With its new update, World of Warcraft makes a 180 degree turn and offers a game mode that is very different from what we are used to…
The famous MMORPG World of Warcraft is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. But despite its age, the game continues to bring players together thanks to regular updates and events. This month Blizzard decided to innovate by taking inspiration from the genre most popular among young people.
World of Warcraft is the battle royale game
No, you’re not dreaming: World of Warcraft actually includes Battle Royale in its “Plunderstorm” update. In this mode inspired by the world of piracy 60 players will compete until only one remains. These battles take place in the area – the Arathi Highlands – and last about fifteen minutes. As in Fortnite and its storm, the playing area gradually becomes smaller, so confrontations are inevitable.
There will be no Fortnite-style building, dancing, or shooting in Plunderstorm. Each player must use World of Warcraft-specific skills to defeat the others. There are many rewards to be won. On the official pageFor example, we discover the marauder’s parrot mount, the crab mascot Bubulle or ornamental robber objects. If you want to explore this PvP mode, it’s easy: all you need is a subscription to World of Warcraft. The good news is that you can test it without ever touching WOW before and without knowing this universe. However, this update will only be available for six weeks, starting March 20th.
More similar events in the future?
It looks like Blizzard is trying to experiment with new play styles thanks to new teams with this event. Remember that Blizzard acquired the Proletariat studio in 2022. The latter is best known for developing Spellbreak, a free-to-play battle royale. It is therefore very likely that these employees worked at Plunderstorm.
Last year, several Blizzard developers expressed a desire to try out new mechanics with a seasonal system, even if it meant abandoning the MMORPG in its current form. “[Ce système] will allow us to experiment, to try certain things within reasonable limits and, ideally, to learn from them: what might we do in the coming seasons? Are there any changes or aspects that players like so much that they could be permanently integrated?» agreed Timothy Jones PC player.
