World of Warcraft releases new player housing info, criticizes FFXIV

World of Warcraft has revealed more details about their upcoming player housing feature, initially announced last year. The new information sheds light on what players can expect, as well as what not to expect compared to other games in the genre.

The post highlights the design philosophy behind the player housing feature, emphasizing key “pillars” that will shape its development:

• Boundless Self-Expression
• Deeply Social
• Long-Lasting Journey

Under the “Boundless Self-Expression” pillar, Blizzard aims to provide extensive customization options for player housing, ensuring a wide range of choices and personalization opportunities. This is in contrast to previous iterations like the garrisons in Warlords of Draenor, which were considered lacking in customization.

For the “Deeply Social” aspect, players will have the ability to place their homes in player-created “neighborhoods”, either aligned with their faction or formed by groups of friends and guildmates.

Lastly, the focus on a “Long-Lasting Journey” means that player housing in World of Warcraft will be an ongoing feature, with Blizzard intending for it to evolve over time. They emphasize that housing will not have a definitive endpoint, but rather a continuous cycle of updates and enhancements for players to look forward to.

To address concerns, Blizzard took a subtle dig at Final Fantasy XIV for its exclusive and restrictive housing system. In contrast, Blizzard assures that player housing in World of Warcraft will be accessible to all players without steep requirements, high costs, lotteries, or upkeep issues.

As part of our commitment to inclusivity, we have ensured that Player Housing will be available to all players without unnecessary barriers. No excessive costs, lotteries, or penalties for lapsing subscriptions – your house will always be yours.

The housing system in Final Fantasy XIV is known for its exclusivity and scarcity, with houses being allocated through lotteries and at risk of demolition if not regularly maintained. In contrast, World of Warcraft aims to offer a more inclusive and player-friendly housing experience.

While a release date for Player Housing in World of Warcraft has not been announced, fans speculate that it may be introduced in the upcoming expansion, Midnight.