20 years ago, this MMORPG revolutionized online video gaming, but are many players still playing it?
Game news 20 years ago, this MMORPG revolutionized online video gaming, but are many players still playing it?
Just mention the three initials WOW and thousands of people’s eyes light up. Hugely popular during the 2000s, the famous World of Warcraft marked the lives of many players. But these days, are there any people left on the server?
World of Warcraft, the MMORPG phenomenon
Analyzing the success surrounding EverQuest, publisher Blizzard began to think about the idea of an open-world multiplayer adventure game. During the year 2000, the Ultima Online servers began to depopulate, exposing Chris Matzen, designer of the universe and missions of Warcraft II. Instead of worrying about creating a new franchise, Blizzard chose to put Warcraft at the top of the list, and the project began with this idea. A Half-Life enthusiast (and modern designer for this title) was then offered the position as lead designer: Jeff Kaplan.
In early September 2001, before ECTS (then the largest European video game show) in London, the World of Warcraft project was presented to the press. Several months in gestation, it aims to breathe epic life into the Warcraft license. Taking place four years after the third installment (then in development), the game teased a trailer that caused excitement by bathing its region of Azeroth in light. Effects, music, sound effects, graphics… everything is meticulous and people are under the influence of this new production made by Blizzard. There’s still a lot to do…
Instead of promising wonders, the developers willingly remain silent and offer some ideas that might appear in the game. Then there is the question of the MMORPG, but the financing method has not been decided and the staff wants to be consistent with Warcraft III which is. Due for release in 2002. First tested in the United States and Canada (to avoid server crashes), World of Warcraft was the subject of numerous questions from the team, starting with its camera type. Subjective view, third person view? What moves, what spells, what interactions? The title becomes pharaonic and the developers realize that they have faced a mountain.
World of Warcraft in 2024
Developed by about sixty people, World of Warcraft was almost abandoned shortly before the initial version (alpha) was sent to employees and their families. At the time, Vivendi, the group that owned Blizzard, was planning to cut the budget and they were targeting WOW for its huge budget (fifty million dollars). It won’t happen. The tests were successful and World of Warcraft was officially launched on November 23, 2004. On the evening of the launch, more than 5,000 people gathered in front of the Fry’s Electronics store in Fountain Valley. When developers sign copies, Blizzard realizes that the number of copies will be insufficient to satisfy everyone. The producer and some acolytes then showed up at the Blizzard warehouse to collect copies and picked one up from the Irvine office. That evening, another two thousand nine hundred lucky people left with their copy. The next day, the numbers dropped: WOW had sold two hundred and forty thousand units in North America, New Zealand and Australia. World of Warcraft madness is just the beginning…
After 20 years, the Dragonflight expansion has reignited the excitement around World of Warcraft and the servers are filled with millions of players.. In 2024, developers are working hard to offer players exciting adventures. In addition to the three content updates for Dragonflight planned before the arrival of The War Within, the fourth season of Dragonflight will begin this year. There will be many new features, redesigned dungeons and new raids. Likewise, The War Win will enter beta and alpha stages. In short, World of Warcraft may be aging and facing competition, but it’s as popular as ever with its fans.
