The Next 20 Years of Warcraft: IGN Interview with John Hight - Movies, Games, and a Season of Exploration

In a recent interview at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in 2024, John Hight, the General Manager of Warcraft, shared some insights into the future of the Warcraft IP. From the possibility of new Warcraft movies to licensing out the franchise and the future of the popular Season of Discovery in World of Warcraft, Hight discussed it all. Let's take a closer look at what he had to say.

The Future of Warcraft Movies

Hight was asked about the potential for new Warcraft movies, considering the success of multimedia adaptations of other gaming IPs. While expressing interest in expanding Warcraft through new media projects, Hight made it clear that Blizzard's core focus will always be games, and Warcraft will remain centered around that. He emphasized the importance of finding the right partners with a deep understanding and passion for Warcraft, rather than trying to enter the filmmaking business themselves. He mentioned that talented professionals who have been making movies for years could execute the vision of Warcraft much better than someone solely focused on movies.

Players may have to wait a bit longer for the highly anticipated screen adaptations of the Arthas and Thrall storylines, as Blizzard wants to ensure they find the perfect partnership to bring those stories to life.

Licensing Warcraft to Other Studios

Blizzard has considered licensing out the Warcraft IP to other studios, similar to what other gaming companies have done. Hight expressed interest in working with partners who understand and appreciate Warcraft and have innovative ideas for expressing it in different gaming genres. He mentioned that finding partners specialized in genres where Blizzard lacks proficiency would be ideal, as it would allow for exciting collaborations. However, Hight also noted that current suitable partners in this area may be limited.

Focusing on World of Warcraft

While Blizzard is open to expanding the Warcraft universe through various media and gaming projects, Hight emphasized that World of Warcraft remains their primary focus. He discussed the importance of maintaining a consistent cadence of new activities between major patches to keep the content fresh and engaging for players. Hight highlighted the success of recent limited-time events like Plunderstorm and mentioned that the team plans to have a repertoire of seasonal events that can be used as needed, based on player feedback and preferences.

Hight stated, "If they like it, that'll inform what we do next: whether it evolves an existing system, whether it becomes part of one or both games or whether it continues as an event. We like the notion that there are events that are seasonal in a way that come in just like we do the seasons in WoW itself…What we're trying to build is a repertoire of fun things for the live team…to be able to pull the arrows from the quiver and use them when we need to use them."

• What to Expect From Future Seasonal Events

Based on Hight's comments, it seems that seasonal events like Plunderstorm will likely make a return in the future. This indicates that players can expect a continuous stream of new and exciting content to keep them engaged in the Warcraft universe. The recent Pandamonium Timerunning event in Patch 10.2.7 could also become a seasonal event, providing players with even more opportunities for unique gameplay experiences.

• Season of Discovery's Future

The interview also touched upon the success of Classic's Season of Discovery in World of Warcraft. While Hight didn't offer a definitive answer on the future of Season of Discovery beyond level 60, he hinted that Blizzard is closely monitoring its popularity and is ready to respond accordingly.

Hight stated, "I think there's going to be things that will repeat and then there's things that will evolve… I can't tell you how that turned out because we're still seeing how players are responding to it, what they're telling us they like that may be one of those that we evolve and we do a new incarnation of it or maybe one that we repeat the cycle."

It's clear that Blizzard is dedicated to serving the needs and preferences of the player community, ensuring that they have a say in shaping the future of the game.

Sustaining the Next 20 Years of Warcraft

Looking ahead, Hight expressed confidence in World of Warcraft's ability to sustain the franchise for another 20 years and beyond. However, he acknowledged the need for adaptation and player-centric approaches to keep the game relevant and appealing. Blizzard has implemented various features to streamline players' experiences, such as character boosting services, tutorials, and more. These changes aim to help players quickly immerse themselves in the game and enjoy their time spent in the Warcraft universe.

Hight emphasized the importance of sustaining the existing player community and providing them with compelling content to keep their interest and encourage them to return. He acknowledged the significant number of returning players World of Warcraft attracts and highlighted their commitment to ensuring that there is always something new and exciting waiting for them.

Conclusion

Based on John Hight's interview, it's evident that Blizzard is committed to expanding the Warcraft IP while staying true to their core focus on games. Although specific details about future projects and partnerships weren't revealed, it's clear that Blizzard is actively exploring new opportunities to bring Warcraft to different media platforms. Furthermore, Hight's comments on sustaining the World of Warcraft community and adapting to their needs demonstrate Blizzard's dedication to keeping the franchise thriving for years to come.

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