Warcraft 3 Reforged 2.0: Esports Revival Potential

Warcraft III Reforged just got another huge retrofit with a patch – but will it be enough to catapult the game on its way to the esports scene in the long run? When it came out back in 2020, Warcraft III: Reforged channeled all of the nostalgia and memorable experiences of the beloved RTS game that hooked a lot of players back in the day, and it cannot be denied that it has been years since fans have waited for a remaster of the said game. However, it seems that Warcraft III Reforged has its sights on a much bigger stage – the competitive esports scene.

What is Warcraft III: Reforged?

This entire city must be purged.

If you have followed the story of Arthas on how he became the first Death Knight of the Lich King, how the Undead Scourge took over Lordaeron, how the Orcs fulfilled their destiny led by Thrall, and how the Night Elves allied with the two factions to beat Archimonde and the Undead – then you would not have missed this remaster considering how it went viral over the years as a promising game, that had plenty of bugs leading to its highly negative reception.

Despite being one of the hyped games in 2020 among the “remaster era”, it cannot be denied that many players still tried to play through the game despite its changes from the original, various unannounced features, and even a lot of technical issues in its multiplayer. Perhaps there’s consolation in the fact that the game comes together with its expansion pack in one – The Frozen Throne.

Warcraft 3 Reforged 2.0 Arthas image

There were initial plans to actually work on an altered campaign and retcon the whole story in order to tie it up with the ongoing World of Warcraft series of games. However, negative fanbase reaction and the lack of impressive feedback led Blizzard to scrap that plan and proceed with the remaster as planned.

While many claim that the game is really that bad, Warcraft III: Reforged actually had some impressive reviews from known game critics, which means a lot to the game’s overall status as a viable game for the esports industry so far.

Warcraft III: Reforged Critic Reviews

Game Critic / Publication	Score
Metacritic	59/100
Game Informer	6/10
GameStar	66/100
IGN	7/10
PC Gamer	59/100

Based on these numbers, it does seem that Warcraft III: Reforged has certainly has gained around mixed or average scores for a game – and that is not bad amidst all the talks of a poorly-made game that is just a revamped version of a great RTS game that many people came to love.

Why is the 2.0 Patch a Crucial Update?

So what is the 2.0 patch all about? For starters, the game has been looked as one of the lowly remasters among remasters. However, the 2.0 patch brings a new dynamic for the game and adds a promising upgrade for the game – especially on the multiplayer side. This says a lot about the hopes of seeing a much bigger look as to what Warcraft can offer for its players who are waiting on a game that can actually enter the esports scene.

Initially, the patch added different features for players to work on, such as the user interface, bug fixes, and many other tweaks that would hopefully restore confidence in the game for the coming years – and make it viable to become an esports title as well. However, the biggest change that it offers is the fix in competitive play.

Here are some of the significant changes for the multiplayer side in the patch 2.0 update:

Ranked play now has added XP and leveling.
MMR will be the tiebreaker for leaderboard rankings.
MMR bands have been reduced from 0-10000 to 0-7000 and will no longer reset after a new season if player is currently ranked.
Level and XP will reset completely at the start of every season.
Added game servers located in Chicago, United States of America and Sydney, Australia.

While these are all seen as just another set of changes, players may feel the impact when it comes to the gameplay, the overall progression of ranks and even in the competitive play in the long run especially with the added game servers – meaning more service for players as well.

Is Warcraft III: Reforged 2.0 Built for the Esports Scene?

Well, considering the fact that Warcraft III: Reforged has certainly caught a lot of people off guard with the poor reception in its initial launch, Blizzard is still hoping that the game can pull off a rise to the bigger picture now more than ever. But is it really built for the esports scene?

Here are some talking points to consider about its potential as a competitive esports title:

Enhanced Graphics Make it On Par with Current RTS Titles

Reforged aimed to modernize the original Warcraft III by improving textures, character models, and visual effects, but it still retains the more "cartoonish" or stylized fantasy aesthetic. While the game looks better than the original Warcraft III, it doesn't reach the same level of realism and polish as Starcraft II. The art style is still fairly exaggerated, with more emphasis on fantasy elements and less attention to the kind of gritty realism seen in Starcraft II.

The gameplay visuals in Reforged are a significant improvement over the original Warcraft III, but they are still somewhat simpler compared to Starcraft II. The more fantastical setting means that visual clarity is sometimes sacrificed in favor of stylized effects and fantasy designs. That said, the overall visual clarity in gameplay has been improved from the original.

Warcraft 3 Reforged 2.0 infernal image

It Already Has an Existing Fanbase

Yes, Warcraft III (including Warcraft III: Reforged) still has a dedicated esports fanbase, though it is more niche compared to other modern RTS titles like Starcraft II or MOBAs like League of Legends. The esports scene for Warcraft III has evolved over the years, and while it isn't as prominent as it once was, it remains an important part of the game's legacy, particularly within certain regions and among long-time fans of the franchise.

While the Warcraft III esports scene isn't as large or visible as it was in its heyday, it still has an active and passionate fanbase that supports both competitive play and community-driven events. Major tournaments and high-level players continue to make the game a relevant part of the esports landscape, though it’s more of a niche title now, particularly compared to other competitive RTS or esports genres.

Warcraft 3 Reforged 2.0 orc vs human image

Is Warcraft III Reforged Ready for the Esports Scene?

While Warcraft III: Reforged has the potential to grow in popularity within the esports scene, several factors make it unlikely to become a dominant esports title in the same way that games like League of Legends, Dota 2, or Starcraft II have. However, it’s not entirely out of the question.

Although RTS games are not as mainstream as MOBAs or FPS titles, there has been a resurgence of interest in the genre, particularly with the success of Age of Empires IV and Starcraft II’s continued competitive presence. If Warcraft III: Reforged can capitalize on this resurgence, offering unique gameplay and appealing to both old fans and new players, it could carve out a more significant esports niche.

Warcraft 3 Reforged 2.0 orc base image

Ultimately, Warcraft III: Reforged can have a dedicated esports scene, but it likely won't become a major esports title unless there is a significant push from Blizzard and a major shift in the esports landscape. It will probably remain a beloved classic with a loyal fanbase rather than a global esports powerhouse.

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