In what is undoubtedly the biggest surprise, Cross-Realm Trading is coming in Patch 10.1.5. I was midway through writing a Patch 10.1.5 recap, but last night’s news pushed that back! Blizzard earning another win in what is turning out to be a very good expansion!
If you’re unsure what all the fuss is about? Continue reading for more information!
By now, most of you are familiar with the current rumors surrounding the potential addition of Trader’s Tender Shop Assets within the Patch 10.1.5 PTR development notes. If not, continue reading for more information, including my opinion on the possible changes.
A Greedy Emissary is one of two in-game World of Warcraft cross-over events to celebrate the impending launch of Diablo IV on the 6th of June, 2023. The following Event: Welcome to Sanctuary, will come later in June; click on the link to learn more about Welcome to Sanctuary!
If you haven’t noticed already (due to the obscene amount of corpses), the Fyrakk Assaults are available and are a lot of fun (until you get to the Fyrakk Disciple). I took part in my first assault on my level 63 BM Hunter, looking for easy experience, but instead, hitting ilvl 354 with ilvl 379 Explorer gear at level 63!
Surprisingly there are some potential gearing options for your alts. Continue reading for more information!
Since the release of the Trading Post at the beginning of February, several things have drawn my attention, stuff that wasn’t available/noticeable during the testing phase on the PTR!
As I mentioned in my previous blog post: The Trading Post, the information I shared could change at any time due to testing, and this appears to be the case.
Please continue reading for some of the changes to The Trading Post.
Credit: World of Warcraft
Over the last few days, Blizzard has released information regarding their Dragonflight Roadmap for future patches in 2023; and I have to say (as does most of the World of Warcraft community) this is excellent news from Blizzard!
Courtesy of worldofwarcraft.com
Blizzard today revealed their Dragonflight Launch Roadmap via Twitter. If you’ve not seen it, they’ve confirmed that, as anticipated, the Dragonflight Pre-Patch: Primal Storms will release on the 25th of October (for the U.S Region) and the 26th of October (for the E.U Region)!
Courtesy of World of Warcraft.com
For those who have been quietly continuing their chores within World of Warcraft, it may not be surprising to hear that Blizzard has revealed the Dragonflight Launch date. However, for those experiencing other games (Classic: Wrath) or just taking a break, Blizzard has announced that Dragonflight will release on 28.11.2022.
Continue reading to learn how to participate in Beta testing.
Courtesy of worldofwarcraft.com
It seems only a week ago when the last sale ended, and we already have another. Blizzard has started their Summer Sale with savings on many items within the Blizzard Store, including, Pets, Mounts, Character Services for World of Warcraft, and discounts for other Blizzard titles.
Today, Microsoft (Microsoft Gaming) has announced that they intend to acquire Activision Blizzard. The amount, an astounding $68.7 Billion, which is equivalent to $95.00 per share!
The acquisition will include World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, Call of Duty, and much more.
Once the deal is complete, it will push Microsft to the third-largest gaming company; behind Tencent and SONY.
Given Activision Blizzard’s current issues, you’d imagine that the company wouldn’t be of interest to any potential buyers. However, it appears that Microsoft sees value in the company, most likely Call of Duty and the potential in Hearthstone, Diablo, and World of Warcraft (Classic).
Reports suggest that the gaming industry is the largest and fastest-growing form of entertainment, worth almost $200 Billion. With a potential increase from 3 billion gamers to 4.5 billion by 2030, it was probably an opportunity Microsoft couldn’t turn down!
Microsoft Statement – via Microsoft News Centre
According to the Activision Blizzard Third Quarter 2021 Financial Report, they reported strong results for the third quarter. I’d guess they expect continued success in the fourth quarter with the release of Call of Duty. There was also success for King and World of Warcraft Classic.
I wonder if news circulated on Friday 14th January, as Blizzard’s shares rocketed from $69.39 to $86.55 a share. The share price hasn’t been this high since the end of August.
Sadly, if you were hoping this acquisition would result in Kotick leaving, I’m afraid it’s not, well, not just yet!
“Bobby Kotick will continue to serve as CEO of Activision Blizzard. Once the deal closes, Activision Blizzard business will report to Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming.” – Microsoft PR.
Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, has also clarified that they hope to have as many Activision Blizzard games as possible on the XBOX Game Pass once the company’s purchase is complete.
My concern would be the players with months, possibly years of game time on their World of Warcraft accounts, who already have an XBOX Game Pass.
I have an XBOX Game Pass, but due to the changes in purchasing game time for WoWToken, I don’t have anything longer than two months, but I know of players with many years on their accounts.
As mentioned above, this news came out of the blue to me, and no doubt, to many others. With the constant issues revolving around Activision Blizzard and the small success surrounding the last quarterly financial reports, a vast potential in gaming meant Microsoft Gaming probably saw an opportunity they couldn’t resist.
Hopefully, Microsoft Gaming can make the necessary changes within Activision Blizzard and incorporate its values into the company. Hopefully, bring an end to the inequality, improving working conditions, which will positively result in improved development across all departments; If you look after the staff, the staff will look after you!
Maybe, just maybe, we’ll see a return of some of the talented developers that recently left boycotting the dire situation at Activision Blizzard.
It’ll be fascinating watching the development of World of Warcraft under the guidance of Microsoft Gaming.
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Thanks for reading!