Is Wrath of the Lich King Classic Coming?

Can we expect WoW’s beloved expansion soon?

Despite the former Blizzard leadership not expecting Classic to be a big hit, it has charmed players much like OSRS does for Runescape. It just goes to show that nostalgia is a powerful tool to attract players, whether they’re new or veterans. In the wake of this success, they may continue recreating Classic for a few more expansions. So, how long can we expect to keep farming WoW TBC gold and TBC items?

An Estimate

The likelihood of Wrath of the Lich King Classic servers getting released is supported by the fact that it’s the favorite of a majority of players. Classic allows them to once again explore Northrend and relive their adventures.

Looking at the trend where The Burning Crusade Classic got released two years after Classic came out, we might see an announcement later this year. It would be the announcement for Wrath of the Lich King Classic, releasing in 2023.

Roadblocks Ahead

With the pandemic still raging, you can also expect things to be delayed. Compounding on that fact are the various lawsuits barraging the company right now. Along with the latter, workers frequently go on strike, meaning even more delays.

Another roadblock is the players’ impatience. In these times where instant gratification is the norm, the players are actually starting to get bored of the current content. How they lasted two years with only Classic content was a feat of patience.

The current TBC Classic is flagging as well. It may be because of the unusual decisions and internal problems the company is having, but it’s a harsh blow to the game. With Shadowlands not faring any better, WoW is currently in a dark period.

Having said all that, if there will be a Wrath of the Lich King Classic, it may come later than all the estimated times. The company is in chaos and fans aren’t quite pleased with previous decisions. Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard adds to it even more, due to some restructuring and/or cleaning up of those lawsuits.

Why Is It Called the Best Expansion?

While not everybody agrees, a huge majority would say that Wrath is their favorite expansion. They love the story, the raids (or at least one in particular), and it was, overall, an enjoyable period in the game. The story finished up with the story of Arthas, who was a character that was beloved by many players.

Players also enjoyed playing the new class, the Death Knight. The expansion was the last time players were able to freely spec their characters without relying on a build too much. Cataclysm changed up so many things that players were upset at all the changes. Some of them even think the game all went downhill after Cataclysm.

WotLK holds one of the most enjoyable raids, Uldar. It has the best PvP seasons too, for those who cared about it. A post on the forums had said that WotLK did everything Classic did, but better. By that logic, releasing servers for a Classic version of the expansion should bring back many players.

From a purely business standpoint, it’s the peak of the game. With so many players enjoying it, they’re more motivated to invite friends to join them in the game. The subscriptions increased and players were happy.

Coming Soon, Probably

Keep in mind that many factors influence whether this Classic expansion will come to light or not. Right now, it’s possible, but not too likely. If the lawsuits get resolved and Microsoft reorganizes them quickly, then perhaps the estimates may be reached.

The pandemic is harder to predict since it can still mutate and turn to another stronger variant. However, many are optimistic due to Omnicron’s milder attacks. If this trend does continue, maybe we can go back to something resembling normal before the pandemic. That will bump the chances of WotLK Classic even higher. Still, everything’s up in the air for now.

Manage your expectations for Wrath of the Lich King Classic. Nostalgia may be powerful, but when it comes out, it will not be the same WotLK that you remember. In some aspects, it might even be worse than before. Don’t let your expectations keep you from enjoying it! It may be different, but that only means that it’s a new experience.

While we wait for good news, keep on farming WoW TBC gold as well as TBC items and enjoying the game!