Written by WowCarry
World of Warcraft, the iconic online multiplayer game, is set to undergo some major transformations in the coming years. In a recent video interview with IGN, General Manager John Hight and Executive Producer Holly Longdale shed light on the future of the Warcraft franchise, hinting at Marvel Cinematic Universe-style expansions and even the possibility of movies!
The return of legendary developer Chris Metzen and the impending 20th anniversary of World of Warcraft have sparked a renewed sense of ambition within the team. Metzen has been the driving force behind the creation of a more epic and expansive storyline that will span multiple expansions. It's a story that simply couldn't be contained within a couple of updates.
Hight and Longdale emphasized their commitment to ensuring that every player can partake in the journey that World of Warcraft has to offer. To achieve this, the team plans to release expansions more rapidly, ensuring that players don't miss out on the incredible moments that lie ahead.
One of the upcoming expansions will take players deep into the heart of Azeroth. While there were initial concerns about the prospect of spending an entire expansion underground, the team has found innovative ways to create vast, open areas with lush vegetation and natural light. The success of the Zarelak Caverns in creating an expansive underground environment while still allowing for flying has laid the groundwork for future developments.
During their explorations, players will uncover the secrets of Xal'atath, leading to a showdown with the Void in the next chapter, titled "Midnight." This story arc will finally tie together all the mysteries and artifacts left behind by the Titans, answering questions that players have been pondering for the past 20 years.
The development team wants to make it clear that they are fully committed to this new narrative direction. Each expansion will contribute to an overarching story, but they also want players to feel at ease jumping in at any point. Whether it's starting with "Midnight" or "The Last Titan," each expansion will be a distinct piece that stands on its own while still tying into the larger narrative tapestry.
With the 20th anniversary serving as a milestone, the World of Warcraft team is determined to wrap up existing storylines and revisit beloved characters. This long-term planning allows them to craft more intricate connections between plot points, echoing the storytelling approach of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
While "The War Within" expansion has been in development for some time, work on "Midnight" is already underway. Additionally, the team has laid the foundations for simultaneously working on multiple expansions, ensuring that the live team can continue producing regular patch content. It's a learning phase for the team, but they are fully dedicated to making it work.
The team's goal is to deliver faster expansions without sacrificing the amount of content. The live team will continue to introduce new patch content every eight weeks, maintaining the established cadence of updates. In the periods between expansions, the team is planning to introduce exciting new features and experiences, although specifics have yet to be revealed. They are confident that players will be thrilled with what's in store.
Transparency is a key focus moving forward. The Blizzard team understands that passionate fans crave information about what's being worked on and what's coming next. Experiments such as roadmaps have been introduced to foster better communication between developers and players.
One of the factors that influenced the decision to reorganize from World of Warcraft to the broader Warcraft Universe was the success of the Warcraft movie. Holly Longdale, part of the leadership team, added that everything begins with someone's passion for an idea, which is then assessed for its potential fit within the Warcraft Universe.
The team is excited about expanding beyond just games and envision a future where Warcraft extends far beyond their current platforms. They intend to hand over the reins to a new generation of creatives, ensuring that the Warcraft universe endures for many decades to come. Stay tuned for the upcoming saga, while we protect the Emerald Dream from the all-consuming flames of Fyrakk forces.
