World of Warcraft Takes a Jab at Final Fantasy 14 With Its Housing Plans

Player housing is coming to World of Warcraft, and Blizzard has offered a first glimpse into its implementation. A recent preview detailed early plans, even including a playful comparison to Final Fantasy XIV's housing system.

World of Warcraft: Midnight will introduce this highly anticipated feature. Blizzard's development blog highlights "A Home for Everyone" as a key goal. They emphasize accessibility: "If you want a house, you can have a house," stating there will be no exorbitant costs, lotteries, or demanding upkeep. Even if your subscription lapses, your house remains safe.

Player housing provides personalized homes within the MMO world, open for visits from other players. This is a popular feature in Final Fantasy XIV, inspiring player creativity in building theaters, nightclubs, cafes, and museums.

However, Final Fantasy XIV's housing system also has its drawbacks: limited plots, high Gil costs, lotteries, and the risk of demolition for inactivity.

World of Warcraft aims to address these concerns. Housing is shared within the Warband, allowing characters to access and share rewards regardless of faction. While a Human character can't purchase a house in a Horde zone, a Troll Warband member can, granting access to the Human character.

While World of Warcraft's housing will initially consist of two zones with "Neighborhoods" of approximately 50 plots each, these are instanced and offer both public and private options. Public areas are server-maintained and dynamically created, meaning the number of Neighborhoods isn't currently limited.

Blizzard's commitment to World of Warcraft housing is evident in their stated pillars: "boundless self-expression," "deeply social," and a "long-lasting journey" with ongoing updates across patches and expansions. While playfully referencing FFXIV's challenges, Blizzard acknowledges potential pitfalls.

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