The Art of World of Warcraft
The art team sits down to discuss the art and models in World of Warcraft.
Kul Tiras
- Team wanted Kul Tiras humans to look more battle hardened and robust.
- Clothing is made for harsh weather (high collars)
- Elegant weapons with nautical themes
Drustvar
- Lots of creatures that utilize death magic
- Wanted to combine death magic with druidic feel
Zandalar
- Troll style influenced by Aztec culture
- Dinosaurs and gold
- Brotosaur (long necked dinosaur is used as a mount)
- Blood trolls worship blood Loa and use blood magic. This magic corrupts the creatures around them and turns them into blood beasts.
Total War
- Lots of faction inspired gear to wear including what was shown in the Warfront preview
World Building
- Team used what they learned in Suramar to build the new zones and dungeons
- Freehold
- Features a lot of drunken citizens and beer
- Rogues and pickpockets hanging out on walls and ledges
- Town criers
- Nazmir
- Bound captives, blood magic, dark rituals and chanting
Spell Effects
- Using layers to create visuals on abstract shapes
- Warlocks are on the way
- Even more new spell effects for ones that were updated already.
- Drustvar
- Ancient druidic death magic spell effects for witches
- Wanted to incorporate spirit magic in the feel of the creatures in the zone as well.
- Blood magic will use a lot of new spell effects
Environment Art
- Nazmir
- Zandalari abandoned the zone because of rampant blood magic.
- Wanted to create an experience where the player goes in and our of light and dark spaces
- Inspired by swamp marshes
- Open spaces have low foliage with giant dinosaurs
- Trees in the zone are based on actual growth in swamps
- Ancient trees and huge root systems in the swamp areas
- Strangler figs were added to make the space feel intimidating
- Important to make sure the water seemed gross in the swamp.
- The Necropolis is a large temple in Nazmir
- Kul Tiras
- Environment is very cold and harsh and surrounded by water.
- Buildings needed materials that could withstand extreme weather
- Connection and pride with ships - Buildings are inspired by ships
- Oxidized green and earthy tones were used in a lot of the architecture with nautical designs
Prop Art
- Make what the characters would make
- Set decorations
- Make the world feel more lived in and tell a story
- Guide a player's eye to points of interest
- Zandalari Trolls
- Ancient and colorful but thriving
- See a lot more of troll culture in Zandalar
- Dinosaurs are huge part of culture - shown in carvings of wood, materials and food
- Aztec influence is a lot less subtle this time around
Holiday Art
- Makes it feel like time is passing
- Brings community together
- Art can be sillier than normal as it's not permanent
Q & A
Q: Are we going to see heritage armor for the older races?
A: Nothing planned for now, but maybe in the future
Q: Will the new idle animations shown in the trailers be given to player characters?
A: The npcs are a test for now and maybe in the future it will be given to players as the animations are on the player models.
Q: What kind of improvements were done to Zandalari armor?
A: Dinosaur leather and gold chain mail are iconic in the new armor
Q: What slows down the re-imagining of magic?
A: Working to make sure each class uses magic differently. Want warlock shadow magic and priest shadow magic to feel different. Takes a lot of work.
Q: How do you breathe life into the models in game?
A: Team looks at a lot of real life creatures with similar anatomy. Things like murlocs are more idea orientated and comedic.
Q: When are we getting hunter quivers?
A: Jumped the gun on the announcement. When artifact system was decided, idea was put on hold. The conversation to move forward with it is happening now.
Q: Where do you draw your inspiration for Kul Tiras?
A: Variety of different cultures and port cities
Q: Is heritage armor usable for all Allied races?
A: Each Allied race has their own unique heritage armor models
Q: Will there be more "plate-kinis?"
A: Many people see them as inappropriate but if it makes sense they might add more similar armor looks
Q: Will head slots/hats be wearable with all hair styles?
A: Too much of an undertaking to make all hair styles work with hat models
Q: Will other races get Allied races that stand up straight?
A: Upright standing orcs are coming! Players will be able to toggle between classic hunched orc or straight standing
Q: Where are worgen/goblin model updates?
A: Right now not ready for Battle for Azeroth launch but definitely planned. They are being worked on!
Q: Any new druid forms for the new Allied races such as moose for Highmountain or Zandalari trolls?
A: New druid forms on the way!
Q: Will the Allied races new body silhouettes transfer into character creation as well?
A: Yes, making its way to character creation in Battle for Azeroth
Q: Any other classes getting new colors for spell effects like green fire for warlocks?
A: No, new spell animations fill this spot
Q: Will mail on gnomes be altered to look normal?
A: Something we are always looking into
Q: Will old world zones get face lifts?
A: Updates will be made where they make sense. High fog is being added and lighting tuning
Q: Will there be a glyph for old priest shadow form?
A: No plans as of now but if it's something the community wants usually it's looked into
Q: Any improvement to riding animations?
A: Very challenging but looking into it
Q: Will there ever be an armor dye system in the game?
A: Maybe someday but not planned as of now