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

[Worldshaper]

It's probably nothing, and just a coincidence. But the Chromie Timewalking Campaigns UI panel is designed to fit exactly 9 expansion pack thumbnails, and it currently has 8 in it. In the bottom right corner, there's a gaping hole likely meant for Dragonflight.

Like I said, it's probably nothing. But it's interesting to think that it might mean something happens after Dragonflight, such as a revamp and a "soft reboot" to WoW, meaning there won't be future expansions to place inside this interface.

For example, in the event of a revamp in 11.0, they might switch to a different type of model for new content. Annual mini "expansions"? DLCs? Simply adding more and more content to the revamped continents?

[Aeluron Lightsong]

It's probably nothing, and just a coincidence. But the Chromie Timewalking Campaigns UI panel is designed to fit exactly 9 expansion pack thumbnails, and it currently has 8 in it. In the bottom right corner, there's a gaping hole likely meant for Dragonflight.

Like I said, it's probably nothing. But it's interesting to think that it might mean something happens after Dragonflight, such as a revamp and a "soft reboot" to WoW, meaning there won't be future expansions to place inside this interface.

For example, in the event of a revamp in 11.0, they might switch to a different type of model for new content. Annual mini "expansions"? DLCs? Simply adding more and more content to the revamped continents?

Mini expansions would not be a good thing stop it. Their big expansion model works fine for them, as I said about the major content patches, its whats in them that matters.

[Sondrelk]

It's probably nothing, and just a coincidence. But the Chromie Timewalking Campaigns UI panel is designed to fit exactly 9 expansion pack thumbnails, and it currently has 8 in it. In the bottom right corner, there's a gaping hole likely meant for Dragonflight.

Like I said, it's probably nothing. But it's interesting to think that it might mean something happens after Dragonflight, such as a revamp and a "soft reboot" to WoW, meaning there won't be future expansions to place inside this interface.

For example, in the event of a revamp in 11.0, they might switch to a different type of model for new content. Annual mini "expansions"? DLCs? Simply adding more and more content to the revamped continents?

The Chromie Timewalking Campaigns introduce a revolutionary invention called a slider.

[Worldshaper]

Mini expansions would not be a good thing stop it.

What? It would be amazing. Year 2 of expansions almost always suck. It's fun and exciting when there's a theme refresh with a new direction and story. Doing that every year would be cool. Announce at BlizzCon, launch in the spring.

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The Chromie Timewalking Campaigns introduce a revolutionary invention called a slider.

Sure, that's a possibility.

[Aeluron Lightsong]

What? It would be amazing. Year 2 of expansions almost always suck. It's fun and exciting when there's a theme refresh with a new direction and story. Doing that every year would be cool. Announce at BlizzCon, launch in the spring.

NO, we do not need yearly expansions, that idea is terrible. Stop it.

[Lorgar Aurelian]

There have been several elements from HS that have ended up in WoW. Tortollan, for instance. That the HS team is putting such a hint in the game for no reason at all, when in WoW Blizzard is hinting at at least two new continents... They are clearly teasing us IMO.

Tortollans and N'zoth's look were both first in Hearthstone before they were ever in WoW

And for every turtle there is a hundred other things from hearthstone that never have any cross over.

Given how loosey goosey wow has always been with globes it’s more likely hearthstone is just doing the same.

[Worldshaper]

NO, we do not need yearly expansions, that idea is terrible. Stop it.

You're entitled to your opinions.

[Reive]

they can barely keep up with a new expansion every 2 years lmao. a new expansion every year sounds like a disaster.

[Cheezits]

I think another void expansion that lacks the Light entirely is not going to happen. Even if Void and Iridikron is on everyone's minds because of the last two patches, Blizzard is likely going to follow up on the Light stuff soon (unless they completely abandoned it).

I think 10.2 and 10.3 are actually really good times to pivot to the Light now that Tyr and Elune (or Elune stuff) will be moving into focus, and the Void guys dipped to another expansion.

[Worldshaper]

*shrugs*

I'd be happy to listen if anybody were to give me a good reason why biannual expansions are a good thing.

I like good stories and interesting locations to visit. That's what I'm about. If I could do that every year, I'd be all for it.

[Cheezits]

*shrugs*

I'd be happy to listen if anybody were to give me a good reason why biannual expansions are a good thing.

I like good stories and interesting locations to visit. That's what I'm about. If I could do that every year, I'd be all for it.

See ESO for an idea of what fast expansions look like. The stories and the zones are very small and the expansions sometimes don't have a lot of content.

[Sondrelk]

*shrugs*

I'd be happy to listen if anybody were to give me a good reason why biannual expansions are a good thing.

I like good stories and interesting locations to visit. That's what I'm about. If I could do that every year, I'd be all for it.

Instead of a X.0 and X.1 patch a year, we could end up with a X.2 and X.3 patch.

[Gurahk]

*shrugs*

I'd be happy to listen if anybody were to give me a good reason why biannual expansions are a good thing.

I like good stories and interesting locations to visit. That's what I'm about. If I could do that every year, I'd be all for it.

How do you think the expansions will be like if they had even less time to make them?

[Reive]

*shrugs*

I'd be happy to listen if anybody were to give me a good reason why biannual expansions are a good thing.

I like good stories and interesting locations to visit. That's what I'm about. If I could do that every year, I'd be all for it.

you'll get neither with your idea. as i said, they are already struggling to make things work with an expansion every 2 years. imagine with one every year

[Makabreska]

*shrugs*

I'd be happy to listen if anybody were to give me a good reason why biannual expansions are a good thing.

I like good stories and interesting locations to visit. That's what I'm about. If I could do that every year, I'd be all for it.

Imagine Blizz having to create good stories and interesting locations every year, instead of every two years. You think that's feasible? If we would get annual expacs, it's content would suffer greatly. Less new models, less new zones etc.

They got comfortable with and got used to 2y cycle. Asking for anything else is asking for a disaster.

[Reive]

https://twitter.com/Qwik/status/1692641587665183183

what does he mean?

[Worldshaper]

Of course it's feasible, the scope of each expansion would just be smaller.

Expansion A is released.
Expansion B enters full production.
Expansion C enters pre-production.

Visit Kul Tiras for some pirate shenanigans one year, then the next year take a visit to Draenor.

Right now, half the reason we keep speculating about future content is because Blizzard intentionally stalls the story to a snail's pace. "Ha ha, heroes. You might have beaten me this time, but you are not prepared for what's to come!" We effectively create our own story content because Blizzard won't.

Same deal with gameplay content. It's not like every new season revolutionises the experience, it's just a rehash of the one before. Then by the end you get the full experience all at once if you didn't play throughout all of it.

Short, snappy expansions will focus on a more impactful narrative with better pacing, and with newer landmasses presented to us quicker.

I say bring it.

That said, this was just something I mentioned off the cuff as a possibility if they indeed were to hit pause on regular expansions after 11.0, and instead focus more on expanding their evergreen content with WoW as a service. I'm not really too bothered either way.

But I do think there might be changes coming to WoW's content and monetization model. I'm just saying don't act surprised when it does, because Blizzard has given every game the store + battle pass treatment so far, except for WoW. You could argue the subscription + Trading Post is basically that, but I'm sure they'd love to tweak that even further.

For example, instead of expansions they might just drop seasonal content and that's it. Perhaps a few new zones every now and then.

[Aeluron Lightsong]

Imagine Blizz having to create good stories and interesting locations every year, instead of every two years. You think that's feasible? If we would get annual expacs, it's content would suffer greatly. Less new models, less new zones etc.

They got comfortable with and got used to 2y cycle. Asking for anything else is asking for a disaster.

Yeah the yearly expansion stuff is just trash. The 2 year cycle while its not perfect its a far cry to yearly.


And no worldshaper, they should not "bring it." Asking for less is stupid.

[huth]

I'm aware of dimensions. The Shadowlands transcends the literal concept of time. No gibberish here.

Also, Shadowlands can 100% happen. None of the characters experience time in any real sense.

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Do you think places like Zereth Mortis have time also then? Or?

You very clearly have no clue what it means. Dimensions in this context are the x, y, z axis and time. That's what "dimension" actually means. Shadowlands is not a dimension.

If the characters in the Shadowlands did not experience time in the real life sense, it would be a still image. And of course, that means that Zereth Mortis also has time. It does not "transcend the concept". You just don't understand it.

You're entitled to your opinions.

WoD was their attempt at a yearly expansion. It failed so badly that they haven't even talked about the idea since.

[Ersula]

Also, Shadowlands can 100% happen. None of the characters experience time in any real sense.

Do you think places like Zereth Mortis have time also then? Or?

Literally all the characters were experiencing time. The Developers made some comments about the rate of time being different (that didn't end up being relevant at all) but the time jump after shadowlands was completely unrelated to the Shadowlands itself.

Calia acting as counselor to Talia & Bolvar and also reclaiming Lordaeron with the help of the Necrolords.
Liadrin sending Salandria to meet her adoptive father & request help of the Primus in repelling new scourge from Silvermoon.
The Necrolords fighting the Legion while the 5 houses still existed.
Alexandros killing his son & turning his reanimated visage into his new sword in Maldraxxus after they both died.
Souls in the maw becoming less coherent depending on how long they've been there.

These are all examples of characters from, within, interacting with & extant from the Shadowlands, and every possible combination of which, experiencing linear time. The same linear time as our characters do.