Midnight 12.X Patches & World Soul Saga Speculation Thread

[Ersula]

Would the Earthern who break free be the "heretics"?

Possibly. Though I would guess not because it seems like the Khaz Algar entry is relatively recent (khaz modan earthen had already become dwarves, so that's post sundering, aka "modern" times) while it seems like the Avaloren entry is from before Odyn was imprisoned in the Halls of Valor.

get ready for the announcement of wow going free at blizzcon

Why would they go free to play if it meant losing all the money from the people willing to pay for the game. Despite what some people say that number is still relevant.

[Teriz]

I don't disagree. I think an entire, underground expansion would be awful. However, some "underground" aspects could be fun. Personally, my hope is for "Avaloren," a continent on the "other side of Azeroth." That is something I've wanted for a long time (before Avaloren was a thing), but even more now that it has been "name dropped" along with all the other "hints" from DF patches.

The problem with the notion of Avaloren is that the concept’s execution sounds exactly like a repeat of the dragon isles where we discover a lost continent that is influenced by dragons and the titans.

Not saying it’s impossible, but it seems unlikely that Blizzard would essentially rehash the previous expansion’s concept in the new expansion.

Also Khaz Algar is highly likely to be mostly or fully underground.

[Nibelheimy]

Naw sadly, I don't believe there are any redeeming qualities to Underground content and there's nothing the WoW team can do to make it interesting in the slightest, Teriz'z headcannon of Underground skies is just simply headcannon, it would be dark dank caves and thats it.

You should watch Disney's Atlantis.

[PotHockets]

Naw sadly, I don't believe there are any redeeming qualities to Underground content and there's nothing the WoW team can do to make it interesting in the slightest, Teriz'z headcannon of Underground skies is just simply headcannon, it would be dark dank caves and thats it.

You didn't play Elden Ring did you?

[ro9ue]

Naw sadly, I don't believe there are any redeeming qualities to Underground content and there's nothing the WoW team can do to make it interesting in the slightest, Teriz'z headcannon of Underground skies is just simply headcannon, it would be dark dank caves and thats it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journe...r_of_the_Earth

[matijwow]

The problem with the notion of Avaloren is that the concept’s execution sounds exactly like a repeat of the dragon isles where we discover a lost continent that is influenced by dragons and the titans.

Not saying it’s impossible, but it seems unlikely that Blizzard would essentially rehash the previous expansion’s concept in the new expansion.

Also Khaz Algar is highly likely to be mostly or fully underground.

They might be doubling world design per expansion now. I noticed this pattern in zone/world layout and approach. It could be nothing, but it could also be indicative of the way an expansion gets designed and the teams react to its design for the next one. If they're writing each expansion with the next more closely in mind since at least WoD, we could get another "discover a lost continent" type expansion.

Type 1 = Multiple continents/scattered zones to go back and forth across through loading screens
Type 2 = A single continent that we approach in game largely as discoverers, not invaders (the land offers space for a lot of new disconnected lore)
Type 3 = A single continent that we approach in game largely as invaders

Vanilla = 1
TBC = 2
Wrath = 3
Cata = 1
MoP = 2
WoD = 3
Legion = 3
BfA = 1
SL = 1
DF = 2
11.0 = 2?

[Catastrophy349]

The problem with the notion of Avaloren is that the concept’s execution sounds exactly like a repeat of the dragon isles where we discover a lost continent that is influenced by dragons and the titans.

Not saying it’s impossible, but it seems unlikely that Blizzard would essentially rehash the previous expansion’s concept in the new expansion.

Also Khaz Algar is highly likely to be mostly or fully underground.

I'm fine with Khaz Algar being completely underground and either a zone/capital city for 11.0. However, an entire "underground expansion" I just don't see happening.

[Houle]

The problem with the notion of Avaloren is that the concept’s execution sounds exactly like a repeat of the dragon isles where we discover a lost continent that is influenced by dragons and the titans.

Not saying it’s impossible, but it seems unlikely that Blizzard would essentially rehash the previous expansion’s concept in the new expansion.

Also Khaz Algar is highly likely to be mostly or fully underground.

Id say it would be more a Pandaria rehash. Especially if it actually turns out that this is where Xal'ataths original body was/is.

A previously unknown continent on the southern hemisphere/backside of Azeroth, which was previously completely cut off from the world by a bubble of mist/storms, where the remains of a dead OG (Y'shaarj/Xal) are found.

Yeahhh

[matijwow]

I'm fine with Khaz Algar being completely underground and either a zone/capital city for 11.0. However, an entire "underground expansion" I just don't see happening.

The single text that mentions Khaz Algar says that the "fissure" is in a "sector," and the earthen started calling the sector "Khaz Algar," not just the fissure/geological anomaly. Since Khaz Modan means "Mountains of Khaz [Goroth]," Khaz Algar means something of Khaz.

People have pointed out the NPCs named "Algar" and similar things, but it seems to me like it's most likely related somehow to Algalon. Algalon was named for the real life star system Algol, and we did see a mysteriously corrupted constellar on Helya's ship in Legion which was never explained (Harbaron, whom Xal'atath whispers about).

- - - Updated - - -

Id say it would be more a Pandaria rehash. Especially if it actually turns out that this is where Xal'ataths original body was/is.

A previously unknown continent on the southern hemisphere/backside of Azeroth, which was previously completely cut off from the world by a bubble of mist/storms, where the remains of a dead OG (Y'shaarj/Xal) are found.

Yeahhh

We also never saw a Nautilus style temple like the original Dragon Isles art had. Maybe this is how they'll tie it in.

[Dracullus]

Type 1 = Multiple continents/scattered zones to go back and forth across through loading screens
Type 2 = A single continent that we approach in game largely as discoverers, not invaders (the land offers space for a lot of new disconnected lore)
Type 3 = A single continent that we approach in game largely as invaders

Vanilla = 1
TBC = 2
Wrath = 3
Cata = 1
MoP = 2
WoD = 3
Legion = 3
BfA = 1
SL = 1
DF = 2
11.0 = 2?

Since multiple expeditions to Avaloren failed already, it could be closer to type 2.

[Hitei]

We also never saw a Nautilus style temple like the original Dragon Isles art had. Maybe this is how they'll tie it in.

Because they swapped it over to Kul Tiras.

[Hitei]

who said anything about losing money? if all free-to-play games weren't profitable, we wouldn't have so many of them today, and i'm pretty sure this model makes a lot more money than the current subscription model

It makes a lot of money for specific game types.

[northrend110]

Blizzcon 2023:
Warcraft 3 Re-reforged
WoW Classic: Cataclysm
WoW: Legacy of the Titans
Revamped Northrend + 3 zones of Avaloren
Underground Azjol-Nerub zone.
Amirdrassil capital city.
Revamped Secondary Professions.
Class agnostic "Torghast".
Many new race customizations for all except Dracthyr.
All classes for all races except DH and Evoker.
Account wide reputations.
Account wide bank.
Blood Mage, Fel DH, Void Priest (Support).
Earthbound Shaman (Tank).
Ambusher Rogue (Ranged DPS)
Vyranoth Betrayer, loyal to Iridikron and Xal'athat.
Galakrond.
Khaz'goroth, Agrammar and Golganneth sent to re-order Azeroth with the help of the remaining Keepers.
Clash between Void, Order and us in the middle.
New premium subscription with tenders.

[Berkilak]

So you want a proper free trial. Like for FFXIV.

Honestly, I think the only “real” limits for a WoW trial should be a lack of non-LFR raids, no keystone Mythics, and no rated PvP. Aside from character count and currency limits, that’s the only real content that the trials should be shut out from.

WoW’s trial is so unrepresentative of the actual game and there’s no clear solution.

[Ersula]

who said anything about losing money? if all free-to-play games weren't profitable, we wouldn't have so many of them today, and i'm pretty sure this model makes a lot more money than the current subscription model

If all the people who are paying a subscription suddenly didn't need to pay the subscription, that would be a loss of money. Successful f2p games don't traditionally start as subscription based services. We don't have any hard data on this but I seriously doubt Diablo Immortal or even Diablo 4 are currently making more money than WoW subscriptions.

not particularly, this model covers many different types of game

then, of course, they can keep the expansion purchase model, but abolish subscription in favor of a season pass
hell, i'd even accept a subscription model similar to TESO's

The most important factor being if expansion sales were making more than subscription fees. The actual box was making more money than the subscription: That's why TESO changed to that model. If this becomes true for wow, then that would absolutely be their course of action. But I don't think we're there yet. Especially with classic "expansions" upping the subs but not a flat fee.

there is a solution: delete the subscription

Gamepass seems like a better solution.

[Thomir]

where leaks

[Catastrophy349]

Let's talk speculation! I hate all of these numbers, subs, statistics conversations!

[AOL Instant Messenger]

You didn't play Elden Ring did you?

Now that would be a great start for underground content. I'd love to see it.

While I sympathize with people being exasperated with Teriz, he's not totally wrong that there is some room for an underground expansion. It won't be Undermine, no doubt about that, but I could see it working with Azjol-Nerub or somewhere like that.

[NoTimeToDie5426]

Now that you mention it, I fully expect Blizz to do a large Azjol-Nerub based zone dealing with those fellas... at long last. Hopefully we get some more history/lore regarding that empire soon

[Magistrate]

They might be doubling world design per expansion now. I noticed this pattern in zone/world layout and approach. It could be nothing, but it could also be indicative of the way an expansion gets designed and the teams react to its design for the next one. If they're writing each expansion with the next more closely in mind since at least WoD, we could get another "discover a lost continent" type expansion.

Type 1 = Multiple continents/scattered zones to go back and forth across through loading screens
Type 2 = A single continent that we approach in game largely as discoverers, not invaders (the land offers space for a lot of new disconnected lore)
Type 3 = A single continent that we approach in game largely as invaders

Vanilla = 1
TBC = 2
Wrath = 3
Cata = 1
MoP = 2
WoD = 3
Legion = 3
BfA = 1
SL = 1
DF = 2
11.0 = 2?

Literally the story of MoP was that we were invaders. What are you doing here, buddy? lol