World of Warcraft
News, coverage and analysis tracking World of Warcraft across the outlets.
Latest coverage
2XKO's shutdown has me feeling glum about Riot's future MMO—because I don't think the genre can survive corporate cut-and-run tactics
The shutdown of Riot Games' fighting game 2XKO has raised concerns about the future of the company's upcoming MMO, due to perceived corporate impatience with long-term development cycles. The article argues that the high cost and long development time required for MMOs necessitate a sustained commitment that Riot's recent actions, including layoffs after 2XKO's release, do not inspire confidence in.
WRUP: This is where the fish lives edition
The Massively OP staff and community share their weekend gaming plans. Brianna Royce will check out Stars Reach and City of Heroes, Chris Neal is playing Palworld, Eliot Lefebvre anticipates updates for Final Fantasy XIV and Warframe, Sam Kash plans to play Guild Wars Reforged and Gloria Victis, and Tyler Edwards is catching up in World of Warcraft. Pierre is returning to Final Fantasy XIV and replaying A Plague Tale: Innocence in anticipation of A Plague Tale: Requiem.
47 video game things that spark joy
This article compiles a list of small, often overlooked moments in video games that bring players joy, ranging from humorous bugs and satisfying combat mechanics to clever design choices and nostalgic elements. Contributors share personal anecdotes about specific instances that enhance their gaming experience, highlighting the unique pleasures the medium can offer.
Weekend PC Download Deals for Aug. 21: The Humble Store Summer Sale continues
This article rounds up various PC game deals available from multiple digital storefronts, including Humble Store, Battle.net, GamesPlanet, Ubisoft Store, Green Man Gaming, Epic Games Store, Amazon Luna, Fanatical, Gamebillet, GOG.com, and Steam. Notable sales include Humble Store's Summer Sale, Battle.net's August Game Deals, and Ubisoft's Gamescom sale, featuring discounts on a wide range of titles.
Storyboard: What makes MMO gamers connect with some NPCs but not others?
This column discusses what makes players connect with non-player characters (NPCs) in MMORPGs, arguing that relatable human traits and sympathetic introductions are more effective than simply showcasing a character's coolness. It uses examples from World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV, and The Elder Scrolls Online to illustrate how flawed or relatable characters foster stronger player engagement than those initially presented as perfect or overly powerful.
Thanks to this Final Fantasy 14 roleplayer survey, I know exactly how basic my Warrior of Light's backstory is
A survey of over 10,000 Final Fantasy 14 roleplayers, compiled by Reddit user CevicheLemon, reveals common character backstories and demographics. The most popular character is a female Miqo'te from Ishgard, while the least popular is a non-binary Lalafell from Mhach. The author analyzes their own character's backstory against these findings.
Take-Two lost $2.8 billion in market cap after GTA 6 leaks—but what's more shocking to me is it probably…
Take-Two Interactive experienced a $2.8 billion drop in market capitalization following leaks of Grand Theft Auto 6, though the company's overall market cap remained over $43 billion and has since shown signs of recovery. The article highlights that despite the financial fluctuation, the impact of the leak on the company's stock was less severe than might be expected, suggesting resilience in the face of such incidents.
Massively Overthinking: What did your favorite MMORPG add to the genre?
This article discusses whether popular MMORPGs have truly innovated within the genre or simply built upon existing foundations. Several writers share their favorite MMORPGs and analyze their contributions, with Ultima Online, Star Wars Galaxies, and Guild Wars being highlighted for their significant impacts on social gameplay, economies, and business models.
World of Warcraft kicks off Midnight Season 2 with the new Venomous Abyss Raid
World of Warcraft has launched Midnight Season 2, introducing the Tidebound Grotto lair and Altar of Fangs dungeon with new difficulty rotations. The Venomous Abyss raid is set to unlock on August 19th, alongside Mythic+ Season 2 and PvP Season 2. Blizzard Entertainment highlighted new rewards and challenging content for players to experience.
Former Arkane vets' new studio isn't going to try 'trend chasing', and in hindsight, thank God
Harvey Smith and Ben Horne, former Arkane developers, have founded a new studio called Black Pony Immersive. They aim to avoid chasing industry trends and instead focus on creating immersive sim games that excite them and their target audience, citing the continued cultural and financial success of titles like BioShock and Dishonored as evidence of the genre's viability.
Perfect Ten: The 10 MMORPG expansions from 2004
2004 was a pivotal year for the MMORPG industry, marked by numerous significant expansions for established titles. This list highlights ten key expansions, including EverQuest: Gates of Discord and Omens of War, Dark Age of Camelot: New Frontiers and Catacombs, Final Fantasy XI: Chains of Promathia, Anarchy Online: Alien Invasion, Star Wars Galaxies: Jump to Lightspeed, Meridian 59: Evolution, and Ultima Online: Samurai Empire. These expansions introduced new content, classes, features, and gameplay mechanics that shaped the genre.
Fired Rockstar workers say you shouldn't boycott GTA 6 for them: 'We spent years pouring our hard work, skill,…
Fired unionized workers from Rockstar Games are urging gamers not to boycott Grand Theft Auto 6, despite their ongoing legal dispute over alleged union busting. The workers, represented by the IWGB union, are seeking justice and compensation for their dismissal, which they describe as a ruthless act. They encourage support through purchasing union merchandise to fund their legal battle.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 576: Peering into the future of MMOs
The Massively OP Podcast episode 576 features hosts Justin and Bree discussing the future of MMORPGs, including Star Wars: The Old Republic's update plans, World of Warcraft's latest patch, and delays for Lost Ark and Throne and Liberty due to Amazon's exit from publishing. They also cover Q2 MMO financials and introduce a new 'spotlight of the week' segment.
Gamers in Ireland and the UK can get their hands on free items in World of Warcraft from McDonald’s
McDonald's and Xbox are running a promotion in the UK and Ireland offering in-game items for titles like World of Warcraft, Fallout 76, and Forza Horizon 6. This follows a similar promotion last year that focused on meal discounts and prizes.
It turns out touching grass is the answer: Gaming is great when you leave the house
This article argues that gaming, while often isolating, is best experienced socially, whether through large events like Gamescom or smaller local gatherings. The author shares personal experiences of engaging with other players at an in-person launch event for Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, highlighting the connections and fun that come from real-world interaction over online play. Stepping away from digital platforms and engaging with games in person can combat burnout and rediscover the inherent fun of gaming.
Games Inbox: What is the best The Simpsons video game?
Readers discuss their favorite Simpsons video games, with a desire for retro collections including titles like Hit & Run and the arcade game. Other topics include the longevity of Fortnite, the future of the Halo franchise, the implications of digital-only consoles, and the state of Blizzard's game development.
10 tips from a World of Warcraft art lead for getting started creating amazing houses in WoW
Blizzard principal artist Jay Huang shares ten tips for players looking to create impressive houses in World of Warcraft. The advice focuses on using reference images, breaking down large spaces, limiting color palettes, and creatively repurposing in-game decor items. Huang encourages players to experiment and view housing as an art medium.
Game’s haunted: World of Warcraft might be playing your characters for you if you disconnect
Following the release of Patch 12.1 for World of Warcraft, players are reporting a peculiar bug where their characters continue to play and perform actions even after they have disconnected. This phenomenon has been observed in various in-game situations, leading to speculation about its cause, including theories of botting or an unintended game mechanic.
Halo, Forza and World of Warcraft In-Game Rewards Coming to McDonald's, Celebrating Xbox 25th Anniversary
McDonald's is collaborating with Xbox to offer in-game rewards for several of its popular franchises, including Halo, Fallout, Forza, and World of Warcraft. This promotion celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Xbox brand.
MMO Week in Review: Lost Ark and Throne & Liberty are going home
Amazon has announced it will cease publishing duties for the MMORPGs Lost Ark and Throne & Liberty, returning them to their respective studios, Smilegate and NCsoft. The article also touches on updates and developments for other MMOs including EverQuest Legends, World of Warcraft, Ashes of Creation, and Star Wars The Old Republic.
