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Blinded Iraq war vet raids with a little helpArcanite Ripper gets a model change in patch 3.0.8
by Alex Ziebart 
Jan 15th 2009 at 1:00PM
Patch 3.0.8 is bringing an interesting change to one of the more nostalgic items added to the game recently besides the many Heirloom items that came with Wrath. The Arcanite Ripper, a nod to the Arcanite Reaper of old, is getting a graphical overhaul. Its new model is much cooler, but it's a little sad to see that model go. I'm not too busted up about it, because I can still pick up a Bloodied Arcanite Reaper if I get sentimental.The new Ripper will use the guitar model used by Bergrisst of the Tauren Chieftains (who you transform into upon right clicking the weapon). The new model is way cooler looking, but it's still a little sad to see the old one go. Despite the more awesome model, I can't help but feel my attachment to my Paladin's Ripper fading away.
[via World of Raids]
Filed under: Patches, Items, Analysis / Opinion
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Noraa Jan 15th 2009 1:06PM
This is what Blizzard spends their time on, folks.
Eversor Jan 15th 2009 1:25PM
Yes, the entire team of Blizzard sat down and were working on a model for a month. The entire team of 400+ people (since I have no idea how much they really are there) all set down and rehashed a model. Makes me wonder how they even got the game done with this speed.
You are trolling, I know, but this is a bait I like to catch on.
Yeng Jan 15th 2009 2:54PM
Yeah, especially since they already had the model in game.
jrizutko Jan 15th 2009 3:00PM
Did you miss the other 300 patch notes?
Zul Jan 15th 2009 8:07PM
Even though this took no more than a few people and a few hours, it is a waste of time! I could give a damn about the model of a stupid axe with a stupid (imo) bonus. Can we get model upgrades on something that level 80 players use/see all the time like shaman's lightning bolts and totems for example or give orgrimmar a graphical make over?
klink-o Jan 15th 2009 11:14PM
It's a single update in the database. This comment took longer to type.
shisho2k Jan 16th 2009 5:30AM
Well I agree and disagree with these posts.
It's not to the extend he makes it sound or thinks it is happening in his mind. Yeah the reality of the minuteness of the change is a bit undermining to the complaint, but I'm going still have to say that someone did sit around and think this up.
IE - You know what really needs a change? What? That model for the Arcanite Ripper.
I'm also sure given the size of the company it's not just as easy as wandering over and willy nilly modifying pre-production code and game files.
There is probably a chain of command and a whole system in place of hoops and people you have to get approval from in the end. Then this change probably ends up in a list on multiple people's desks where they have to ultimately make the changes and pass it along to other people to test and verify. So in that list, maybe this has the potential to bump something back.
This all amounts to having each person spend a portion of their day to address it.
So overall it probably added up to something fairly sizable in terms of a company operation.
If it were me or you just making the game, we'd chuckle and go change the file or code or database to our liking and it'd take less than a minute.
Dracula Jones Jan 15th 2009 1:10PM
Strange that they're even looking at this item anymore, but I carry one around with me at all times, it's a nice little update.
I'm sure it's not all that time consuming to change a model ID tag on an item, Noraa.
InsaneAssault Jan 15th 2009 1:19PM
But the fact that this change is part of this list of changes worries me about their priorities. Why on earth are they making a graphical change to a level 70 item that doesn't even drop anymore?
JPN Jan 15th 2009 1:50PM
If it's already a model in the game, then it's not much to switch it over.
Eversor Jan 15th 2009 1:51PM
There is a model ingame like that. The forsaken member of L70ETC uses it.
Ian R. Jan 15th 2009 1:58PM
The new model was already in the game. You can currently see it in use by the undead guitarist of Level 80 Elite Tauren Cheiften when they play.
All blizzard is doing is swapping two models they already have.
Killah Jan 15th 2009 1:21PM
SPELL CHECK:
"stlil"
- Delete after correction :)
William Jan 15th 2009 2:54PM
its stlil not fixed as of now
VSUReaper Jan 15th 2009 1:22PM
I just wish I could use this on my DK. I picked it up for shits and giggles on my warrior, and then lvl'd prot. Its now chilling out in my bank with a handful of other cool weapons that I will prolly never pull out except just to show off... (MH) Warglaive of Azzinoth, Quel'Serrar, Thunderfury to just name a few....
mirilene Jan 15th 2009 1:29PM
@ Noraa & InsaneAssault:
Dont hurt yourselves being assholes about it.
You guys have no idea what goes into making changes like this or what they were working on that prompted the change.
InsaneAssault Jan 15th 2009 1:42PM
You're right about me not knowing the internal process/reasoning for making the change.
But I do know the end result: Blizzard resources were used to make an aesthetic change to an obsolete item.
Eversor Jan 15th 2009 1:54PM
Yeah, 10 minutes is a very expensive resource. They should've better spent that reading another PvP whine post.
jrizutko Jan 15th 2009 3:07PM
@insaneassault Do you care because you're desperately waiting for something from the graphic design team, or do you just like to hear yourself whine?
Noraa Jan 15th 2009 3:12PM
I'm amused that you assume we don't know how long it takes, yet you know it absolutely takes 10 minutes.
I don't know how long things like this take. I do know that it does at least take some amount of time. Which leads any sane person to believe that there are many other things which take a similar amount of time. Be it 10 minutes, be it two hours, multiply it by a few dozen and something else, theoretically significant, could have been done.
But hey. While we're updating obsolete things, how about the character models? Just a thought.