The Northrend map forgery
by Amanda Rivera 
May 16th 2007 at 7:30PM
Wowguru has recently posted a highly realistic-looking map of Northrend. When I last wrote about the expansion of the map of Azeroth and Northrend's likelihood as an expansion, Kor was kind enough to scan his copy of the Lands of Mystery RPG book for us.
If you compare the two images, you'll see a lot of discrepancies between the two. Cities seem misaligned or completely missing. Also, this map makes it appear as if there will be two large cities, centers for two possible races, which isn't likely either.
This map could be a fake, or it could be a mock up for developer use while they finalize the layout of the continent. The fonts do look a bit off from the maps currently in the game, and there appear to be reused images in the corners, which again points to something shady. I'm just as excited as anyone for information on the upcoming expansion. I just don't think this is it.
[via Wowguru]
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Expansions
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kirkburn May 16th 2007 7:41PM
"If you compare the two images, you'll see a lot of discrepancies between the two"
Yes, because Blizz rarely honours their previous mapwork. Not only that but the RPG books aren't internal Blizz work.
"Also, this map makes it appear as if there will be two large cities, centers for two possible races, which isn't likely either."
Yes, the eastern one IS a dwarven city called Valgarde. The western one is a tuskarr city. So, wtf?
"there appear to be reused images in the corners"
Just like on the CURRENT maps.
I'm not saying this is real, but c'mon.
Kirkburn May 16th 2007 7:46PM
Oh, I should mention Sholazar Basin is green because it's a tropical jungle ... hence that little jungly tree =)
For others to compare maps - both are on http://www.wowwiki.com/Northrend
Adam May 16th 2007 8:25PM
I don't know why you say new races aren't likely...just because there was two new ones in BC? There's still a bunch of races that can be easily made playable, and that's a good/easy selling point for any expansion, "NEW PLAYABLE RACES!!"
But yeah, about this map, I don't think it is real. It just looks too similar to the map from the Warcraft RPG, and we should well know that blizz would change the map significantly to make it fit better into WoW.
RogueJedi86 May 16th 2007 8:31PM
Starting zones for level 1-20 players on a level 70-80 island? That's why they doubt there'd be new player races on Northrend.
Simon May 16th 2007 9:01PM
@Amanda: Kirkburn is right on. Also Shattrath got a tower icon, though there is no new race there. Another point where your logic is flawed.
Of course this is just speculation, anyone with a little skill and time can fake a map like that. But if you want to come up with reasons why it's fake, try to get those reasons right, or you will look like a fake. You do play WoW, do you?
Merus May 16th 2007 9:30PM
It's clearly fake.
The edges of the map are taken from the vanilla WoW maps. Take a look at any of the maps from the expansion. Notice how they have a device with a red gem in it in the corner?
The edges of the art also seem too thick - not like Blizzard's art style at all. And I suspect it's too early in development to have an in-game map drawn for Northrend.
Adam May 16th 2007 9:41PM
@4: I doubt the starting zones would be on northrend, just like the BC races' starting zones are not in outland. Just because the expansion's focus may be northrend, which may be a level 70-80 area, doesn't mean there's not going to be new races, because they don't have to and won't put the starting zones on Northrend
Kor May 16th 2007 10:24PM
If any of you have ever been in a beta before, you'd be more familiar with Blizzards map creation.
Maps always start out as a giant minimap. Then move to one giant object without the lines drawn to form the zones yet.
This artist would have us believe that either the first two steps are done, or blizzard has skipped them entirely (highly unlikely).
My question is; what is that piece of art in the south-central of the map? It looks like a fancy plainstrider (or flamingo, whatever). It seems out of place. Why have a land based created decorating a freezing ocean?
P.S. here is a working link for the ocean scan. Didn't realize the other was broken:
http://www.feralstorm.com/images/Other/TheOcean.jpg
Rodrígo May 17th 2007 2:33AM
@8
With so much water in the map you postet...
Swimming Mounts, anyone???
Ryan May 17th 2007 10:08AM
It's pretty obvious Northrend will be the next expansion, but this map is an obvious fake taken from other sources.
Mickey Aug 19th 2007 8:54PM
I like
Kirkburn Jun 11th 2007 1:49PM
News update!
Check out http://www.wowwiki.com/Image:NorthrendInGame.jpg
It appears to be confirmed as fan created :)
Andrew Jul 1st 2007 12:28AM
Im sorry to tell you, but Kanaru made this map. He admitted to it on emupedia.
"That's my map... (I made it in photoshop) I have it as a .PSD, even.
I've been seeing it everywhere, even the WoW forums."
http://emupedia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8976