What Comes Next for World of Warcraft?
BlizzCon is back. Last weekend marked the first in-person BlizzCon since the global pandemic. Additionally, Blizzard celebrates as they join the Xbox family and showcase their future. World of Warcraft (WoW) developers had many things to announce including their step into a new saga for Azeroth.
The Worldsoul Saga
World of Warcraft celebrates its twentieth anniversary next year. Azeroth brought many adventures for players over the years. Furthermore, Blizzard sets their sights on the future for their next epic saga.
The “Worldsoul Saga” is a grand story told over three expansions. Players begin their journey next year with the “War Within.” Subsequently, many familiar faces lead the front to save Azeroth.
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This expansion revolves around mysterious visions plaguing our heroes. Thrall beseeches Anduin for help as the Worldsoul cries for aid. However, the road to redemption is long and many unknowns lie beneath Azeroth’s surface.
New Allies and Zones
Four new zones await players in “The War Within.” Khaz Algar welcomes all as you delve deeper underground. Subsequently, its capital, Azj-Kahet, houses Nerubian Society. A new Allied race also comes with the expansion. The Earthen become playable after earning their trust.
Lastly, Delves offer a new instance for players to engage alone, or with a party of up to four players and an NPC companion. The next expansion for World of Warcraft brings much excitement including a level cap raise to 80, new skills, Warbands to share progress across your characters, and more.
A Classic Experience
Fans of World of Warcraft Classic also received exciting updates. “Cataclysm” is the next expansion joining the classic realm next year. Additionally, a new update arrives sometime this month bringing a “Season of Discovery.”
This update brings new secrets across Azeroth meant to recapture feelings of discovery first felt almost twenty years ago. Furthermore, Blizzard wishes to keep information on discoveries a secret. As a result, little else is known at this time.
What About Consoles?
Many fans ponder if the titular MMO is coming to Xbox Series consoles after Microsoft’s acquisition of Blizzard. GamesRadar interviewed Holly Longdale (Executive Producer and Vice President of WoW) on the matter and asked if the port would be too complex. She had this to say:
Well, it depends on who you ask. I don’t think it is, frankly. I think we’re pretty well positioned, which is kind of why we talk about it. It’s a complicated question. For a console audience, the approachability is likely going to be different.
Many wonder if any Blizzard IPs will make their way to Game Pass. To add, the service continues to be praised as a great deal for consumers. Time will tell as the ink is still drying on the deal. However, it is clear the new relationship between Microsoft and Blizzard holds great promise and potential.
That wraps up the major announcements from BlizzCon 2023. Next year promises to be an exciting time for World of Warcraft fans. Furthermore, preorders for “The War Within” are now live. You can also catch up on deep dives from the panel here. What was your favorite announcement from BlizzCon? Let us know in the comments below.
