World of Warcraft
News, coverage and analysis tracking World of Warcraft across the outlets.
Latest coverage
GTA 6 was delayed partially because the amount of NPCs was 'horrifying' and required a dedicated studio full…
Grand Theft Auto 6 experienced a delay to November due to the 'horrifying' number of NPCs required for its detailed world, necessitating the creation of a dedicated studio. Developers Rob Nelson and Phil Hooker discussed how the scope led to a date shift to ensure the game's quality. The article also touches on the industry's reliance on AI versus human writers for background details.
World of Warcraft: Forever aims to "aggressively shut down the flow of suspicious gold" – but Blizzard warns there "may be false positives" at first
Blizzard Entertainment is implementing a new system in World of Warcraft: Forever to combat real money trading (RMT) by placing suspected accounts under a Temporary Economy Hold. This measure aims to aggressively shut down the flow of illicit gold, though the studio warns of potential false positives during the initial fine-tuning phase. The system will eventually be deployed to all versions of World of Warcraft if successful.
"You don't listen to the loudest people in the room" - World of Warcraft: Forever boss discusses how to approach a deluge of feedback
World of Warcraft executive producer Holly Longdale discussed how Blizzard Entertainment approaches player feedback for the upcoming World of Warcraft: Forever. She emphasized the importance of not solely listening to the loudest voices and highlighted the team's selective approach to incorporating community suggestions, balancing them with data-driven research to maintain the game's core vision.
World of Warcraft: Forever won't destroy what made the old classes so satisfying by modernizing them into oblivion: 'The level of mechanical complexity found in the beta classes is indicative of our intentions'
The article discusses how World of Warcraft: Classic's slower combat and simpler class mechanics offer a more satisfying experience than modern MMOs. Blizzard Entertainment intends to maintain this core design, pacing, and tone in future iterations, focusing on engaging depth rather than overwhelming complexity.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 583: I’ve got my Aion 2 of you
The Massively OP Podcast episode 583 covers various MMO topics including Halloween events, the launch of Aion 2, World of Warcraft Forever's promotional efforts and level cap, and the return of Throne and Liberty to NCSoft. The episode also features an MMO Spotlight on The Secret World.
"He was one of us": Unexpected tributes to RJ Mitte pour in from MMO fans saluting a fellow maxed player after…
Tributes are pouring in for actor RJ Mitte, known for his role in Breaking Bad, who has died at age 34. Beyond his acting career, Mitte was a passionate MMORPG player, with many fans of World of Warcraft and RuneScape sharing memories and condolences. The article highlights his dedication to gaming and includes messages of support for suicide prevention.
Over 1 Million Characters Have Been Made in the WoW Forever Beta
The beta for World of Warcraft Forever has seen significant player engagement, with over 1 million characters created since its launch last month. This milestone highlights the strong interest in the beta.
As Blizzard launches yet another version of World of Warcraft, lead says "our hope is to grow the audience, not to…
Blizzard Entertainment is launching World of Warcraft: Forever, a third version of the game alongside retail and Classic, with the goal of expanding the player base rather than dividing it. Game director Ion Hazzikostas stated that Forever aims to appeal to players not currently served by existing versions, including newcomers and those who find Classic too dated. Senior game designer Josh Greenfield noted record engagement numbers during the beta.
Like GTA 6, God of War Laufey's 'Collector's Box' doesn't come with a copy of the game, and fans are outraged — 'I see Rockstar is an inspiration for everyone'
Santa Monica Studio's God of War Laufey Collector's Box, priced at $149.99, has drawn criticism for not including a copy of the game, a trend also seen with Grand Theft Auto 6's collector's edition. Fans express outrage, calling the practice 'greedy' and 'overpriced cash grabs,' contrasting it with collector's editions that still include game codes or physical copies.
World of Warcraft launches update 12.1.5 today
World of Warcraft has released update 12.1.5, introducing a new campaign storyline centered around the raid boss Kith'ix and Aqir invasions. The update also includes a multi-wing Labyrinth Delve for obtaining cookies and various quality-of-life improvements.
Hearthstone is full of "tall tales," but that leaves room for limitless narrative possibilities
Hearthstone's narrative approach, characterized by 'tall tales' told in taverns, allows for limitless storytelling possibilities within the Warcraft universe. Executive Producer Nathan Lyons-Smith and Lead Game Designer Brendan Sewell discussed how the upcoming 'Reign of the Black Empire' expansion and the new Journal feature will tie narratives together cohesively, serving both core and new players.
Does Blizzard's revival of its classic games signal a return of the 'old Blizzard?'
This opinion piece discusses whether Blizzard Entertainment's recent announcements, including new content for Heroes of the Storm and Warcraft 3: Reforged, signal a return to its former glory. While acknowledging the positive reception for some legacy game updates, the author notes that the company's approach to games like Diablo 3 and the overall corporate shift suggest the 'old Blizzard' may not truly be back, though a core passion for games still exists.
WoW Factor: World of Warcraft’s delves are the MMO endgame I’ve always wanted
The article praises World of Warcraft's 'delves' feature as the ideal MMO endgame for solo players, offering meaningful challenge and rewards comparable to group content. The author highlights how delves provide a fulfilling experience for those with limited social batteries, allowing them to fully engage with the game's mechanics and master their class without group pressure.
World of Warcraft Burning Crusade Anniversary heads to Zul’Aman while Classic’s future remains in limbo
World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade Anniversary is releasing its Zul'Aman raid on October 22nd as part of Phase 3.5, offering a 10-player challenge for the Amani War Bear mount. Meanwhile, the future of World of Warcraft Classic remains uncertain following BlizzCon.
Can fans expect Goblins or Vulpera in WoW: Forever? Blizzard says it has 'no plans' to add modern WoW races to the game — 'Our main focus for the game is to build off the foundational lore of Warcraft'
Blizzard Entertainment has stated that World of Warcraft: Forever will not include modern races from World of Warcraft expansions, as the game maintains its own continuity and focuses on building upon the foundational lore of the original Warcraft games. The development team aims to tell new stories within this distinct timeline, differentiating it from the vast narratives of the retail game.
World of Warcraft Forever dives deep into the Rogue, Warlock, Mage, and Shaman
Blizzard Entertainment has released deep dives into the class designs for Rogue, Warlock, Mage, and Shaman in World of Warcraft, detailing changes coming to the beta and launch. Rogues will see improved combat proficiency, Warlocks gain pet scaling and new skills, Mages receive tuning for their magic schools, and Shamans get totem reworks and hour-long weapon imbues.
WoW: Forever, by casting off modern convenience, has horseshoed back around to being casual friendly again
This article argues that World of Warcraft: Forever, despite its initial appearance as an antidote to modern MMO convenience, is actually very casual-friendly. It contrasts the game's slower, more deliberate pace with the overwhelming nature of seasonal structures in retail World of Warcraft, suggesting that the older design offers a more relaxing experience for players with limited time.
WRUP: Rejected ideas I have put forth for making our site feel appropriately Halloween-ish edition
The Massively OP community and staff share their weekend gaming plans, with participants discussing titles like Pokemon Go, Lord of the Rings Online, Aion 2, and Diablo IV. The discussion also includes a bonus question about ideal Halloween decorations, ranging from giant skeletons to themed yard displays.
World of Warcraft: Forever – “Your Adventure Begins” Trailer
A new trailer for World of Warcraft, titled 'Forever – Your Adventure Begins', has been released. It showcases new quests, characters, and rewards that players can expect during their leveling journey through Azeroth.
Dungeons & Dragons Is Going to Outer Space With Star Wars: Tyro Squadron, First Look at Official Art
Wizards of the Coast has announced its next Dungeons & Dragons Universes Beyond release will be Star Wars: Tyro Squadron. This upcoming tabletop RPG expansion will bring the Star Wars universe to the D&D system.