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

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) in the World of Warcraft: Midnight expansion, subtly contrasting its approach with that of Final Fantasy XIV. The WoW team highlighted accessibility as a key design principle.

In a recent developer blog, Blizzard emphasized its goal of making housing available to all players. They explicitly stated that acquiring a home will not involve exorbitant costs, lotteries, or demanding upkeep. Furthermore, subscription lapses won't lead to repossession.

Player housing in WoW, as anticipated, will allow players to purchase and personalize homes, providing spaces for decoration and social interaction. This mirrors a popular feature in Final Fantasy XIV, where player creativity has led to the creation of in-game theaters, nightclubs, and museums.

However, Final Fantasy XIV's housing system is also notorious for its limitations, including a limited number of plots per server, high Gil costs, lottery systems, and the risk of demolition for inactive houses.

WoW's housing system aims to address these concerns. Homes are shared within a Warband, allowing multiple characters, regardless of faction, to access and utilize the same property. While character restrictions based on faction remain (a Human cannot buy a house in a Horde zone), Warband members can circumvent this.

While WoW will initially feature two housing zones divided into "Neighborhoods" of approximately 50 plots each, these are instanced, offering both public and private options. Public areas are dynamically generated as needed, suggesting a scalable system without a predetermined plot limit.

Blizzard's commitment to WoW's housing system extends beyond the initial launch. The developers intend for it to be a long-term feature, with ongoing updates and expansions planned for future patches. This commitment, while implicitly contrasting with some aspects of Final Fantasy XIV's system, suggests Blizzard is aware of potential pitfalls and is aiming for a more sustainable and inclusive approach.

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