This video, which comes straight from this afternoon's BlizzCon Art Panel, shows off some of the environments Blizzard has put together for the Worgen, the brand new playable Alliance race. I love the look -- it's almost like Forsaken architecture, but before things went bad (or maybe with a hidden edge rather than a rotted look). We're not quite sure yet what these areas will be called -- most of it looks like what they're calling Gilneas City in the playable demos here on the floor.
But you'll probably agree that it does look excellent. We'll have another video coming up from the Art Panel soon, looking at the Goblins and what they've got sitting around their starting zones.
I know it truly does! I'm curious did they revamp the gaming engine? If so will some folks with the minimum comp power have to go out and get a new system?
They did say something about the minimum specs being bumped up a bit, but not necessarily significantly. Chances are, you'll have a computer capable of running Cataclysm when it comes out. If not...graphics cards aren't that expensive these days, a decent one ( able to run Wow at it's current "medium" settings fairly well ) running anywhere from $60-$80. If you're on a laptop that won't be able to run cata ( there will be very very few of you ), you will need to buy a new computer.
They revamped the water rendering engine and maybe a few other special effects, but other than that, the game engine is pretty much the same as we use in Northrend. The artwork is higher-quality than most old world ( or even Outland ) art because they've learned lots of tricks to make things look more real. The exposed wooden beams, for example, first appeared in the Vrykul architecture, and they've used the same texturing technique on the Gilnean houses.
In the playable demo, a prince Greymane is one of the NPCs in the worgen starting area. I'm going to try tomorrow to get to Gilneas City and see what's there. They talked about Genn Greymane in the preview panel though, so I'm 100% sure he's the worgen faction leader. Gilneas is quite nice, from what little I got to see.
Tough to get any questing done there on the demo though. Too many players competing for kills. A taste of Cataclysm launch day, for sure.
Aug 22nd 2009 at 12:00AM 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Xehirut Aug 22nd 2009 12:06AM
How is this expansion 9 months away?!
It looks absolutely spectacularly beautiful and the architecture is just absolutely mind blowingly beautiful!
Rabidgun Aug 22nd 2009 12:17AM
I actually think the expansion could be out before the end of the year. Perhaps early next year.
Asgaroth Aug 22nd 2009 7:08AM
I know it truly does! I'm curious did they revamp the gaming engine? If so will some folks with the minimum comp power have to go out and get a new system?
Derrek Dec 21st 2009 9:28PM
@Asgaroth
They did say something about the minimum specs being bumped up a bit, but not necessarily significantly. Chances are, you'll have a computer capable of running Cataclysm when it comes out. If not...graphics cards aren't that expensive these days, a decent one ( able to run Wow at it's current "medium" settings fairly well ) running anywhere from $60-$80. If you're on a laptop that won't be able to run cata ( there will be very very few of you ), you will need to buy a new computer.
They revamped the water rendering engine and maybe a few other special effects, but other than that, the game engine is pretty much the same as we use in Northrend. The artwork is higher-quality than most old world ( or even Outland ) art because they've learned lots of tricks to make things look more real. The exposed wooden beams, for example, first appeared in the Vrykul architecture, and they've used the same texturing technique on the Gilnean houses.
Rabidgun Aug 22nd 2009 12:17AM
This almost makes me want to roll alliance. Almost
greenthumbs Aug 22nd 2009 12:21AM
I've never played an Alliance toon before, i think this expansion might just be the time to start. Worgen FTW!
Kenny Aug 22nd 2009 3:43AM
Oh same here. I'm totally gonna level a Worgen through their zones at the least, but I'm planning on a goblin as a new dedicated character
1up Aug 22nd 2009 12:11AM
Man, I want to know what the new goblin dance is!
Carnagefiend Aug 22nd 2009 12:12AM
This screams Tim Burton.
... and I LOVE IT.
Cyanea Aug 22nd 2009 1:34AM
It's got a very 1920's Horror movie feel to it.
I like it.
Senjee Aug 22nd 2009 12:13AM
when people are in lfg for UK hopefully they dont accidentally kill the leader of Gilneas
alamos Aug 22nd 2009 12:21AM
That reminds me.
Do we even know ANYTHING about the faction leader for the Worgen? Or Goblins for that matter?
Clopert Aug 22nd 2009 12:23AM
Greymane probably for worgen.
heroman12121 Aug 22nd 2009 12:31AM
Genn Graymane for Worgen. Link to WoWWiki
http://www.wowwiki.com/Genn_Greymane
As for goblins, i have no idea.
rawrawrawr Aug 22nd 2009 12:40AM
Greymane is mentioned on: http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/cataclysm/features/lore.html
so I think that pretty much confirms it.
Daedhir Aug 22nd 2009 2:52AM
In the playable demo, a prince Greymane is one of the NPCs in the worgen starting area. I'm going to try tomorrow to get to Gilneas City and see what's there. They talked about Genn Greymane in the preview panel though, so I'm 100% sure he's the worgen faction leader. Gilneas is quite nice, from what little I got to see.
Tough to get any questing done there on the demo though. Too many players competing for kills. A taste of Cataclysm launch day, for sure.
Amuur Aug 22nd 2009 12:16AM
I thought I saw a dog standing in front of one of the houses! Will we finally get canines with the expansion? It goes with the Worgen theme maybe?
Rabidgun Aug 22nd 2009 12:18AM
It looked like a mastiff to me. So yes we finally get dogs!
Domi Aug 22nd 2009 12:32AM
How many seconds in? I just re watched twice and couldn't see it...
Amuur Aug 22nd 2009 12:39AM
Hard to see in this one. In the video online at http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/cataclysm/features/gilneas.html you can see the mastiff standing in front of a house right at the midway point of the vid.