When people hear "Warcraft," their minds often go straight to "World of Warcraft." However, the Warcraft universe is far richer than just this one title. The saga began in late 1994 with Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, the series’ inaugural game. A sequel followed swiftly, intensifying the struggle between the game’s two primary factions.
Warcraft III emerged as a landmark in gaming history, regarded as one of the greatest real-time strategy games ever created. It sparked a new wave of enthusiasm within the gaming industry and laid the groundwork for what would evolve into one of the most influential online games in history. In 2004, World of Warcraft debuted to remarkable acclaim and continues to thrive today, with countless players immersing themselves in the expansive world of Azeroth daily. The franchise’s reach has even extended to Hollywood, along with the success of the digital card game, Hearthstone.
Reflecting on three decades of Warcraft, Blizzard’s Darren Williams and Ely Cannon shared their experiences with 9News.com.au. Williams reminisced about his first encounter with the game, which occurred 30 years prior when his father installed it on their PC, igniting his passion for the series. Cannon’s introduction to Warcraft was through a local hobby store, as his family did not have a computer at home. Instead, he rented time on a PC to play, with fond memories of visiting the Unicorn Castle frequently after completing high school.
Recently, Williams and Cannon travelled to Sydney to celebrate the legacy of Warcraft with fans, underscoring the enduring impact of the franchise within the gaming community.