Ethan Crossfield 
World of Warcraft is moving closer to Final Fantasy 14 in two areas that affect how players interact with the game: controller play and cosmetic customization. Official gamepad support is coming to World of Warcraft: Forever, while Patch 12.2.5 will loosen some armor rules for transmogrification. Neither change is as broad as it may first appear, so players deciding whether to try the beta, wait for Midnight updates, or continue using add-ons should understand the restrictions.
What is changing in World of Warcraft?
Official controller support was announced for World of Warcraft: Forever during the reveal of the upcoming title at BlizzCon. The feature is already available in the Forever closed beta. This is a notable shift for a series traditionally built around keyboard-and-mouse hotkeys, especially when compared with Final Fantasy 14, which has supported gamepads since launch and currently works with PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch 2 controllers out of the box.
Blizzard is also removing part of the armor-type barrier for transmogrification in Patch 12.2.5. Once the update arrives, a character associated with one armor category will be able to make its gear resemble equipment from another category. For example, a Paladin will be able to use a cloth- or leather-style appearance instead of being limited to plate-themed visuals.
Who will benefit—and who still has to wait?
The controller announcement currently applies only to World of Warcraft: Forever. The source does not confirm support for Midnight or any Classic game mode, so Midnight players should not assume that an official option is imminent. For now, they need add-ons to play with a controller. Forever gamepad support can be accessed through the closed beta, either by opting in and being selected by email or through the Skyborne Epic Pack or Warcraft Forever Collection sold on Battle.net.
The transmog update is also deliberately limited. It will not remove every restriction: specific weapons and class-exclusive armor sets remain excluded. A Hunter, for instance, will not be able to combine a two-handed mace with the Paladin’s iconic Judgment set. Players gain more freedom over armor appearances, but the update does not create unrestricted mixing between every item, weapon, and class.
How does this compare with Final Fantasy 14?
Final Fantasy 14 reached both milestones earlier. Its controller support has been part of the game from the beginning, while Patch 7.4, Into the Mist, removed job- and level-based restrictions from armor and accessories. Weapon restrictions remain in Final Fantasy 14 to preserve consistent animations. The change followed a long-standing player request, according to comments attributed to producer and director Naoki Yoshida.
The timing makes the comparison especially clear. Blizzard’s armor changes are scheduled to arrive nearly a year after Final Fantasy 14’s similar update, while controller support is initially confined to a separate upcoming World of Warcraft title. The two games have also approached other shared ideas differently: World of Warcraft’s housing system generates neighborhoods as demand requires, whereas Final Fantasy 14 uses a limited number of plots per server.
Final Fantasy 14’s next expansion, Evercold, is planned for January 2027, with more information expected during the Halloween-weekend Tokyo FanFest event.
What players should know
- Controller support is currently confirmed for World of Warcraft: Forever, not Midnight or Classic modes.
- Forever gamepad support is available in the closed beta, with access determined through opt-in selection or qualifying Battle.net purchases.
- Patch 12.2.5 will loosen armor-type transmog rules, but specific weapons and class-exclusive sets remain restricted.
- Final Fantasy 14 already supports controllers and previously removed several armor and accessory glamour restrictions.
- Players seeking controller support in Midnight currently need to rely on add-ons.
Expert View
These updates are useful quality-of-life steps, particularly for players who prefer gamepads or want more freedom when building a visual set. However, they should be viewed as partial changes rather than a complete overhaul. Forever’s platform support is still limited in scope, and World of Warcraft’s transmog rules will continue to block some combinations. Players interested in either feature should follow the beta and Patch 12.2.5 developments, but Midnight users should wait for explicit confirmation before expecting native controller support.
