WoW Mocks FF14 Housing Plans

World of Warcraft's upcoming housing system: A first look and a subtle dig at Final Fantasy XIV.

Blizzard has offered a sneak peek at the player housing feature coming to World of Warcraft in the upcoming World of Warcraft: Midnight expansion. The development team highlighted key design goals, subtly contrasting their approach with the sometimes-controversial housing system in Final Fantasy XIV.

A core principle emphasized by Blizzard is accessibility: "A Home for Everyone." They've stated that acquiring a house will be straightforward, without exorbitant costs, lotteries, or demanding upkeep. Furthermore, subscription lapses won't result in repossession.

Player housing in WoW will function as expected: players purchase and personalize homes, which can then be visited by others. This contrasts with Final Fantasy XIV's system, known for its player-created marvels (theaters, nightclubs, etc.) but also infamous for its limited plots, high Gil costs, lotteries, and the risk of demolition due to inactivity.

WoW aims to address these concerns. Housing is shared within a player's Warband, allowing multiple characters (even those of different factions) to access and share rewards. While a Human character couldn't purchase a house in a Horde zone, a Troll character in the same Warband could, granting access to the Human character.

While limited to two housing zones, each with "Neighborhoods" of approximately 50 plots, these zones are instanced, offering both public and private options. Public areas are dynamically generated, suggesting a scalable system without a fixed plot limit.

Blizzard’s commitment to player housing extends beyond the initial launch. Their stated goals include "boundless self-expression," "deeply social interaction," and a "long-lasting journey" with ongoing updates and expansion in future patches. This long-term vision, while implicitly criticizing Final Fantasy XIV's challenges, demonstrates an awareness of potential pitfalls.

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