Should MS outsource WoW to Rob Pardo and Bonfire Studios?

[Makabreska]

I think it is HIGHLY unlikely that Microsoft acquires WoW and decides "current management is doing just fine". We're talking a game that once had nearly 13million active subscribers, and it now likely hovering around 1million, and only saw one content update for the entirety of 2021.

It is already known that Blizz will have a free reign in making games and hiring peeps, just like Bethesda has. Besides, all you have to do is getting rid of Bobby and his complete $$$ fixation to see an improvement.

[kaminaris]

I think it is HIGHLY unlikely that Microsoft acquires WoW and decides "current management is doing just fine". We're talking a game that once had nearly 13million active subscribers, and it now likely hovering around 1million, and only saw one content update for the entirety of 2021.

Nope, they are financially ok even if producing giga trash. 100% not going to happen, Blizz will have their own way.

[Triceron]

I think it is HIGHLY unlikely that Microsoft acquires WoW and decides "current management is doing just fine". We're talking a game that once had nearly 13million active subscribers, and it now likely hovering around 1million, and only saw one content update for the entirety of 2021.

The problems are usually tied to the budget, so management in terms of 'executive decisions' which have relatively little to do with what the actual developers are capable of. I mean this is exactly what doomed Reforged, while other remasters like SC Remastered and D2 Ressurected were not total horse shit.

We're talking about ousting people like Bobby Kotick after the whole thing happens (source: Jason Schrier)

So we don't really know what will happen with WoW overall, if MS thinks they have enough confidence to devote more resources into it or what.

[Lorgar Aurelian]

I don't think Bonfire is in a position to be trusted with an IP like WoW, considering they haven't put anything out.

That said, I think there is actually a relatively good chance that WoW *is* given to different developers to handle. It doesn't matter how you slice it, there is simply no justification for WoW's complete lack of content in 2021. This isn't the result of just poor management; for an ongoing project like that to be NEARLY AN ENTIRE YEAR BEHIND SCHEDULE implies that not even most of the workers want to be working on it.

And really, the signs are all there; it's abundantly clear that the folks working at Blizzard now are at-odds with the design choices of those who previously helmed Blizzard, be it for personal reasons or not. That being the case, the current staff really can't be trusted to keep WoW afloat, considering it's a game that is clearly more obligation than "passion project". Now to say "everything about WoW lately sucks", but rather, the only good parts have been things "new" and largely disconnected from "Warcraft" proper. Even the story seems more akin to Destiny and high-science fiction, than grounded "fantasy" with truly dastardly villains.

Microsoft would do well to form a new team to handle World of Warcraft, from people at Blizzard who VOLUNTEER to stay with it, and then fill out the remainder of the roles with new, competent developers.

You don’t follow a lot of games do you? Tons of games are a full year behind some even two, hell halo infinite was a year behind its original planned launch Microsoft isn’t going to look at the industry norm and say wow needs a new team because of it.

[Lora]

yeah thats a stupid fucking idea lmao. why would they ever outsource something of the magnitude of WoW to a studio that hasnt put anything out? when blizzard has a shit ton of employees already? that just isnt how these things work lmao.

[Kokolums]

yeah thats a stupid fucking idea lmao. why would they ever outsource something of the magnitude of WoW to a studio that hasnt put anything out? when blizzard has a shit ton of employees already? that just isnt how these things work lmao.

Because wow has collapsed from around 14 million players to 1-2 million and most of those are boosters or boosted. There is ZERO chance that MS looks at WoW and decides the status quo is fine. They are going to seriously shake up WoW. But one way to do it would be to bring in Rob Pardo to try to fix things with his studio.

[Myradin]

You clearly haven't seen how microsoft lets 343 just constantly run halo into the ground for the last decade.

Yeah, they might get Pardo back like they got Staten, but he'll just be a fan favorite figure head to try and tell everyone things are okay now.

[Triceron]

Because wow has collapsed from around 14 million players to 1-2 million and most of those are boosters or boosted. There is ZERO chance that MS looks at WoW and decides the status quo is fine. They are going to seriously shake up WoW. But one way to do it would be to bring in Rob Pardo to try to fix things with his studio.

If they brought him back, the only thing I'd want him to work on is (TBC) Classic Plus, or a continuation of the RTS series like Warcraft 4 or a massive revamp for Reforged.

Modern WoW is really too disjointed for him to 'fix'. It's already too far gone in a direction that doesn't align with the Classic WoW design, and might as well continue its course while Classic Plus could take the brand in an alternate direction with new content built around Rob's original vision of the game.

[Edward Wu]

If anything I think it would be hilarious if Microsoft one day buys up Dreamhaven and returns the IP back into Morhaime's control.

[TidalConflux]

If anything I think it would be hilarious if Microsoft one day buys up Dreamhaven and returns the IP back into Morhaime's control.

They have to do something first to be even considered to be acquired.

[Leiandri]

Blizzard should start outsourcing art in general, not necessarily from Bonfire. I would much rather have a bunch of artists commissioned new character customizations and armor designs than wait another 10 years for Blizzard to finally have an excuse to revisit them.

[kaminaris]

Blizzard should start outsourcing art in general, not necessarily from Bonfire. I would much rather have a bunch of artists commissioned new character customizations and armor designs than wait another 10 years for Blizzard to finally have an excuse to revisit them.

If there is one thing they are absolutely capable of, its the art. They should outsource the story, balancing, gameplay loop instead.

[Leiandri]

Well, clearly this isn't the case since all they can managed to squeeze since the updated models release in 2014 is 3 new hairstyles per model (I'm using hairstyles as an example as the most complex part of character customization). I'm not questioning the quality of WoW art team, I'm questioning why one of the biggest and most successful game devs in the world struggle with delivering these art assets on the regular. Can you imagine for a moment that you wouldn't have to wait half a year (or more) until a new major patch brings... 2 new chestpieces for you to transmog into what... looks exactly like all the other chestpieces that came before with a different texture? Can you imagine getting new character customization with every mini-patch every couple of months and not wait for another 10 years until they feel like they have to do it and try to sell it to you as a major expansion feature?

[Zig Zug]

that doesnt mean anything.

Ah, this isn't about actually discussing it - just the whole, "my opinion is right, and your criticisms are wrong."

What a generation.