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by Mike Schramm 
Oct 27th 2008 at 1:30PM
As we said on the show, Blizzard is making sure that this is an event that everyone feels -- in the past, you could avoid most of the world events just by staying out of certain areas or certain zones. But at the same time, that made some players feel it wasn't immersive enough -- why have a world event if it doesn't affect the whole world? And so this one does -- no matter what level you are or where you play, whether you got eaten by a zombie or downed Tenris Mirkblood, you know that the Lich King is coming. And some folks, who play the game casually or at a low level, just don't care.
Update: Well that's timely. In between the time this post was written and planned to go live, Blizzard has decided to cure the plague. Considering that things moved so fast this weekend, that seems premature, but we'll have to see how the event plays out -- Blizzard is of course saying that it's not because of the vocal minority speaking out against the zombie gameplay, but we'll have to see what happens next.
But there is good news: it's only temporary. My first bit of advice, if you're not having a good time, is just to try it -- if you're 70, try getting into a Kara group and checking out the boss: it's a fun fight, and the pet is nice to have. If you haven't been a zombie yet, try being one and mess around with your abilities. Lurching after another player yelling "Braiinnns!" is a good time, and unlike when the plague started, it's really easy to turn players or NPCs to your cause. And if all else fails and you're just bummed out that all of this is happening, no worries: as of November 13th, Arthas and his minions will have retreated to Northrend, and you'll be left to level through Duskwood in relative peace.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Events, Fan stuff, Blizzard, Expansions
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
brucimus Oct 27th 2008 3:13PM
I think I had more fun making fun the QQers then being a Zombie.
bynde Oct 27th 2008 3:01PM
I also enjoyed watching the infection spread , especially in large cities like SW.
I liked the event, I hope they do it more often, and I am sorry to see it end so soon.
Zandrae Oct 27th 2008 3:59PM
Griefers on my server justified their griefing with the excuse of roleplay.
My biggest qualm was that the gameplay wasn't immersive enough, and therefore was amazingly annoying.
Case in point: Players could turn into zombies in Shat and walk around sliming other players and npcs to get them infected, however, those non-zombie players, due to the 'sanctuary' state of Shat, could not retaliate against said players.
What I would have done in the situation (kill the zombie) was not an available option for me, and thus I was amazingly unhappy.
To make matters worse, a lot of the world, both in lowbie areas and in higher level areas, were flooded with zombies. I could not level any of my alts.
It caused disruption to raids because people were getting infected and then infecting others and we had to make people kill themselves and corpse run, delaying raid start times.
Combine all of the above with the fact that I dislike campy zombie movies, horror flicks, or survival horror games, and you've got a very unfun time that made me consider canceling my two accounts.
The zombie invasion started tuesday or wednesday, meaning it wasn't just weekend play, but almost a week of tolerating the crap.
Jeenome Oct 27th 2008 4:33PM
There is a reason I rolled on a PvE server. I don't like PvP. Call me weird if you want but I don't I am not a hardcore gamer, I play to relax. The whole zombie thing was not relaxing in any way.
It seems that blizzard may have shot themselves in the foot with this one. If I had logged on for the first time during this mess I would not have kept my account. And if they do something else like it I still might not.
I am trying to reach 70 before the release of wrath and I was unable to get much questing done in the last several days. I want to be able to play the new content along with my husband's character who is already 70. I am glad that the invasion is done and I hope it stays that way. All I was trying to do is get to a level where I can buy and play the new content.
Aboo Oct 27th 2008 5:40PM
I quested all weekend (lvl 52-57) AND participated in zombie madness. It was the best weekend of WoW I've had in ages.
I have 2 70's and I didn't even log them in. In fact, I didn't even know there was a new boss in Kara prior to reading this post! I hope they don't take him out before I can see what that's all about.
Cy Oct 27th 2008 5:18PM
The "vocal minority"? Please tell us exactly how you figured out just how many players liked this event and how many didn't, and made it a representative sample of the entire player base of WoW.
Mike, you know better than to assume that the comments here and on the forums are representative of the opinions of the game populace at large.
mentor Oct 27th 2008 6:26PM
Awesome event, I had fun in a zombie raid where we invaded every major city. The best part was when I was still alive and infected a druid saved me. I thanked him but when another zombie infected me the druid was so busy trying to save himself he couldn't save me. It was great turning on him just like a zombie should. I'm sure blizz can tweak this event and make it annual to keep the whiners at bay. I would settle for me only being able to kill alliance while in Zombie mode then a total loss of the event. However I don't think we'll ever see this again, like the Dark Portal area that remains quiet.
LiT Oct 27th 2008 8:39PM
Oh come on guys, the event wasn't that bad. You complain about how it disrupted your regular activities. Well guess what, invasions have a tendency to do just that. That's the beauty of a living, active world. Things change all the time.
And it was for only a week or so. What did you expect? An expansion is coming. Should Arthas have just send you a tea party invitation? Hey, come to my frozen citadel, I have tea and cookies. Oh, yeah, and Frostmourne is sharpened and ready to take of your head (and soul), so be sure to visit the hairdresser's before you come.
It's the Lich King for crying out loud. He is evil and wants you dead!!! He has sent an army of undead to your doorstep and all you want to do is keep scanning the auction house for bargains? Well you can stop now... I'm pretty sure he want be auctioning Frostmourne any time soon.