On Reddit, there is an increasing number of posts from so-called WoW refugees seeking a new home.
Are players leaving World of Warcraft? Looking at the comments on Reddit, there seems to be almost a “refugee wave” towards other MMORPGs.
What are the reasons for this “flight”? There are many reasons why players are turning their backs on WoW. We conducted a survey and identified the five most common reasons. These include:
- Boredom due to lack of content
- Too many random factors
- The Azerite system
- The game is too easy
Additionally, more and more players seem to be “outgrowing” the MMORPG. Those who enthusiastically played Blizzard’s online game 13 years ago have simply grown older. Life catches up with you. Job, family, less time to play. All of this plays a role. And subsequent generations of gamers are growing up with different games. This makes it difficult for Blizzard to retain players and find new ones.
Moreover, Blizzard is currently not exactly in a particularly positive light. There have been many negative reports regarding the company. First, the backlash after the announcement of Diablo Immortal, then hints at cost-cutting measures and layoffs. That Bungie has parted ways with Activision Blizzard is also not very positive for the company, as seen from investors’ lawsuits.
Many of these “refugees” mainly blame the last addon, Battle for Azeroth. According to the fans, it continues to push the issues that were already poorly received in Legion. BFA is not well received according to the comments on Reddit.
Players Searching for a New Virtual Home
What do the “refugees” want? Interestingly, many WoW fans are now turning their backs on the game. They are searching for a new home. This indicates that they actually have the time to play World of Warcraft. Players are looking for diverse things, primarily for something new and a game that they can commit to for a long time. It seems that WoW fatigue has set in alongside frustration over BFA.
Where are WoW players fleeing to? Many seem to have chosen Final Fantasy XIV. In the FF14 subreddit, there are a lot of “requests” from WoW refugees. There is even already a guide for players wanting to switch from World of Warcraft to Final Fantasy 14.
The guide humorously explains the major differences between the games, as well as the pros and cons of FFXIV from the perspective of a WoW player.
In addition to Final Fantasy 14, some are switching to The Elder Scrolls Online or seeking advice in the general MMORPG subreddit about which online RPG suits them best.
Are WoW players really leaving? It is indeed striking how many inquiries there are from “WoW Refugees”. However, it will be interesting to see how future updates and expansions will affect the situation. WoW is known for players returning in droves, especially with story expansions.
If the content becomes depleted, the “flight” recurs. For now, it is best to wait and see how the situation develops.
