World of Warcraft
News, coverage and analysis tracking World of Warcraft across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Nearly 40 years after launch, NetHack just got a 5.0.0 release with over 3,000 patch notes
NetHack, a historically significant roguelike originally released nearly 40 years ago, has received a major 5.0.0 update. This open-source project, maintained by a community DevTeam, continues its active development, building upon the legacy of early dungeon crawlers like Rogue. The game is also recognized for its historical importance, being featured in the Museum of Modern Art.
MMO Hype Train: Spirit Crossing could be the injection of cozy we sorely need
Spirit Crossing, an upcoming MMO from Spry Fox, aims to capture the essence of cozy gaming with its relaxed gameplay loop and soothing art style. The game features a one-on-one friendship system, customizable housing, and various activities like exploration, crafting, and puzzle-solving. It offers a cel-shaded world designed to appeal to players seeking positive social interactions and a calming atmosphere.
New World of Warcraft Midnight update throws Hunters an essential lifeline, with Warriors and Shamans also on the rise
Blizzard Entertainment has detailed the upcoming World of Warcraft Midnight update, focusing on class tuning adjustments. The update aims to bolster underperforming classes like Marksmanship Hunters, Warriors, and Shamans, while nerfing others such as Augmentation Evoker and Unholy Death Knight. Significant changes are also being made to the Alleria fight in the Mythic Voidspire raid and PvP combat pacing.
New Crimson Desert update lets you 'rematch' defeated enemies and adds new legendary creatures
Crimson Desert has received a new update introducing a 'rematch' feature that allows players to refight previously defeated bosses with adjusted difficulty. The patch also adds new legendary pets, a disguise shop, and numerous bug fixes, continuing the game's ongoing post-launch support.
After days of speculation over hard-coded anti-goblin bias from OpenAI, the company had to release an official memo on…
OpenAI has released a memo addressing a peculiar instruction within its AI coding tool, Codex CLI, which caused it to frequently mention creatures like goblins and gremlins. The company explained that this behavior stemmed from unintentionally high rewards given for creature metaphors during the training of a 'Nerdy' personality customization feature.
WRUP: He’s Chort edition | Massively Overpowered
This week's 'What Are You Playing' segment features discussions on Guild Wars 2, The Division 2, and Final Fantasy XIV. Staff members also shared their thoughts on disappointing landmarks, with Mount Rushmore and Plymouth Rock being mentioned.
Loving MMOs in 2026 is an exercise in frustration, grief, and moving on
The current state of MMORPGs in 2026 is frustrating due to a lack of new titles and constant changes to existing ones, leaving players reliant on older games. This situation is attributed to the conflict between the long development cycles of MMOs and the short-term profit demands of shareholders, leading to cancellations and instability within the genre.
The Daily Grind: Is gliding more fun than flying in MMORPGs?
This article discusses the evolution and enjoyment of gliding mechanics in MMORPGs, comparing it to traditional flying. While initially underwhelmed by Guild Wars 2's gliding, the author now appreciates its contribution to player freedom without trivializing world traversal, noting its prevalence in recent survival sandboxes like Aloft, Palia, Nightingale, and Farever.
Issues and Activism
World of Warcraft has introduced its most expensive player housing microtransactions to date. This move has sparked discussion and criticism regarding the monetization practices within the game.
WoW Factor: Mike Ybarra is blaming Ion Hazzikostas for actually getting better at his job
Former Blizzard executive Mike Ybarra has criticized current World of Warcraft Game Director Ion Hazzikostas's leadership, suggesting the game has declined under his direction. The author argues that Hazzikostas has actually shown growth and made positive design changes, shifting focus beyond just raiding to include more player-friendly content like housing. The article contends that Ybarra's criticisms are misplaced and reflect a personal preference for past game states rather than the actual health of World of Warcraft.
Why Gaming Friends Fade: The Science Behind Loss
This analysis explores the scientific reasons behind the loss of friendships, particularly those formed through gaming, during adulthood. It highlights research indicating that adult friendships naturally decay without consistent interaction and that life-stage pressures like parenthood significantly reduce social time. The article emphasizes that online friendships are genuine and provide crucial social support, but are also vulnerable to dissolution, leading to loneliness which is now considered a public health crisis with serious health implications.
World of Warcraft begins testing and teasing Midnight: Revelations’ raid, quests, and UI QOL
Blizzard Entertainment has begun detailing the upcoming 'Midnight: Revelations' update for World of Warcraft, which will include a new single-boss raid called Sporefall and the return of Turbulent Timeways with new Dragonflight dungeons. The update also introduces new void assault locations, a new mechanic called Omnium Folio, troll-themed quest arcs, and significant quality-of-life improvements to raid frames and damage meters.
A treehouse bundle in WoW costs a whopping $75, and while I know exactly who Blizzard's made it for, that…
The article discusses the high cost of microtransactions for player housing in World of Warcraft, specifically a $75 treehouse bundle. While acknowledging that some decor is available through gameplay, the author questions the pricing strategy for cosmetic items, suggesting it may alienate average players.
World of Warcraft's new housing bundle costs $75, and the timing couldn't have been worse
Blizzard Entertainment has released a new $75 housing bundle for World of Warcraft's latest expansion, Midnight, amidst player frustration over recent buggy updates and technical issues with the player housing feature. The bundle, which includes cosmetic items purchasable with a premium currency, has drawn criticism for its high price and poor timing, especially as some players experienced the housing system being disabled shortly after launch. This release has further fueled concerns about the accelerated content schedule impacting game quality.
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 game
Former 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 Yet
Blizzard 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 here
This 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 Blizzard
This 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.