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

[Wangming]

What would be you guys' somewhat realistic predictions for the Warcraft franchise as a whole at BlizzCon?

For me, it would have to be:

• World of Warcraft: 11.0 is announced. An expansion taking us to the lost kingdom of Khaz Algar, bordering the "other side of Azeroth" west of Kalimdor, beyond the storms. The main antagonist is Xal'atath, the 5th Old God, with Queen Azshara as her collaborator. Uldaz is a titan facility over there, where Innaria once ruled. We'll get lots of teasers about even more continents further to the west in this expansion. It's both the end of something old, and the start of something new. This is not necessarily where the Nightsquall sailed, or where the green dragon Erinethria flew, but it's nearby.
• HD update. Both retail and Classic get HD models for Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms. (Optional toggle in Classic.) They'll also tease future updates to the two continents, where the landmasses and questlines will change in a major way to reflect the passage of time. We'll see some of this already in 2024, but the rest will happen over the course of a couple of years. For example, a patch might contain the "Liberation of Gilneas" scenario which is set in a revamped Gilneas.
• "Classic +" (with a different name). The ultimate "what if" scenario. Wake up 20-30 years ago in an Azeroth ravaged by war between the Horde and Alliance, but before the timeline of regular WoW. All the locations and characters you know and love, now in glorious HD. New stories waiting to be told on Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms.
• Netflix Series for 2024. We'll see a teaser and get the general outline of what the show is about.
• Hearthstone expansion and major changes. Not much to add.
• Rumble DLCs. Probably lots of MTX etc.

This is the somewhat realistic? What is your wishlit, my dude?

[NikolaiShade]

Classic+ realms would use the current level of graphics. It is just called Classic+ because it branches off from retail and the point of divergence is the current state of Classic. At least this is my understanding.

Soooo for example.

Classic is at Wrath
Retail is at...Tempest(or whatever)
Classic+ is: Word of Warcraft: Wangming's stupid Wishfulfillment Expansion
Instead of Cataclysm something else happens. Something that is up to current standards in terms of systems, gameplay and visuals.

The concept of Classic+ changes constantly but always boils down to Blizzard admitting they have f***ed up and so are redoing the timeline. One thing is constant, should Blizzard ever decide to implement Classic+, they would never introduce it like someone is hoping and basically many would not be happy about it

Edit: btw shoouldn't classic keep the old models? otherwise it's not classic anymore is WoW 1.5

[Sondrelk]

Classic+ realms would use the current level of graphics. It is just called Classic+ because it branches off from retail and the point of divergence is the current state of Classic. At least this is my understanding.

Soooo for example.

Classic is at Wrath
Retail is at...Tempest(or whatever)
Classic+ is: Word of Warcraft: Wangming's stupid Wishfulfillment Expansion
Instead of Cataclysm something else happens. Something that is up to current standards in terms of systems, gameplay and visuals.

What will happen to the Retail players that want to play WoW: WWE, but doesnt want to commit ot Classic+/have a character? Because you know it will happen.

[Nymrohd]

Clean that up a bit and place some Wildhammer style buildings around the perimeter and I think you could fool some players with that. The feeling of scale is very bad with this one though, so mght have to remove the gryphons.

GIANT Gryphons! We don't really have an equivalent to the Roc in WoW.

[Sondrelk]

The concept of Classic+ changes constantly but always boils down to Blizzard admitting they have f***ed up and so are redoing the timeline. One thing is constant, should Blizzard ever decide to implement Classic+, they would never introduce it like someone is hoping and basically many would not be happy about it

Edit: btw shoouldn't classic keep the old models? otherwise it's not classic anymore is WoW 1.5

It's not just that. It's admitting fault. Attempting to convince players the writers can do better in Classic+. And also having to explain why you don't have that wel written expansion for Retail.

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GIANT Gryphons! We don't really have an equivalent to the Roc in WoW.

That would be cool. Though would probably feel underwhelming in a game like WoW unless the technology exist to make them solid moving surfaces like the airships in ICC, or the Necropolis in Maldraxxus, and additionally make them move in more interesting ways than around in a big circle.

[NikolaiShade]

It's not just that. It's admitting fault. Attempting to convince players the writers can do better in Classic+. And also having to explain why you don't have that wel written expansion for Retail.

I mean it is a good idea if you think about it. They should simply say: Retail is our test game, if we f**k up retail expansions (and we will) we get a free redo in our Classic+ expansions.... Logic at its finest


Edit: And all this in a game with 20 year old graphics (maybe), so pretty easy to market don't you think?

[Nymrohd]

It's not just that. It's admitting fault. Attempting to convince players the writers can do better in Classic+. And also having to explain why you don't have that wel written expansion for Retail.

And also telling people that "Hey, the last decade and a half you invested your time in our game doesn't really matter"

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I mean it is a good idea if you think about it. They should simply say: Retail is our test game, if we f**k up retail expansions (and we will) we get a free redo in our Classic+ expansions.... Logic at its finest


Edit: And all this in a game with 20 year old graphics (maybe), so pretty easy to market don't you think?

I do hope you are joking. If they did that at Blizzcon, they better have a way to get off the stage fast. I'd throw a chair.

[Wangming]

The concept of Classic+ changes constantly but always boils down to Blizzard admitting they have f***ed up and so are redoing the timeline. One thing is constant, should Blizzard ever decide to implement Classic+, they would never introduce it like someone is hoping and basically many would not be happy about it

Edit: btw shoouldn't classic keep the old models? otherwise it's not classic anymore is WoW 1.5

Yes, it won't be Classic. People just haven't come up with a better name for it so they keep calling it Classic+.

What will happen to the Retail players that want to play WoW: WWE, but doesnt want to commit ot Classic+/have a character? Because you know it will happen.

I mean it is the same service account so some character transfer should be possible.

The dream scenario is a complete world revamp (well, Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms) for retail, as well as a brand new RPG set in the Warcraft universe.

Oh, I forgot to add some type of Warcraft 3: Reforged update to my list. But anyway.

Oh a Re-Reforged needs to happen at some point for sure.

[lanerios]

The concept of Classic+ changes constantly but always boils down to Blizzard admitting they have f***ed up and so are redoing the timeline. One thing is constant, should Blizzard ever decide to implement Classic+, they would never introduce it like someone is hoping and basically many would not be happy about it

Edit: btw shoouldn't classic keep the old models? otherwise it's not classic anymore is WoW 1.5

What is this obsession people have with Classic+? This is becoming the new "World Revamp next expansion for sure bro!" or "Tinker next expansion bro!".
People wanted Classic because of the way it was, and now suddenly they want more stuff added to classic, removing the concept of.. you guessed it! Classic.

I will never understand that logic. First advocate "OMG #nochanges!!!" and then a few months later "OMG we demand more content!!!" One of these things is not like the other.

Note; I am not attacking you! I am not saying you are one of those, but it just confuses the hell out of me

[Wangming]

And also telling people that "Hey, the last decade and a half you invested your time in our game doesn't really matter"

It still matters to those who prefer Retail. It's not like it is going anywhere.

[Dracullus]

This is the somewhat realistic? What is your wishlit, my dude?

Classic+ as new endgame content post Naxxramas or even.. alternative expansion are totally ridicolous ideas. Barely anyone reach that far.

Classic is strongest at the beginning. Only sensible thing to do with Classic Era is improving leveling experience (especially around 20-50 level) and launch it as Season 2 with normal and hardcore servers. Could be new quests, mobs, hell maybe even extra zone, but it can't be "oh, finish all that 20th year old shit AGAIN before you even touch new content".

It's not just that. It's admitting fault. Attempting to convince players the writers can do better in Classic+. And also having to explain why you don't have that wel written expansion for Retail.

Even better, it would be turned to "Danuser thinks he can write better history than MAGNIFICENT TBC and Wrath".

[Wangming]

What is this obsession people have with Classic+? This is becoming the new "World Revamp next expansion for sure bro!" or "Tinker next expansion bro!".
People wanted Classic because of the way it was, and now suddenly they want more stuff added to classic, removing the concept of.. you guessed it! Classic.

I will never understand that logic. First advocate "OMG #nochanges!!!" and then a few months later "OMG we demand more content!!!" One of these things is not like the other.

Note; I am not attacking you! I am not saying you are one of those, but it just confuses the hell out of me

A few things.

1. It might not be the same people
2. Some people just don't like the direction retail took and want to retcon WoD and/or SL away.
3. Plenty of people still wan a world revamp. Chances are a Classic+ alternate scenario where the Cataclysm didn't happen would look a lot different than Azeroth revamped post Dragonflight.

[Nymrohd]

It still matters to those who prefer Retail. It's not like it is going anywhere.

No, you are just told the timeline you are playing in is bad and you should feel bad.

[Sondrelk]

I mean it is a good idea if you think about it. They should simply say: Retail is our test game, if we f**k up retail expansions (and we will) we get a free redo in our Classic+ expansions.... Logic at its finest


Edit: And all this in a game with 20 year old graphics (maybe), so pretty easy to market don't you think?

Everyone knows that Blizzard always fixes the mistakes they made in an expansion as soon as possible. Just look at how much better Azerite Armor was compared to all the obvious flaws of Artifacts.

[NikolaiShade]

I do hope you are joking. If they did that at Blizzcon, they better have a way to get off the stage fast. I'd throw a chair.

Of course I was joking. The idea to import some features from retail into classic could even be a not so bad idea, but imagining Blizzard would develop 2 different expansions for two different games (in the end classic and retail are not the same game from a developing/programming standpoint) at the same time and hoping people would be happy about it is a little crazy. Not taking into account the overall quality of the projects, can you imagine the moment classic+ gets a feature retail doesn't have what would happen? Let's say Ogres are added to Classic+ it would be a blood bath

[Wangming]

Classic+ as new endgame content post Naxxramas or even.. alternative expansion are totally ridicolous ideas. Barely anyone reach that far.

Classic is strongest at the beginning. Only sensible thing to do with Classic Era is improving leveling experience (especially around 20-50 level) and launch it as Season 2 with normal and hardcore servers. Could be new quests, mobs, hell maybe even extra zone, but it can't be "oh, finish all that 20th year old shit AGAIN before you even touch new content".

Are you sure this is the comment you wanted to reply to?

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No, you are just told the timeline you are playing in is bad and you should feel bad.

I've seen people here defend every shitty decision by Blizzard. If you think that would phase people you are delusional. Sorry.

[Sondrelk]

A few things.

1. It might not be the same people
2. Some people just don't like the direction retail took and want to retcon WoD and/or SL away.
3. Plenty of people still wan a world revamp. Chances are a Classic+ alternate scenario where the Cataclysm didn't happen would look a lot different than Azeroth revamped post Dragonflight.

At that point they might as well just remake the expansions and pitch them as new content. Like what someone said for a time travelling expansion set right after Vanilla.

Just have an expansion where you go back in time and go to Outland, except all the writing flaws are remedied, and the gameplay is much smoother, along with the gear looking much better.

Honestly you could do this with every expansion and some would probably be absolute goldmines.
Cataclysm without the lack of endgame. MoP without the post SoO drought. WoD with actual content. BfA with a competently told story. etc.

[Nymrohd]

I've seen people here defend every shitty decision by Blizzard. If you think that would phase people you are delusional. Sorry.

Look, Felplague will tell us how it is completely normal and we are all idiots to be angry but the fact that it would not phase everyone does not mean it would phase a lot of people. Unless you think Warcraft has been going steady with no fumbles and no impact in the player base . . .

[Yunravel]

What is this obsession people have with Classic+? This is becoming the new "World Revamp next expansion for sure bro!" or "Tinker next expansion bro!".
People wanted Classic because of the way it was, and now suddenly they want more stuff added to classic, removing the concept of.. you guessed it! Classic.

I will never understand that logic. First advocate "OMG #nochanges!!!" and then a few months later "OMG we demand more content!!!" One of these things is not like the other.

Note; I am not attacking you! I am not saying you are one of those, but it just confuses the hell out of me

You’re wrong, ppl always wanted classic+. Theres famous example online, wont name them. Adding old scrapped content doesnt make it less classic. What is classic is the feeling, the graphics, the ambiance, the leveling. Thats it

As long as Blizzard keep this things while adding zones like hyjal, quel’thalas tel abim etc. Its alright

[NikolaiShade]

What is this obsession people have with Classic+? This is becoming the new "World Revamp next expansion for sure bro!" or "Tinker next expansion bro!".
People wanted Classic because of the way it was, and now suddenly they want more stuff added to classic, removing the concept of.. you guessed it! Classic.

I will never understand that logic. First advocate "OMG #nochanges!!!" and then a few months later "OMG we demand more content!!!" One of these things is not like the other.

Note; I am not attacking you! I am not saying you are one of those, but it just confuses the hell out of me

Classic was a good experiment, I alays loved history and going to museums is one of the first things I do when I travel in other countries, so I can appreciate the idea of keeping Classic as a sort of "exhibition" about WoW origins. then they made TBC and Wrath servers, then hardcore and season of mastery, now Cata or Classic+... It's just a nostalgia fest without much reason (other than financial ones).