Breakfast Topic: What's the big deal with the Alpha?
by Zach Yonzon 
Jun 5th 2008 at 8:00AM
If you're like me, you probably geek out at every bit of news that leaks out from the Wrath of the Lich King Alpha. Granted, there really aren't supposed to be any, but we fanboys take whatever we can. The curious thing is, what's the big deal? It's a game that was announced almost a year ago and doesn't look like it will come out anytime soon. Furthermore, the biggest things about the expansion such as the Death Knight hero class and Inscription profession has already been revealed.But every little thing stokes the fires of anticipation -- at least for me -- and even silly things like icons of items make my stupidly grin. Never mind that Blizzard has put a tight lid on everything, or at least tried, but it's kind of like Apple trying to put a lid on the iPhone before it came out. Everyone knew it was coming even though Apple wanted to keep it a secret, but in the end, people snapped it up anyway. Wrath of the Lich King is kind of like that. We scrape and claw for every little bit of information, from spells to screenshots to images of possible armor sets.
It's a huge deal for me because as much as I still enjoy playing the game now, I'm really hungry for something more. The only thing I'll ever see in Sunwell Plateau is Kil'jaeden's 'welcome' doormat. Maybe. So while the Alpha might be scraps as far as information goes, I'm devouring every bit of information like a famished man. How about you? Are you excited about information leaking from the Alpha? Does it whet your appetite for Wrath of the Lich King? What information are you most concerned about?
Filed under: Breakfast Topics, Expansions, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
vildand Jun 5th 2008 8:06AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-rl3RPC_Mw
con-man Jun 5th 2008 8:14AM
Why do I get the feeling Rick Astley is on the other side of that link...
Elmo Jun 5th 2008 8:24AM
and it is... AoC
Minnow Jun 5th 2008 8:25AM
omg that was great :D
Percinho Jun 5th 2008 8:08AM
I have very little interest to be honest. I'm trying to avoid it as much as possible to experience it completely fresh when the game comes out. I find that knowing too much about something beforehand kind of spoils some of the fun of actually playing the new game, and certainly takes away the surprises.
Having said that, I'm a casual player and have little interest in raiding or rushing through things.
Sirg Jun 5th 2008 8:39AM
I agree with you that some of this info my spoil the surprise, but it's more like the christmas present, you know that will get one, and sometimes you even know what it is.
What if the surprise will be a bad one, and the expansion will be a flop? I would rather know from now where things are going. I.e. if the next expansion will be focused on raiders and the rep grinds will be increased, I would quit wow before the expansion.... Actually is the other way around, and casuals will have their chance to do stuff as well, so it sounds promising.
Seeing some blurry videos on youtube can't tell you much about Northrend.. the experience will be dramatically increased when you will move your char through Northrend.
Revolver Jun 5th 2008 8:09AM
I NEED MORE POWER
Boom Jun 5th 2008 8:08AM
Of course I dig seeing the info, but it belongs to Blizz, and if they don't want it released, those who gain access to it (by privilage) should respect that.
I appreciate the work they put into a game I've enjoyed. They should decide who gets to see what, and when. That's only fair.
Stuff will leak, and either websites will choose to ignore it (out of respect for Blizz, the company who makes this site even relevant) or, like WoWInsider, you pretend to care, only to REPEATEDLY link to the leaked info.
Continue spitting in the hand that feeds you. Go ahead. Anyone still wonder why WoW Insider didn't get invited to the WotLK sneak? Maybe they choose to stick to professional organizations.
/shrug
Boom
SBKT Jun 5th 2008 8:47AM
Well, this way, they're not really leaking it so Blizzard can't really get too upset at them, and the people who want the info can find it. I don't want it, I mean, it's alpha, most of these abilities are not final and a lot might not be in the final version.
Zali Jun 5th 2008 10:29AM
I don't believe for a moment that Blizzard isn't behind a lot of the unofficial "leaks." It's one of the oldest marketing ploys in the book used everywhere from corporations to political campaigns to celebs.
"An unnamed source from the White House said that..."
"A close personal friend of so and so, speaking on condition of anonymity said..."
All that stuff is planned by PR people. I don't know what the confidentiality agreement is for people invited into the alpha testing is, but I'd bet it involves some "Ban For Life" language.
Hype and word of mouth is the most innexpensive and most effective marketing tool there is, and they know this. In an absence of information people either grow disinterested or angry. Too much information and people grow bored and innured. So, how do you keep people interested and keep anticipation high? By creating a situation where information is sparse. Keep making announcements that say the same thing using different words, so that it looks like you are releasing information without actually telling anyone anything new. When people start to get annoyed, you add a little new information. This creates a situation where they separate Us from Them... just intime for the Alpha test.
Now we have a few of Us, the Customers, who are getting a sneak peek. We have spies on the inside, we think. Then little bits of new information come out from some of Our inside sources. We feel like We are getting information from people on Our side.
"Dude, what did you see in there?"
"I can't talk about it. I'm sworn to secrecy."
"Aww man, come on. We're pals."
"Well, I can't really say much, but I did see this nifty new icon that said that Widgets will be sold as a Gem at the AH now."
"HOLY CRAP!!! What do you think that means for JC's? Everyone discuss."
Hype has just been created. Everyone is interested all over again, with minimal information. But at least we feel like it was information given to us by one of our own. Bwaahahaha. Pulled one over on THE MAN there.
And of course, it works. Because we're suckers. *LOL* That isn't to say I don't like the next new tidbit of information that makes its way to us. But honestly, if I were invited to the Alpha testing, you can bet that I wouldn't risk my hobby to tell any of you yahoos about stuff I discovered in the test.
And why should I? Blizzard already has a whole department dedicated to leaking information.
Boom Jun 5th 2008 2:21PM
Zali,
While I'm well aware of the "purposeful leak" tactic, there's absolutely no evidence of that being the case with Blizzard.
Blizzard has spent an obscene amount of time and resources into "slowly releasing content" through their official WotLK section of their site, and they've done a great job. There's plenty there to keep us interested, and talking. Heck, they even gave us forums to talk about it and ask Devs questions.
There's no way the leaks were "manufactured" by Blizzard. They're harmful to what they're trying to do, at a time when other MMOs are working hard to copy every step they make.
Creative thought though... gold star!
Boom
Silverrealm Jun 5th 2008 8:10AM
WTB Proof reading Zach ;)
I'm looking forward to new professions, new quests, new zones... anything PVE!
Silverrealm Jun 5th 2008 8:15AM
Whoops, only part of my post came through! Way to go drood fail!
soo... I can waith for WotLK honestly, this 'leaked' info doesn't make me want to buy it more, or wet with anticipation. But if it's there I will read it. And all my buddies in game call me the Mistress of Lore... so more information just goes in my ear and I pass it along if anyone asks, but I'm not taking anything for gospel.
Bastinator Jun 5th 2008 8:14AM
Paladin T7.
/crosses fingers it isn't pink
Nati Jun 5th 2008 8:21AM
"Doesn't look like it will come out anytime soon"?
I suppose that depends on what you mean by soon. I give it four months.
veovis Jun 5th 2008 8:36AM
I just want to know about any shaman changes.
the suspense is killing me.
Angus Jun 5th 2008 8:39AM
I want to know if they are fixing PVP and making us able to go into heroics as anything but healer. If want the info now so I can cancel my subscription if they don't. I won't pay for an extra month if they aren't going to give shaman a break.
Wulf Jun 5th 2008 9:27AM
Firstly, you're plain wrong if you think that resto is the only viable spec for shaman. Elemental and Enchance are both very popular and get used for heroics and raids on a regular basis.
More on topic, i have the same sentiments as the article, I kind of don't want to know too mcuh information, but I also feel a need to find out whats coming and drool in anticipation. There's nothing left in the current game for me except the occasional raiding, which is fun, but its also not enough. Wrath offers a whole new load of content which is desperatedly needed, so every little titbit of info is welcome right now, light at the end of the tunnel and all that.
Wibblymat Jun 5th 2008 9:28AM
Shammies can't go into heroics? WTF?
I don't play a shammie myself but all but one of my guild's shammies are melee dps and are as good as anyone else on heroic runs...
Angus Jun 5th 2008 10:02AM
Ask your guild enhancement shammies how many heroic PUGs they get into. It takes a hell of a good rep or guildies to get heroics. I know this for a fact on my server.
If you don't play one, you wouldn't know how it works. Whispers of "Need a healer for heroic daily" which my response of "I'm enhancement" gets "respec something useful."
Or me whispering someone looking for DPS for a heroic "Sorry, need CC, go resto."
It doesn't matter that Enhancement or Elemental ARE viable if the player is good. It matters that without CC there is no point trying with people that don't understand. I can't always get guild runs. There isn't always a tankadin available, and even when they are, other people think you are an "off-spec" and tell you such until they get schooled.
Hence I wanna see if they are giving us a CC so I can have the same options as other DPS classes.