An In-Depth Look at the Upcoming Housing System in World of Warcraft
Blizzard Entertainment has introduced an exciting addition to the World of Warcraft universe – player housing. This long-requested feature brings a new dimension of customization and immersion to Azeroth, reflecting the diverse cultures and rich history of the game. In a recent post, Blizzard Entertainment unveiled an in-depth look at the upcoming housing system and outlined three primary pillars that form the foundation of the housing system:
Three Primary Pillars
Boundless Self-Expression: The foremost goal is to empower players to create homes that reflect their personal tastes or their Warband's identity. The design aims to cater to various player interests, whether it's providing a backdrop for roleplaying or allowing for creative endeavors. The toolset is being developed to be user-friendly for those without 3D design experience yet robust enough to enable detailed customization. The range of décor options will encompass the diverse cultures of Azeroth and span multiple expansions of World of Warcraft.
Deeply Social: Recognizing that World of Warcraft thrives on social interactions, the Housing system is being designed to encourage meaningful engagement with friends, neighbors, guilds, and the broader community. While solo enjoyment is entirely possible, the system's core design promotes collaborative and social experiences.
Long-Lasting Journey: Housing is envisioned as an evergreen addition to the game, with a dedicated roadmap extending across multiple patches and future expansions. The intent is for housing to be a continually evolving feature, offering players ongoing rewards and new content over time. This reflects a long-term commitment from the developers to keep the feature fresh and engaging.
Accessible to Everyone
An additional consideration is ensuring wide adoption. Blizzard aims to make housing desirable and accessible to every player without exorbitant requirements or high purchase costs, accommodating varying levels of interest and time commitment. Whether a player wishes to invest significant time in their house or visit occasionally, the system is designed to be flexible and rewarding.
Two Housing Zones at Launch
Regarding the location of player houses, Blizzard has decided to introduce two Housing zones at launch: one for the Alliance and one for the Horde. The Alliance zone draws inspiration from Elwynn Forest, with elements reminiscent of Westfall and Duskwood, while the Horde zone is influenced by Durotar, its coastline, and Azshara. This decision is rooted in two main reasons:
Social Cohesion: Limiting the number of housing zones aligns with the pillar of being "Deeply Social." Having numerous housing zones could lead to player dispersion, reducing opportunities for interaction. By focusing on two zones, the likelihood of players encountering and engaging with each other increases.
Quality Over Quantity: Developing zones requires substantial effort. Blizzard prefers to deliver a high-quality experience in a limited number of zones rather than a mediocre experience across many. The chosen zones are iconic for their respective factions and evoke a sense of home for many players.
Conclusion
Blizzard emphasizes that while these pillars guide the Housing system's design, they are not exhaustive. As development progresses, additional features and considerations will be integrated to enhance the player experience. The team is committed to creating a Housing system that resonates with the community and evolves over time.