.
We Sat Down with D&D Game Designer James Wyatt to Talk Dungeons & Dragons: World of Warcraft
Wizards of the Coast Principal Game Designer James Wyatt discusses the first Universes Beyond expansion for Dungeons & Dragons, which integrates elements from World of Warcraft. The interview took place at New York Comic Con.
Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan has cut all ties with the game
Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan stated in a recent interview that he has completely cut ties with the game and has not played or looked up anything related to it in the five years since leaving Blizzard Entertainment. Kaplan cited the immense pressure from Activision as a factor in his departure.
World of Warcraft Forever shares plans for its PvP experiences and a slow roll of gear upgrades
World of Warcraft Forever is implementing changes to its Player versus Player (PvP) experiences, including adjustments to honor gains in Alterac Valley and other battlegrounds. The developers also plan a slower gear upgrade system to keep item levels relevant for longer periods, with incremental upgrades rather than complete kit replacements.
Diablo 5 Cinematic Director Confirms Shooting for Cutscenes Has Begun
Blizzard Entertainment has begun video shoots for Diablo 5's cinematics, as confirmed by cinematic director Neil David Carter. The company aims to deliver an ambitious campaign with three distinct narratives, building on its reputation for high-quality cutscenes in titles like StarCraft and Overwatch. Diablo 5 is slated for a 2029 launch.
Massively Overthinking: What does your perfect MMORPG endgame look like?
The Massively OP staff discusses their ideal MMORPG endgame experiences, with differing views on the necessity and design of endgame content. While some prefer a midgame philosophy with varied activities, others find value in structured endgame pursuits like raids or PvP, provided there are multiple options catering to different playstyles and schedules.
Jagex cancels MMO reset RuneScape Reignited after player backlash: "The last time we didn't listen to player…
Jagex has canceled its controversial RuneScape Reignited project, a plan to soft-reset the MMO with forked servers and fresh economies, following significant player backlash. The developer acknowledged that the plan alienated its existing community by potentially forcing players to abandon their accounts and pay for new memberships. This decision comes after Jagex previously faced criticism for the Evolution of Combat update, which led to the creation of Old School RuneScape.
World of Warcraft: Forever devs say gear upgrades will stay relevant 'for a long, long time': 'It's very much our intention to try wherever we can to not invalidate old content'
Developers for World of Warcraft: Forever, a new 'Classic+' version, are emphasizing that gear upgrades will remain relevant for an extended period, unlike in the modern version of the game. This approach aims to prevent older content from becoming obsolete and to maintain the meaningfulness of gear acquisition throughout the leveling process.
Vague Patch Notes: The business models of MMO expansion bundling
This article analyzes the evolving business models of MMO expansion bundling, contrasting traditional retail expansions with newer, piecemeal approaches. It examines how separating content like new races or classes from core area updates can benefit players and developers, but also discusses potential drawbacks such as a focus on selling individual items over cohesive content.
How WoW: Forever Is “Pushing The Envelope,” And What Comes After Launch
Blizzard Entertainment is launching World of Warcraft: Forever on November 4, a new version of its MMORPG that aims to push boundaries by incorporating 22 years of hindsight and community feedback. The game will feature over 1,000 new quests, four new zones, substantial class changes, and a new playable race, Skyborne elves. Developers Clay Stone and Holly Longdale discussed the game's approach to endgame content, monetization strategies like charging for the Skyborne race, and plans for future content updates, emphasizing a commitment to long-term player engagement.
League of Legends Classic will become a thing of the past in January 2027, though it may one day be resurrected as a limited-time event
Riot Games has announced that the "Classic" mode for League of Legends, which offers a version mirroring the game's early days, will be discontinued in January 2027. While the mode has been fun for players, most have returned to the main game, and Riot believes there isn't enough sustained interest to keep it as a permanent addition. The company plans to bring back Classic mode in the future, likely as a limited-time event with adjustments.
Ex-Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan ignores everything about the hero shooter after his 'almost clinical' departure 5 years ago: 'I don't search for my name in Overwatch. I don't search for Overwatch. I sort of just disconnect.'
Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan revealed he has completely disconnected from the game and its community since his departure from Blizzard five years ago. He described his exit from World of Warcraft in 2008 as a precursor to his eventual departure from Overwatch, leading to a deliberate separation from the title. Kaplan is now working on a new cowboy-themed survival game called The Legend of California with former Blizzard developer Tim Ford.
Legendary composer Frank Klepacki says the RTS genre isn't dead, but he would like to see devs get a little more…
Composer Frank Klepacki argues that the real-time strategy genre is not dead, but rather has seen its popularity ebb and flow like other genres. He believes a lack of risk-taking by big-budget developers has contributed to the genre's diminished presence, though many traditional RTS games and their successors continue to be released and played.
Jeff Kaplan Says Seperation From Overwatch Was “Clinical”: ” I Never Go Back”
Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan stated he has maintained a "clinical separation" from the game since his departure from Blizzard in April 2021. He explained that to protect his own mental well-being and focus on his new independent game, The Legend of California, he avoids engaging with Overwatch content online. Kaplan drew parallels to his earlier departure from World of Warcraft, noting that stepping away from that game was more emotionally impactful.
Jeff Kaplan Was An Industry Icon, Now Peers Ignore His Emails: Ex-Overwatch Director Talks “Humbling” Reality Of Indie Dev
Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan discusses the humbling transition from AAA development at Blizzard to leading his independent studio, Kintsugiyama, and its debut title, The Legend of California. He reflects on the challenges of indie development, including industry contacts ignoring his emails, and emphasizes the importance of a developer-run studio focused on creative integrity over corporate mandates. Kaplan also shares personal inspirations for The Legend of California, drawing from his upbringing in California and his father's love for Westerns.
Casually Classic: The good, the bad, and the pretty of the Skyborne
The inclusion of the new Skyborne race in World of Warcraft Classic is a divisive topic, with some seeing it as a bold strategic move by Blizzard to signal a departure from the 'no changes' philosophy and others criticizing its aesthetic and lore disconnect. While the race's design may be jarring to some long-time fans, its potential as a revenue stream through optional purchases and its appeal to players seeking new content could lead to broader acceptance.
WoW: Forever has a new kind of ban to deal with real money trading
Blizzard Entertainment has introduced a new 'Temporary Economy Hold' system in World of Warcraft to combat real money trading (RMT) and gold buying. Accounts suspected of RMT will face restricted access to trade, mail, and auction house functions. This measure aims to stabilize the game's economy, which is particularly important for persistent MMOs without expansion resets, and prevent issues seen in games like Star Wars: The Old Republic.
