The Art Department is leaking...

[Regalbeast]

Not saying Blizz does it with stuff like this, but it's pretty common practice.

Yeah maybe in the FBI, CIA, or on TV shows.

99% of companies don't have the time or resources to do this.

[StationaryHawk]

Why would a temp artist know so much, though?

And Kezan blew up in Cataclysm.

Sounds like a okay expansion if it were real.

Afrasiabi stated that the Bilgewater Cartel "do want to go back to Undermine and the other goblin land holdings," implying that Kezan was not destroyed entirely. I can't see the entirety of the goblin people siding with the Horde either way, which is what their moving into the Undermine would imply.

[zlygork]

You obviously have no clue what you're talking about. Every artists that works on Warcraft works in the style that blizzard has defined. Hundreds of artists have worked in this style on Warcraft over the years. If you want to make a pine tree for Warcraft there is a style it will have to follow. The same goes for character models, props, animals monsters. Want a turtle in wow? It's gonna have to look like it came from wow.

Wow had a distinct art style from hots. Place Arthas from one game next to him from the other and you can tell exactly what it is from because things are exaggerated in different ways. Each Blizz game as well as any other well designed game with have it's own art style that makes it unique from the others.

Marvel even had their old Marvel House style in the 60sand 70s where the books all shared a similar style. Same thing at dc especially after Neal Adams.

Doing something in house style is neither impossible or uncommon. You just don't know anything about art.

Reread? I was precisely implying that you can't just adapt to warcraft's art style in a week, thus it is highly unlikely that they hire temporary artists like it was previously implied.

[Ulfric Trumpcloak]

The funny thing about all these leaks is the fact they never come even remotely close to the truth. Although at this point theres not a lot left, so the guessing game gets a bit easier.

Inb4 the expansion has 0 to do with nagas.

[Hitei]

The funny thing about all these leaks is the fact they never come even remotely close to the truth. Although at this point theres not a lot left, so the guessing game gets a bit easier.

Inb4 the expansion has 0 to do with nagas.

I mean, every expansion yet has been leaked. Some closer to announcement than others.

[Ulfric Trumpcloak]

I mean, every expansion yet has been leaked. Some closer to announcement than others.

I'm going to need more than "every expansion yet has been leaked"...Nobody knew anything about the previous 4 expansions until they were announced.

[Zandalarian Paladin]

I can at least confirm, as a 3D artist myself, that the contractual part can be true in many cases.

The thing is, however, that Blizzard has an extremely specific art style -- and they filter the people that get in even more carefully than the army does.

Contractual art may be true with Activision, but it cannot possibly come from Blizzard. That information, if it's true, come from hearsay within activision. Perhaps leaked documents (internally).

So this story is possible, but unlikely. But it's plausible.

[The7]

People believed Jaylok's post lol, who's to say this one is fake.

[Deleted]

I doubt very much they would go back to the Cataclysm-like design of divided zones.
Especially considering WQs...

[sarym13]

Hello, I work in animation and recently came into contact with someone who is doing 3D modeling for Blizz

Stopped reading there

[Hitei]

I'm going to need more than "every expansion yet has been leaked"...Nobody knew anything about the previous 4 expansions until they were announced.

Legion: Announced at Gamescom, August 6th, 2015

On July 29, a poster on a Chinese forum began to leak details about Legion through riddles
http://bbs.ngacn.cc/read.php?tid=8421734
Translations here
http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/...-Chinese-forum
Additional riddles here.
http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/...-chinese-forum

Note that these aren't just lucky guesses, he points out Legion things that have zero relation to each other, like Tyr, the silver hand, Naga, Sylvanas as warchief, Illidari Demon hunters, Illidan, AShbringer, Gul'dan returning to the Tomb, Maiev, etc.

Warlords of Draenor: Announced at Blizzcon, November 8th, 2013

On October 10, in similar format, a series of riddles were posted by a Chinese poster
http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/...ht=riddle+leak

Including that it involved revising history, a main city becoming a raid (Shattrath, which never made it to live) and a raid becoming a main city (Karabor/Black Temple) which also didn't make it. A focus on Orc warlords, Grom and Garrosh, Velen being sacrificed and a character who didn't exist in our timeline (Yrel). As well as "Draenor".

Mists of Pandaria: Announced at Blizzcon, October 21, 2011

MoP was leaked when its trademark was found in August of that year.
http://www.mmo-champion.com/content/...ts-of-Pandaria

Cataclysm: Announced at Blizzcon, August 21, 2009

Boub himself leaked Cataclysm on MMO-Champion on August 14th. The threads here no longer exist.
http://www.wowhead.com/news=114973/n...n-mmo-champion

But prior to that Worgen and Goblins were leaked because their Halloween masks were carelessly added to PTR files.

Wrath of the Lich King: Announced at Blizzcon, August 3, 2007

The name was leaked by the German version of the ESRB in July, and then a full FAQ leak was leaked just before the announcement
https://www.engadget.com/2007/08/01/...faq-for-wotlk/

[Deleted]

i dont think thats what it means. its not about how the player gets in. its about Azshara and her reasons for attacking

Yeah, I understand, I just think it's wiser for her to focus on Darkshore rather than trying to overtake Darnassus.

[Ulfric Trumpcloak]

Legion: Announced at Gamescom, August 6th, 2015

On July 29, a poster on a Chinese forum began to leak details about Legion through riddles
http://bbs.ngacn.cc/read.php?tid=8421734
Translations here
http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/...-Chinese-forum
Additional riddles here.
http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/...-chinese-forum

Note that these aren't just lucky guesses, he points out Legion things that have zero relation to each other, like Tyr, the silver hand, Naga, Sylvanas as warchief, Illidari Demon hunters, Illidan, AShbringer, Gul'dan returning to the Tomb, Maiev, etc.

Warlords of Draenor: Announced at Blizzcon, November 8th, 2013

On October 10, in similar format, a series of riddles were posted by a Chinese poster
http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/...ht=riddle+leak

Including that it involved revising history, a main city becoming a raid (Shattrath, which never made it to live) and a raid becoming a main city (Karabor/Black Temple) which also didn't make it. A focus on Orc warlords, Grom and Garrosh, Velen being sacrificed and a character who didn't exist in our timeline (Yrel). As well as "Draenor".

Mists of Pandaria: Announced at Blizzcon, October 21, 2011

MoP was leaked when its trademark was found in August of that year.
http://www.mmo-champion.com/content/...ts-of-Pandaria

Cataclysm: Announced at Blizzcon, August 21, 2009

Boub himself leaked Cataclysm on MMO-Champion on August 14th. The threads here no longer exist.
http://www.wowhead.com/news=114973/n...n-mmo-champion

But prior to that Worgen and Goblins were leaked because their Halloween masks were carelessly added to PTR files.

Wrath of the Lich King: Announced at Blizzcon, August 3, 2007

The name was leaked by the German version of the ESRB in July, and then a full FAQ leak was leaked just before the announcement
https://www.engadget.com/2007/08/01/...faq-for-wotlk/

Same as always 1000 ppl playing the guessing game, some come closer than others. The few that are accurate were within a month of the actual announcement, but whatever, you win.

[Thimagryn]

I'm going to need more than "every expansion yet has been leaked"...Nobody knew anything about the previous 4 expansions until they were announced.

Nah, more like you didn't pay attention to leaks so having not been exposed to the ones that had merit, you don't believe leaks happened or at the very least, were legitimate.

[SinAscendant]

Legion: Announced at Gamescom, August 6th, 2015

On July 29, a poster on a Chinese forum began to leak details about Legion through riddles
http://bbs.ngacn.cc/read.php?tid=8421734
Translations here
http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/...-Chinese-forum
Additional riddles here.
http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/...-chinese-forum

Note that these aren't just lucky guesses, he points out Legion things that have zero relation to each other, like Tyr, the silver hand, Naga, Sylvanas as warchief, Illidari Demon hunters, Illidan, AShbringer, Gul'dan returning to the Tomb, Maiev, etc.

Warlords of Draenor: Announced at Blizzcon, November 8th, 2013

On October 10, in similar format, a series of riddles were posted by a Chinese poster
http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/...ht=riddle+leak

Including that it involved revising history, a main city becoming a raid (Shattrath, which never made it to live) and a raid becoming a main city (Karabor/Black Temple) which also didn't make it. A focus on Orc warlords, Grom and Garrosh, Velen being sacrificed and a character who didn't exist in our timeline (Yrel). As well as "Draenor".

Mists of Pandaria: Announced at Blizzcon, October 21, 2011

MoP was leaked when its trademark was found in August of that year.
http://www.mmo-champion.com/content/...ts-of-Pandaria

Cataclysm: Announced at Blizzcon, August 21, 2009

Boub himself leaked Cataclysm on MMO-Champion on August 14th. The threads here no longer exist.
http://www.wowhead.com/news=114973/n...n-mmo-champion

But prior to that Worgen and Goblins were leaked because their Halloween masks were carelessly added to PTR files.

Wrath of the Lich King: Announced at Blizzcon, August 3, 2007

The name was leaked by the German version of the ESRB in July, and then a full FAQ leak was leaked just before the announcement
https://www.engadget.com/2007/08/01/...faq-for-wotlk/

Ok, I'm just gonna go down your list here.

Legion "leaks"? Did you even click the link? It's a series of words that could literally mean anything. He took info from Warlords and extrapolated it. Did you miss the bit where some of the "riddles" even involved Azshara? The only ones that might be considered "leaks" are maybe Tyr/Silver Hand, Sargeras, and maybe Sylvanas; and the first two are an easy guess with Legion. The warden could easily be Cordana, Demon Hunters and Illidan are obvious for the Legion as is Ashbringer, and so is Guldan. None of those are something that couldn't be easily guessed.

Warlords, again, reread the post. It says a CLASSIC city (Classic is vanilla), and it says a DUNGEON becomes a main city. It also said Turalyon and Alleria would return, referred to Broxigar, and also said Garad and Garithos would be in. It also says Medivh would be a daily questgiver. The only thing they got right was the time travel shit which was hinted at by Kairoz anyway.

And I wouldn't count listings with ESRB/trademarks as "leaks", as they're public postings directly by the company.

[Tharkkun]

Hello, I work in animation and recently came into contact with someone who is doing 3D modeling for Blizz right now. Basically when Blizzard is putting an expansion together, they sign short contracts with artists to get the bulk of the work done. The contracts are usually up before the expansion launches and most artists aren't offered permanent jobs on the actual art team. In other words I'm getting my information from the outer circle, not the inner circle.

Pre-patch event involves Azshara attempting to capture Quel'Thalas and Darnassus due to both their vulnerability and history. Naga invasions will begin on Darkshore, Azshara, Teldrassil, Eversong Woods and the Isle of Quel'Danas. These invasions are meant to feel severe to "hook" players, so there will be a lot of bloodshed and dead fodder. New recurring naga characters will be introduced, and rewards include new underwater mounts.

Undermine
The Horde's city is Steampunk themed with a dark color palette. Jokingly described as "Ironforge, but with water." Has idustrial features like Gnomeregan's flourescent lighting, elevators and alarm system. Where Gnomeregan prized innovation, Undermine revolves around money. The locals are mostly pickpockets and aspiring tycoons. Quests begin with Undermine goblins deceiving and stealing from players. Players earn their respect by becoming street-savvy and making money.

Kul Tiras
The Alliance's capital is the opposite of the Undermine. Kul Tiras's color palette is summery, with splashes of soft blues and dark greens. Players arrive at the
beginning of a bountiful harvest, and the natives are resentful about hosting them. The island nation is thriving, and residents worry the players will bring trouble like they did to Pandaria. Players earn their respect through feats of strength against the naga and Horde.

Leveling zones are disconnected like in Cataclysm, although this is meant to be "remedied" by scaling technology. When players get to choose their next zone rather than having it determined for them, they enjoy the exploration more. Players will revisit both 1K Needles and Stranglethorn Vale while leveling, although I don't know in what capacity this will be. Players will also visit many new zones, including:

Kezan - somewhere between Un'Goro Crater and the Echo Isles. You can see the beach from most anywhere in the zone, and the setting is very tropical. Huge deadly predators roam the island, and Kezan natives are reluctant to teach players how to survive here.

Plunder Isle - still under ideation, no color palette or general aesthetic locked in yet. Direction involves players fighting the Bloodsail Buccaneers and invading
Bloodsail Hold, it's undecided whether this conflict should be resolved while leveling or through max level content.

Tel'Abim - though a small zone, uses two entirely separate palettes. Tel'Abim looks like any other island, and houses one of the expansion's few friendly races (unclear who). Quests here begin with physical labor to help the locals, but players eventually discover "dark forces" infesting the island (my personal expectation is old god stuff). The situation escalates until Tel'Abim is warped and shifts into its second color palette, which is mostly dark blues, dark greens and bright purples.

The Maelstrom - a group of small islands near the storm and the frontline of the war against the naga. The assails players with jarring visual effects and debuffs, while the naga draw power from it. Grays are heavily used, from the rocky terrain to the stormy weather. Like the prepatch event, fighting the naga here feels very intense.

Out of everything here I'm most excited about the new cities. I'm also worried about the fate of Plunder Isle, hoping it doesn't go unfinished like Azjol-Nerub or The Abyssal Maw.

Except Blizzard doesn't outsource their work to individuals on a contract basis for Warcraft. They do all the work in house so things are consistent aesthetically across the board.

[Jerot]

The "leak" is pure bullshit but damn, you need to pay more attention to the content in Legion if you actually think the leap makes no sense at the moment.

No I get the whole plotline with Queen Azshara and the stuff going on in the tomb, but blizzard is all about escalation. I feel like the expansion will be a lot more focused on the Void, Azshara is essentially Gul'dan 2.0. Yes she will be involved heavily, but the focus on her alone is really weird coming straight out of a fight involving titans.

Something with the void directly threatening the titan soul of Azeroth makes much more sense, the kind of thing that ultimately drove Sargeras to his Burning Crusade in the first place. That's too tasty of a hook to not include any information on for a real leak.

Also no mention of Jaina or Sylvanas who will almost certainly be key in the next expansion.

[Tharkkun]

NDAs mean nothing. Someone leaked the upcoming Guild Wars 2 expansion with screenshots, new specs, new zones etc.

That's strategic marketing. Most leaks are done on purpose. Or it was leaked to some magazine/website and they released the details early. Lots of sites do that unless there's a financial penalty for doing so.

[Hctaz]

Didn't the WoD leaks just arrive 1 day prior to the announcement though? And I am not talking about the iron horde texture but the expansion title itself. Someone leaked a picture from one of the interviews where a dev was sitting in front of a WoD poster, I believe it was used in the documentary or so.

Nah there were leaks for months about WoD being a time travel expansion that had Garrosh escape with Kairoz to alternative Draenor. At least two or three months in advance.

[Deleted]

Seek help.