WoW Prepares to Challenge FFXIV with Revolutionary Housing Update

World of Warcraft's upcoming housing system: A different approach to player homes.

Blizzard has offered a sneak peek at the player housing feature coming to World of Warcraft in the World of Warcraft: Midnight expansion, subtly contrasting its approach with that of Final Fantasy XIV. The WoW team emphasizes accessibility, stating a core goal is "A Home for Everyone."

Unlike some MMOs, WoW's housing will avoid exorbitant costs, lotteries, and harsh upkeep fees. Players won't lose their homes due to lapsed subscriptions. The focus is on broad availability and ease of access.

The functionality is straightforward: players purchase and personalize physical homes within the game world, open to visits from other players. While Final Fantasy XIV's housing system, while popular, has faced criticism for limited plots, high Gil costs, lotteries, and the risk of demolition for inactivity, WoW aims to address these concerns.

WoW's housing system will leverage the Warband system, allowing shared access across characters and factions. While character restrictions based on faction remain (a Human cannot buy a house in Horde territory), Warband members can access homes purchased by others within the group.

The game will feature two housing zones, each divided into "Neighborhoods" of approximately 50 plots. Importantly, these Neighborhoods are instanced, offering both public and private options. Public areas are dynamically generated as needed, mitigating concerns about plot limitations.

Blizzard envisions housing as an ongoing feature, promising a "long-lasting journey" with continuous updates and additions across future patches and expansions. This long-term commitment, while acknowledging the challenges faced by other MMOs with similar features, suggests a thoughtful approach to avoiding past pitfalls.

Further details are expected closer to the summer reveal of World of Warcraft: Midnight.