BlizzCon 2023 Exclusive Developer Interview Featuring Maria Hamilton & Kristy Moret

In a recent group interview with Associate Design Director Maria Hamilton and Lead World Artist Kristy Moret at BlizzCon 2023, the developers provided insights into the future of World of Warcraft (WoW) in The War Within expansion. The interview covered various aspects, including the narrative focus, zone design, Warbands, Dynamic Flight, and AI at Blizzard. As WoW fans eagerly await the release of this new expansion, let's dive into some of the key highlights discussed by the developers.

Pre-Order and Early Access

One of the questions raised during the interview was whether there would be any safeguards implemented to prevent players from cornering the market on certain items in the Auction House, potentially resulting in a pay-to-win scenario. The developers emphasized that the early access period should be a leisurely time for players to enjoy the story of The War Within, with seasonal content unavailable. They want to ensure that it doesn't feel mandatory or provide unfair advantages to players.

Expanding Realms and Regions

Cross-realm guilds are being opened up to facilitate more social interactions, but the discussion also touched on the topic of regions. According to the developers, dealing with regions is more complicated and poses greater technical challenges. While the team acknowledges the philosophical aspects of region differentiation, they didn't provide specific details on how it would be addressed.

Druid Customization and Future Expansions

Druid customization was mentioned as an aspect that would be expanded upon in The War Within and subsequent expansions. The developers expressed their enthusiasm for adding more customization options and assured players that they are actively listening to their feedback and suggestions.

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• The Worldsoul Saga and Expedited Timeline

An intriguing question was raised about the timeline of the Worldsoul Saga, with Chris Metzen suggesting that it would progress quicker than players are accustomed to. While the developers couldn't provide specific details, they confirmed that they aim to ensure players don't have to wait too long for the completion of this saga. The restructuring of teams is intended to support the efficient creation of the entire saga.

• Dynamic Flight and Cadence of Delves

Regarding flight form and dynamic flight options, the developers remained tight-lipped, stating that they had nothing to announce at that time. As for Delves, they clarified that these activities would be completely repeatable with no lockout. While the frequency of loot acquisition might be more limited, they emphasized the importance of playing with friends.

• Warbands and Character Progression

An interesting question was raised about the potential convoluted progression resulting from the introduction of Warbands and subsequent additional systems. The developers acknowledged the previous issues with similar systems and assured players that they are aware of these concerns. They strive to strike a balance between character progression and class fantasy.

• The Void and Ethereals

With the upcoming focus on the Void in Midnight, questions were raised about the possible involvement of Ethereals. The developers remained cautious in their response, stating that although there is a focus on the void, shadow, and threats to the Sunwell, they couldn't provide specific details about Ethereal involvement at that time.

• Differentiation of Expansions

When asked about efforts to differentiate the three upcoming expansions from each other, the developers emphasized that each expansion would be extensive, offering a wide range of activities and zones for players to explore. While the overall story will carry over, there will also be individual smaller local stories that bring these new environments to life.

Mount Customization and Support Specs

Regarding mount customization, the developers expressed their fondness for expanding upon the concept, citing Dragonriding mounts and the newly announced Delve mount as examples. However, they also mentioned that older mounts are less likely to receive additional customization options beyond being updated for Dynamic Flight. As for support specs, no specific announcements were made during the interview.

Content Patches, Trade Restrictions, and Warbands

When asked about the number of major content patches and trade restrictions, the developers referenced the success of their previous roadmap and expressed their intent to continue providing transparent information to players. While they acknowledged the scope limitation to roughly a year, they assured players that the roadmap concept is something they are keen to maintain. Regarding Warbands and account-wide progression, it was unclear whether hunter pet collections would be included, but they mentioned the possibility of shared achievements and currencies.

Outdoor Content, Events, and Technical Enhancements

Outdoor content relevance was brought up, with players expressing concerns about its long-term appeal. The developers acknowledged this feedback and assured players that they are actively addressing it. They mentioned the dynamic scaling of superblooms, which allows activities to be completed with fewer players. While they didn't provide specific details for The War Within, they mentioned the inclusion of different styles of outdoor content, such as Delves, to cater to various difficulty levels and group sizes. Additionally, the developers expressed their interest in organizing similar events to Secrets of Azeroth but didn't have any specific announcements at the time. When discussing technical limitations, the developers were certainly excited to state that they hadn't encountered any significant scaling back in this expansion. They highlighted the new technology used for the illumination of the Crystal in Hallowfall Canyon and the Air-Lock zone traversal, which showcases their ability to create reactive zones that directly respond to player actions.

Group Size in Delves and Excitement for Future Expansions

Addressing concerns about group size in Delves, the developers clarified that Delves are intended to cater to more time-restricted players, and group size shouldn't affect loot acquisition. As for excitement and surprise, the developers assured players that there is much more to come and announce with each expansion. They are committed to providing engaging content and a strong cohesive narrative. They expressed their confidence that the features in Midnight will amaze players.

Revealing Multiple Expansions and Internal Changes

When questioned about the decision to reveal three expansions at once, the developers acknowledged the slower content release during Shadowlands and the importance of increasing the pace. They confirmed that they are now working on multiple expansions simultaneously to ensure a continuous flow of content. Additionally, the interview touched upon Proletariat's contribution to the development process, highlighting the seamless integration of their artists and the positive impact on world-building in future content and expansions.

The Integration of AI and Cultural Exploration

The developers discussed the integration of AI into the Blizzard pipeline, emphasizing the need to use it ethically without replacing the creative work done by their teams. They mentioned using machine learning to streamline certain tasks, like refitting helmets, to save time for their artists. They made it clear that AI will not be used to generate art, as passion and creativity cannot be replaced.

In terms of the faction system and cultural exploration, the developers stated that they aim to include elements that highlight various cultures within the game. They mentioned the involvement of indigenous speakers during the development of Tuskarr art and style in Dragonflight and expressed their dedication to thoroughly explore cultures by collaborating with experts from diverse backgrounds.

Catch-Up Mechanics and Older Mount Updates

When asked about catch-up mechanics potentially overwhelming players, the developers reassured them that Warbands would make it easier to maintain several alts at once, thanks to account-wide renown. They also mentioned that certain requirements would be streamlined to minimize the need for catch-ups. The sharing of Warbands among characters was discussed, emphasizing the inclusion of shared currency and progression where it makes sense from an account perspective.

Updating older mounts for Dynamic Flight was a technical challenge that required significant rigging adjustments. The developers explained that they plan to release these updates in batches, as rigging is a meticulous process that must ensure natural movements and aesthetics.

Expanding Cultures and Older Zones

When asked about reworking neglected races and exploring additional cultures like the Tauren, the developers acknowledged the importance of seizing opportunities to expand upon existing cultures. While they couldn't provide specific details about individual characters or races, they expressed their desire to continue exploring these opportunities as they arise. Regarding older zones, they mentioned the possibility of updates but clarified that full updates for all zones would be infeasible due to the level of detail invested in modern zones. Instead, they plan to focus their efforts on specific areas related to the expansions, while still keeping older versions available, similar to Chromie Time.

The Major Characters and Metzen's Involvement

The interview concluded with a question about the major characters in The War Within. While the developers mentioned Alleria and iconic figures like Magni, Anduin, and Thrall, they noted that anyone could play a part as the events affect all of Azeroth. They expressed their excitement about working with Chris Metzen, who joined their team and shared his love for Dragonflight. Together, they built a new vision for the future of WoW. The developers highlighted the enjoyable experience of collaborating with Metzen.

In summary, the interview provided valuable insights into the upcoming expansion, The War Within. Players can anticipate an engaging narrative, expanded customization options, dynamic zones, and an array of activities catered to different playstyles. With a focus on balance and player feedback, the developers aim to create an exciting and unique experience for WoW fans.

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