Surprises may loom in Wrath
by Amanda Miller 
Jan 25th 2008 at 9:00AM
In the near future, World of Warcraft will be facing some hefty competition from the MMO world, from games such as Warhammer Online. Relmstein has asserted that "Lake Wintergrasp, one hero class, and ten more levels...can't hold up the expansion". Compared to what the competition will have to offer, if Blizzard doesn't up their ante, the launch of Wrath of the Lich King could get lost in the mix.
Of course, the expansion will also be including a new profession called inscription, as well as siege weapons, new NPC races, changeable hairstyles, new dances, and other interesting details.
Askander, a commenter, pointed out that pre-BC, Blizzard withheld the announcement about the "Shaman/Paladin faction swap" until late in the game, surprising many players. While some players may remain cautiously skeptical, Tigole has been on the forums hinting of bigger things to come.
What do you think? Does Blizzard have some dynamic plans in the works that they're not sharing for the upcoming expansion, or will they launch with only the announced features? Do you think they have underestimated their competition, or have grown distracted with development of their upcoming MMO and Starcraft 2?
Wrath did make Yahoo!'s list of the most anticipated games of 2008, and was the only expansion listed. Can Wrath live up to our expectations without added features?
Filed under: Death Knight, Analysis / Opinion, Blizzard, News items, Expansions, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Timelimit Jan 25th 2008 9:07AM
i'm waiting for Murlocs to be tameable!
Milktub Jan 25th 2008 9:25AM
Will you ever get a group with a pet that gargles every 20 seconds?
Xeren Jan 25th 2008 1:10PM
I try to not hang around hunters that even have Alligator pets, a murloc would be worse.
hpavc Jan 25th 2008 9:20AM
The game does need some love, even just duplicating the game of new content won't shake off the need for some innovation.
guesswho? Jan 25th 2008 9:22AM
murloc world boss!
KateJaneway Jan 25th 2008 9:38AM
Seconded! :D
catherinezetajonesishot Jan 25th 2008 12:24PM
Thirded!!
BlankBlix Jan 25th 2008 1:24PM
Fourthish!
lol
C.A. Jan 25th 2008 9:27AM
I fully expect the game to have another hero class, or 2 new playable races. When does an mmo expansion come out with only one new class (kind of since it has to be unlocked) and that's it?
New classes and races are what mmo expansions do and I think what people expect so I won't be surprised if that is what happens closer to release.
KateJaneway Jan 25th 2008 9:37AM
I agree, if anything they need to try to breath new life into areas of the game that have become somewhat dull.
matt.millermd Jan 25th 2008 9:41AM
This does seem plausible! Hope it's true! Even 1 new class for both factions (non-heroic) would be earth shattering. That's something that they would have to keep quiet about while doing exhaustive balance. And that seems like it would take from even pre TBC times to get right.
Dave Jan 25th 2008 10:07AM
They've been pretty firm about saying that there's only one Hero class coming with this expansion and that they plan on adding more in the future once they figure out how the DK's work.
I mean there's still a chance they're just lying about it, but I really doubt it.
I think they've just hit unfortunate delays left and right. I'm of the opinion that the vast majority of the expansion is probably PTR-worthy, but they've just hit the inevitable "we don't pay well, we get crap code" cycle that hits almost every developer that gets large...
I suppose Blizzard has one or two more interesting surprise out there, but I'm thinking that the majority of the game we're aware of, and it's all just been delayed. They're just keeping quiet because the patch schedule has thrown everything off and they want to keep enough info to themselves to still have something left to use for hype when it gets closer to the beta.
Aticus Jan 25th 2008 1:48PM
I agree. I would think there would be more hero classes. It really is the next step in MMOs [look at Ragnarok].
However, I do think though that there will be new playable classes. I would expect that the Goblins and Pandas will be playable neutral races. Then again, I'm reaching for that one lol.
-Aticus, http://www.paladintales.blogspot.com
Dave Jan 25th 2008 9:47AM
I think it's a no-brainer. There will definitely be surprises and lots of fun, new interesting gear, locations, mechanics and gameplay. That's what we got with BC and that's what we'll get with WotLK. Blizzard isn't small and they aren't stupid. They have a large, sophisticated user base and I'm sure they will put all kinds of "juicy bits" in for everyone.
Spiritofire Jan 25th 2008 9:33AM
Maybe something such as creating new talent trees for all the classes, like something like bloodmage tree or demon hunter specs, etc.
Calaana Jan 25th 2008 9:37AM
Two words: Gnomish. Battleground. Horde and alliance must work together to kill as many as possible before they amass and finish their doomsday device. Whichever side kills the most gets double bonus honour, loosers get 1:1 for each gnome slaughtered. Think av, have to take out supply depo and the such. Enemy race is changeable by the interface options or the ingame command /gb .
Hell, people that don't play wow would start for that.
Todd Jan 25th 2008 11:01AM
Leprous Gnomes, mind you.
Rotclaw Jan 25th 2008 11:08AM
Please please make murlocs a playable race. I don't care which faction gets it. Even better (I'm dreaming here) would be to add a third faction, and throw Naga, Murlocs, Ogres and Pandas into it. Call it the "Outcast" faction.
Ok, back to reality. Barring any of that, I second the tameable murloc idea, just because that would be hilarious. Also praying for either customizable druid forms or at the very least a unique dire bear form. Second hero class? Yes, please.
peaglemancer Jan 25th 2008 9:40AM
I have it on good authority that all classes will start as Furbogs, and a new "breathe" ability will require you to tap a key every 3 seconds to stay alive.
Zardon Jan 25th 2008 9:43AM
I would hope they have some big changes. Just adding 10 more levels and a dozen new factions to grind isn't going to hold them forever no matter how popular they are now. At some point Blizzard will new to come up with new ideas and new game mechanics. Just making all the numbers bigger with each exspansion will only take you so far.