Breakfast Topic: Is WoW too complex?
by Mike Schramm 
Jul 4th 2009 at 8:00AM
As I said the other day, we've talked about the dumbed-down argument quite a few times before, but I think this is the first time I've ever heard the opposite argument put forth so succinctly: Tadaa asks, over on the forums, "Is WoW getting too complex?" Longtime players will probably say no at first glance -- the game has been streamlined a lot since it first game out, and things that took up much of your time previously (tracking quests, looking up quest targets, dealing with respecs, and finding groups) now have systems built into the game that let you get past them easily. But think of what it would be like to step into Azeroth nowadays -- instead of just a chat channel where you can find groups, there's a whole system with terms like "damage" and "tank" in there. On first glance, it might be tough to figure out. And then there's things like resilience and Replenishment (which some experienced players don't even fully understand), and even things we think of as helpful features (getting pets and currency out of our inventory) can be super confusing for new players: where did that pet go that I just clicked on, or that badge that I just saw looted to me in the combat window?Not to mention that there are more talents and specs to deal with than ever, more classes and roles to figure out, and more instances and areas (and things to do) than ever before. Given, not all of it gets thrown at players in the starting areas, but this is a really complex game, and with every content patch, it's growing more and more complicated.
So is it too complex? I'd say no -- there is definitely a lot of complexity in there, but not all of it is right in the player's face, and most of the crazier features (like the currency screen and the LFG system) are still pretty easy to explain once someone figures out to ask about it. And remember -- this is a game that, at its core, is about killing stuff and gaining experience and money, and that's never changed, even with all of the other systems and stats and balances and features added on. Is it more complex than when it started? Yes. But I don't think it's too complex. What do you think?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Fan stuff, Odds and ends, Blizzard, Breakfast Topics
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Agerath Jul 4th 2009 8:05AM
No.
Faar Jul 4th 2009 10:16AM
WoW for the most part is a very straight-forward and uncomplicated game, particulary compared to some other MMOs out there like Anarchy Online and EvE - both of which have a much higher threshold to overcome for new players. The fact you can comfortarbly reach max level by keyboard turning and clicking your skill buttons is a testament to how ergonomic WoW's gameplay is. :)
However, once you start reaching further into the game you begin receiving gear which you really have no reasonable chance to figure out if it improves things for you or not. It's all those various stats the game offers these days, not just your regular stat bonuses and attack or spell power, it's hit and crit ratings, spell and armor penetration, expertise, defense and so on.
There's no true in-game way to figure this stuff out without arcane knowledge gleaned from forums together with certain plugins, particulary as which piece of gear is better varies from class to class or even between talent specs...
This is one of the game's bigger weaknesses right now. That, and the lack of any educational "tanking quests" to teach people how to be a tank. Instead you get to have 4 other people be your guinea pig in a dungeon while you teach yourself... Not quite as optimal a situation, heh, particulary not for those other 4. ;)
Wolftech Jul 4th 2009 10:56AM
@Faar
I disagree. There are TONS of theroycrafting WoW websites out there. Sure, there is not alot of stuff right on the front page, but go look at every other MMO website. 9 times out 10, there is going to be more information available with a quick google search (or hell, just hit WoWWiki, its practically one stop shopping). Want to gleam some of the deeper secrets of theroycrafting? Then just head over to Elitist Jerks.
BTW, if you have been reading WoWInsider long, then you would realize that links to those sites and more are liberally scattered throughout the blog, along with having excellent information itself.
Even most new players are web savvy enough to do a Google Search for what the need to know.
Swampsquatch Jul 4th 2009 11:05AM
@ Faar
Nothing more fail than using the "reply" button just to have your opinion at the beginning of the post and not actually replying to the comment.
mattarin Jul 5th 2009 11:00AM
I agree its not complicated. Maybe a day or two after a patch it might be complicated to learn the new features but they don't take long to understand and its easier if you keep up with WoW Insider and try it on the PTR before it goes live. Its definitely complicated for new players because the game manual doesn't cover the mount page, currency page and dual specs and soon the gear manager...as far as i know...so new players have to figure that on their own.
Faar Jul 4th 2009 12:02PM
@Swampy:
You mean like you just did? Failtroll is fail!
By the way, I DID reply to the post.
@Wolfy:
My point was - in case it was unclear - that you can't find info on how to gear in-game; you must use external sources of knowledge. To then reply that external sources of knowledge are plentiful isn't really all that useful, now is it? :D Ideally, you should be able to find out this stuff on your own, IN the game, without having to hit various forums, which most WoW players don't know where to find, or even that they exist in the first place. Theorycrafting is a very "fringe" pastime, an extremely low player percentage spend time reading up on it.
sSword Jul 4th 2009 1:08PM
Agreed.
To complex? Go play hello kitty if it is...
Clevins Jul 4th 2009 1:44PM
Let me expand on that a little :)
Some of the stuff Mike talks about CAN be confusing - the pet/mount things and currency especially. BUt those aren't added complexity, they're just not well designed from a user experience point of view. You right click your first mount and... it's gone! Where did it go?? If there was a little notification telling you and it only popped up the first time, you'd be fine. As it is, it just disappears. That's not complexity, it's just not good design.
Lupius Jul 4th 2009 2:35PM
The screenshot used in this article is probably Blizzard's biggest recent failure in UI design. The LFG pane is unnecessarily complicated and a pain to use. It's like they went ahead an revamped the LFG UI without considering a single use case.
woez Jul 5th 2009 4:10AM
"nothing more fail than using the "reply" button just to have your opinion at the beginning of the post and not actually replying to the comment."
Nothing more fail? The comment he was responding to said only "No"
Your comment might make sense usually, but here it makes you look like a fool.
Todd Jul 4th 2009 8:10AM
Maybe?
damianoleary1 Jul 4th 2009 8:10AM
No. If you think it is, you're a nub.
Elwoods Jul 4th 2009 11:24AM
Rub a dub a dub
3 nub's is a tub ... :)
Probally looking for a tank and healer (I'm dps myself before anyone starts) :)
Brandon Jul 5th 2009 1:15AM
"nub" is possibly one of the oldest variations of noob. It's been around for many many years. So you sir, tyler, are the nub
The Hammer Jul 4th 2009 8:11AM
Well, it depends. To people used to computer games already? Nah, it's not really complex. If you can play something like Baldur's Gate, you can CERTAINLY play this.
But to first-time gamers, lulled in by the adverts? I think people can forget how hotkeys, inventories, weapon proficiencies ("I can't use that yet" should really be "I can't use that at all," surely?) are brick walls to someone picking up the game for the first time. Certainly WOW's tutorials help, but that doesn't make a game less complex. It just means that you're introduced much easier.
Methuus Jul 4th 2009 9:31AM
The Hammer has it right. The question doesn't really make that much sense because complexity is measured on an individual, not global scale.
I've been playing computer fantasy adventure games since dragons looked like ducks, so of course WoW isn't too complex for me.
But for someone whose only previous experience with computer games is Bejewelled? Of course WoW is mind blowingly complex.
I guess the correct question might be: what level of previous game experience is expected of a new WoW player?
Banndit Jul 4th 2009 10:50AM
"I can't use that yet" should really be "I can't use that at all," surely?
My 1st char was a warlock and it's thanks to this that I walked around 'til like lvl 13 with leather and mail armor in my bags.
Batleth Jul 4th 2009 8:16AM
LFM Naxx-25 must be Ulduar geared, no draenei Dks, must be Feral Night Elf Druid, Pally heals only w/ 2.34546k mana, color coordinated chestpiece and cloak, non- horned helms only, and all Draenei must be freshly horse-shoed. Will Armory, WoWhead, and will check credit score. Come to Dal center for inspection, calculus test.
noslackjaw Jul 4th 2009 8:49AM
This is what I think of when I imagine 'WoW complexity.' It's not a game design problem, it's a player-imposed one. I've never raided before, largely because (I'll admit it) I'm more than a little intimidated by the labyrinthine requirements foisted on someone just trying to run a glorified uber-dungeon. Ulduar gear? DKP? Playtime requirements? Spell power minimums? It's like jesuschristalmightywhatthehell, I'm just trying to play a video game here.
The Hammer Jul 4th 2009 9:26AM
Heh, yes. Constant abbreviations.
I remember not knowing how to use chat channels like /1 (General) for a good few weeks, too, when I first started playing. It's very IRC-based, so that CAN be confusing, when compared to MSN.