Blizzard sues Turtle WoW server administrators, alleging unauthorized use of copyrighted art, code, and resources from the original game.
In the ever-evolving landscape of online gaming, several significant developments have taken place recently.
Firstly, the developers of Turtle WoW, a popular fan-developed World of Warcraft mod, have shared plans for an updated version, Turtle WoW 2.0, rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5. This new iteration is expected to offer improved visuals and higher PC requirements, while maintaining compatibility with a Legacy version. Notably, the developers of Turtle WoW accept but do not require donations.
Turtle WoW first launched its servers in 2018, and since then, the group has expanded with additional servers. In August 2021, the game reached a peak of over 44,000 concurrent players.
Meanwhile, within Blizzard Entertainment itself, unionization efforts are underway. The Diablo team's unionization follows in the example set by several other Blizzard teams, including the World of Warcraft and Overwatch 2 development teams. These efforts come in response to repeated waves of layoffs at Microsoft.
The unionization within Blizzard and its subsidiaries is part of a broader trend in the tech and gaming sector where multiple teams have formed or are forming labor unions. Over 450 workers on the Diablo franchise have formed a union, citing numerous issues for their organization efforts. The Story and Franchise team, responsible for the narrative and cinematics of multiple Blizzard games, has also unionized.
In terms of official Blizzard releases, World of Warcraft: Classic, an offering of the original game experience, was launched in 2019. The next expansion, titled "World of Warcraft: Midnight," is scheduled to launch before June 30, 2026. During Gamescom 2025, Blizzard shared details about "World of Warcraft: Midnight," including the introduction of a new race called the Haranir.
However, Blizzard Entertainment is currently embroiled in a lawsuit against the owners of Turtle WoW, alleging that they are using Blizzard's artwork, trademarks, and official code. The company claims that the fan-made expansion, Mysteries of Azeroth, infringes on its intellectual property rights.
"World of Warcraft: Midnight" continues the Worldsoul Saga narrative that began with 2024's expansion, "The War Within." The expansion is planned to conclude the Worldsoul Saga with a third expansion, "The Last Titan." Additionally, "World of Warcraft: Midnight" will feature the long-requested Player Housing feature, allowing players to decorate their own homes in Azeroth.
World of Warcraft: Classic requires an active subscription to access, adding another layer to the ongoing debate about the role of fan-developed mods in the gaming industry. As these developments unfold, the future of fan-developed mods and unionization within the gaming industry remains a topic of interest and discussion.
