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September 4, 2014 / KingsIsle Entertainment

Dworgyn’s Look Back at 6 Years of Wizard101

I’ve played Wizard101 since the beginning, and it’s been a lot of fun seeing how things have changed and evolved over time. Specifically for this blog post, I was asked to answer the question, “What were my favorite highlights each year?” That’s actually not as easy a thing to answer as it seems! I’ll break my favorites down by year, and hope I can give a little explanation to all my choices

2008
Wizard101 was brand new in 2008 and we were all busy running around The Spiral – on foot . . . without a mount! For me, this year was a time of discovery and I couldn’t have been happier finishing off the original final boss of Wizard101, the Jade Oni in MooShu. The Spiral was so brand new that we saw Halloween decorations for the first time in October and a then a Yuletide Tree in December. I think these festive touches were my favorite updates in 2008. There’s nothing quite as fun as seeing the world you know suddenly transformed with spooky or festive cheer.

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2009
This is where it starts to get hard to choose just one update as my favorite. 2009 gave us Dragonspyre, followed by housing, then Open Chat, then Grizzleheim, then mounts, and finally school housing! How do you choose! I suppose looking back if I just had to choose one, I’d pick Dragonspyre. The epic conclusion of the first story arc was amazing. There is nothing like a new world to explore, and Dragonspyre specifically still holds a special place in my heart. I couldn’t be happier crushing Malistaire in his Great Spyre, and feel like I know the place like the back of my hand. It was an awesome feeling to know you saved the Spiral!

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2010
This is also a hard year to choose a winner, but I’m going to have to say the introduction of Advanced Pets really changed the face of the game. Building the perfect pet is still a huge craze and racing pets was a favorite pastime of mine – I still wear my 1st age pet warlord badge with pride! We all waited for Celestia for a long time, but Advanced Pets changed the game forever.

2011
While I liked Zafaria and leveling my wizard, I really fell in love with the world of Wysteria, which would be my favorite update of 2011. I really liked the idea of a magic school competition and unraveling the mystery of this new world was a lot of fun. Exploring the strange schools of magic and meeting the off-the-wall professors that taught in Wysteria was a particular highlight. Zafaria would definitely be a very, very close second however.

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2012
My life changed in 2012 as I transitioned from Wizard101 fan site owner to employee at KingsIsle, and while you can’t technically say the release of Pirate101 was an expansion to Wizard101 . . . it was just as important to me. Pirate101 took a universe I loved and gave it new depth. With Pirate101, I was seeing the game from the outside in, and it added so much richness to the Wizard101 mythology. That’s not to say that Avalon wasn’t one of the most awesome expansions Wizard101 ever had in my opinion, and I suppose if I strictly had to choose a Wizard101 update, Avalon would be it. I still have nightmares about the creepy house with Spider Legs!

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2013
For me, my favorite update in 2013 was the new Halloween Quest with possessed vegetables and the hilariously spooky Nosferabbit. The Halloween quests really hadn’t changed since 2008 and their addition was a really welcome treat. In fact, I can’t wait to see these quests resurface in 2014!

2014
I have to give it up for fishing this year . . . even though the end of Story Arc 2 is about the most amazing thing ever. I just love the new fishing update! I love all the new hilarious fish, the stackable aquariums, and the fun way to spend my energy when I’m not gardening. Fishing brought new depth to an already incredible game and it was something that players have wanted for a long, long time.

Thanks for taking this look back with me throughout the years! While my favorite choices certainly may not be yours, I’m happy I was able to share them with you. Happy Birthday Wizard101!

What were some of your favorite updates from the past six years?

237 Comments

Leave a Comment
  1. Brizah / Sep 9 2014 6:24 pm

    I met my 2 friends on there! Over 5 years ago and we still talk today!

  2. Karolinka / Sep 9 2014 6:26 pm

    happy anrversery Wizard101 you ment alot to me because you were making amazing things that it will make fun not like pirate 101,happy aneversery Wizard101 and happy memories dworgyn

    • WIZARD101 LOVER / Sep 16 2014 7:23 am

      love you wizard101 have a happy birthday hope I win 😉

      AND PLUS THESE ARE GOOD IDEAS TO DO THIS HAVE A GOOD GOOD BRITHDAY

  3. Anonymous / Sep 9 2014 6:31 pm

    i love wizard101 my hole life i still love it i its the best gamei ever played its so fun new spells when i play i cant help but wonder if there are any secret spells we dont know about but the craftable spells in avalon i think they should be lowered to master crafter cause there only rank 5 spells or the percentage on lore master drop could be like higher drop rag on them like 50% or 40% but me adn my brothe rlove wizard101 ivplayed since 2009 my brother started in 2010 we both lvoe we told are friends about it so we all can play i hope it keeps growing with more levels and new spells mounts and pets and worlds

  4. Eve / Sep 9 2014 7:12 pm

    We’ll the game is good a;

  5. pandoren worriar level 73 / Sep 9 2014 8:32 pm

    my favorite thing was the when Dworgyn came out

  6. hunter / Sep 10 2014 1:51 am

    i loved the energy boost its easiar for training now

  7. huzaifa / Sep 10 2014 2:31 am

    i want to see more changes in this game, I like if there is also a system that friends can exchange housing item and cool outfits etc.happy birth day wizard101

    • Gina R / Sep 14 2014 6:48 pm

      second that suggestion, for items you can get with gold. Kid safety and all, you know.

  8. Anonymous / Sep 10 2014 4:38 am

    I’ve been playing for about four years in total and between those four years I stopped playing for one year. I: Biggest mistake ever! When I finally logged back on,I remembered how much fun wizard was 😀 And the Christmas in July was probably my favorite update. ( basically since i kept running on my lion around the poles 😀

  9. alia / Sep 10 2014 5:22 am

    i loved it i kept leveling and get more xp and i got even more friends in wiz101 happy birthday

    • alia / Sep 10 2014 5:23 am

      i meant up XD i loved it in long time

  10. Hunter / Sep 10 2014 6:41 am

    I love these lvl 50/52 spells like Fortify but i don’t like fire dragon for one reason its to under powered cause storm storm lord does 775, rebirth does 800hp, death gets scarecrow that does 576 I think I might be wrong about scarecrow but orthus does 40 then 578 or 576 i think but i still like fire dragon its just to under powerd

    • Anonymous / Sep 10 2014 1:22 pm

      i like the fire dragon it does a lot of power it does the most power cause it leaves them burned

  11. Suri / Sep 10 2014 7:10 am

    Hi, my name is Suri My favorite update is well, all of the updates. Since 2006 I loved Wizard101, I love the battling, spells, everything you say in this game. I hope you make another update!
    -Suri
    P.S This was my first game in my computer.

  12. Anonymous / Sep 10 2014 11:13 am

    hahaha i remember all that stuff 😀 back in the day but i do thing the game need a grapics update? 😀

  13. dolan rubyhorn / Sep 10 2014 2:05 pm

    i was always loving how all the cool ice spells and the most awesome ice school teacher i have to give Lydia greyrose her props for all the great spells i was only level 1 when i first met my ice teacher then i grew to find the beauty of ice spells and the amazing power it holds so i want to wish my school teacher happy sixth birthday and wizard101 the same

  14. Anonymous / Sep 10 2014 2:48 pm

    i have been playing wizard almost 5 years I have 3 account 18 wizards I just love this game pvp I love as as a girl getting that commandor gear always means I did my best at who I am and this game has shown me team work skill and how to step up and help another who would need it and show them how what I have learned could help them paige / Kelly

  15. Judi / Sep 10 2014 4:16 pm

    Hi, my name is Alura. I have loved playing this game. It has been fun to explore all of the new areas and to meet new friends. It is nice to get on Wizard101 to escape from the real world after a crazy day. One of my favorite updates is when you allowed us to display in our homes or dorms all of our wands. Also, out of all of the games I play, yours seems to be constantly bringing new adventures and themes. Keep up the great work!

    • Anonymous / Sep 11 2014 2:55 pm

      Hello my name is Taylor GoldenGem I am a NON member life wizard. love this game so much, that I fight the same monsters over and over again just to level up and get new spells. It’s hard sometimes but I have plenty of Friends, plants, pets and time to keep me playing!
      >:)

      • Anonymous / Sep 13 2014 12:35 pm

        hello my name is keller storm thorn even i also lvl up till 25 with out crowns beause i attack in winter bane hall every day or in triton avenue or mid night sun pagoda or spiral cup . i buyed a prowd lion with out crowns because i attack winter bane hall and i get drops like pet snacks ……..i sell it and get gold fast

  16. Anonymous / Sep 10 2014 5:42 pm

    the best update is fishing. now its easier to hatch a pet.

  17. Christina IceDreamer (@icywiz) / Sep 10 2014 7:17 pm

    My favorite of all the updates was the one that added mana marks. If I had to give up every other change since I started playing in February 2009, I happily would if it means keeping mana marks. 🙂

  18. Anonymous / Sep 10 2014 8:56 pm

    XD shout out to scarlet moon on w101, favorite thing was fishing, I started three years ago and still no membership.
    if you see Christina unicorn caster running around say hi

  19. Mindy / Sep 11 2014 5:26 am

    My birthday is coming up really soon so I just wanted to say happy birthday!

  20. ellen / Sep 11 2014 9:02 am

    i love the gardening such unique flowers to love an care for

  21. Jerry Jackson / Sep 11 2014 11:09 am

    My grandson introduced me to the game during it’s first couple of weeks in existance. 1600 miles away, a grandmother was introduced to it by her grandson as well. To make a long story short, the two of us (grandparents) became playing friends, then fast friends, and then we became Man and Wife (in the real world). We thank our grandsons and Wizard 101 for bringing us together. Even at our age, we find fun and companionship in the game. Thanks KingsIsle.

    • Anonymous / Sep 14 2014 1:11 am

      i too am a senior who loves this game. i have been playing for about three years now and have met an older woman and she and i are on our third wizard together (i am a woman too). it is nice to meet older people who are playing this game. She has become another sister to me but one i can have fun with as my four sisters think i m crazy to spend so much time playing a :”kids” game and they don’t play them. My son got me into this game and i am happy. HAPPY BIRTHDAY WIZARD101 AND KI. Keep it coming. I have 5 wizards on one account and 2 on another. Best of life to you Jerry and your new wife. All my wizards are named Sierra ???

  22. Anonymous / Sep 11 2014 3:59 pm

    happy b-day wizard 101 i too have been playing since their debut and i have enjoyed all the yrs and i hope and pray they bring many more wonderful yrs and by far best online game ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  23. Anonymous / Sep 11 2014 4:42 pm

    Its been a great year for me yeah thats right one year lol but i love it. I have had so much fun questing and doing random dungeons. Kingsisle your the best although prices are high to play i love this game no matter what.

  24. seth stormrunner / Sep 11 2014 4:47 pm

    I have been playing for 5 years

  25. Ryan / Sep 11 2014 6:03 pm

    I think the best update was the thing with the 50% off mount thing was the best.
    It was easy getting the Enchanted Broom

  26. Anonymous / Sep 11 2014 6:51 pm

    I LOVE WIZARD101 😀

  27. junho / Sep 12 2014 2:37 pm

    I have been playing for 6 years and my favourite upfate was at 2009 Grizlehim gave me a hole differnt life of wizard101 i could lv up faster too! and the hallown quest. I hope it still have it this year! (2014 next month)

  28. hannah starsword / Sep 12 2014 5:06 pm

    I love this game a lot ever since it came out now seeing how it has grown over the years makes me so happy, so, happy birthday wizard101! 😀

  29. Mitchell skullcaster / Sep 12 2014 5:24 pm

    It’s amazing how far wizard101 has come. My favourite thing happening in wiz101 was the advance pets in 2010, Dworgyn was right how he said it changed the game a lot.

    • love_wizard101 / Sep 14 2014 10:05 am

      I love Wizard101 it’s the best game in all the spiral (lol).It’s my best friend that introduce me in this game and I loved it the first moment. I can buy a lot of things member,crows.And it’s ok because Wizard101 is magic and a imcomparable game.I love magic,wizard, and witches .Like Harry Potter and their’s no fun game about it .I dream of a game like Wizard101 and today I play and play and play only on Wizard101.I thanks a lot my best friend, without her I’ll never discover this magical and wondereful game.

      • Socea Mihai / Sep 16 2014 9:36 am

        the midnight sun pagoda is awesome

  30. William IceThorn / Sep 12 2014 6:05 pm

    Wizard101 is one of the greatest game that I have played it is difficult and fun. Magic and creativity and spells. The schools are Ice, Storm, Life, Myth, Death, Fire, Balance, Sun, Star, and Moon.

  31. Anonymous / Sep 12 2014 11:53 pm

    I been loving wizard101 since the it started it just keeps getting better and better. If you see a Edward SkullRunner around Give me a shout

  32. huzaifa / Sep 13 2014 3:20 am

    nice game like it very much 🙂 want more lvl and more changes and updates want o see new items in wizard city bazaar and want some items in gold in crown shop and the items in bazaar should be not hundred cause when some one saw something good and click to buy then the item sold and want bazaar in each world thx and happy birth day wiz101 every body have a nice day 🙂

  33. rattan / Sep 13 2014 5:03 am

    this is a very cool game since my brother had told me about wizard 101 i play it till now thanks for making the coolest game

    • rattan / Sep 13 2014 5:04 am

      i really loveing this game

  34. rattan / Sep 13 2014 5:07 am

    i am playing this from 5 and a half years

  35. Anonymous / Sep 13 2014 11:51 am

    i love this games

  36. Rowan Trollcaller / Sep 14 2014 8:12 am

    Its amazing how far wizard101 has came, I joined in my brothers account, and within a year, he gave me the account, onto how much I’ve played in that time. I really think that this game could get a little better, but it doesn’t have any work to do in any of the already made worlds, I just wish you could buy a membership for longer than 2 months in stores.
    I’ve played since a year after it came out, and in the same year, I got to celestia, and the highest level X.x.

    If this doesn’t help you, JUST KEEP SWIMMING 😀

  37. Anonymous / Sep 14 2014 11:50 am

    my favorite part was when khrysalis par 2 came out not too long ago

  38. Gina R / Sep 14 2014 6:45 pm

    Mine was the option to finally change hair/color. not as easy as I was hoping it to be, but at least now there IS an option.

  39. Scarlet Winterflame / Sep 15 2014 4:53 am

    My birthday’s tomorrow! Happy B-day Wizard101!

  40. Chris / Sep 15 2014 6:38 am

    Wow its been 6 years man ive met good freinds on there i remember the code commercials you should ring those back.

  41. Anonymous / Sep 15 2014 10:05 am

    I love this game and I like the update too

  42. lifeisfun95 / Sep 15 2014 10:43 am

    I played wizard101 when it first started and I have to say its gotten a lot better, and now the creators made pirate101 which I love! kingsisle has made the best games of my time 🙂

  43. Talon / Sep 15 2014 4:18 pm

    My favorite update was the fishing update! I love fishing irl, so why not fish in-game too? W101 is the best! 🙂

  44. KaneGoldDreamer / Sep 15 2014 4:32 pm

    Kingsisle Thank You So Much for all The Fun! You give us i hope that you keep making more games and i will play them to. But I am Kane Gold Dreamer I might not have said but I love Wizard101 It is fun i got so many nice friends now because of you guys And i hope that the next story will come out soon. I have had a wonderful time playing the game I Will Play until the very End Love you Guys and your games! 😀
    – KaneGoldDreamer

  45. saymon21 / Sep 15 2014 4:39 pm

    w101 Is a great game with all the people in it ………,…. 🙂 and the thing I love about the new pets in the shop

  46. Anonymous / Sep 15 2014 4:41 pm

    i love wizard101 because as really funny

  47. ludovic / Sep 15 2014 4:43 pm

    its my favourite game

  48. billie / Sep 15 2014 4:45 pm

    I know i left for a really long time when i first started again my heart opened up i love u wizard all never quit even if i get yelled at or to old happy 6th birthday i really love this gamme good work on all the hard work you do with the game it really makes me happy that you care about us 10+ its been awesome playing i know i got hacked but i still play this is awesome an i love it an i will never be mean or rude i really never wanna leave or you to close down sorry if i type weird i type to fast some times an i never know it i would just be so so so sooooooo happy if i could have these crowns thanks u i love you KI THANKS -ESMEE GOLD DUST

  49. Oran Titanflame / Sep 15 2014 4:47 pm

    I personally loved the update where the level 80 monsters and cards came out, it really made me want to play a lot more getting me hooked to the game more and more as I am so eager to get those cards. This game is absolutely the most fun out there and the best! Happy Anniversary!!!!!

  50. brittany thundershield / Sep 15 2014 4:52 pm

    i love it when the update of spiral cup that was so awsome

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