In the video game landscape, few franchises have managed to cross the decades with so much class. Here we are at the end of the year 2024, and the series Warcraft is already celebrating its thirtieth anniversary. The perfect opportunity to look back on this digital odyssey which has shaped entire generations of gamers, transforming what was initially only a modest real-time strategy game into a true cultural phenomenon.
1994: the year it all began
In 1994, the video game industry is in full swing. 3D is starting to become more popular, PCs are gaining in power and becoming real gaming platforms and new genres of games are emerging, such as real-time strategy (RTS) games.
It is in this very particular context that a young studio, Blizzard Entertainment (now a subsidiary of Microsoft), launches Warcraft: Orcs & Humans. More than a simple strategy game, this original creation lays the foundations of a universe that will forever change video game history. Players encounter Azeroth, a universe populated by mythical creatures, factions with centuries-old histories and detailed geography.
The title stands out from everything that was being done at the time with its unique atmosphere, mixing traditional heroic fantasy and a characteristic touch of humor which relaxes its dark atmosphere. The developers then imagine an epic confrontation between two races, the Orcs and the Humans breathing rare narrative depth into a title of the genre from the 1990s.
Its gameplay was praised and introducedgame mechanics that have become standards of the genresuch as managing resources (wood and gold), constructing buildings, recruiting units and managing a real-time economy. And that was just the beginning!
3 classics that changed video games
The evolution of the main series of Warcraft perfectly illustrates the maturation of the Californian studio and each opus marked a decisive stage in the history of the saga. Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness (1995) considerably enriches the original formula. The game introduces naval and air units, thus expanding the tactical dimension of the clashes. The SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array) graphics offer superb definition, while the sound design, with its cult replicas of the units and its epic soundtrack, lays the foundations of the franchise’s sonic identity.
Seven years later, Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos (2002) completely revolutionizes the genre. The introduction of Heroes, unique units gaining combat experience and equipped with special abilities, radically transforms the tactical approach. The introduction of these RPG mechanics was completely new in a strategy game and brought unprecedented depth and complexity to the genre.
Storytelling reaches new heights with a masterful scripted campaigndriven by spectacular cutscenes and complex characters like Arthas, whose descent into hell left a lasting impression. The graphics engine, now in 3D, allows for much more dynamic battles, and the modernized interface greatly facilitates unit management.
The extension The Frozen Throne (2003) perfects this formula by adding neutral heroes and secondary campaigns rich in twists and turns. In 2023, the studio announces that the game has sold more than 3 million copies, a total hit !
Warcraft : 4 playable races to rewrite the legend
The progressive enrichment of the universe Warcraft was particularly evident in the diversification of its playable races. From the rather Manichean clashes between Humans and Orcs of the first game, the saga has evolved towards a more complex lore and has a thicker narrative.
Warcraft III undoubtedly marks the apogee of this evolution by introducing four distinct civilizations. The Humans, champions of honor and civilization, the Orcs, shamanic warriors in search of redemption, the Undead, bearers of an ancestral curse, and the mysterious Night Elves, millennial guardians of nature. Each people has a strong identity, which is noticeable both from a visual and story point of view as well as from a gameplay point of view.
Mass production of units? The main asset of Humans. Speed and magic? The Night Elves excelled at it. Necromancy, special units: the prerogative of the Undead. The Orcs, on the other hand, relied on raw power. This diversity was a real signal of encouragement to players pto allow them to experiment and discover new ways of playing.
3.7 million players, a legendary expansion
World of Warcraft (WoW), launched in 2004, undoubtedly represents the franchise’s most daring metamorphosis. This MMORPG transposes the rich universe of Warcraft in a persistent world where millions of players shape their own story. The revolutionary formula combines exploration, combat, crafting and social interactions in an ever-changing world. The game is a real success, and will be enriched with a total of 10 different expansions.
If we had to choose one, it would certainly be Shadowlandsreleased in 2020 which sold 3.7 million copies in just 24 hours according to JV.com. A true triumph which testifies to the persistent vivacity of the franchise, despite the enormous upheavals that the video game sector has experienced since the release of World of Warcraft.
On August 26, 2019, Blizzard decided to release World of Warcraft Classica remastered version of the game as it was in 2004. A real return to basics for the players who kept fond memories of the WoW base and which also made it possible to attract new players to the Azeroth universe. The game is then naturally slower, more demanding and more focused on the community aspect.
100 million adventurers across Azeroth
According to Worldmetrics, there were 100 million accounts created on WoW since the release of the first game; at this level, we go beyond simple commercial statistics. This impressive number represents more of a mosaic of personal stories, friendships forged in virtual adversity and shared memories. This massive community has developed its own culture, vocabulary and traditions, transforming Azeroth into a true sociological phenomenon.
From guilds to epic raids, seasonal events to in-game weddings, World of Warcraft created a completely unique social fabric in the history of interactive entertainment. There is absolutely no MMORPG that comes close to it on this point.
Three decades after its humble beginnings, Warcraft is more alive than ever. The latest expansion of the MMORPG, The War Withinreleased in August 2024, propelled WoW towards new heights: more than 12 million players were present in the game simultaneouslya record for the saga. As for Warcraft IIImany streamers are still sharing their gaming sessions via Twitch, 22 years after its release. Proof that a video game universe as solid as that created by Blizzard can transcend generations while preserving its essence, provided that he knows how to evolve with the times while remaining faithful to his roots.
- Since its first real-time strategy game, Warcraft marked the history of video games, evolving into the revolutionary MMORPG World of Warcraft.
- 100 million accounts created, 3.7 million copies of Shadowlands sold in one day, and a record 12 million players connected simultaneously in 2024.
- More than a game, Warcraft has shaped a global culture, bringing together generations of players around its epic universe.
