Summary of Community Council Interview - Tier Acquisition, Soloing BFA Raids, and BLP in Mythic+

The World of Warcraft community recently had the opportunity to interview Ion Hazzikostas and Jeremy Feasel about the game's solo and open world content, including discussions on Tier Acquisition, soloing BFA raids, the Trading Post, and more! This interview specifically focused on the topic of small group, solo, or open world content. Here are some of the highlights:

Highlight Reel

- The developers have no plans to introduce smaller bundles for a resource called Tender, as they were simply an experimental feature. However, they are exploring additional ways for players to earn Tender within the game.

- They acknowledged that the drop chance for a character named Arfus was too low, and moving forward, they want to make limited time events more rewarding and accessible for players.

- The team takes organizational requirements into consideration when designing rewards for certain content. For example, the loot drops from a type of content called Delves are capped at the level of loot found in Heroic raids.

- BFA raids that currently cannot be completed solo due to mechanics will likely be revisited and adjusted in the future.

- There are currently no plans to implement Bad Luck Protection for Mythic+ dungeons, a popular endgame activity.

- Warbound loot, which is tradeable until equipped, will drop at significantly higher item levels, making it valuable for players looking to gear up quickly.

Interview Summary

During the interview, the developers were asked about the Trading Post and its increasing cost when combined with the ability to pre-purchase upcoming sets. They clarified that while the overall cost of items in the Trading Post hasn't increased over time, the catalogue has expanded due to the addition of old items. They assured players that they are actively exploring alternative ways for players to earn additional Tender in the game and that the Trading Post is not intended to be a major source of monetization.

When discussing the development of new events, the developers explained that they consider various factors such as event duration, player engagement, and progression schemes for specific expansions. They strive to provide diverse content that caters to different groups of players while ensuring that it doesn't become repetitive or exclusive to specific player demographics.

In response to a question about allowing players to make their own Dragonriding races, the developers expressed interest in evolving the concept of Dragonriding in the game. While technical limitations may be a factor, they acknowledged that it is something they have discussed and would like to explore in the future.

When it comes to helping newer players catch up on Lore, the developers acknowledged that it is an area that they need to improve upon. They are currently considering in-game mechanics such as journals and cinematics to provide a more accessible way for players to experience and understand the game's lore without relying on external sources like YouTube.

The developers addressed the issue of refreshed holiday events and new rewards dropping from bosses. They stated that they are always looking for the right solution to ensure that returning events still feel rewarding. They acknowledged that the drop rate for a specific item, called Arfus, during this year's holiday event was too low and mentioned their intention to make certain rewards more accessible over time, while also retaining their value and excitement.

The developers emphasized the importance of balancing the difficulty and accessibility of the game's content with the rewards offered. They take organizational requirements into account when determining rewards, ensuring that activities requiring group coordination offer better loot compared to soloable content. However, they want to make sure that every path, whether solo or group-based, offers its own unique rewards and incentives. They acknowledged that the acquisition of Tier gear, an important aspect of character progression, is currently in an awkward place and that they are actively working on changes to improve the system.

When asked about the possibility of class and race-specific holidays, the developers expressed their enthusiasm and engagement with player-created holidays. They mentioned that while there are some existing holidays that could benefit from a refresh, they would love to introduce new holidays to the game as well.

In regards to the game's Professions, the developers stated that they are generally satisfied with the current state of the system. However, they are looking into small tweaks and improvements, such as making Work Orders more reliably available. Players can expect the same level of depth and value in crafting with the upcoming expansion.

A question was raised about the issue of players only needing to tag the final boss in public events to receive rewards. The developers acknowledged the concern but stated that they do not want to discourage natural player behavior or force specific participation requirements. They want to strike a balance between rewarding active players and avoiding penalizing those who arrive late to an event.

Another topic discussed was the possibility of soloing Battle for Azeroth raids. The developers confirmed that they plan on reviewing and adjusting raid mechanics to make them more solo-friendly before the release of the next expansion. They also clarified misconceptions regarding a damage buff that was implemented to compensate for the stat squishes in previous expansions, ensuring that raid encounters remain challenging but not overly difficult for solo players.

Lastly, the developers were asked about the average acceptable time to farm for a desired item and whether there are plans to introduce targeted farming options to mitigate bad luck. They explained that dungeon loot is random, with an average 7-8% chance to obtain a specific item from a particular loot pool. They also emphasized the importance of maintaining a certain level of excitement and thrill associated with receiving rare drops. They strive to balance the items' desirability while ensuring that bad luck is not excessively burdensome for players.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, this insightful interview shed light on the developers' approach to solo and open world content, as well as their plans for upcoming expansions. It's clear that they are actively listening to player feedback and working towards enhancing the game experience for all players, whether they prefer group content or solo adventures. As World of Warcraft continues to evolve, it's comforting to know that the developers are committed to striking a balance between accessibility and rewarding gameplay.