Over the past week, rumors began circulating that Blizzard and NetEase canceled aWorld of Warcraftmobile game that had been in development for a couple of years. This comes fresh off the heels of the release ofDiablo Immortaland theannouncement ofWarcraft: Arclight Rumble.There has been no confirmation that this mobile game was actually canceled, but it was supposedly axed over a disagreement of terms. The team of 100 developers that was allegedly attached to the project may have also been disbanded.
TheWorld of Warcraftmobile game was said to be a mobile MMORPG set in a different era of Azeroth. It was not going to be a direct port ofWorld of Warcraft, but instead it was going to be a new experience in the fantasy world. It could have had a ton of potential and really helped build out Azeroth, but it may have also followed in the footsteps of the controversialDiablo Immortal;a game that was co-developed with NetEase and has been criticized for its microtransactions. While the cancellation may be well received by the community, as it could have been nothing more than aWarcraft Immortaltitle, the cancellation also leavesWarcraftfans without a brand-new, and possibly canon, experience on Azeroth outside ofWorld of WarcraftandArclight Rumble.
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The Canceled Warcraft Mobile Game Could Have Built Out Azeroth
The canceledWorld of Warcraftmobile game was supposedly going to be a brand-new MMO set on Azeroth. Unlike previous spin-offs, the game was going to take place in a different time period of Azeroth which may havemade it canon toWarcraft. There is no information on just how the game would play, but it would not be a direct port of theWorld of Warcraftsystems. It was said to be a brand-new experience on Azeroth, and it could have added a new layer to the iconic fantasy franchise while pulling in a whole new group of fans.
If rumors are to be believed, then thisWorld of Warcraftmobile game may have been the first canon spin-off ofWorld of Warcraft. The franchise is no stranger to spin-offs withHearthstoneand the upcomingArclight Rumble, but both games are non-canon to the greaterWarcraftstoryline. However, this canceled mobile game was going to be an MMO set in a new period ofWarcraft. It could have showcased events that had only been talked about in other titles, it could have blazed a new trail with brand-new stories set in the universe, or it could have taken place during theWarcraftRTS games. There are so many possibilities for the setting, and the game could have significantly expandedWorld of Warcraftpast the 18-year-old MMO.
Diablo immortal is a Sign of What May Have Been
While the canceled mobile MMO could have built out Azeroth, it could have also brought with it all sorts of microtransactions. Blizzard’s latest major foray into the mobile market was withDiablo Immortal, and that has been the subject of many controversies. The game is filled to the brim with predatory microtransactions to the point that players need to spend up to$110,000 to fully gear up theirDiablo Immortalcharacterwithout grinding ad nauseum. While a free-to-play game needs a way to make money, the scale of these transactions is on another level. If theWarcraftmobile game was going to follow this model, then it may be a good thing that it got axed.
TheWarcraftmobile game was going to be co-developed by NetEase, andDiablo Immortalwas also co-developed by NetEase. Together, the two studios made a game that has been raking in millions of dollars and shows no indication that it will change its microtransaction model. The studios could have done the exact same thing to the canceledWarcraftmobile title. That could have tarnished a brand that is already in a rough spot as players turn to other MMOs because ofthe controversialShadowlandsexpansionand the ongoing controversies of Activision Blizzard.
While it is sad to see a game get canceled, it may have been for the best. The title could have expanded Azeroth greatly and given players an experience outside ofWorld of Warcraft, but there was also a good chance that it wouldfollow inDiablo Immortal’sfootsteps. The cancellation may be a blessing in disguise for a franchise that needs a win to pull players back to its fantastical world.
