After Warcraft 3’s first new campaign in 23 years, let’s normalize releasing new DLC for ancient RTS games
Blizzard’s decision to release new DLC for Warcraft 3, marking the game’s first new campaign in 23 years, exemplifies a growing industry trend of releasing new expansions for older, beloved games to maintain engagement with long-standing fan bases.
Classic games like Age of Empires and Warcraft 3 have demonstrated remarkable staying power, particularly on platforms like Steam where they continue to compete with newer AAA releases. Recent examples of this trend include The Witcher 3’s “Songs of the Past” expansion and anticipation for future DLC for titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur’s Gate 3, which remain popular years after their initial release.
The piece argues that releasing new content for aging RTS games makes business sense, as these titles maintain dedicated player communities and continue to generate revenue long after their initial launch. By supporting legacy titles with fresh campaigns and expansions, publishers can capitalize on nostalgia while keeping these classics viable in an increasingly crowded gaming marketplace. This approach could establish a template for how the industry handles long-running franchises moving forward.