For years, World of Warcraft players have experienced a shift in dungeon design, increasingly focused on the fast-paced, timer-driven challenges of Mythic+ instances. Now, Blizzard Entertainment acknowledges that this focus may have come at a cost, sacrificing the sense of exploration and discovery that defined earlier iterations of the game. A new feature, “Labyrinths,” slated for release in the 12.1.5 patch of the upcoming Midnight expansion, aims to recapture that lost feeling.
The Standardization of WoW Dungeons
The evolution of WoW dungeons has been a gradual process. Initially, dungeons like Maraudon, Blackrock Spire, and Blackrock Depths were sprawling complexes filled with numerous bosses and hidden pathways. These dungeons were designed to be “weekend projects,” offering hours of exploration and a sense of accomplishment for those who delved deep within. However, as World of Warcraft matured, dungeons became more streamlined, typically featuring only three or four bosses and a more linear progression.
According to Paul Kubit, Associate Game Director at Blizzard, the rise of Mythic+ dungeons played a significant role in this shift. “As Mythic+ took over the format, everything has been designed towards it and its timer-focused goals,” Kubit explained in an interview with PC Gamer. “And maybe we lost something along the way.” The emphasis on optimizing routes and maximizing efficiency within a strict time limit, while providing a compelling endgame challenge for many players, inadvertently led to a homogenization of dungeon design. The focus became less about exploration and more about execution.
Labyrinths: A Return to Classic RPG Design
Labyrinths represent Blizzard’s attempt to address this perceived loss. Described as “mega-Delves,” these instances are designed to be significantly larger and more complex than traditional WoW dungeons. The goal is to evoke the feeling of getting “lost in a cavern with your friends” and embarking on a true RPG adventure. “That RPG fantasy feeling of getting lost in a big dungeon doesn’t exist in the dungeon space anymore—but it could in our Delve space, if you look at something like Labyrinths,” Kubit stated.
The design philosophy behind Labyrinths is a deliberate departure from the Mythic+ model. Instead of prioritizing speed and efficiency, Labyrinths encourage players to take their time, explore every nook and cranny, and uncover hidden secrets. The feature is also designed to be more flexible, allowing players to break up their progress over multiple sessions – a feature reminiscent of the classic dungeons where completing the entire instance in a single sitting was often impractical.
Delves and the Broader Context of Midnight
Labyrinths are part of a larger initiative within the Midnight expansion to broaden the appeal of World of Warcraft and offer players more diverse experiences. Blizzard has also announced plans for features like player housing, aiming to expand the game beyond its core endgame loop. The introduction of Labyrinths signals a recognition that not all players are motivated by the competitive intensity of Mythic+ and that there is a demand for more open-ended, exploratory content.
The development team seems to be consciously trying to cater to different playstyles. While Mythic+ will continue to exist as a challenging endgame activity, Labyrinths offer an alternative for players who prefer a more relaxed and immersive dungeon experience. This approach could potentially attract a wider audience to World of Warcraft, including players who may have been turned off by the game’s increasingly competitive nature.
Release Timeline and Future Outlook
Despite the excitement surrounding Labyrinths, players will have to wait before they can experience the feature firsthand. The 12.1.5 patch, which includes Labyrinths, is currently scheduled for release in Autumn, following BlizzCon on September 12th, 2026. This relatively distant release date underscores the complexity of implementing such a significant change to the game’s dungeon structure.
The success of Labyrinths will likely depend on how well Blizzard balances the desire for exploration with the need for meaningful challenges and rewards. If the feature can successfully recapture the spirit of classic WoW dungeons while offering a compelling gameplay experience, it could represent a significant step forward for the game. It remains to be seen whether Labyrinths will fully address the concerns raised by Kubit and other developers, but the initiative demonstrates a willingness to experiment and adapt to the evolving needs of the World of Warcraft community.
