According to Eurogamer.net, World of Warcraft game director Ion Hazzikostas has directly denied current console development plans during the Unshackled Fury podcast. He stated “there’s no reason for us to hide anything” and that if console work was happening, they’d openly acknowledge the effort. This comes amid renewed speculation driven by the upcoming Midnight expansion, which appears to simplify combat systems and remove add-ons. The second expansion in the Worldsoul Saga trilogy is due sometime next year, while player housing arrives this December. Microsoft’s ownership and recent comments about the next Xbox working more like a PC have fueled the console rumors, but Blizzard maintains its focus remains on PC.
Sponsored content — provided for informational and promotional purposes.
The Microsoft factor
Here’s the thing that makes this denial interesting: Microsoft now owns Blizzard and is actively pushing its games to multiple platforms, including PlayStation 5. The company recently suggested the next Xbox will function more like a PC, which basically removes the technical barrier argument. So why wouldn’t they want WoW on console? It seems like a no-brainer for reaching new audiences. But maybe the hesitation comes from something else entirely – like not wanting to split the community or deal with the massive technical challenge of porting a 20-year-old MMO.
Blizzard’s mixed messages
What’s really fascinating is how different this denial sounds compared to what WoW executive producer Holly Langdale said just a year ago. When asked about console possibilities after the Microsoft acquisition, she smiled and said “nothing’s impossible” before laughing and stopping herself from saying more. That’s not exactly a firm “no,” is it? It’s the kind of cagey response that keeps speculation alive. And honestly, game developers have been known to deny things right up until they announce them. Remember how long they denied classic servers were coming?
The console MMO landscape
Technically, there’s no reason WoW couldn’t work on consoles today. Final Fantasy 14 proved MMOs can thrive there, and The Elder Scrolls Online has been doing it for years. Consoles have come a long way since 2004 when WoW launched – their internet infrastructure and network services are dramatically better. Blizzard already runs multi-platform services for Overwatch, so they understand the challenges. But WoW is orders of magnitude bigger and more complex than anything they’ve put on console before. The UI alone would need a complete overhaul, not to mention controller support for hundreds of abilities.
Why now? Why not?
So what’s the real hold-up? I think it comes down to resources versus potential return. Porting WoW would be a massive undertaking that could distract from developing new content. But with subscriber numbers fluctuating over the years, tapping into the console market could bring in millions of new players. The upcoming Midnight expansion seems like the perfect opportunity – they’re already reworking systems and simplifying combat. If they’re going to do it, now would be the time. But until we hear something more concrete than “focus remains on PC,” I’m taking Blizzard at their word. For now.
