Is There Still Hope for World of Warcraft to Come Back?

For more than ten years, World of Warcraft has been the longest-running massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) available for PCs. However, as everything in gaming is changing, the age-old issue of “what next” remains. Will the title game from Blizzard Entertainment ever be released on a console?

The Console Conundrum

The possibility of a World of Warcraft console port has long been speculative and debated among fans. However, its mechanics, wealth of abilities, and complex interface seem suited to more traditional mouse-and-keyboard PC gaming. Conversely, the ability to tap into the expanding console market and also attract a brand new market of players is a tempting proposition for any developer.

The Recent Developments

The likelihood of a console version of World of Warcraft has increased with Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Holly Longdale, vice president and executive producer of World of Warcraft, addressed the console matter head-on in a recent interview with GamesRadar.

“Of course! Yeah, we talk about it all the time,” Longdale said, acknowledging the ongoing internal discussions surrounding a potential console version. “We’ve got these three expansions, and we are so excited about them. But, yeah, of course. It would be very insincere to say that we’re not, like… of course we’re talking about that. We are Microsoft now.”

Longdale’s candid response suggests that the idea of bringing World of Warcraft to consoles is very much on the table, especially in the wake of the Microsoft acquisition. The tech giant has the resources and expertise to make porting the game to a controller-based platform seemingly less challenging.

A Perfect Opportunity for The Worldsoul Saga

As Blizzard prepares for the Worldsoul Saga–a trilogy of expansions set to reboot the World of Warcraft universe – the timing for a console port couldn’t have been better. The Worldsoul Saga has been talked about as a brand new start for new and returning players alike – which makes it a perfect starting point for all those getting the game on a console for the very first time.

Additionally, with another major MMORPG–Final Fantasy XIV coming out in early 2024–Blizzard might be under pressure to expand into the console space and satisfy demand for accessible online gaming experiences.

Overcoming Obstacles

While a World of Warcraft console port is unquestionably exciting, you have to consider what that project would mean. A simple translation of the game’s intricate control scheme and intuitive controls to a console controller would be a pretty major overhaul, and crossing platforms seamlessly is no small feat.

But Blizzard has always been about quality experiences for its users. But Microsoft’s resources and experience could make these challenges more manageable than ever.

The Future Looks Bright

As the gaming market continues to expand the lines between console and PC gaming are blurred. Cloud gaming, cross-platform play, and membership schemes such as Game Pass mean that a console edition of World of Warcraft is now unlikely.

While Blizzard has yet to officially reveal a console port, Holly Longdale’s comments and the company’s recent partnership with Microsoft rekindled fans’ hope. As the Worldsoul Saga continues and World of Warcraft turns 20 in 2024, the stage seems to be propped up for a console rebirth– one that could herald a new era of accessibility and expansion for the MMORPG.