In the gaming market, there exists an implicit norm: when a game achieves significant success, it is common practice to develop sequels in order to capitalize on its popularity and profitability. This is precisely the path followed by many renowned games, and the original Warcraft game is no exception. It gave rise to two sequels, namely Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness and Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos (along with its expansion pack, “The Frozen Throne”).

However, instead of creating another sequel, Blizzard made the decision to shift their focus towards a different genre of game, which ultimately resulted in the creation of World of Warcraft, the enormously successful MMORPG. Since its launch in 2004, a total of nine expansions have been released for WoW. Nevertheless, considering that WoW is not everyone’s cup of tea, wouldn’t it be logical for Blizzard to also continue developing the beloved classical strategy game series? This is why the absence of Warcraft 4 may soon change, as the chances of its development have possibly increased.

Warcraft 4: Why Blizzard Never Made It

The primary factor behind Blizzard’s decision to not pursue the development of Warcraft 4 is likely the immense triumph of World of Warcraft. In the early 2000s, games were typically monetized through one-time purchases, and from an economic standpoint, that was essentially the extent of it.

In contrast, WoW operates on a subscription model (with in-game microtransactions), ensuring a consistent stream of revenue for Blizzard on a monthly basis. This approach proves to be significantly more profitable compared to the traditional method of monetizing games.

Another challenge arises when considering the possibility of Warcraft 4. Due to the fact that World of Warcraft’s lore continues the story immediately after the events of Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne and has been further developed over a span of more than 15 years, creating a new Warcraft game would require a meticulous effort to establish a plot that seamlessly connects to the conclusion of Warcraft 3 while encompassing all the events that have occurred in World of Warcraft. Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that individuals who have never experienced the Warcraft universe can comprehend the game’s story.

Consider the vast chronicles encompassing orcs, humans, forsaken, night elves, blood elves, and tauren, alongside a multitude of renowned figures and champions such as Thrall, Cairne Bloodhoof, Jaina Proudmoore, Sylvanas Windrunner, and numerous others.

The expansion of Warcraft lore in the past two decades has become so vast that it presents a significant challenge to seamlessly connect all aspects into a potential Warcraft 4. The previous attempts have demonstrated the difficulty of providing a storyline that both aligns perfectly with the existing lore and satisfies all fans simultaneously.

In addition, it appears that Real Time Strategy (RTS) games have already experienced their peak era, as more players are now gravitating towards MOBA’s and MMO’s. Interestingly, this situation is somewhat ironic considering that the MOBA concept gained popularity through a customized multiplayer map in Warcraft 3 called “Defense of the Ancients.” Now, the MOBA genre has become the reigning champion, completing a full circle.

New Hope For Warcraft 4 With Microsoft Acquiring Activison Blizzard

While Warcraft 4 may not have materialized for various valid reasons, it does not imply that we will never receive a fresh Warcraft RTS game. In fact, three years ago, we did witness the release of one, despite WoW still boasting a substantial player base that continued to pay for the game on a monthly basis.

Regrettably and astonishingly, Reforged turned out to be a major letdown and remains unresolved even today. However, considering the chaotic state of the remake, Warcraft 4 presents an opportunity for Blizzard to help the community move past this distressing chapter in Warcraft’s history.

However, there is another recent development that may lead to the eventual release of Warcraft 4. While the deal is still in progress, it seems highly likely that it will come to fruition. Microsoft is considering various ways to capitalize on the franchise beyond World of Warcraft, and creating a new real-time strategy game could be one of their potential avenues.

Since its inception, Warcraft games have remained exclusive to PCs. While the idea of World of Warcraft (WoW) being available on consoles seems highly improbable due to its intricate gameplay mechanics (such as offering around 50 action bar spots and numerous key binding options), a Warcraft real-time strategy (RTS) game could potentially thrive on Xbox. Such a game would likely incorporate microtransactions and possibly rely on downloadable content (DLCs) to ensure a continuous revenue stream, similar to how WoW operates.

At present, Warcraft 4 is still in the realm of theory and may potentially materialize in the coming years. However, considering the immense size of the franchise, it is evident that confining it solely to World of Warcraft would be inadequate. It is highly likely that we will witness the emergence of a fresh Warcraft game in the near future, whether it be in the form of an RTS, a MOBA, or an entirely novel concept.