The Clash of Titans: Warhammer vs. Warcraft – Which Came First?
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The question of which came first, Warhammer or Warcraft, is a common point of discussion among fans of fantasy and strategy gaming. The answer, quite definitively, is Warhammer. The Warhammer Fantasy Battle tabletop game was first released in 1983, while the first Warcraft game, Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, didn’t appear until 1994. This makes Warhammer a full decade older than the original Warcraft game. However, the relationship between the two franchises is much more complex and interesting than a simple matter of age.
A Brief History of Warhammer
The origins of Warhammer can be traced back to Games Workshop, a company initially focused on producing miniatures for tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. In 1983, Games Workshop launched Warhammer: The Game of Fantasy Battles, a tabletop wargame that combined historical wargaming principles with a rich, mythic fantasy setting. The game was designed to encourage customers to purchase more of their miniature models, quickly becoming a hit in its own right.
The world of Warhammer is a grim, dark fantasy setting heavily inspired by medieval Europe, but with fantastical elements like magic, elves, dwarves, and monstrous creatures. One of the key features that sets Warhammer apart is its detailed lore, covering not only the conflicts between different factions but also the history of the world itself. Later, Warhammer 40,000 was released as a science-fiction spin-off, creating a sprawling universe that was equally engaging. Warhammer 40k came out in 1987, further establishing the brand.
Warhammer’s Evolution and Influence
Over the years, Warhammer evolved considerably, spawning countless miniatures, novels, video games, and role-playing systems. The original Warhammer Fantasy line was eventually replaced by Warhammer Age of Sigmar in 2015, a move that sparked significant debate among fans, showcasing the franchise’s ability to adapt and yet retain core fanbase. The influence of Warhammer on the fantasy genre is undeniable, with its themes and aesthetics having been incorporated into countless works since.
The Rise of Warcraft
Warcraft, on the other hand, is a product of Blizzard Entertainment, a company that rose to prominence in the video game industry. The first Warcraft game, Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, was a real-time strategy game (RTS) that introduced the world of Azeroth and the conflict between humans and orcs. It was inspired by a mix of ideas such as the Viking theme of The Lost Vikings, the mass control of creatures from Lemmings, and the desire to create a multiplayer experience where such armies would clash.
While Warcraft was clearly influenced by the fantasy tropes prevalent at the time – which had been partly shaped by Warhammer – it developed its own distinct identity. The lore of Warcraft has become extremely intricate and detailed, and this is largely attributed to Christopher Vincent Metzen who created many of the storylines of the major Blizzard franchises. It has also seen several iterations, including Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, and finally, the massively successful World of Warcraft (WoW) in 2004. WoW changed the landscape of online gaming, popularizing the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) genre on a scale unseen before, even though it was not the first MMO.
The Relationship Between Warcraft and Warhammer
The relationship between Warcraft and Warhammer is not a straight rip-off as some people assume. According to Bob Fitch, the theme for Warcraft was inspired by the vikings of The Lost Vikings, combined with masses of creatures under their automated control similar to Lemmings, and adding the multiplayer element of having these opposing masses of vikings meet up and fight each other. However, the truth is, that Warhammer did serve as a major inspiration for Warcraft’s art style. There were even discussions about Blizzard working with Games Workshop on a Warhammer game, which ultimately fell through due to business and creative disagreements.
Despite not officially being connected, the influence of Warhammer on Warcraft’s design is clear. Both franchises feature orcs, elves, and dwarves, as well as a similar high fantasy setting. However, Warcraft went on to forge its own narrative, lore and visual style that became beloved in its own right.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about Warhammer and Warcraft to provide additional context and clarity:
1. Was Warcraft originally intended to be a Warhammer game?
Yes, there are accounts suggesting that Warcraft was initially conceived as a Warhammer game. Blizzard supposedly developed a proof of concept to show to Games Workshop, but the deal never materialized, leading Blizzard to rework the lore and create their own franchise.
2. Did Starcraft rip off Warhammer 40,000?
No, StarCraft did not rip off Warhammer 40,000. While both share similar inspirations from science-fiction concepts, the narratives and factions are completely different.
3. Which came first, World of Warcraft or the original Warcraft RTS games?
The original Warcraft real-time strategy games came first. Warcraft: Orcs & Humans was released in 1994, followed by Warcraft II in 1995, and Warcraft III in 2002. World of Warcraft was released in 2004, continuing the story of the previous games.
4. What is the Warhammer timeline?
The original Warhammer Fantasy was released in 1983. Warhammer 40,000 followed in 1987. The Warhammer Fantasy line was replaced by Warhammer Age of Sigmar in 2015.
5. Was Warhammer inspired by Dungeons & Dragons?
Warhammer Fantasy was designed as a fantasy wargame. However, Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (the tabletop RPG) was designed after Dungeons & Dragons, offering a darker, grittier take on the fantasy RPG experience.
6. What inspired Warcraft’s concept?
Warcraft was inspired by the combination of themes and gameplay elements: The Lost Vikings for the Viking concept, Lemmings for controlling masses of units, and multiplayer strategy from other games.
7. What was the precursor to World of Warcraft?
The precursor to World of Warcraft was Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, which introduced the world of Azeroth and the original conflict between humans and orcs.
8. Why is it called Warcraft?
Allen Adham, one of the founders of Blizzard, wanted to create a series of games set in different warfare eras, both historical and fictional, with the common name “Warcraft”.
9. Is Warhammer discontinued?
The original Warhammer Fantasy Battle is no longer supported by Games Workshop and has been replaced by Warhammer Age of Sigmar, although the models are still compatible with Age of Sigmar.
10. Which came first, Warhammer 40k or Starcraft?
Warhammer 40,000 came first in 1987, while StarCraft was released in 1998.
11. Was World of Warcraft the first MMO?
No, World of Warcraft was not the first MMO. Ultima Online was one of the first MMOs, released in 1997, followed by EverQuest in 1999.
12. Who wrote the Warcraft lore?
Christopher Vincent Metzen is widely known for crafting the lore and scripts for Blizzard’s major franchises, including Warcraft.
13. When was World of Warcraft released?
World of Warcraft was released in 2004.
14. What is the new World of Warcraft expansion?
The latest expansion for World of Warcraft is World of Warcraft: Dragonflight.
15. Is World of Warcraft based on Lovecraft?
While World of Warcraft is not primarily based on the works of Lovecraft, some of its lore and themes are influenced by Lovecraftian horror, including the inclusion of old gods.