WoW Director: Game Isn’t Easier on Consoles, ‘No Reason to Hide’
▼ Summary
– World of Warcraft’s next expansion, Midnight, includes changes to make classes easier and the game more approachable for players.
– Despite speculation, WoW game director Ion Hazzikostas confirmed the MMO is not being developed for consoles and remains focused on the PC experience.
– The director stated that if console development were underway, Blizzard would be transparent about it, but current efforts are about broad approachability.
– While a console version is ruled out, official gamepad support may be possible in the future, potentially allowing play on Xbox via Windows without keyboard and mouse.
– Some high-level players are unhappy with the class simplifications, and concerns exist about limited time to address feedback before the beta in December.
The upcoming World of Warcraft expansion introduces significant class adjustments aimed at making gameplay more accessible, fueling speculation that these changes are designed to support a console release. However, WoW Game Director Ion Hazzikostas has directly addressed these rumors, stating the MMO is not headed to consoles and that the focus remains squarely on the PC platform.
Recent industry shifts, such as Xbox titles migrating to PlayStation 5 and reports of Microsoft’s next console potentially running a Windows environment, had led many to believe a console version of WoW was imminent. These theories seemed more plausible than ever before, aligning with broader trends in cross-platform gaming.
Hazzikostas was unequivocal in his remarks during a recent podcast appearance. “To be fully transparent, there’s no reason for us to hide anything about this,” he stated. He elaborated that if Blizzard were actively developing a console port, they would openly communicate those plans, emphasizing the company’s current dedication to refining the PC experience. The design philosophy behind the new expansion, titled Midnight, centers on broad approachability rather than preparation for new hardware.
While a full console release is off the table, the possibility of official controller support remains open. Presently, players must rely on mods to use a gamepad, but Blizzard has been integrating popular third-party mod functionalities directly into the game. Should official controller support be added, it could allow WoW to be played on an Xbox via a Windows environment, lowering the barrier for newcomers who prefer not to use a keyboard and mouse.
Despite these clarifications, a segment of the WoW community remains concerned about the direction of class design in the Midnight expansion. Some veteran players feel that the push for accessibility is simplifying classes to the point of becoming uninteresting. Blizzard has acknowledged it is gathering feedback from the ongoing alpha tests, but with the beta phase scheduled for December, players are anxious that there may be insufficient time to address and implement necessary changes before the expansion’s launch.
(Source: PCGAMER)
