Plunderstorm Interviews - Double Jump, No-addon Assistance, Exclusive Benefits
Introducing the Exciting New 60-Player Battle Royale Plunderstorm Event in WoW!
Inspiration Behind Plunderstorm
In a series of interviews, the talented minds behind World of Warcraft's Experimental Game Team reveal the inspiration and inner workings of the highly anticipated Plunderstorm event. Lead Software Engineer Orlando Salvatore, Lead Producer Ray Bartos, and Associate Game Director have all shared their insights into the creation of this unique game mode.
During an interview with Gamespot, the developers discussed how Plunderstorm draws inspiration from various popular game genres, including battle royales, MOBAs, fighters, and RTS games. Interestingly, the team also found inspiration from their own game, Warcraft 3.
Salvatore mentions, "When you think back to Warcraft 3, one thing that's super cool about Warcraft 3 was going around to the different camps and leveling your hero... It kind of harkens back to that." This hybrid experience combines PvP and PvE elements, allowing players to level up their characters, find better loot, and enhance their abilities.
Arathi Highlands, a well-known contested PvP zone, will serve as the setting for Plunderstorm. While it may not have been the team's initial choice, they wanted to provide a familiar space for players. Bartos explains, "We wanted this experience to have a familiar space... and then we layered the experimental effort on top."
New Spells and Abilities
In their discussions with PCGamer, the developers revealed intriguing details about the available spells in Plunderstorm. Players will have access to a total of 10 offensive and 10 utility spells, each with four ranks. These spells can be upgraded by acquiring multiple copies of lower-ranked versions.
Salvatore highlights the excitement of breaking the rules and experiencing a unique class-less gameplay. He states, "It's exciting to be able to take what WoW is so good at, which is that second-to-second combat, and really break the rules of what's there... This is a very different experience, a class-less experience."
Separate Servers for Plunderstorm
The Plunderstorm event will take place on a separate server, according to the PCGamer interview. Players will not queue with their main characters but can still provide valuable feedback via social media and the forums. If the event proves successful, the developers are open to incorporating it into the game's future.
Salvatore mentions, "If people are going to social media or creating forum posts about how excited they are about the abilities within Plunderstorm, this could totally be something that we look to bring to the game in the future."
Exclusive Rewards and Gameplay Details
Plunderstorm offers exclusive rewards for match winners, including a tabard and eyepatch. Other rewards can be obtained through Renown, with each Renown level requiring 2,500 plunder. Most matches award approximately 500 plunder, and players can complete one quest per match with no weekly limit.
Although no exact end date is provided, the developers suggest that the game mode will last for approximately six weeks. This ensures that players have enough time to earn all the rewards without feeling the need to play every day continuously.
In an interview with WoWCast, Associate Game Director Jeremy Feasel emphasizes that plundering is at the core of the game. Players can progress towards earning rewards by completing the initial quest, even without engaging in PvP or being the last person standing.
Spectator Mode and No Addon Support
Lead Engineer Orlando Salvatore reveals interesting details about multiplayer and spectator modes. Duo and solo players will participate in separate matches to maintain balance and fairness. Players who die during the match will transition to spectator mode, with duos able to watch their partner and wait for revival.
Furthermore, Plunderstorm does not support third-party addons. The UI has been streamlined to provide a consistent experience for all players. The game mode features a 7-button action bar, eliminating the need for additional bag frames. Loot, in the form of new abilities, directly populates the bar. Even PvE mobs have telegraphed abilities, requiring players to dodge and strategize accordingly.
Salvatore teases that higher-ranked versions of spells can be found directly, offering a different power curve in each match. This adds an exciting and unpredictable element to the gameplay experience.
Final Thoughts
The Plunderstorm event is an impressive experiment that pushes the boundaries of World of Warcraft gameplay. The combination of PvP and PvE elements, the unique class-less experience, and the exclusive rewards make it an exciting addition for players.
As the developers chart new ground, they are eager to hear player feedback and gauge the community's response to Plunderstorm. Will this innovative game mode become a permanent feature in WoW? Only time will tell, but for now, it's time to gear up and venture into the thrilling world of Plunderstorm.
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