World of Warcraft Is Letting Horde & Alliance Get Along
World of Warcraft players who join either Horde or Alliance can now team up. This feature is not actually new to the franchise. However, the opposing factions have never really been able to play alongside each other as a permanent function of the MMO’s grouping system. The game’s upcoming Shadowlands 9.2.5 patch will be responsible for these changes.
“Cross faction instances will break the faction divide by allowing friends from the opposite faction to play together,” Blizzard Entertainment wrote. “It will also expand opportunities for players to pursue their favorite group content.”
Following the release of the patch, Horde and Alliance players will be able to join each other within the same party. They can complete raids and dungeons as a team. They can also play alongside each other for PvP using the respective matchmakers or inviting each other via Battle Tags. However, there will be a few restrictions.
According to the announcement, pre-made groups will have the option to turn off cross faction play. Guilds will still be faction-locked. Plus, there will also be a short list of legacy instances that will not support the said feature. Apart from these restrictions, the opposing factions can stop being at each other’s throats and collaborate on endgame content.
Back in 2019, devs told the gaming public that “Alliance and Horde separation is a pillar of what makes Warcraft, Warcraft.” Now, however, it would seem that things have changed.
“Alliance and Horde identity is what is fundamental to Warcraft,” said Game Director Ion Hazzikostas. “While at times that identity has been one of division and open conflict, we have seen Alliance and Horde finding common ground and working together ever since Warcraft 3.”
Devs admit that their views about World of Warcraft’s Alliance and Horde separation was an “oversimplification.” “The instances of cooperation in World of Warcraft itself are too numerous to count,” they added.
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