World of Warcraft has dominated the MMORPG landscape for over two decades, but according to its current leadership, the franchise hasn’t even reached its full potential. In a recent interview, Blizzard Vice President and Executive Producer Holly Longdale claimed that the Warcraft IP has been “underutilized” and needs to evolve to capture a much broader audience.
The comments, which quickly went viral across social media, have ignited a fierce debate within the community. While some see this as a sign of exciting new projects, others fear that the “soul” of the MMORPG is being sacrificed for corporate expansion.
Why Blizzard Thinks Warcraft Needs “Broader Appeal”
During the interview, Longdale expressed a desire to bring Warcraft to as many people as possible, suggesting that the brand needs to be “everywhere.” This strategy appears to be a direct result of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, with the goal of turning Warcraft into a lifestyle brand rather than just a PC-only game.
“It’s a fantastic IP,” Longdale stated. “In my humble opinion, it’s been underutilized… and that means evolving what Warcraft means, what it is, and where it’s going.”
For many, this confirms long-standing rumors that World of Warcraft for consoles is finally in the works. With Final Fantasy XIV and The Elder Scrolls Online proving that MMOs can thrive on Xbox and PlayStation, Blizzard likely sees the console market as the next logical step for growth.
The “Intimidating” Name: Did Blizzard Almost Rebrand?
One of the most polarizing snippets from the interview involved a lighthearted – but telling – anecdote about the name of the game itself. Longdale mentioned that she and legendary developer Chris Metzen have joked about the name “Warcraft” sounding “intimidating” to new, casual players.
While Longdale quickly defended the name by comparing it to the success of Warhammer, the mere suggestion that the word “War” is a barrier to entry has rankled veteran players. On X (formerly Twitter), prominent community figures like Gothburz and Bellular have criticized the sentiment, warning Blizzard not to “torch the Warcraft you have chasing a version that only exists as a 20-year plan.”
Community Backlash: MMORPG vs. “World of Wokecraft”
The reaction on the r/wow subreddit has been a mix of skepticism and frustration. Hardcore players argue that the “casualization” of the game – making it easier to pull large groups of mobs and simplifying talent systems – has stripped the game of its identity.
Critics of the new direction have pointed to the lack of faction conflict in recent expansions as evidence that the “War” has already been taken out of Warcraft. As one Redditor noted, “We’ve gone from a game where every fight had to be calculated to a game where you can pull 10 mobs and not even break 80% health. The stakes are gone.”
What Does the Future Hold for the Warcraft IP?
Despite the backlash, Blizzard’s roadmap is more aggressive than ever. With the Worldsoul Saga in full swing, the studio is releasing expansions at a record pace:
- The War Within (2024)
- Midnight (Scheduled for March 2026)
- The Last Titan (Slated before 2030)
Beyond the MMO, the “underutilized” comment suggests we may see more mobile titles, animated series, or even a return to the RTS roots of the series. Whether these expansions will enrich the lore or dilute the brand remains the biggest question facing the citizens of Azeroth.
Don’t forget, PlayStation State of Play airs Thursday, February 12!
