Dragonflight Alpha/Beta General Discussion

[Catastrophy349]

Canonically it's been between Lordaeron and Northrend historically, so it should be located there.

Do agree on putting a zone for each flight, but I think they should be more alike than they are unique. Like they all have the same base theme and then the flight-specific stuff are the sprinkles on top.

Canonically in 2022. I wouldn't go off of that logic, if I'm just being honest. You're talking about the alpha version of World of Warcraft (Dragon Isles). It's quite clear that they can and will change anything at this point. I don't disagree with you, of course. That is why I put North of Lordaeron as one of my options.

[Grimbold21]

I have a fun discussion question for speculation:

IF Dragon Isles are the next expansion theme/continent/zone (whatever you want to call it) for 10.0, how would you like it to be executed? For example, we've had "leaks" that mention their location ranging from: A). Floating Isles B). Other side of Azeroth C). North of Lordaeron D). Etc. In addition, we've had "leaks" mentioning one zone for each dragon aspect/flight (Bronze, Red, Blue, Black, and Green), Black being a potential "endgame" zone, etc.

What are your thoughts/hopes?

Not an island.

[Catastrophy349]

Where are the World Revamp people at?

[ercarp]

I have a fun discussion question for speculation:

IF Dragon Isles are the next expansion theme/continent/zone (whatever you want to call it) for 10.0, how would you like it to be executed? For example, we've had "leaks" that mention their location ranging from: A). Floating Isles B). Other side of Azeroth C). North of Lordaeron D). Etc. In addition, we've had "leaks" mentioning one zone for each dragon aspect/flight (Bronze, Red, Blue, Black, and Green), Black being a potential "endgame" zone, etc.

What are your thoughts/hopes?

I always imagined the isles to be shrouded by the bronze dragonflight's time magic, which would explain why people haven't been able to find them (or at least haven't been able to get back to our timeline if they made it there somehow). Being an island inhabited almost solely by dragons, floating isles aren't a bad idea either. In either case, I don't think the location matters much.

One zone for each flight makes sense to me, but I don't think black dragonflight's zone being endgame makes sense at this stage. I would much prefer if the endgame zone was either the domain of a new dragonflight (white dragonflight, maybe?) or maybe centered around the charred Titan facility of Uldorus or something.

[Catastrophy349]

I always imagined the isles to be shrouded by the bronze dragonflight's time magic, which would explain why people haven't been able to find them (or at least haven't been able to get back to our timeline if they made it there somehow). Being an island inhabited almost solely by dragons, floating isles aren't a bad idea either. In either case, I don't think the location matters much.

One zone for each flight makes sense to me, but I don't think black dragonflight's zone being endgame makes sense at this stage. I would much prefer if the endgame zone was either the domain of a new dragonflight (white dragonflight, maybe?) or maybe centered around the charred Titan facility of Uldorus or something.

Cool ideas! I like these. I never thought about the Bronze Dragonflight's time magic effect.

[Shadochi]

I always imagined the isles to be shrouded by the bronze dragonflight's time magic, which would explain why people haven't been able to find them (or at least haven't been able to get back to our timeline if they made it there somehow). Being an island inhabited almost solely by dragons, floating isles aren't a bad idea either. In either case, I don't think the location matters much.

One zone for each flight makes sense to me, but I don't think black dragonflight's zone being endgame makes sense at this stage. I would much prefer if the endgame zone was either the domain of a new dragonflight (white dragonflight, maybe?) or maybe centered around the charred Titan facility of Uldorus or something.

Something related to time magic/time science I saw used in a couple of other fictional settings is to hide/shroud something in time by having it exist in like a bubble of small desync of time from reality or something like that

[Catastrophy349]

Just like how Emperor Shao shrouded Pandaria in Mists, I think it would be cool if the rationale behind both going to the Dragon Isles AND not being able to go there for some time (pun intended) is time related. Would be a great way to segway into the expansion, introduce the bronze dragon flight, and go from there.

[Kiria]

@Catastrophy349 Since people here are saying you work for Blizzard, tell them to put Alleria Windrunner (spelling is checked and surname is given to avoid any confusion) in the spotlight. She has the potential to become the most popular character ever reintroduced in WoW.

Wait and see

I'm sure they'll do something with her come the new expansion.

[Catastrophy349]

I have a feeling that the next few weeks leading up to announcement, announcement day, and after will be very good for WoW

[Revamp Man]

But what is the point if needing more levels to begin with? All it really does is dilute power gains on each level, and the only real benefit is that players can close their eyes and pretend like their level actually matters at endgame.

The current levelling works as well as one could expect.
1-10 for tutorial. 10-50 for acclimatizing the player. And 50-60 for easing players into current endgame.
Add 10 more levels and all you are really doing is either adding 10 levels to the middle section, which is pointless. Or making SL required levelling after the 10-50 stretch, which is even worse.

It helps players feel stronger
Leveling was a problem when you had to slog through certain areas which is why they merged some then did chromie time
10-50 isn’t fun or engaging so there’s no reason to expect 10-60 to be different except maybe the extra levels will let them experience more than the leveling campaign because let’s face it some levels can be ignored when you gain one in a dungeon

New players will have to level through shadowlands which is already exp rich in just the main story

Compared to constant resets which requires them to keep scaling back and can screw with gearing.

The level cap going over 100 was the issue along with 400k dps but if they can keep the power jumps minimal then we can get 4 expansions without more garbage squishes

[Marlamin]

Didn't they do this leading up to SL as well? And it ended up being nothing.

Pretty much. The map itself isn't insignificant, but the fact it was "updated" pretty much is. Format updates, changes to files the map uses or some dev randomly opening it could all trigger updates. It's just another thing that got blown out of proportion by Reddit.

[Archmage Xaxxas]

Where are the World Revamp people at?

Patiently awaiting the 20th Anniversary and 10th Expansion for that!

[huth]

Pretty much. The map itself isn't insignificant, but the fact it was "updated" pretty much is. Format updates, changes to files the map uses or some dev randomly opening it could all trigger updates. It's just another thing that got blown out of proportion by Reddit.

Imagine if it turns out they just put some random thing that gets used for some sort of regular tests and gets updated all the time in the map and then forgot about it...

[AOL Instant Messenger]

yah just like Uthers Tomb in EK was completely redesigned for its usage in SL.

That sounds rather distinct—a personal project updating an already-extant small subzone in the open world is pretty different from an entirely internal build of a wholly redesigned zone.

[Hitei]

That sounds rather distinct—a personal project updating an already-extant small subzone in the open world is pretty different from an entirely internal build of a wholly redesigned zone.

I mean, they are different, but that difference is actually counter to the point you are making. Significantly, significantly more work went into the revamp of Uther's tomb than went into the Galakrond map.

The first one involves a whole bunch of newly modeled structures, individually placed assets with care and thought put into their locations, placed lighting and spell effects, terrain tool repainting ground textures etc. The second was someone deleting a bunch of assets and then very roughly filling in some holes with one snow terrain tool.

[micwini]

Where are the World Revamp people at?

im right here dude. Been believing since after WoD

[Nightshade711]

That sounds rather distinct—a personal project updating an already-extant small subzone in the open world is pretty different from an entirely internal build of a wholly redesigned zone.

I mean, they are different, but that difference is actually counter to the point you are making. Significantly, significantly more work went into the revamp of Uther's tomb than went into the Galakrond map.

The first one involves a whole bunch of newly modeled structures, individually placed assets with care and thought put into their locations, placed lighting and spell effects, terrain tool repainting ground textures etc. The second was someone deleting a bunch of assets and then very roughly filling in some holes with one snow terrain tool.

The map itself wasn't even changed.
Go back to any of the map versions from 8.2 onward and there's no actual change.

Galakrond's skeleton, wyrmrest, and the dragonshrines are missing from each version of the map on that link.

[AOL Instant Messenger]

I mean, they are different, but that difference is actually counter to the point you are making. Significantly, significantly more work went into the revamp of Uther's tomb than went into the Galakrond map.

The first one involves a whole bunch of newly modeled structures, individually placed assets with care and thought put into their locations, placed lighting and spell effects, terrain tool repainting ground textures etc. The second was someone deleting a bunch of assets and then very roughly filling in some holes with one snow terrain tool.

Doesn't that also rule it out as a personal project? Why would someone make such minuscule changes for seemingly no reason to Dragonblight?

The map itself wasn't even changed.
Go back to any of the map versions from 8.2 onward and there's no actual change.

Galakrond's skeleton, wyrmrest, and the dragonshrines are missing from each version of the map on that link.

I see. So, it's irrelevant, then?

If that's the case I presume whatever it was intended for was simply cut.

Where are the World Revamp people at?

I am holding out hope, though I'm not sure how plausible it is. I'm thinking an expansion limited to Lordaeron and possibly Quel'Thalas seems most likely, since I don't know if Blizzard has the time nor resources to do a full world revamp of adequate quality unless they've been working on it for a very long time now.

[Nightshade711]

Doesn't that also rule it out as a personal project? Why would someone make such minuscule changes for seemingly no reason to Dragonblight?

- - - Updated - - -



I see. So, it's irrelevant, then?

If that's the case I presume whatever it was intended for was simply cut.

I personally think that everything being missing is just how the map/terrain files look in their base form but I might be wrong.
Especially since everything is pretty much missing from the map on that link except the terrain itself.

There still could've been an internal update to the map but idk how to check that, if we're even able to. I'd expect it to at least have some things to bring us closer to what dragonblight is supposed to look like with the top of wyrmrest blown off etc.

[Sondrelk]

Doesn't that also rule it out as a personal project? Why would someone make such minuscule changes for seemingly no reason to Dragonblight?



I see. So, it's irrelevant, then?

If that's the case I presume whatever it was intended for was simply cut.



I am holding out hope, though I'm not sure how plausible it is. I'm thinking an expansion limited to Lordaeron and possibly Quel'Thalas seems most likely, since I don't know if Blizzard has the time nor resources to do a full world revamp of adequate quality unless they've been working on it for a very long time now.

The most plausible explanation for the Galakrond map is that it was made for a potentially scrapped quest way back. Got shelved. And now gives off notices whenever a developer opens the file or whatever else.

As for the potential reason for the changes the most plausible explanation is that it was meant to be a flashback to the aspects defeating Galakrond, since all that would realistically need is a version of Dragonblight where nothing really exists to put some proto-drakes into.