World of Warcraft: Midnight expansion revealed at Gamescom 2025

GAMING NEWS Fyra Frost - Aug 20, 2025, 18:30

Blizzard Entertainment used the stage of Gamescom 2025 Opening Night Live to unveil the next chapter in its long-running MMORPG, World of Warcraft. Titled Midnight, this expansion marks the second episode of the Worldsoul Saga, and it brings the battle against the Void to the forefront of Azeroth’s ongoing story.

The Worldsoul Saga continues

The reveal of World of Warcraft: Midnight was accompanied by two trailers, a sweeping cinematic and a first look at gameplay, that set the tone for what players can expect when the expansion launches in the first half of 2026. In the cinematic, Xal'atath, the enigmatic antagonist, unleashes a full-scale assault on Silvermoon City. Her ultimate goal is nothing less than the corruption of the Sunwell, the magical source that has long sustained the high elven kingdom of Quel'Thalas. The short film is a visual reminder of the escalating stakes at the heart of the Worldsoul Saga, as players are called to defend one of Azeroth's most sacred sites from being consumed by the Void.

The gameplay reveal offered a broader picture of what the successor to World of Warcraft: The War Within will bring to the iconic MMORPG. Most important among the additions is the long-requested feature of player housing, giving adventurers a personal space to customize for the first time in the game's twenty-year history. Blizzard also confirmed that players will explore a mix of new and reimagined regions, including Silvermoon, Eversong Woods, Zul'Aman, and the Void-infested zone of Harandar.

Several new gameplay systems are also set to debut. A new allied race, the bat-like Haranir, will be available to most classes, while Demon Hunters will gain a brand-new Void-infused specialization called Devourer, offering mid-range damage abilities. Void Elves will also unlock Demon Hunter as a playable class option for the first time. Group content remains central to the expansion, with fresh dungeons, raids, and a dynamic "Prey" system that introduces roaming boss encounters in the open world. For PvP players, Blizzard is adding training grounds for practice as well as new battlegrounds inspired by fan favorites like Alterac Valley.

There will be three editions of World of Warcraft: Midnight available: Base, Heroic, and Epic; ranging between roughly $50 and $90. Each edition comes with its own set of perks, from early access to beta tests and head starts on housing customization to in-game cosmetics. Blizzard has committed to a release window no later than June 30, 2026, cementing the expansion's place on the horizon for next year.

Gamescom attendees are also getting an early taste of what’s to come. Blizzard's booth is showcasing the new housing system in playable form, while panels with developers provide deeper dives into the zones, storylines, and mechanics of Midnight. A special “Creator Clash” event, featuring housing showcases, dungeon races, and PvP competitions, rounds out Blizzard's presence at the convention.

As the second act of the Worldsoul Saga, World of Warcraft: Midnight is not only raising the stakes for Azeroth’s future but also delivering long-requested features that could reshape how players experience the game. With the Void threatening to consume the Sunwell and the promise of new adventures, allies, and challenges, Blizzard is setting the stage for one of the most ambitious expansions in the game’s history. Remember to check out the best deals for World of Warcraft: Midnight with our comparator.