Blizzard is known for being a publisher with a strong presence on PC. Could it be that one of their biggest productions will also end up arriving on Xbox Series?
In the ever-changing world of video games, potentially revolutionary news for MMO enthusiasts has emerged. Blizzard Entertainment, the giant behind the famous massively multiplayer online role-playing game World of Warcraft, revealed some juicy information during BlizzCon2023. Good news for Xbox Series players?
Xbox Series: a big project on the way?
Could World of Warcraft be released on Xbox Series console? Holly Longdale, vice president and executive producer of the game said in an interview with GamesRadar that the idea is a recurring topic of discussion. “It’s a complicated question” she admitted, noting that accessibility for a console audience might require a different approach.
Historically, MMOs the size of WoW were primarily played on PC, where the computing power was more suited to such demanding titles. However, the landscape has changed, and nowadays, blockbuster MMOs such as Final Fantasy 14 have taken over the console market. It is a fact. And that gives hope for World of Warcraft.
For now, Longdale emphasizes that the development team is focused on “Worldsoul Saga” (a new arc on several expansions). She nevertheless recognizes that an adaptation on console, in particular Xbox Series, is an idea regularly put on the table: “We talk about it all the time… We are Microsoft now after all.”
A new era
This statement follows the completion of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard for an impressive $69 billion last month. With this acquisition, the largest ever made in the video game industry and by Microsoft, the manufacturer of the Xbox Series got its hands on successful franchises such as Call of Duty, Warcraft, Diablo, Guitar Hero, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, Overwatch, Crash Bandicoot, among others, most of which are already available on Xbox Series.
Although Blizzard is heavily engaged in the development of current and upcoming WoW expansions, the partnership with Microsoft could turn the idea of adapting World of Warcraft for Xbox and other consoles into a real feasible option. For fans, this could mean a major expansion of the WoW universe. Thus opening up to a whole new audience of console gamers. It remains to be determined how and when this development will take place.