Demon Hunters: waste of development resources?

[styil]

Here we have an expansion that claims to be devoted to class fantasy and identity, and making each spec feel unique. So why would they bother with adding a new class? Wasn't the whole point of these class redesigns to keep the classes fresh and unique? Why would they decide to waste development resources on creating a new class from scratch given the downsides?

1. The developers working on the classes are now stretched over a larger number of classes. Which means less development time for every other class. Less time to iterate and respond to feedback, etc. There was simply no time left to respond to any of the other class concerns in the Alpha and Beta, and much of that can be attributed to the addition of DH's and taking those resources away.

2. The significant initial time investment required to create a class from scratch has also taken many resources away from many other classes that clearly needed more attention (e.g. Hunters).

3. It is counter intuitive to their goal of class fantasy and identity. Adding more and more classes dilutes the identity of the existing classes, particularly when iconic spells from other classes are taken in order to create a functioning class. We've now got 4 mobile Leather AGI classes and each one feels mediocre because it's been done so many times. We also already have 34 specs in the game. Did we really need more?

I think that the decision to add a new class was the wrong decision. It has clearly negatively impacted the development of many of the existing classes, and I would have preferred them to polish the existing 11 classes before diluting the class base with an additional class.

[Anjerith]

If you are incapable of an original idea, or even a new take on an idea; do the yourself a favor and don't have an idea.

[Time Sage]

Because they need to add something new. Fans would revolt if there wasn't new things after the lacking WoD

[styil]

Because they need to add something new. Fans would revolt if there wasn't new things after the lacking WoD

And we got 11 brand new and redesigned classes. Unfortunately the development of those 11 classes was negatively impacted by attempting to focus on a 12th class. Why not simply focus on making the existing 34 specs the best they could possibly be? Many issues were raised in the Alpha that they simply had no time to address because they were distracted by DH. Now we're in a lose-lose, mediocre new class and half done class redesigns.

[Kikazz]

they said they were working on legion before wod launched. so they have been working on legion since middle if not late 2014.... and your complaining they wadted dev time?

you sir are on something if you think thats wasting time.

[Wyrt]

Adding new classes wouldn't be problematic if Blizzard didn't insist on completely changing every other class every expansion.

[Netherspark]

This topic is a waste of resources.

[Deleted]

This topic is a waste of resources.

Yeah, this.

[bloodmoth13]

Diminishing returns? there is only so much iteration they can do on a class before they start losing benefit of resources.

For the most part i think they did an amazing job on the new classes, not toooooo fond of hunters, they need a little more depth and complexity, and perhaps shadow priests have a little too much, but overall im really pleased.

[nazrakin]

This topic is a waste of resources.

Yep, sums up every Styli thread.

[Spotnick]

Seems you forgot one thing.. they doubled their team, so it's not true less developers are working on classes due to Demon Hunters.

The only very big time consuming thing in WOW is artwork. That's like 80% of the time spent building the game I'm quite sure of it.

[Zenny]

Quick question OP, why is every single thread you start about WoW negative? Even features that have been welcomed by the majority?

[MoanaLisa]

Topics framed in this manner do not leave a lot of room for discussion. There is no particular evidence one way or the other that demon hunters had any effect on the other class changes for better or ill. It's perfectly fine to discuss what one likes or dislikes about a class and there are forums for that.

The sort of speculation on display here doesn't lead anywhere constructive. As the thread is quickly descending into near-flaming and trolling it will be closed.