Blizzard has finally unveiled its firstWarcraft-centered mobile game,Warcraft: Arclight Rumble. While it is unclear what monetization will look like, the gameplay ofArclight Rumblelooks to be fun. Instead of a Pet Battle app like many were requesting, it will be aClash Royale-style game that prioritizes PvE content over PvP content. Players will be able to control the armies of Azeroth in battles over multiple different maps, and it very well could be a fun game toplay forWorld of Warcraftfans.
Warcraft: Arclight Rumblewill not be canon to theWarcraftstory, but instead be similar toHearthstone.Blizzard’s choice to go that route makesArclight Rumblenot required for fans of theWarcraftbrand, which does not give people a reason to play it beyond curiosity. If Blizzard wantsWorld of Warcraftfans to give it a look, or if they seek to haveArclight Rumbleplayers move toWorld of Warcraft, it needs to offer some type of incentive.
RELATED:Blizzard Wants Arclight Rumble To Be a Warcraft Game First, Mobile Game Second
Blizzard Has Offered Incentives In the Past
Blizzard is no stranger when it comes to offering promotional items forWorld of Warcraft. The game that Blizzard has offered the most cross-promotional items with isHearthstone.Hearthstoneis very similar toArclight Rumble, presenting a game that the citizens of Azeroth play. Over the years, Blizzard has offered different items in the game as a way to get players to play bothHearthstoneandWorld of Warcraft.
Players who are able to win three matches in Arena or Play mode inHearthstoneare given theHearthsteed mount asa reward inWorld of Warcraft. This mount is a horse flying mount that is only obtainable by playingHearthstone. Players who complete the tutorial of the Mercenaries mode inHearthstoneare given access to the Sarge mount at no extra charge.
Blizzard has also offeredHearthstonecontentin certainWorld of Warcraftsubscription tiers and collectors editions. Players could purchase a six-monthWorld of Warcraftsubscription and be givenHearthstonecard packs, as well as the Tavern Pass for the current and nextHearthstoneexpansion. Players who also chose to purchase variousWorld of Warcraftexpansion pack digital deluxe editions were given themedHearthstonecard backs, along with content for other titles.
Hearthstoneis not the onlytitle withWarcraftcontent that received incentives forWorld of Warcraftplayers.Heroes of the Stormincludes variousWarcraftcharactersand held an event where players could unlock two mounts, one forWorld of Warcraftand one forHeroes of the Storm, just by playing the game. Players who used aWarcraftcharacter alongside a friend for 15 matches would receive the Primal Flamesaber mount inWorld of Warcraft,as well as the Flames of Judgement Charger Mount inHeroes of the Storm.
Arclight Rumble Incentives Could Take Many Forms
If Blizzard wants to giveWorld of Warcraftfans a reason to check outArclight Rumble, it needs to offer similar incentives. These could take many forms as long as they offerWorld of Warcraftplayers some type of cosmetic content. Blizzard could lock a toy or a pet behind a certain match count inArclight Rumble, it could craft a unique mount that is only obtainable if players progress to a certain level in the PvE campaign, or it could even offer an exclusivetransmog item that is themed afterArclight Rumble.
Whatever Blizzard chooses to offer, it needs to be careful. This item cannot be difficult to obtain and should not require a paywall. It also needs to be purely cosmetic and themed afterArclight Rumblein some way. If Blizzard can follow what it did with certainHearthstoneitems, it should be no problem. However, if Blizzard chooses to makeit hard to obtain or cost money, the promotion will likely not have its intended outcome.
Right now,the general sentiment towardArclight Rumbleis that it looks fun, if a bit generic. If Blizzard wantsWarcraftfans to check the game out, it needs to offer some type of cosmetic item they can unlock inWorld of Warcraft. Doing so will give them a reason to check out the title, and may get them invested further.
Warcraft: Arclight Rumbleis currently in development.
MORE:Arclight Rumble Aims to Bring Warcraft Back to its Real-Time Strategy Roots
