Blizzcon Interview with Classic Developers - A WoW Classic Discussion with Crix

Live Interview with Josh Greenfield & Nora Valletta: What's Next for WoW Classic

Recently, Crix had the opportunity to sit down with World of Warcraft Classic developers, Josh Greenfield and Nora Valletta, for an exclusive interview at Blizzcon. They discussed a wide range of topics, including the upcoming Season of Discovery, Hardcore's Self Found Mode, Cataclysm Classic, and the future of Wrath of the Lich King Classic. In this blog post, we'll provide a detailed summary of the interview highlights, broken down by each version of WoW Classic.

Wrath of the Lich King

Overall, the team expressed their satisfaction with how Wrath Classic has played out thus far. They particularly mentioned the challenging nature of the Icecrown Citadel raid, which has been well-received by players. The developers also revealed that the Ruby Sanctum raid is scheduled for an early 2024 release. Additionally, they are currently discussing the implementation of the ICC player buff, although the exact timing is still being determined. While there are no immediate plans for a Wrath Era server, player feedback is being carefully considered.

Cataclysm

The team expressed excitement about the Cataclysm Dungeon difficulty, hoping to provide a challenging experience for players. They also mentioned that the patch cadence for Cataclysm Classic will be faster than it was during the original release. Regarding raid lockouts, there are no plans to change how they functioned back in the day. However, they are considering adjusting the raid loot system to mirror the approach taken in Naxxramas when new phases were introduced. This change could potentially incentivize running 25-man raids with bigger groups. Furthermore, the Guild progression system will undergo revisions to ensure it benefits both large and small Guilds. The developers confirmed that there will be no changes to the Talent system. As for upcoming content, Zul'Gurub and Zul'Aman will likely be introduced as an in-between patch. The inclusion of LFR (Looking for Raid) in Cataclysm Classic is still under discussion, with player feedback being a key factor in the decision-making process. The developers emphasized the importance of not making assumptions based on previous experiences.

Hardcore's Self Found Mode

The developers clarified that Self Found Mode will be available on the same servers as the current gameplay. During Character Creation, players will have the option to choose Self Found Mode or the regular mode. However, once the choice is made, it cannot be altered. In Season of Mastery, players who reached level 60 without dying received a Buff Badge. Similarly, in Self Found Mode, reaching level 60 will also grant players a Buff Badge. At present, there are no plans for a fresh Hardcore server.

Season of Discovery

Season of Discovery brings a unique feature called Class Runes, which was developed through collaborative efforts. The team put a lot of thought and brainstorming into the system. Phase 1 of Season of Discovery will introduce 12 Runes per class, with additional Runes being added in future phases. Each Rune will be specific to a particular item slot, for example, Glove Runes will only work on Gloves. The developers revealed that the Discoveries in Season of Discovery will vary greatly. Some will be simple quests, while others will require players to explore the world or solve intricate puzzles through clues and quest chains. There will be hundreds of Discoveries to ensure accessibility across all continents and starting zones. It is important to note that the same Rune may not be discovered in the same way for different classes with the same specialization. Runes, once discovered, will become Soulbound items that teach players the respective Rune when used. Additionally, different classes may receive different rewards for solving the same puzzle. The leveling speed from 1-25 will remain unchanged, and tanks of varying classes will be viable for tanking in Season of Discovery. Each tanking class will excel in different aspects, allowing players to choose their preferred playstyle. In the Outdoor World, mobs will have increased damage, requiring players to strategize their engagements. While the developers anticipate making some changes to level 60 raids, they did not provide specific details at this time. Phase rollouts will occur on a flexible cadence, slightly longer than a month but shorter than a few months, to accommodate the preferences of the playerbase. As for upcoming Dungeons-turned-Raids, not all of them will be limited to a 10-man format. The developers are experimenting with different ideas and setups. Warsong Gulch will be available upon launch, and the Honor system will also be active, but the rewards will be capped at level 25.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the interview with Josh Greenfield and Nora Valletta shed light on the exciting future of WoW Classic, including the upcoming Season of Discovery, the Hardcore's Self Found Mode, and the Cataclysm Classic expansion. The developers expressed their enthusiasm for the challenges that await players in Cataclysm dungeons, while also acknowledging the positive feedback received for Wrath of the Lich King Classic. The introduction of Class Runes in Season of Discovery shows that the development team is committed to introducing innovative features to enhance gameplay. Whether you're a fan of Wrath of the Lich King, Cataclysm, or look forward to the Season of Discovery, there's plenty to be excited about in the world of WoW Classic.

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