The Alpha of the next WoW expansion Shadowlands is in the starting blocks and the Dataminer are already busy digging for all the details about the game.
We find one of them particularly interesting: Twitter user Marlamin has discovered information about controller support for the online role-playing game (via MMO Sankar).
more on the subject
WoW Shadowlands: Despite alpha launch and new feature, fans are frustrated
What exactly do the data from the alpha contain? The data set shared by Malarmin contains control commands and button names for controllers, for example »KEYPADDOWN =" GamePad D-Down "«. The complete string looks like this:
First cool find by grayson in my Discord. Hints of gamepad support? :O pic.twitter.com/q6Bqidf3KW
– Martin Benjamin (@Marlamin) April 8, 2020
What advantages could a controller controller offer for WoW? Controlling World of Warcraft with a controller would give physically impaired players an alternative control option.
For example, those who find it difficult or impossible to use a keyboard and mouse combination due to limited mobility would have the option of using an Xbox Adaptive Controller.
Will World of Warcraft appear on Playstation 5?
Another data string, which the twitter user @bloerwald discovered, indicates that the data for controller support could mean more than just control via controller on the PC:
Strings found by @bloerwald:
WTFhttps://t.co/SqClitJ6IU
PlayStation 4
PlayStation 4 Pro
PlayStation 5Take with a grain of salt, this does not show usage. Could be part of a https://t.co/01M2rAuxqt SDK import or something but the DefaultGamePadBindings file makes me go?
– Martin Benjamin (@Marlamin) April 8, 2020
How likely is a WoW release on console? Even though this data should be used with caution, there are a few points that do not make the release of a console version of WoW seem entirely wrong:
- Blizzard already has experience in developing online games for consoles with Diablo 3 and Overwatch.
- Other MMORPGs like Final Fantasy XIV have already shown how controller control for online role-playing games can work.
- Blizzard would have the opportunity to open up new target groups for WoW with a console version – and this should be a very attractive prospect in view of falling subscription numbers.
Blizzard has not yet commented on controller support and a possible console version of WoW. While control by controller could actually already come into play with Shadowlands, we assume that a console port of the MMO will be a long time coming.
Until then, you can still let off steam in the Alpha of WoW: Shadowlands. You can read what there is to know about this in our Alpha Start News.
