World of Warcraft Takes a Jab at Final Fantasy 14 With Its 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 is accessibility: "A Home for Everyone." Blizzard explicitly stated that acquiring and maintaining a house will be straightforward, devoid of exorbitant costs, lotteries, or harsh penalties for lapsed subscriptions. No repossessions!

Player housing, as expected, allows players to purchase and personalize homes within the game world. These homes are designed for social interaction, allowing other players to visit. This contrasts with Final Fantasy XIV's system, known for its creative player-built spaces (theaters, nightclubs, etc.), but also its notorious housing shortages, high Gil costs, lotteries, and the risk of demolition for inactivity.

World of Warcraft aims to avoid these pitfalls. Housing is shared amongst a player's Warband, enabling access for all characters regardless of faction. While a Human character can't directly purchase a house in a Horde zone, a Warband member of a different race can, providing access for the entire group.

While the number of housing zones is limited (two, with "Neighborhoods" of approximately 50 plots each), these zones are instanced, offering both public and private options. Public areas are dynamically generated as needed, removing a fixed plot limit.

Blizzard envisions player housing as an ongoing feature, emphasizing "boundless self-expression," "deeply social" interaction, and a "long-lasting journey" with continuous updates and expansions. This long-term commitment, while subtly criticizing Final Fantasy XIV's system, demonstrates Blizzard's awareness of potential issues.

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