**Player Housing in World of Warcraft: The Emergence of Floating Abodes**

After twenty years of expectation, Blizzard Entertainment has launched player housing in its esteemed MMORPG, *World of Warcraft*. This eagerly awaited addition has swiftly intrigued players, not just for its imaginative prospects but also for the surprising occurrence of floating abodes that surfaced soon after its release.

On December 2, the game was updated to version 11.2.7, which introduced the new housing capability. Almost right away, players uncovered hidden hotkeys that enabled them to suspend their homes in the air, offering a fresh dimension of gameplay and creativity. Although there is ongoing discussion within the community regarding whether this qualifies as a bug or a feature, Blizzard has opted to embrace this unintentional mechanic. Rather than eliminating the ability for homes to float, the developers have made it an official aspect of the player housing system, including interface upgrades to streamline the process.

Community representative Randy Jordan, known as Kaivax, explained the scenario on the official forums, stating that while levitating homes were not part of their original vision, the ingenuity displayed by players in constructing flying vessels and enchanted towers was undeniable. Consequently, Blizzard has decided to retain the floating feature, motivating players to experiment with creative designs for their elevated homes.

Nonetheless, with this newfound freedom come specific considerations. Kaivax offered two crucial reminders for players looking to elevate their homes. First, the underside of these floating abodes is unmodeled and untextured, meaning players need to be mindful of concealing this area with other in-game elements. Second, accessing the door of a raised house may prove challenging, necessitating inventive solutions such as creating ramps, developing jumping puzzles, or setting up landing zones for mounts.

In addition to these updates, Blizzard has also enhanced the capacity for outdoor decorations, enabling players to place up to 250 items on their homes, an increase from the former cap of 200. This improvement aligns with Blizzard’s continual initiative to enhance the player housing experience.

Since the introduction of these features and adjustments, players have enthusiastically engaged with the new system, showcasing their creations and discussing strategies for optimizing their floating homes. Blizzard’s flexibility and official acknowledgment of player creativity underscore the vibrant relationship they share with their gaming community, promoting an atmosphere where imagination can flourish.

As *World of Warcraft* continues to progress, the floating abodes trend may be just the onset of new adventures and creative opportunities for players and their digital residences.

### Delving into the ID@Xbox Indie Selections Demo Fest: Essential Demos to Try

Steam’s Next Fests typically showcase playable demos of upcoming releases, but Xbox has also solidified its dedication to indie creators through events like the ID@Xbox Indie Selections Demo Fest. This initiative presents a curated selection of demos for various indie games, allowing players to experience fresh adventures. With 36 free demos accessible until the conclusion of December, we’ve pinpointed some of the top ones you should think about trying.

#### 1. Cash Cleaner Simulator
This quirky title offers a lighthearted perspective on the post-PowerWash Simulator trend, centering on money laundering—quite literally. Players embark on a humorous journey of cleaning crime money, fusing clever mechanics with lively gameplay. Initially launched on Steam, it garnered positive reviews, and now Xbox players can join in the enjoyment.

#### 2. Deck of Haunts
A distinctive mix of deckbuilding and roguelite gameplay, Deck of Haunts positions players as the very haunted house itself. The goal is to entice unwitting visitors into shadowy rooms and use their fears to collect their essence. Despite its success on PC, it has remained under the radar, making its console arrival highly awaited.

#### 3. Aikyam
Drawing inspiration from Bollywood, Aikyam invites players into a stunning RPG rich with cultural motifs and vibrant visuals. As characters confront demonic adversaries, they participate in battles reminiscent of cinematic action sequences, highlighting themes of compassion. The art style, heavily influenced by Diwali, is visually impressive and enhances the game’s appeal.

#### 4. Pathologic
Pathologic is an otherworldly indie gem, offering players the narrative of a plague doctor through dreamlike storytelling and distinctive gameplay mechanics. Following its well-received predecessors, the third entry aims to recapture the same eerie charm that made the original a cult classic, with intriguing teasers hinting at its comeback.

#### 5. Cassette Boy
Creative in its approach, Cassette Boy presents a unique twist on puzzle RPGs, where anything off-screen simply ceases to exist. While it may seem like a 2D game, its mechanics provide an engaging 3D experience, encouraging players to interact with its systems inventively. The demo is crucial for anyone captivated by its premise.

#### 6. Knuckle Jet
Revitalizing a classic side-scrolling experience for contemporary audiences, Knuckle Jet merges acrobatics and combat with a visually striking stop-motion art aesthetic. Its tagline of “scientifically inaccurate flight action” hints at lighthearted, whimsical fun akin to classic platformers.

#### 7. Relooted
From the creators of the acclaimed puzzle platformer Semblence, Relooted focuses on a band of thieves reclaiming artifacts from Western museums. Merging stealth mechanics with parkour, players must maneuver through intricate heists to recover culturally important objects, making for a game enriched with significant context.

#### 8. Limbot
This local co-op party game allows players to control separate limbs of a creature in an absurdly chaotic manner. Featuring physics-based gameplay, Limbot challenges players to collaborate while navigating a destructible cardboard environment, ensuring laughter and unforeseen obstacles.

#### 9. Worshippers of Cthulhu
This Lovecraftian colony simulation lets players spearhead a cult aimed at resurrecting Cthulhu. With gameplay influenced by the Anno series, it encapsulates the essence of managing a cult bent on cosmic catastrophe, merging strategic components with supernatural themes.

### Conclusion
The ID@Xbox Indie Selections Demo Fest is a goldmine of indie experiences just waiting to be explored. From entertaining simulations to culturally rich RPGs, this selection highlights the remarkable ingenuity of indie developers. Be sure to check out these demos and support the thriving indie game community before the event concludes.

I think there is a very compelling case for Twitter not being the place that information about, well, honestly anything, should be casually shared in a matter of fact manner. It is a site for, if we must use it, posting things like “just downloaded some MP3s to my iPod Touch,” not sharing that Arrowhead are currently testing a roguelite mode in Helldivers 2, which is exactly what the game’s creative director Johan Pilestedt did today.

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