The War Within 11.X Patches & World Soul Saga Speculation Thread

[Kiria]

Draenor is coming to us this time. Yrel will invade us and start a light vs void expansion

I can totally get behind this haha

[Reive]

As far as I rememeber, it was the case for MoP, WoD and Battle for Azeroth. Not sure about Legion to be honest, since announcement didn't happen at Blizzcon.

It's also a good way to hype it up a little, because it's an opportunity for streamers to do a live interview with devs simultaneously.

WOW DEMO being a new expansion / new content other than 10.2 is out of question.
Even if it's not big or anything, they return with Blizzcon after a few years, bring back Metzen and build the hype up intensively. How can anyone believe that playable version is 10.2 which is literally on PTR? Nobody cares about already announced content. It's not what Blizzcon is for.

thanks. i'm sure the demo we'll get to play at the blizzcon is for the new expansion. they just can't show the new logo without announcing the new expansion first.

[Valysar]

Btw I hope they'll stop doing this in 11.0.
A lot of mounts don't follow the slope of the ground and that's kinda awful




(red = bad, green = good)

[Foolicious]

https://x.com/christiegolden/status/...jgkgWvRvHdAuNA

I never get used to the new twitter name. I always double check not to click on some nsfw link.

As far as I rememeber, it was the case for MoP, WoD and Battle for Azeroth. Not sure about Legion to be honest, since announcement didn't happen at Blizzcon.

If i remember correctly you could play the starting area of demonhunters at blizzcon.

[Reive]

I can totally get behind this haha

hey, if they can't give us a world revamp, they should at least give us something cool.

[Teriz]

If we're not going to get an Old Gods or Emerald Dream expansion due to those being samey and having limited design stuff, then "Elemental" expansion is another no-go because elementals are, kind of boring.. Cata did a good job with 'em and given the themes in this expansion, this is as close as you're going to get

Elementals are boring =/= Elemental zones would look the same

Just by being elemental, you're looking at zones that encompass Earth, fire, water, and/or wind. That's not a "samey" problem.

With that said, the notion appears to be that we're going underground and dealing with the elements and the elemental lords in a different way than going through different elemental planes like we did in Cataclysm. I do believe that that makes sense if the design goal is to complete the general storyline started in Cataclysm. Dragonflight backs this up somewhat given that the aspects are getting their powers back in this expansion, which was part of the Cataclysm storyline. The other major part of the Cataclysm storyline was the destruction of the world, the elements in chaos, and Worgens and Goblins getting pushed out their homes. We could see Worgens getting Gilneas back and Goblins going to a restored Kezan at the start of 11.0. If that's the case, the latter opens up Undermine as a potential launching point for an underground expansion where the end result is potentially the restoration of Azeroth.

WoD and Legion ended the storyline started in TBC. BFA and SL ended the storyline started in WotLk. Dragonflight and 11.0 could end the storyline started in Cataclysm. Dragonflight resolving the dragon side of Cataclysm. 11.0 resolving the elemental side of Cataclysm.

It makes sense. Especially given that Thrall is on the key art. Thrall was rather integral to Cataclysm's storyline. It make sense for him to be integral in its resolution.

[meloneronom]

couldnt be less excited when its a "elemental" expansion.

[Ansi]

WoW panel is gold!!

Let’s read into this. Did we get any color hints at previous BlizzCon program presentations that turned out to make sense?

[ImTheMizAwesome]

Let’s read into this. Did we get any color hints at previous BlizzCon program presentations that turned out to make sense?

I don't think so but i could be wrong.

2019 blizzcon schedule looked like this

[Ansi]

I don't think so but i could be wrong.

2019 blizzcon schedule looked like this

Right. Diablo is red and Hearthstone is gold—the rest of the color coding seems neutral. We need to look further back …

[Raetary]

[ImTheMizAwesome]

Right. Diablo is red and Hearthstone is gold—the rest of the color coding seems neutral. We need to look further back …

this is 2018 and wow stuff is in gold.

[Dracullus]

Hey if a new x pack gets announced this year at blizzcon - doesn’t that mean no xpack announcement next year?

Yep. In normal schedule Dragonflight would be announced on November 2021 - but without Blizzcon they could just wait for last big SL patch so they revealed it 6 months later.

Next year most likely will be detailed 11.1 info and 2025 patches timeline. Probably that new adventure game will be big thing. Also both Blizzcons shoulds have Diablo expac, since they want release them yearly.

- - - Updated - - -

WoD launch, despite many cuts, was VERY hyped period in WoW's history. Paradoxically WoD was "back to the roots" expansion, that's why I expect something similar in 11.0 (not time travel stuff obviously).

[Mecheon]

Elementals are boring =/= Elemental zones would look the same

Just by being elemental, you're looking at zones that encompass Earth, fire, water, and/or wind. That's not a "samey" problem.

With that said, the notion appears to be that we're going underground and dealing with the elements and the elemental lords in a different way than going through different elemental planes like we did in Cataclysm. I do believe that that makes sense if the design goal is to complete the general storyline started in Cataclysm. Dragonflight backs this up somewhat given that the aspects are getting their powers back in this expansion, which was part of the Cataclysm storyline. The other major part of the Cataclysm storyline was the destruction of the world, the elements in chaos, and Worgens and Goblins getting pushed out their homes. We could see Worgens getting Gilneas back and Goblins going to a restored Kezan at the start of 11.0. If that's the case, the latter opens up Undermine as a potential launching point for an underground expansion where the end result is potentially the restoration of Azeroth.

WoD and Legion ended the storyline started in TBC. BFA and SL ended the storyline started in WotLk. Dragonflight and 11.0 could end the storyline started in Cataclysm. Dragonflight resolving the dragon side of Cataclysm. 11.0 resolving the elemental side of Cataclysm.

It makes sense. Especially given that Thrall is on the key art. Thrall was rather integral to Cataclysm's storyline. It make sense for him to be integral in its resolution.

But, that's kind of the problem. Because 'elemental expansion' is.... We already know what that is. Its 'fire, earth, water, air'. If there are elemental themed zones, that's what its going to be. Slap one of those elements in an area it is not otherwise in. We've seen it with the numerous volcanos Cata added around Kalimdor, we've seen it with the elemental parts of this expansion

Sure they could go more like Rifts and change some stuff up (I'm always a fan of Hanging Waters from Ecco Defender of the Future), but.... An elemental expansion is sort of that sort of just plain old same-y. There's only so much you can do with them. Dragonflight has an elemental theme to it but it had to mix in dragons because, frankly, the dragon theme is stronger and the elements just add some flavouring.

We've already dealt with the Elemental Lords in Cata and Legion, there isn't much of a storyline to continue there. They're all generally passive at this point and the various Issues they had are dealt with. What storyline is there left to deal with? Worgen and goblins don't have anything to do with an elemental expansion, they were forced out by techtonic behavior and dealing with that (Which, frankly, would only happen in the event of Kezan ending up a city, Gilneas is probably doomed because there's no reason to add an Alliance only city up near Lordaren). Frankly "Its a world revamp and the elements are causing issues AGAIN" is going to feel like such a retread of Cata that its going to be dunked on. Plus, well, Cata wasn't a popular expansion. Sure there's less popular, but its still generally regarded as the 'this is where things went bad'

[Teriz]

Just saw this and havent seen it posted. Updated blizzcon map.
Hall D: World of Warcraft®, Hearthstone®, and Warcraft Rumble® including: the WoW Corridor of Time, the Warcraft Tavern, Rumble: In the Machine, the WoW Guild Clash, the Hearthstone Artist’s Nook, Hearthstone Duel-a-Dev, and the Darkmoon Faire

seem like they are going deep into the theming.

The theming looks like a lot of fun. Wish I could attend in person.

[Sondrelk]

WoD launch, despite many cuts, was VERY hyped period in WoW's history. Paradoxically WoD was "back to the roots" expansion, that's why I expect something similar in 11.0 (not time travel stuff obviously).

20th Anniversary expansion hype isnt really because the expansion has to be good, but rather the belief that Blizzard wouldnt willingly go for a middling theme.
World Revamp is the gold contender in this regard. It's easy to build up hype around WoWs roots, and you can have so many unrelated storylines going that it's likely at least one will work.

Whether the expansion is good is another matter. BfA I still stand by had the most effective opening pitch since Wrath.

[Worldshaper]

So it looks like the big three are returning, at least:

• Opening Ceremony (I'll miss Mike Morhaime, but at least Metzen is back)
• Panel Discussions (I'd prefer if they weren't discussions and instead just presentations, but at least they're panels)
• Closing Ceremony (should feature cosplay, music and stuff like always based on what we've seen)

I'm not sure but it seems like there's only one stage this year? In the BlizzCon Arena? Could be cool, but hopefully that doesn't worsen the streaming experience. I kinda enjoyed having different things to choose between, taking place at the same time on different stages. If there's only one stage where it's one event after another, I'm sure they feel like they can reduce the amount of content too.

Nothing about musical act or hosts for the stream or community event yet, AFAIK. I always liked Darin De Paul, hopefully he'll get to do something again. Jay More was pretty funny as well, but obviously awkward as hell at times too.

- - - Updated - - -

Regarding announcements this year, I suppose realistically we can expect:

• WoW expansion and Classic Cataclysm
• Hearthstone expansion and new "year"
• Some small type of announcement regarding Rumble, perhaps that they'll do regular content drops or whatever, to expand the map... I would love it if they released a bunch of mini figurines you could buy
• Overwatch 2 should probably have some type of announcement regarding its future, maybe some major DLCs, maps or heroes coming in 2024. If they're smart, they'll announce a ton of fan service because the community isn't very happy right now
• Diablo IV could potentially announce its first expansion (I think they said they'd be annual?) with a release window in the summer of 2024. Hopefully a new class, such as the Crusader.

Then there are the big "maybes", that could spice up the event a bunch:

• Major news with Xbox, like new console ports or Game Pass integrations
• New animated show or movie
• News on the new IP, the survival game
• Classic+ for WoW, and/or a World Revamp
• HotS or Starcraft being brought back in the future
• Something unexpected for Hearthstone, like HS2 or something to that degree
• Overwatch 1 brought back as a classic title
• Completely new game in existing franchises, such as an RPG set in Azeroth, the Koprulu Sector, or Sanctuary

[ImTheMizAwesome]

I dunno why but i feel like with broken being teased in ma'nari questline, we might get early access to 2 allied races with next expansion preorder.

They would be available in 10.2.7 or if 10.3 happens then somewhere around that or after.

[micwini]

So it looks like the big three are returning, at least:

• Opening Ceremony (I'll miss Mike Morhaime, but at least Metzen is back)
• Panel Discussions (I'd prefer if they weren't discussions and instead just presentations, but at least they're panels)
• Closing Ceremony (should feature cosplay, music and stuff like always based on what we've seen)

I'm not sure but it seems like there's only one stage this year? In the BlizzCon Arena? Could be cool, but hopefully that doesn't worsen the streaming experience. I kinda enjoyed having different things to choose between, taking place at the same time on different stages. If there's only one stage where it's one event after another, I'm sure they feel like they can reduce the amount of content too.

Nothing about musical act or hosts for the stream or community event yet, AFAIK. I always liked Darin De Paul, hopefully he'll get to do something again. Jay More was pretty funny as well, but obviously awkward as hell at times too.

- - - Updated - - -

Regarding announcements this year, I suppose realistically we can expect:

• WoW expansion and Classic Cataclysm
• Hearthstone expansion and new "year"
• Some small type of announcement regarding Rumble, perhaps that they'll do regular content drops or whatever, to expand the map... I would love it if they released a bunch of mini figurines you could buy
• Overwatch 2 should probably have some type of announcement regarding its future, maybe some major DLCs, maps or heroes coming in 2024. If they're smart, they'll announce a ton of fan service because the community isn't very happy right now
• Diablo IV could potentially announce its first expansion (I think they said they'd be annual?) with a release window in the summer of 2024. Hopefully a new class, such as the Crusader.

Then there are the big "maybes", that could spice up the event a bunch:

• Major news with Xbox, like new console ports or Game Pass integrations
• New animated show or movie
• News on the new IP, the survival game
• Classic+ for WoW, and/or a World Revamp
• HotS or Starcraft being brought back in the future
• Something unexpected for Hearthstone, like HS2 or something to that degree
• Overwatch 1 brought back as a classic title
• Completely new game in existing franchises, such as an RPG set in Azeroth, the Koprulu Sector, or Sanctuary

Yeah the 'discussion' thing for DF was cringe. Hopefully blizzcon they will go back to a more presentation style. The situation also lends itself better for a presentation. Hopefully 'discussion' just refers to the fact that they always have room for a few questions at the end of a panel.

[Ansi]

Potentially some massive clues within this "collection".