WoW Jabs Final Fantasy XIV With Housing Reveal

World of Warcraft's upcoming housing system: A contrast to Final Fantasy XIV

Blizzard has offered a sneak peek at the player housing feature coming to World of Warcraft (WoW) with the World of Warcraft: Midnight expansion. The developers highlighted key differences from similar systems in other MMOs, particularly Final Fantasy XIV.

WoW aims for broad accessibility with its housing. The developers explicitly stated their goal of "A Home for Everyone," emphasizing that acquiring and maintaining a home will be straightforward, without lotteries, exorbitant costs, or the risk of repossession due to lapsed subscriptions.

This contrasts sharply with Final Fantasy XIV's housing system, notorious for its limited plots, high Gil costs, lotteries, and the potential for demolition due to inactivity. FFXIV's system, while fostering impressive player creativity (resulting in player-built theaters, nightclubs, and more), has also faced significant criticism for its scarcity and demanding upkeep.

WoW's approach focuses on inclusivity and ease of access. Housing is shared within a Warband, allowing characters of different factions and races to access the same home. While a Human character couldn't purchase a home in a Horde zone, for example, a Troll character within their Warband could, granting access to the Human character.

While WoW's housing will initially be limited to two zones with "Neighborhoods" of approximately 50 plots each, these are instanced. The game will dynamically create additional Neighborhoods as needed, mitigating concerns about plot scarcity. Both public and private options will be available.

Blizzard emphasized a long-term vision for WoW housing, describing it as a "long-lasting journey" with ongoing updates and additions planned for future patches and expansions. This commitment, while subtly contrasting with FFXIV's challenges, suggests Blizzard is aware of potential pitfalls and is working to avoid them.

Further details are expected during the summer unveiling of World of Warcraft: Midnight.