World of Warcraft Devs Make Their Pitch To Returning Players

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World of Warcraft Devs Make Their Pitch To Returning Players

As a seasoned World of Warcraft player and avid follower of game updates, I must say that the latest Q&A session with Bybee and Velev has left me brimming with anticipation for The War Within expansion!

Today signals the early debut of “World of Warcraft: The War Within,” the tenth expansion for Blizzard’s enduring MMORPG. This expansion heralds a new chapter, as “The War Within” serves as the prologue to an epic narrative arc known as The Worldsoul Saga, which will unfold over two subsequent expansions, “Midnight” and “The Last Titan,” in the upcoming years. It’s well-known that the player base of “World of Warcraft” has been regaining popularity following substantial drops during expansions like “Battle For Azeroth” and “Shadowlands.”

In this article, it is discussed that Blizzard views Dragonflight as a significant step forward for World of Warcraft, and they aim to maintain the excitement and attract both new and old Warcraft fans interested in The War Within. Game Rant had a conversation with World of Warcraft’s Production Director Michael Bybee and Game Producer George Velev before the launch of The War Within, focusing on what the developers are doing to engage new and returning players as they enter The Worldsoul Saga. During this conversation, both developers shared insights on how fans of the Warcraft saga’s story can catch up on the game’s recent events before embarking on their adventure in Khaz Algar. This interview has been condensed for length and clarity.

The First Chapter of The Worldsoul Saga May Entice Returning Players

Question: As several players return, could you tell me the enticing idea or proposition you’d like to present to them for the initial phase of The Worldsoul Saga?

According to Bybee, whether or not one finds it engaging depends on the context in which they’re jumping back into the story. For instance, the dialogue between Alleria and Xal’atath, as well as the nature of the Void, are intriguing points for many players who experienced the Legion expansion. A significant draw for these players is the return of Thrall to the battlefield, which serves as a powerful incentive.

Individuals who might have experienced the game ‘Shadowlands’ could recall the events surrounding Anduin, his brief absence and recent return. He bears scars and seems rattled, yet is determined to uncover the truth. A captivating aspect of Azeroth and World of Warcraft has always been the lore of the Worldsoul of Azeroth, which we’ve been acquainted with since before ‘Battle For Azeroth’, even tracing back to the ‘Legion’ expansion.

As someone who has journeyed through the vast realms of Azeroth for countless years, I can confidently say that the moment is upon us. The time has come when we venture to Argus and engage in battle with the tormented Worldsoul of this ancient realm, a fight that leaves one pondering the existence of Azeroth’s own Worldsoul. The threads that have long been intertwined – the threats from the Old Gods and more – finally converge at this juncture.

Q: What was the thinking process behind locking some of the story content in the War Within Beta?

In other words, addressing this matter can be tricky due to our focus on thorough testing. Given the vastness and inventiveness of our player base, they often uncover aspects we didn’t anticipate. Consequently, if we conceal some features without first releasing them in a beta or PTR version, there’s a chance that something might malfunction. We constantly weigh these risks, particularly with our narrative team, as an ongoing dialogue.

Let’s ponder on the major issues we wish to address and the elements we wish to preserve, such as the cinematics. These surprises will only be revealed during the actual release, just like experiencing them on the day of launch itself. There are aspects of the narrative that we want players to discover for themselves.

As an avid player, I’ve often found myself wondering: Couldn’t we make it so that the books and journals discovered within the game become part of a personal library for each character? This way, players could easily refer back to them whenever they need.

Bybee: I believe it’s incredibly exciting! I’d be thrilled to have something similar. As a dedicated fan of game lore, I was fortunate enough to contribute to the initial World of Warcraft Chronicle. It ranks among my most cherished projects from that era. Our goal is to devise a method for players to access such information without overcrowding their inventory. Although we can’t disclose anything just yet, I can assure you that many discussions revolve around how players can delve into the lore without occupying bag space and allowing them to revisit past events.

Q: Do you have something to bring new players to bring World of Warcraft up to speed in the lore?

Bybee: During the Radiant Echoes event, we attempted this method. If you chat with Khadgar, he can summarize the story up to that point for you, and it plays a cinematic that covers the main points to get you going. It’s an intricate dance between providing information and not overwhelming new players. If we were to explain everything about World of Warcraft when first starting, it would result in a 10-hour movie before you could play, which is too much. Instead, we aim to give the essential details. We’ve also implemented a “stay awhile and listen” button in NPC conversations, and numerous content creators have shared lore videos as well.

Question: What insights from the process of creating Dragonflight were applied during the creation of The War Within?

The enthusiastic responses from players towards the long-lasting features such as talent and profession revisions introduced in Dragonflight marked a significant shift for me. It’s clear that players want these elements to persist across future expansions, like the Warbands concept we have planned for The War Within. I believe this response underscores the delight players find in these evergreen additions, emphasizing the importance of player feedback. A positive reaction from the players played a substantial role in our decision-making process.

A: What strategies will be implemented to ensure that class balance in World of Warcraft is understandable and beneficial for returning players, especially those who don’t frequently participate in Mythic+ dungeons and have a more casual playstyle?

Velev: In our design approach, we avoid segregating class abilities like hero talents from player preferences. Expansions serve as a fresh starting point for classes and specializations. With Hero Talents, there were significant changes to various classes and specs. To ensure a robust Season One and beyond, these alterations will occur at the expansion’s boundary. Our aim is to create a more intricate talent tree and another that leans towards passivity. Talents can be complex for some players, but we’ve received feedback suggesting that the trees themselves are sufficient. Our goal is to provide players with ample flexibility when it comes to using these talents.

Question: Did Patch 11.0.2 include updates to some icons in the user interface to enhance visibility, particularly for those with vision issues? Is there a possibility of further modifications to the user interface aimed at enhancing the overall player experience?

Bybee: We frequently discuss this topic. The user interface team has numerous suggestions for modifications they wish to implement. We’re consistently discussing the optimal timing for these changes. If you examine the latest spellbook, you’ll notice it includes several concepts aimed at enhancing clarity and searchability. Additionally, there are new Quest Log icons that appear when you open the map. As we delve into this, our focus is on introducing a wide range of features to many players, such as the Arachnophobia mode. For individuals who dislike spiders, this mode transforms all spider models into crabs, which we’ve humorously dubbed the “oops all crabs” mode.

Question: Regarding the user interface enhancements, you’ll find that the adjustable difficulty level for instances is now part of the dropdown menu on the side panel along with the party invites. Does this mean that players must be standing outside the instances to modify the difficulty level?

Bybee: Yes, that refers to an aspect of our game system that dates back to the initial development of our technology many years ago. Although we’ve revised the user interface to merge certain instances and party features, it’s essential to ensure all group members are outside the instance before making a difficulty adjustment. When transitioning from, for example, Normal to Heroic mode in an instance, a new instance is generated and locked out.

As a devoted player, I’m curious if there are any plans underway to introduce an option that allows us to “set and forget” specific flight modes for our mounts, or for the Druid’s Travel Form? At the moment, we need to manually switch between Dynamic Flying and Steady Flight mode, which can be a bit tedious across all mounts and the Druid’s Travel Form. I’m hoping for some convenience updates in this area!

John: We’ve discussed this topic, but there are no immediate plans to reveal it upon release. We’ve taken note of player comments regarding Dynamic Flight, and it’s an idea we’ve been exploring privately.

Question: Is there a specific plan to expand the diversity of races capable of becoming Paladins, Shamans, or Druids, and if so, are there any upcoming additions in this regard?

Velev: At this stage, there’s nothing specific to disclose upon launch, but we’ve explored mixing races and classes in the past. Among our team discussions, we’ve been weighing up when would be the ideal moment for these race-class combinations. We’ve hinted at potential new classes that could join the Dracthyr lineup eventually, so fingers crossed, we can unveil more details about those plans shortly.

Question: Considering the numerous adjustments to Mythic+ in Season One, what are the team’s thoughts on fine-tuning each level of difficulty prior to The War Within?

Bybee: We’re pleased with how the new tiering system is working out. However, we find that understanding Affixes in Mythic+ dungeons can be tricky. With the new system, current Heroics now resemble what a Mythic+ Zero used to be, while the new Mythic+ Zero feels like a Mythic +10, and so forth. Additionally, there are new Xal’atath’s Bargain Affixes that change weekly, which makes tiers 2 through 11 quite difficult. For those attempting Mythic+12 and above, it’s essentially a matter of pushing as hard as possible. We don’t mind if people try to create a strategy around those +12 key pushes, though.

Is it possible for players who focus on Player vs. Player (PVP) to obtain high-quality equipment through their Ranked Battlegrounds and Arenas, since the Open-World Content tab has taken over the PVP section of the Great Vault?

Velev: To address player feedback, we deliberately took an item out of the Great Vault. This allows PVP players to acquire specific loot. We’ve enhanced Honor and Conquest points for players to earn, and we’ve made adjustments in weapon costs at vendors, giving players more flexibility in choosing between armor and weapons. Weekly quests can still be completed, and Rated Battlegrounds and Arenas remain unchanged, so the way to get Honor and Conquest points remains the same. In essence, we’ve made changes that benefit PVP players while keeping the gameplay experience consistent.

Q: Is there anything you want to say about The War Within ahead of release?

Bybee: I’m absolutely thrilled about this upcoming expansion! My guild and friends are all jumping on board, and I have high expectations for it. Personally, I can’t wait to explore the zone of Azj-Kahet and encounter the Nerubians. Hopefully, I’ll even make some new Nerubian friends along the way! Can’t wait to dive in!

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2024-08-22 20:05