Producer says Metzen sometimes wishes 'Warcraft' sounds intimidating

Warcraft has grown over the past 30-plus years from a breakout RTS into one of the world's most dominant MMOs and one of the industry's most recognizable names. Chris Metzen, executive creative director of the Warcraft universe, sometimes wishes the series had a different name, saying, “I wish we hadn’t called it Warcraft.

It sounds intimidating.” Producer Longdale called it “a fantastic IP” that has been “underutilized” and said the team wants Warcraft to feel more approachable as it evolves. Some fans on X reacted sharply — one accused Metzen of having “some George Lucas level of delusion” about his own creation — while others pointed out the franchise has always mixed the grim with the goofy, noting that characters will even drop gag lines and that “that’s worldbuilding.” Longdale outlined a broader goal for the franchise: “We want people to come in, hang out and have birthdays, weddings, raids, grand adventures, play with their friends, meet new friends… all the things that World of Warcraft has been good at for over 20 years.