The deal between Microsoft and Blizzard Entertainment is finalized. The tech giant Microsoft has acquired the gaming company for a sum of 69 billion US dollars. The acquisition could have positive consequences for console players who have long desired a PS5 or Xbox Series X version of World of Warcraft.
What opportunity does the Microsoft deal open up for WoW? World of Warcraft has been available exclusively for PC since its release nearly 20 years ago. Console players have been left out since then. In the past, consoles were not powerful enough, and cross-platform play was not yet common. However, these two issues have been resolved with the following console generations.
GamesRadar+ had the opportunity to address the topic directly with Blizzard: Is WoW coming to PS5 and Xbox Series?
WoW on PlayStation 5 and Xbox – Realistic?
Vice President and Executive Producer Holly Longdale finds the idea of developing console ports for WoW very interesting. Blizzard talks about it “all the time”.
Moreover, neither the technology nor the complexity would currently be a hindrance. Longdale believes that Blizzard is well positioned for console versions.
The statement sounds as if console adaptations are an option for Blizzard. However, there is a reason why console versions are still far off.
MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus was live at Blizzcon and reports in a video about his experiences:
There are 3 reasons against a timely PS5 version of WoW
What speaks against it? Blizzard announced three new expansions for World of Warcraft during Blizzcon. The expansions focus on the “Worldsoul Saga”, i.e., the story around Azeroth and the sleeping World Soul.
These include the following three expansions:
- World of Warcraft: The War Within
- World of Warcraft: Midnight
- World of Warcraft: The Last Titan
These three expansions are what currently prevent a console port. According to Longdale, Blizzard wants to focus on the Worldsoul Saga first, as there is already enough to do.
After that, Blizzard plans to reconsider, since the company now belongs to Microsoft, the manufacturer of the Xbox Series X.
No talks yet about Game Pass for WoW
And what about Game Pass? Since Blizzard now belongs to Microsoft, the question arises whether an integration of World of Warcraft into the PC Game Pass would be possible. Blizzard has already revealed that starting next year, the first titles will be released for Game Pass.
However, for World of Warcraft, this does not seem to be the case for now. Longdale stated that there have been no talks between Xbox Game Studios and Blizzard about integration into Game Pass. Overall, there have been only a few interactions since the acquisition.
Thus, it will probably take some time before we hear news about a console version or inclusion in Game Pass. With some money in hand, you can at least play the upcoming add-on a bit earlier:
WoW: Those who pay €90 can play the new add-on 3 days earlier – I think it’s great
