World of Warcraft's upcoming housing system: A different approach to player homes.
Blizzard has unveiled a preview of the highly anticipated player housing feature coming to World of Warcraft: Midnight, subtly contrasting its approach with that of Final Fantasy XIV. The WoW team emphasizes accessibility, stating a key goal is "A Home for Everyone." This means no exorbitant costs, lotteries, or demanding upkeep. Furthermore, your house won't be repossessed if your subscription lapses.
Player housing in WoW will function as expected: players can purchase and personalize homes, which can then be visited by others. This contrasts with Final Fantasy XIV's system, known for its creative player-built spaces (theaters, nightclubs, etc.) but also notorious for its limited plots, high Gil costs, lotteries, and the risk of demolition due to inactivity.
WoW aims to avoid these pitfalls. Housing is shared within a Warband, allowing multiple characters (even those from different factions) to access the same home. While character faction restrictions remain (a Human can't buy a house in a Horde zone), a Warband member of a different faction can, providing access for all.
While WoW will initially feature two housing zones divided into "Neighborhoods" of around 50 plots each, these are instanced. Public areas are server-maintained and dynamically created, suggesting a potentially scalable system without a fixed plot limit.
Blizzard envisions player housing as a long-term feature, promising ongoing development and updates across future patches and expansions. This commitment, while acknowledging the shortcomings of other MMO housing systems, suggests a thoughtful approach to avoiding similar issues.
Further details are expected closer to the summer reveal of World of Warcraft: Midnight.
