Midnight 12.X Patches & World Soul Saga Speculation Thread

[Cheezits]

I do think it's weird that 11.1.7 doesn't seem to have ANY prologue stuff. Maybe it doesn't exist because it wasn't planned to be Karesh?

[Dracullus]

I wonder if we'll end up getting a look at 11.2? 11.1.7 doesn't really have the obvious prologue tie-in like 11.0.7 did, so I wonder if they plan on just showing us.

You've been advocating heavily for a look at neighborhoods and I wholeheartedly agree.

If 11.1.7 files don't even suggest what could be 11.2 zone, no reason to reveal it before PTR. What's the point of taking spotlight from 11.1.5/1.7 now, they are doing it only for Blizzcon-like events where people expect to see more.

And yeah, I wonder if prologue is hidden or just there is none. Especially Karesh will feel completely out of blue. "Champions, we learned Ethereals got Dark Heart 3 patches ago, hop on this portal".

[Joshuaj]

I don't agree that it feels like filler, but we're definitely at a slower point right now, which seems to have been the case with .5 and .7 patches. I'm just eager for the next season in... 3 months.

The story feels fine to me, especially if we end up on K'aresh.

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I wonder if we'll end up getting a look at 11.2? 11.1.7 doesn't really have the obvious prologue tie-in like 11.0.7 did, so I wonder if they plan on just showing us.

You've been advocating heavily for a look at neighborhoods and I wholeheartedly agree.

The panel is about Azeroth and them building a living world. Would be shocked if they didn't at least showcase a preview of Neighborhoods, ya know?

If it's just them doubling down on last month's article, then whatever, fine, but I'd LOVE to see something else.

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Dunno if we'll see an 11.2 announcement there, but I wouldn't be against it.

[milkmustache]

I do think it's weird that 11.1.7 doesn't seem to have ANY prologue stuff. Maybe it doesn't exist because it wasn't planned to be Karesh?

Eh, I think in the time that they would've shifted over to K'aresh they would have put together a quick prologue quest. I can't imagine it'd be much work. Lorewalking is a fantastic addition, and I'm almost willing to give up a prologue quest if this is our alternative. There is also the Umbric/Elven lorewalking questline to consider, although that feels like it could be a prologue to Midnight.

If we are going to K'aresh, I wonder if their goal is to make a huge deal out of it. Going to K'aresh would in effect be the inciting action to Midnight, so it kind of all lines up well for Blizzard to hit a massive, massive content streak from 11.2 > 12.0. In that span alone we'd be getting K'aresh, Legion Remix and Housing, along with the content and UI updates they already have planned in between, giving a hell of a runway to the launch of the biggest expansion yet. I have to imagine if that's the direction they're going, they're really going to commit hard for the lead up to Midnight.

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The panel is about Azeroth and them building a living world. Would be shocked if they didn't at least showcase a preview of Neighborhoods, ya know?

At the very least I'd hope we'll get a look at fully new and HD Durotar and Elwynn. What a way to get people excited

[Inxotep]

https://east.paxsite.com/en-us/sched...ent-and-Future

World of Warcraft Community Manager Bethany Stout hosts a discussion about the living game initiatives that have brought life to Azeroth for the past 20 years. Associate Game Directors Jeremy Feasel and Paul Kubit, Associate Design Director Maria Hamilton, and Principal Game Designer Jesse Kurlancheek take players on a nostalgic journey while also pointing toward the future, from the opening of the gates of Ahn’Qiraj to the upcoming player housing feature coming in the next expansion, Midnight.

Would love a hint at 11.2, but it seems focused on housing, hopefully neighbourhoods/exterior previews atleast, we'll see!

[Ersula]

the worldsoul saga was supposed to be a story heavy trilogy, but until now there is no difference with other expansions. if anything, the main campaign is actually shorter than the usual. i'm a bit disappointed tbh

ah, i might be a contrarian but imo 11.1 was the highest point of the expansion while 11.1.7 continues the trend of sappy and boring questlines started with dragonflight. the writers don't know how to write conflict between the horde and the alliance and morally grey stories in general. it's a bummer because i was kind excited when i read the 11.1.7 patch notes

Didn't I just say a few pages ago and when the expansion was revealed they're developing midnight rn at the expense of TWW and everyone here jumped down my throat at the accusation.

[huth]

It's more about the kobyss + order of the night and then some nerubians at the start and at the end which feels forced. Again, the main story in hallowfall is not about the nerubians or the earthen, it's about 2 new enemy factions (kobys + order of the night) and the light, which is not a main theme of the expansion, it feels really out of place. TWW feels disjointed and now you just wonder what the hell are the main characters/factions still doing in Dornogal.

The Kobyss are just background noise. Nothing anywhere is about them; we hardly even know anything of them beyond "evil aquatic necromancers". They're just some generic enemies so we have something to smack about while the bigger players are introduced.

The story of Hallowfall is mainly about the Arathi, which are most likely being set up for later.

[Cheezits]

The Kobyss are just background noise. Nothing anywhere is about them; we hardly even know anything of them beyond "evil aquatic necromancers". They're just some generic enemies so we have something to smack about while the bigger players are introduced.

The story of Hallowfall is mainly about the Arathi, which are most likely being set up for later.

The Kobyss may actually be a foreshadowing towards a Jinyu/Naga zone coming up but I really don't think it will be a priority in Midnight over old zones and concepts (Eversong, Ghostlands, Zul'Aman, Plaguelands etc)

[Joshuaj]

https://east.paxsite.com/en-us/sched...ent-and-Future

World of Warcraft Community Manager Bethany Stout hosts a discussion about the living game initiatives that have brought life to Azeroth for the past 20 years. Associate Game Directors Jeremy Feasel and Paul Kubit, Associate Design Director Maria Hamilton, and Principal Game Designer Jesse Kurlancheek take players on a nostalgic journey while also pointing toward the future, from the opening of the gates of Ahn’Qiraj to the upcoming player housing feature coming in the next expansion, Midnight.

Would love a hint at 11.2, but it seems focused on housing, hopefully neighbourhoods/exterior previews atleast, we'll see!

Yeah, that's why I was talking about Neighborhoods and whatnot, but for all we know, it might just be them doubling down on the article released a bit ago.

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Tho, I do hope it's not that.

The panel theme alone already screams "It can't be a living world if you can't live in it..." with a surprise showcase of Neighborhoods.

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Eh, I think in the time that they would've shifted over to K'aresh they would have put together a quick prologue quest. I can't imagine it'd be much work. Lorewalking is a fantastic addition, and I'm almost willing to give up a prologue quest if this is our alternative. There is also the Umbric/Elven lorewalking questline to consider, although that feels like it could be a prologue to Midnight.

If we are going to K'aresh, I wonder if their goal is to make a huge deal out of it. Going to K'aresh would in effect be the inciting action to Midnight, so it kind of all lines up well for Blizzard to hit a massive, massive content streak from 11.2 > 12.0. In that span alone we'd be getting K'aresh, Legion Remix and Housing, along with the content and UI updates they already have planned in between, giving a hell of a runway to the launch of the biggest expansion yet. I have to imagine if that's the direction they're going, they're really going to commit hard for the lead up to Midnight.

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At the very least I'd hope we'll get a look at fully new and HD Durotar and Elwynn. What a way to get people excited

I don't think they'll do an entire HD Elwynn and Durotar revamp, but a showcase of HD Elwynn/Duskwood/Westfall assets, as well as HD Durotar and Azshara assets for Neighborhoods would be peak.

[Cheezits]

I don't think they'll do an entire HD Elwynn and Durotar revamp, but a showcase of HD Elwynn/Duskwood/Westfall assets, as well as HD Durotar and Azshara assets for Neighborhoods would be peak.

There's a decent chance you will be able to fly/walk into the Neighborhoods, and if that's the case then they likely will just update the areas (using the assets they made already) surrounding the Neighborhoods so the transition is seamless instead of ugly Cata -> Modern Midnight. Same with how they will likely make the areas AROUND Quel'thalas prettier so it doesn't look embarrassingly bad in 2025 marketing.

[milkmustache]

There's a decent chance you will be able to fly/walk into the Neighborhoods, and if that's the case then they likely will just update the areas (using the assets they made already) surrounding the Neighborhoods so the transition is seamless instead of ugly Cata -> Modern Midnight. Same with how they will likely make the areas AROUND Quel'thalas prettier so it doesn't look embarrassingly bad in 2025 marketing.

As in Northern Lordaeron? You don't think there'll be some sort of seamless loading screen out of Quel'thalas?

[Reive]

Didn't I just say a few pages ago and when the expansion was revealed they're developing midnight rn at the expense of TWW and everyone here jumped down my throat at the accusation.

that doesn't justify the shitty writing, which is the biggest issue with the story atm.

[Khaza-R]

As in Northern Lordaeron? You don't think there'll be some sort of seamless loading screen out of Quel'thalas?

I don't think we've ever seen them be able to seemless load between two different expansions. I guess they could have new tech for that but seems unlikely.

Sadly, I think Quel'thalas+ is just going to have a massive shadow bubble around it.

[Cheezits]

I don't think we've ever seen them be able to seemless load between two different expansions. I guess they could have new tech for that but seems unlikely.

Sadly, I think Quel'thalas+ is just going to have a massive shadow bubble around it.

Either QT and a chunk of North Ek is made it its own instance, the entirety of EK is revamped, or there's some kind of bubble. I doubt the bubble idea as it's too ugly.

I think the most likely option is all of EK above Thrandol Span gets updated, even if it's irrelevant for now (IE Gilneas, they can reuse the area for housing). However there are a few hints that it's more than just North EK- the comments on the starting experience changing for example, as well as the neighborhood being in South EK

I'm 50 on Northern EK, 40 on Full EK, and 10 on bubble.

[FossilFree]

Learn to drive, buddy!

I think I'll nope out of this patch instead, just like I did with Siren's Isle. The flying issue was resolved, but Ion just can't let it go.

[Marlamin]

Actively promoting the PAX panel. Interesting!

[Inxotep]

Actively promoting the PAX panel. Interesting!

And a new 11.2 build, maybe we are getting a 11.2 reveal tomorrow Or is that too soon, usually they'd wait till 11.1.7 is out to reveal the next big thing?

But if not, we're definitely getting some juicy housing details

[Cheezits]

If not neighborhood/revamp reveals I think the end will just have an 11.2 tease and/or full reveal.

[Reive]

i expect nothing. 11.1.7 was revealed last week

[Thomir]

I can imagine them using the same fog wall tech as Delves to enter neighbourhoods.