BlizzCon 2009: Worgen animation
by Matthew Rossi 
Aug 21st 2009 at 10:30PM
Our own Mike Schramm brings you video of the process Worgen players will undergo when they transform, fresh from the BlizzCon floor. Enjoy your piping hot man to beast-man transformation! I know I'm going to be keeping my Worgen in his bestial form as much as possible, myself, but it's still cool to watch.
Update by Mike Schramm: Since we took this video at the Art Panel, I've played the Worgen on the floor, and this animation is now fully implemented in the demos here. Going into combat as a Worgen does a quicker animation that sends you into Wolf form (yes, you must be in Wolf form during combat, and it's purely cosmetic). But hitting the transformation ability while a human will give you this animation -- it looks great.
Update by Mike Schramm: Since we took this video at the Art Panel, I've played the Worgen on the floor, and this animation is now fully implemented in the demos here. Going into combat as a Worgen does a quicker animation that sends you into Wolf form (yes, you must be in Wolf form during combat, and it's purely cosmetic). But hitting the transformation ability while a human will give you this animation -- it looks great.
BlizzCon 2009 is here! WoW.com has continuing coverage, bringing you the latest in Cataclysm news, live blogs, galleries, and reports right from the convention floor. Check out WoW.com's Guide to BlizzCon for the latest!Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Blizzard, News items, Expansions, Lore, Cataclysm, Worgen
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 6)
Mr. Tastix Aug 21st 2009 11:13PM
I won't re-roll entirely, because I like the Horde races. But if what MMO-Champion posted happens and Garrosh becomes leader and/or kills Cairne I'll be really disappointed at Blizzard.
Still, I'm an Alliance man myself (even though I prefer Horde lore/ways) My main is Alliance and I'll be trying out the Worgen before the Goblin.
tim Aug 21st 2009 11:19PM
I play both Horde and Alliance. In terms of "belonging" though, it's definitely for the Horde (or, as they say, FOR THE HORDE). But Thrall is a huge part of that. There's a difference between being savage beasts whose blood-thirst is tempered with pride, and even nobility, and just bein' angry, like Garrosh and Varian are.
I can only assume Blizzard understands this, but who knows what they might do.
RogueJedi86 Aug 21st 2009 11:20PM
You rolled the Horde because you wanted to be a bloodthirsty semi-bad guy, why leave now when they're just starting to get actual bloodthirsty and semi-bad? You wanted to be bad, but not too bad? Garrosh's direction sure beats the Mary Sueism of the Horde under Thrall. For once the Horde actually has some flaws that are less than admirable.
tim Aug 21st 2009 11:28PM
@RogueJedi86
I'm sure that in your 23 years of life you've come to understand the difference between being "bad" and being unsuited for leadership. People don't mind Garrosh because he's "bad." We mind him primarily because he's dumb (see Garrosh/Saurfang exchange) and a poor leader (see him pouting in Outland).
Kylenne Aug 21st 2009 11:27PM
@RogueJedi86:
"Lok'tar ogar! Victory or death - it is these words that bind me to the Horde. For they are the most sacred and fundamental of truths to any warrior of the Horde.
I give my flesh and blood freely to the Warchief. I am the instrument of my Warchief's desire. I am a weapon of my Warchief's command."
Not all of us are 12 yo Billy Badasses. A lot of us rolled Horde because we believed in the ideals of strength, honor, and looking out for your brother/sister in arms. A great deal of us rolled Horde out of respect and admiration of not just Thrall, but Saurfang, and Cairne. Yes, even we Belves. I can only speak for myself but there is no way in hell I could be a weapon of Garrosh frelling Hellscream's command.
grump-e Aug 22nd 2009 3:05AM
I can't reroll alliance, durotar >>> dun morogh for dueling.
But man Thrall was the reason I originally decided to play horde, Thrall represents everything I love about the horde.
And I hate Garrosh. Its not that I don't like him I completely hate him.
First he was all down and sad then he's reckless and aggressive, this guy is a complete victim of his emotions.
He's a fool kid.
Hey Thrall my man you are the only warcheif I will ever salute.
Xehirut Aug 21st 2009 11:57PM
Hadn't really thought about it, but if Garrosh kills Cairne as is the rumor, and Grumblecakes' assumption is right about Saurfang kicking his *** in, that could cause some serious discomfort and rumblings through out the horde ranks.
Could it lead to a third faction forming?
Valtieri Aug 22nd 2009 4:17AM
@ Bludstorm if Garrosh does kill Cairne.. Then i sure as hell do hope Saurfang lops Garrosh's head off. :3 And put's it on a steak so people remember not to try to consume Tauren, as they are not steak. They are a holy beef now.
Caw Aug 21st 2009 10:39PM
Okay, that just put all Druid "poof - I'm a bear!" transformations to utter shame.
Rabidgun Aug 21st 2009 10:49PM
My thoughts exactly. I hope they revamp those old animations.
Allison Robert Aug 21st 2009 10:45PM
God yes, I hope they add some interesting shapeshifting animations for Druids.
Volgash Aug 21st 2009 10:41PM
Whats the worgen then exactly? A human that Turns into a wolf in combat? I must be missing something here or that would just be pathetic
Bluescar Aug 21st 2009 10:46PM
Its pretty much a human with a curse, but the people of Gilneas have found a way to hold it back some, so they still retain some of their humanity. They can turn into their Worgen form whenever they want, but are forced into it when entering combat. Once out of combat though, they can go back to the human form.
Shippleton Aug 21st 2009 10:47PM
Actually, the Human form/Worgen form things is purely cosmetic, as a representation of the Worgen's attempt at curing the curse. So aside from fucking around with Hordies, there's no real point to changing form.
IMO, if they still have their humanity, why the FUCK would they wanna be prissy Humans again???
miko Aug 22nd 2009 12:59AM
'IMO, if they still have their humanity, why the FUCK would they wanna be prissy Humans again???' i've seen some dumb sentences written by wow players in my time but that one takes the award for the month at least.
Grumblecakes Aug 21st 2009 10:40PM
Do player character worgen run on all fours as the NPC worgen do now?
If so, I'm sold.
Bluescar Aug 21st 2009 11:00PM
I saw this video on YouTube, it was like... a six second clip, but it showed a Worgen. the background sound was definitely BlizzCon, so I'm pretty sure its legitimate... but I was upset because it did not run on all fours :( The run kind of reminded me or a male Troll or Tauren.
Wither Aug 22nd 2009 7:08AM
This is a nice idea, but I imagine having weapon in your hands makes it quite impractical.
Fresca Aug 28th 2009 11:22AM
@ wither
You forget that the animation is already in game, in karazhan some of the tomes will transform you into a worgen, galloping on all fours, weapons and all.
Foolmetalpanic Aug 21st 2009 10:45PM
The animation looks awesome.. I think just the animation alone is going to make it so servers are overpopulated with this race... can't wait.