Creating Player Housing in WoW: Who Should Be the Inspiration for Blizzard?

Welcome to our blog post on Player Housing in World of Warcraft! Today, we're diving into the topic of player housing and discussing its potential implementation in the game. Join us as we explore the failed attempts at player housing in WoW and look at successful examples from other MMOs.

WoW's Failed Attempts at Player Housing

Before we can talk about what would make player housing succeed, we need to take a look at where it failed - and why. Two notable examples of failed player housing in WoW are Sunsong Ranch and Garrisons.

• Sunsong Ranch

Sunsong Ranch was introduced in the Mists of Pandaria expansion as WoW's first attempt at player housing. While it had some positive aspects, it ultimately fell short in several areas.

• The farm was phased, allowing players to have their own space while still being surrounded by activity at the nearby farmer's market.
• Upgrades to the farm made farming easier and provided aesthetic enhancements, but they didn't feel essential to the game.
• However, the farming mechanics felt repetitive and chore-like, resembling mobile-game tasks.
• The customization options for the farm were limited, and it was closely tied to the Mists of Pandaria expansion, losing its relevance once the expansion content became outdated.
• One key lesson we can learn from Sunsong Ranch is that player housing should always be voluntary and not a mandatory feature.

• Garrisons

Garrisons, introduced in the Warlords of Draenor expansion, were WoW's most serious attempt at player housing. While they offered more customization and useful features, they also had their drawbacks.

• Garrisons allowed players to display their mounts, pets, and achievements, offering a higher degree of customization than Sunsong Ranch.
• They had their own holiday events and provided convenient transportation options within the expansion zones.
• However, Garrisons became too dominant in the gameplay experience, replacing major cities and isolating players.
• Trade economy was adversely affected, as players could produce their own resources, reducing the need for trade.
• The cost of developing Garrisons was significant, diverting resources from other aspects of the game.
• Despite offering more customization options, Garrisons still felt limited in terms of upgrades and furniture choices. They lacked the individuality that true player housing should provide.

Looking at Other MMOs

While WoW's attempts at player housing fell short, other MMOs have successfully implemented this feature. Let's take a look at one such game - Final Fantasy XIV.

• Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy XIV offers a robust player housing system that WoW can learn from. Here are the pros and cons:

• The game allows players to interact with their neighbors and create a sense of community within the housing areas.
• However, the game has faced criticism for housing shortages, which can limit accessibility for players.

Another game that WoW can take inspiration from is Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), which has a well-received housing system.

• Elder Scrolls Online

The housing system in ESO provides a range of options, from small single rooms to grand guild mansions. Here are the pros and cons:

• Homes can be obtained through simple quests and are entirely optional.
• Players can buy empty houses and decorate them as they please, or opt for fully furnished homes at a higher cost.
• Furnishings can be crafted using professions, incentivizing trade and giving crafters a reason to excel in their professions.
• Mounts, pets, and even World of Warcraft armor sets and toys can be displayed as decorations.
• Houses in ESO serve as both aspirational content and portals, similar to the Garrison Hearthstone in WoW.
• Guilds can share houses, with larger houses serving as guild housing.
• Special limited houses, like a house inside a snow globe during ESO's equivalent of Winter Veil, provide additional fun and unique experiences.
• However, it's worth noting that ESO's housing system is tied to a cash shop, which may not be well-received in WoW.

As WoW explores the idea of player housing, finding a balance between customization, optional gameplay, and avoiding monetization pitfalls will be crucial. By taking inspiration from successful examples in other MMOs, WoW can create a player housing system that resonates with the player base and enhances the overall gameplay experience.

Final Thoughts

Player housing is a much-desired feature in WoW, but it has proven challenging in the past. Understanding the failures of Sunsong Ranch and Garrisons, while drawing inspiration from other MMOs like Final Fantasy XIV and Elder Scrolls Online, can help WoW develop a successful player housing system. Let's hope that Blizzard takes note and brings this highly-anticipated feature to the world of Azeroth.

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