Tom Chilton talks Arena with Gotfrag
by Matthew Rossi 
May 27th 2008 at 4:30PM
This is what first leapt out at me when reading the new article over at Gotfrag. We've already seen the fine folks at Big Download quiz the folks at Blizzard about how Arenas are developing and affecting the overall gameplay of World of Warcraft, so it definitely seems like there's a renewed emphasis on PvP as an e-sport going on. Maybe I just missed the boat on them doing something every year for it... how is this going to work for next year, when Wrath of the Lich King has been out for a while?
We're looking to add new Arenas for Wrath of the Lich King that may be a bit different from the current Arena environments, but we're not ready to go into specifics just yet.
Frankly, new arenas sounds like a good idea to me, but I'd also like to see a new arena bracket. 2x2 has always struck me as being too small to really be anything more than glorified dueling, but I enjoy 3x3 (I'm not terribly good at it, mind you) and find 5x5 starts to get a bit hectic. I think 4x4 could be a fun addition to arenas, but I have no idea how popular it would end up being. The masochist in me would like to see 10x10 brawling, or even 10 man King of the Hill style arena matches where all ten players are hostile to each other, similar to the way Gurubashi Arena and the Maul currently work. It would be a means for single players to gain arena points but would be challenging and a change from dueling.
They're also considering means to allow for spectators on arena matches, which I'd be interested in seeing. The whole article is up at Gotfrag.com so feel free to take a look and see what you think about the future of arena as put forth by the inimitable Mr. Chilton.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, PvP, Interviews, Arena
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Freelier May 27th 2008 5:05PM
Was there any information in that interview? No? I didn't think so.
I wonder if the folks at Gotfrag feel bad about that.
Blackhorn May 27th 2008 5:06PM
I think FFA style arena matches would enrage everyone who wasn't playing that week's OP class.
And ultimately it might just turn into a glorified trash pull. Kill order and everything. People silently agreeing to take out specific builds first for the good of the rest of the match, otherwise they'll just outlast everyone else, etc.
I come from the original Arena. Quake Rocket Arena! Woo! Those were fun times :)
Bunkai May 28th 2008 10:09AM
Not if they block communication and make the queuing for it more random than for the BGs... I don't think there will be a chance for those silent alliances to be built before the game starts. But, I do see the concern that it could happen if not taken in to consideration during development.
1.) No communications (general, say, yells, tells, emotes)
2.) Random player selection within gear quality bracket (no two players from the same guild or arena team)
3.) 15 sec start timer once all 10 players have entered
4.) Debuff for leaving early just like in BGs (maybe even loss of honor)
That should eliminate most of the opportunities to ally with other players during the match.
Iskur May 27th 2008 5:18PM
Inimitable? Mr. Chilton is far from inimitable. He is the stereotypical bad developer who is still stuck on the same old project while the good developers have moved on to newer and better things. Right now blizzard is just trying to bleed what is left out of wow.
Arkaine May 27th 2008 5:40PM
What an ignorant thing to say. Good developers have moved on to 'newer and better' things? What would that be exactly, Guild wars and Hellgate: London? LOL
The fact that wow at this very moment is the most popular it has ever been makes your argument that Blizzard is just trying to 'bleed' what is left of wow not only wrong but just outright moronic.
Brian Carnell May 27th 2008 6:12PM
"The fact that wow at this very moment is the most popular it has ever been makes your argument that Blizzard is just trying to 'bleed' what is left of wow not only wrong but just outright moronic."
Right, because everyone who is playing WoW right now got into it because of the draw of playing an E-Sport.
WoW's phenomenal growth is due in large part to the way it appeals to a variety of gameplay styles. I prefer soloing and World PVP. Many of my friends IRL prefer hardcore raiding. Others like the BGs. My wife is happy to just level different alts to 70 with the PVE content.
But Blizzard seems intent on dramatically altering the game for what is, frankly, one of the least interesting parts of the game ... Arenas.
Chilton says WoW as an e-sport just sort of happened. No, it is something they're shoving down every player's throat.
I'm biased because I absolutely hate the Arenas, but it seems also to be self-consciously an esport. Raiding, PVE content, World PVP, even the Battelgrounds moreorless fit the fantasy milieu and cliches...the Battlegrounds feel like they're tacked on "ooh, lets make this an esport too!"
Matthew Rossi May 27th 2008 6:33PM
I have to say, I didn't forsee anyone being outraged or in any way upset over my use of the word inimitable to describe Tom Chilton. I feel badly that it's sparked back and forth rancor, as I had no idea it would.
You're entitled to believe whatever you choose about him, of course. I was just not expecting it to be a point of contention.
here is a thought May 27th 2008 6:01PM
although it does not seem very popular i feel an arena option for the solo player would be a great addition to the system, sometimes coordinating with even one other player is difficult... not to mention 2, 4, 9, or 24
i have met people in game that i enjoy running with, but they are not on 100% of the time i am, i hate that during these times i am either forced to farm or worse yet team up with some jerk that is going to QQ non-stop. the only alternative is to make wow into a job with schedules and punishment for non-attendance. quick note here people: i play wow to ESCAPE the pressures of work.... sigh
uncaringbear May 27th 2008 6:33PM
I would love an opportunity for single players to earn arena points, but I just don't see that happening due to the inherent class imbalances that already plague the current system.
Heleth May 27th 2008 7:31PM
They should have just posted the questions, it's not like Chilton actually answered any of them anyways.
Badger May 28th 2008 10:32AM
Yeah, he's probably too busy not paying attention to his own product to pay attention to the same tired old questions about Arena.
Morthagrid May 28th 2008 7:48AM
If there was a King of the Hill type event in arena's then i'd roll a rogue and just stay invisible until its down to me and the warlock and pwn him :)
susurration May 28th 2008 9:21AM
Any FFA type match would end with a bunch of disc priests running around draining each other. :>
Aaron May 28th 2008 10:26AM
While an arena game FFA does sound interesting, you've effectively locked out healing as having a purpose.
Now thats okay, I mean, I don't need everything to revolve around me and my healadin but now I can imagine other resto/holy players joining the battles, running around like chickens with thier heads cut off and healing themselves the entire time.
Hell if the FFA "reward" was good enough, I can see people joining it as resto/holy just to try and bore the other people to death. Although I guess I don't see this thing happening too much in Arena, Its mainly because I have a better way to win in arena which is team up with a good DPSer.
Not trying to rain on anyones parade...FFA sounds like a fun idea..., I just tend to think of what the most obnoxious thing a player can do, and plan accordingly.
Badger May 28th 2008 10:34AM
Interviews with Chilton always remind me of that old Penny Arcade strip about gamers "discovering their testicles," where they finally wise up to the same regurgitated crap and start speaking out about it.
Conversation #1
Interviewer: "Just how awesome will your new game be?"
Developer: "So awesome."
Conversation #2
Interviewer: "Why did your last game suck so much?"
Developer: "So awesome."