Originally Posted by MMO-Champion
Tencent: How will you deal with bigger and bigger numbers in the next expansion? I think it is time to do something with it.
Ghostcrawler: We have considered this problem and we will reduce players' stats in the next expansion.
Tencent: You mentioned that class design will possibly break the traditional pattern of "tank, healer and damage dealer". Does it mean that new class will be a new type, or you will redesign current pattern?
Ghostcrawler: We are considering a new class type that provides buffs to other players.
Tencent: It is a good idea to add pets in vanilla raids, but we want to run these old raids with others, will you design a new LFR where item levels will be reduced to proper levels when players queue for these old raids.
Ghostcrawler: Yes, adding pet drops is really cool. The mode you mentioned is a good idea, we may consider it, since it is feasible technically.
Tencent: When will we have Defense of the Alehouse?
Ghostcrawler: Although it is in the PTR client already, but you will not have this battleground in Patch 5.4, we don't have a release date for it so far.
Tencent: Phase technology has achieved a great success, then is it possible to implement a larger one on the existing basis.
Marco Koegler: Our team is committed to make epic games. Phase technology has made great progress from the earliest phase to current farm in these years. You can feel these changes. Yes, we hope to make contents related with larger phase technology.
Tencent: The graphics of World of Warcraft has been improved continuously these years. How did you do it? Do you have a plan to do major changes to the graphics to make a qualitative leap?
Marco Koegler: As mentioned before, our team is working on constant changes and game engine improvement. We certainly hope it to be more beautiful in the future.
Tencent: Recently, mobile auction house got into some troubles in security issues. Will Blizzard continue to increase investment on mobile softwares, or just stay conservative? When will we have mobile pet battles?
Marco Koegler: We will make greater efforts on security issues to avoid accounts being stolen. As for the mobile pet battles, I don't want to make comments on any rumors.
Tencent: Players often complain about class balance, group-making problems in Wrath of the Lich King expansion. You have solved many problems after taking office, but players' complaints was not reduced, have you considered its reason?
Ghostcrawler: Players are always complaining(laugh). In fact, our changes in these years make the game much more balanced than before.
Tencent: Do you have a more detailed plan to add Hearthstone in World of Warcraft? Will players in World of Warcraft be able to fight with others of PC version and iPad version?
Ghostcrawler: Add a Hearthstone chessboard in the game client is just to display the model that NPCs are playing. We have no play to add Hearthstone in World of Warcraft currently and it is impossible to let World of Warcraft players fight with others of different version.
Tencent: Upcoming ingame store is a cautious attempt, since you only sell experience potions and Lesser Charms of Good Fortune. Is it used for gathering experience for "Titan"? What items will you add in the future? Does it affect game balance? Why do you test it in Asia first?
Ghostcrawler: Yes, it is cautious. This store is designed to make convenience for players. You can buy some items such as transmogrification, mounts and pets in the future without logging out the game.
Marco Koegler: These experience items are designed to make convenience for players to leveling their alts. As for the Lesser Charms of Good Fortune, we want to make convenience for those who don't have time to do daily quests, but also want to get items via Lesser Charms of Good Fortune to catch up their friends(Ghostcrawler added: For example, I don't have time due to the business trip to China this week). That is to say, these items are designed to save players' time, but items that increase players stats will not appear in the store forever.
Tencent: I think Patch 5.4 is the last patch in this expansion. Have you started next expansion? Will it be announced in this year's BlizzCon?
Ghostcrawler: Patch 5.4 is the last content patch, but we will release some bug fixes and balancing patchs after that. We will also release a preview content patch before new expansion. BlizzCon is a good time to tell something about that.
Tencent: Last question. Will the bill that allows Shamans to cast Hearthstone instantly be passed? New icons and Totem models don't satisfy Shamans!
Ghostcrawler: (Laugh)Shaman will get a lot of love in Patch 5.4. Expect it!