Even with Microsoft's repeated efforts to make sure everyone has hopped on the Windows 10 bandwagon, there are still some users, for reasons better left undiscussed, who use Windows Vista or XP, Microsoft's aging — and quite possibly at this point high-risk — platforms
If you use Vista or XP as your everyday operating system, and if you play Blizzard's games on a machine powered by either one, the World of Warcraft creator has some bad news for you: many of Blizzard games will soon stop working on Vista and XP.
Blizzard Abandons Windows Vista And XP
Microsoft ended mainstream support for XP in 2009, and Vista in 2012, but despite that, Blizzard continued to support those platforms for a number of their games, such as World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, Diablo III, Hearthstone, and even Heroes of the Storm, as per Ars Technica's report.
Beginning later this year, however, Blizzard will finally pull out from supporting those games under the two aforementioned operating systems. Blizzard says the change will take effect in a "staggered schedule," meaning the company promises to post individual notices for each game. Once support ends, the once-comptable games will become unplayable. Tough luck, VIsta and XP holdouts. Maybe this the the perfect chance to finally upgrade.
Blizzard Games That Will Soon Become Unplayable
"Starting later this year, we will begin the process of ending support for Windows XP and Windows Vista in World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, Diablo III, Hearthstone, and Heroes of the Storm," according to a post by Blizzard. "[W]e encourage any players who are still using one of the older OSes to upgrade to a newer version."
The pulling of life support for those platforms may rankle some people, though certainly not a lot in the United States, but certainly many in China, where internet cafes famously relied on Windows XP for over 15 years, according to Ars Technica. However sudden the halt might be, it makes sense for Blizzard do such a thing, considering the bulk of its games revolve around multiplayer.
It's Time To Move On
Blizzard says that it has continued to support the Vista and XP because a decent portion of its user base was still playing its games on those platforms. However, a vast majority of Blizzard's audience have now upgraded to more modern platforms, such as Windows 7, 8, or 10 — just the wherewithal it needed to finally halt support for the platforms after supporting them for such a long time.
To reiterate, the games that will soon be unsupported on Vista and XP are World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, Diablo III, Hearthstone, and Heroes of the Storm.
Blizzard is basically saying it's time to move on. That is, if you want to play Blizzard's most popular games. If not, then feel free to remain on Vista or XP.
Are you going to be affected by this change? Why haven't you updated your OS yet? Feel free to sound off in the comments section below!
