Message opinions October 20, 2023, 5:00 p.m
World of Warcraft Classic is very popular, but what does Blizzard intend to do with this title next? Cataclysm awaits us? Or maybe a new version of an old game? BlizzCon 2023 will be extremely important for the future of the MMORPG king.
Photo source: Blizzard Entertainment
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World of Warcraft has been with us for almost 20 years. Two decades on the market is a long time that Blizzard’s work has fully utilized – no other MMORPG has undergone so many changes. Now the king of the genre comes in two versions: classic and modern. Thanks to this, everyone can choose how to spend their time… have fun.
In turn, I will try to convince at least some of you that WoW Classic is the best thing Blizzard has done for its game in a long time. Don’t worry, I don’t think that “it used to be there and now it’s gone.” On the contrary! Nevertheless, sometimes it is worth going back to the roots, taking two steps back (or five steps) to be able to move forward. I recommend that every fan of modern World of Warcraft detox by taking a trip to the classic version – either regular or hardcore. You will be surprised that this old game still has something that once attracted millions to it.
BlizzCon will tell us the truth
This year’s BlizzCon is expected to be extremely important for the Warcraft universe. Blizzard confirmed that games from this world will receive the most airtime. There will also be World of Warcraft, in which there will probably be an announcement of the next expansion, and the Classic version will probably be visited by Cataclysm next year. At least these are my predictions, but maybe we will be surprised by something else. After all, we’re about to receive a lot of news, so I’ll allow myself some daydreaming. Especially since Chris Metzen, known as Warcraft’s Green Jesus, is back on board!
Cataclysm? OK, but WHAT NEXT?!
Since I am anticipating the announcement of Cataclysm, I will go one step further – I believe that Blizzard will prepare classic versions of subsequent expansions. I expect a return to Mists of Pandaria, Warlords of Draenor, Legion, and maybe even more! Why? Because it’s an ideal opportunity for new players to get to know the old (from their perspective) World of Warcraft, and for some veterans it’s an excuse for a nostalgic trip. After all, each expansion had its advantages. Although it will certainly be interesting to wait until WoW Classic Shadowlands comes out!
World of Warcraft, Blizzard Entertainment, 2004
Imagine that Wrath of the Lich King is not followed by the aforementioned Cataclysm, but that World of Warcraft turns in a different, alternative direction. Alternatively, this add-on debuts, but is modified to be more like the classic version of this MMORPG. Does this sound like the ramblings of a drunk orc? Perhaps, but the history of the species shows that such a thing is possible. Just look at RuneScape, which has an Old School RuneScape, i.e. an alternative version!
Blizzard may decide to make a similar move, taking into account what changes it has introduced to Wrath of the Lich King (e.g. adding the Heroic+ system). Even the Classic version recently received special Hardcore servers, operating under different rules! And I would like to remind you that in the past, developers ridiculed the concept of classic World of Warcraft servers. Today, they are very popular and have even influenced the character of the newest expansion, Dragonflight.
World of Warcraft ended with Kill ‘Em All
My arguments may show love for the classic version of WoW and dislike for the modern one. However, it is completely different – I like them both, but I treat them like different products. For me, Classic is more of an MMORPG in the literal sense of the genre. The modern version, however, is, in my opinion, more of a single-player title with optional and occasional co-op or multiplayer. Although recently Blizzard actually remembered that it is an MMO and started to return to its roots in Dragonflight, but it is still not enough.
I also decided to go back to my roots and played Wrath of the Lich King (just before The Icecrown Citadel raid appeared) and Classic Hardcore. The differences between the classic and modern versions are visible to the naked eye. In the first case, the endgame is poor and simply boring. In the second one, there is no element of adventure and character development as part of leveling up. Why am I mentioning this?
World of Warcraft, Blizzard Entertainment, 2004
Launching Classic reminded me why I loved the genre and why I still prefer World of Warcraft over the rightly lauded Final Fantasy XIV. It’s about interactions between players, cooperation, as well as competition and simply enjoying every element of the game. In my case, training a profession, exploration, and auction trading were important components of the game. I knew that it would translate into the future and simply pay off.
I didn’t chase the levels and often played suboptimally, but I actually took advantage of the MMO elements. In fact, I even understood the charm of collecting adventurers for a dungeon on my own and experiencing the fun together (I’m not a fan of Random Dungeon Finder, sorry!). I actually tried not to waste anyone’s time and did my best, because gathering the team was not easy, just like getting to the place.
World of Warcraft, Blizzard Entertainment, 2004
Who has time to play MMOs now? Well… I have it!
The mentioned time was a key factor here. You have to spend a lot of money on Classic, because you won’t become a hero in a few moments by playing from a dash. This is a long-term investment and I fully understand that this is not for everyone. That’s why some players prefer the modern version of World of Warcraft, where you can achieve much more with little time, and the game itself is more varied and less monotonous. Of course, when you do raids at Mythic level and key 25, it looks completely different, but it is not the peak available to everyone.
What if… we combined both versions? Dragonflight clearly veers in this direction, but does nothing for levels 1-60. Sometimes I think that Blizzard could remove this stage and let players only complete 10 levels so that they get to know their class, take a look at the plot and jump straight into the endgame, because that’s where the real fun lies! At least that’s what I hear from the community. After all, who else enjoys tedious experience when everyone has gotten bored with it over the last 20 years?
World of Warcraft, Blizzard Entertainment, 2004
Surprise, for example, it still amuses me! It is the stage of getting attached to characters, exploring the lands and low-level adventures that are interesting to me. This wasn’t done perfectly in Classic, but there’s actually a certain sense of satisfaction and purpose that I don’t see in Dragonflight. After all, experience can be redesigned in a thoughtful and pleasant way so that players don’t have to treat it as an unpleasant chore.
At this point, however, we have tried the simplest solution, making World of Warcraft suitable for a specific group of players. The rest are invited to Classic and apparently Blizzard is happy with this situation. In my opinion, this is a road to nowhere. WoW will not die, because it has been doing it for many years – quite ineptly, as you can see. But it will not develop either, and the competition will pick it apart like ravens and crows.
World of Warcraft, Blizzard Entertainment, 2004
Or maybe World of Warcraft 2?
Hence the whole idea for Old School World of Warcraft, which would go its own way, retaining the spirit of the original. I have no illusions that Blizzard will not return to the classic assumptions in the modern version of the game. A different direction was taken with Cataclysm, and apparently the sales bars are aligned. The group of gamers (to which I belong) is clearly in the minority. However, since Classic was attempted, perhaps this niche is so promising that the next step will be taken?
There is also another possibility, something that not even the forests of Lordaeron are whispering about – World of Warcraft 2. It has been said for years that Blizzard should update its MMORPG and move it to a new engine. Currently, it is clear that the last juices have been squeezed out of the game and it deserves something new. And the 20th anniversary of this title is the best opportunity to at least announce such a project!
World of Warcraft, Blizzard Entertainment, 2004
But what would World of Warcraft 2 look like? Will it follow Overwatch’s lead and replace the original title, forcing everyone to switch? Or maybe it will offer a free-to-play model (and fries!)? Contrary to appearances, such a thing is possible. Maybe no free version of the game, but some Game Pass, since Blizzard is already in Microsoft’s hands? If I’m already talking nonsense, why should I hold back, I’m going all the way!
Seriously, World of Warcraft 2 would be a good opportunity to remake the game. A combination of successful elements from Classic and the addition of an extensive endgame known from the modern version. Plot-wise, however, I would imagine it as a new story, taking place X years after the events of the original. I would leave this one alone and simply not develop it, but keep it as long as people were willing to play.
World of Warcraft, Blizzard Entertainment, 2004
One MMORPG with old-school sauce and on thin, please!
I am aware that my ideas could turn out to be unsuccessful, and that they involve a large investment and an even greater risk. Why kill the goose that lays golden eggs? Just because some PefriX is turning up his nose? Besides – who will trust Blizzard again, especially after the recent turmoil? So maybe developers should just keep doing what they’re doing and keep quiet.
I must admit that I am less and less eager to return to the modern World of Warcraft. I launch the latest addition, test it for a month or two, and then forget about it for half a year or longer. And it’s not because of lack of time, because I’ve been able to get into Classica for far too long lately. So, Blizzard, think of old farts like me – I’d really be happy to pay for the opportunity to play a real, yet modernized MMORPG. And I believe I’m not alone in this. And if you don’t do it, I’ll probably end up going to the competition. Perhaps it’s high time to find a new home? BlizzCon will probably answer this question for me.
2023-10-20 15:00:00
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