Mike Ybarra pleads for World of Warcraft 2

In recent comments, former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra has called for a new direction for the acclaimed MMORPG World of Warcraft. Ybarra says the game needs a "reset" and argues that Blizzard should develop an entirely new game called World of Warcraft 2. His remarks stem from concerns about recent issues and bugs in the game.

The needs of World of Warcraft

Ybarra stressed that World of Warcraft must evolve to stay relevant. He says the game needs a clear and firm commitment to avoid further decline. According to him, WoW should give players a sense of conflict, struggle, risk, reward, and achievement. He believes the game needs to return to the core values that made it so successful in the past.

Storylines and gameplay

The former president also said he would like to see more attention paid to WoW's storylines. Ybarra expressed a desire for an expansion that would reinforce the message that "there is always a Lich King." He believes there are "many more" stories to tell within the WoW universe. These new stories could enrich the experience and deepen engagement among long-time fans.

Focus on core players

Ybarra argued that Blizzard's developers should spend more time on raids and new gameplay ideas aimed primarily at the "core" player base. He said the current approach seems too focused on casual players, leaving hardcore gamers behind. He added that he sees a need for fresh ideas rather than the same repeated expansions for the original WoW.

Ybarra noted that while he would like to see these ideas realized, he never had the chance to present them directly, since Blizzard's president is usually not involved in the game's creative process. Those decisions are mainly made by the game director, who oversees the creative vision. That is also the case with current game director Ion Hazzikostas, who considered Ybarra's suggestions but ultimately chose his own path.

From his current position as CEO of fantasy sports company PrizePicks, Ybarra remains an active voice in the games industry, with a focus on how major franchises like World of Warcraft should evolve in the future.