Warcraft celebrates its 30th anniversary: ​​a look back in 5 figures at this essential video game saga

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In the video game landscape, there are few franchises that have managed to cross the decades with such class. Here we are at the end of the year 2024, and the Warcraft series is already celebrating its thirtieth anniversary. The perfect opportunity to look back on this digital odyssey that has shaped entire generations of gamers, transforming what was initially a modest real-time strategy game into a true cultural phenomenon.

1994: The Year It All Began

In 1994, the video game industry was booming. 3D is starting to become more democratic, PCs are becoming more powerful and becoming real gaming platforms, and new genres of games are emerging, such as real-time strategy games (RTS).

It is in this very particular context that a young studio, Blizzard Entertainment (now a subsidiary of Microsoft), is launching Warcraft: Orcs & Humans. More than just a strategy game, this original creation lays the foundations of a universe that will forever change the history of video games. Players are introduced to Azeroth, a universe populated by mythical creatures, factions with millennia-old histories, and detailed geography.

The title stands out from everything else that was being done at the time with its unique atmosphere, mixing traditional heroic fantasy with a touch of characteristic humor that lightens its dark atmosphere. The developers then imagine an epic confrontation between two races, the Orcs and the Humans instilling a narrative depth rare in a title of the genre of the 1990s.

Its gameplay was praised and introduced game mechanics that have become standards of the genre, such as resource management (wood and gold), building construction, unit recruitment and real-time economy management. And that was just the beginning!

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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 milestone in the history of the saga. Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness(1995) significantly enriches the original formula. The game introduces naval and air units, thus expanding the tactical dimension of the clashes. The graphics in SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array) offer superb definition, while the sound design, with its cult unit lines 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 that gain experience in combat and have special abilities, radically transforms the tactical approach. The introduction of these RPG mechanics was completely new in a strategy game and brought new depth and complexity to the genre.

The narrative reaches new heights with a masterful story campaign, driven by spectacular cinematics and complex characters like Arthas, whose descent into hell has left its mark on everyone. The graphics engine, now in 3D, allows for much more dynamic battles, and the modernized interface greatly facilitates unit management.

The expansion The Frozen Throne (2003) perfects this formula by adding neutral heroes and side campaigns full of twists and turns. In 2023, the studio announced that the game had sold over 3 million copies, a total success !

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Warcraft : 4 playable races to rewrite the legend

The progressive enrichment of the Warcraft universe 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 acquired 8217;a thicker narrative.

Warcraft IIIundoubtedly marks the peak of this evolution by introducing four distinct civilizations. Humans, champions of honor and civilization, 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 from a visual, storyline and gameplay point of view.

Mass production of units ? The Humans' main asset. Speed ​​and magic ? The Night Elves excelled at it. Necromancy, special units: the preserve 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 to play.

3.7 million players, a legendary expansion

World of Warcraft (WoW), launched in 2004, represents arguably the most audacious metamorphosis of the franchise. This MMORPG transposes the rich universe of Warcraft into a persistent world where millions of players shape their own story. The revolutionary formula combines exploration, combat, crafting and social interactions in a constantly evolving 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 Shadowlands, released in 2020 which sold 3.7 million copies in just 24 hours according to JV.com. A true triumph that testifies to the franchise's continued vivacity, 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 Classic, a remastered version of the game as it was in 2004. A true return to the roots for players who had fond memories of the basic WoW and which also helped 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 have been 100 million accounts created on WoW since the first game's release; at this level, we're beyond a simple commercial statistic. 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, from seasonal events to in-game marriages, World of Warcraft has created a social fabric completely unique in the history of interactive entertainment. There is absolutely no MMORPG that can hold its own in this regard.

Three decades after its humble beginnings, Warcraft is more alive than ever. The MMORPG's latest expansion, The War Within, released in August 2024, propelled WoW to new heights: more than 12 million players were present on the game simultaneously, a record for the saga. As for Warcraft III, many streamers still share their gaming sessions via Twitch, 22 years after its release. Proof that a video game universe as solid as the one created by Blizzard can transcend generations while preserving its essence, provided it knows how to evolve with the times while remaining faithful to its roots.

• Since its first real-time strategy game, Warcraft has 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 simultaneous players connected in 2024.
• More than a game, Warcraft has shaped a global culture, bringing together generations of players around its epic universe.

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