The festivities are underway at Blizzard Entertainment as they celebrate the 30th anniversary of Warcraft in early November. On November 23, it's World of Warcraft's turn to blow out its candles, marking 20 years for the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that has soared to become one of the most influential titles in gaming history.
However, the journey wasn't easy for the affectionately called WoW. Originally a spin-off of the Warcraft universe, which was inspired by games like Dune II and classics such as Dungeons & Dragons and The Lord of the Rings, expectations were set for a fourth installment in the successful real-time strategy (RTS) franchise. Instead, players were introduced to a groundbreaking concept which transformed their gaming experience, emerging shortly after the release of Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne in 2003.
On its launch date of November 23, 2004, Blizzard was unprepared for the overwhelming demand, resulting in server crashes and long wait times. Initially aimed at reaching 1 million players in four months, that goal was achieved within a month. Its accessibility and intuitive gameplay, along with its engaging storytelling, drew millions. WoW not only fostered a sense of community among players but also set the template for future MMORPGs, influencing countless games and becoming a pop culture phenomenon with media adaptations and spin-offs.
