Patch 5.3 interview with Ghostcrawler
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The latest patch 5.3 news
All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsDon't freak out about the Cataclysm changes yet
by Gregg Reece 
Apr 12th 2010 at 1:00PM
One important thing to remember (and something Ghostcrawler and other devs have stressed multiple times) is that almost all numbers, coefficients and bonuses are going to be changing when the expansion ships, and none of the abilities are final. This means trying to say that using certain spells or stats is a "horrible idea" because of particular issues in the current game doesn't really hold up, because your class might end up needing that stat or relying on that spell when Cataclysm hits.
Also, being as the entire stat system is getting a revamp (with a lot of the current stats going away or being repurposed completely), all of your current gear's stats will also be changing to reflect this including increased armor for cloth, leather and mail users.
There is also the fact that these previews are not the whole story. There might end up being additional talented spells for your spec or revamps of various class abilities that will change your current rotation. Some classes are getting simplified and others will be getting a little more depth.
All in all, please look at these changes with an open mind and leave any preconceived notions at the door. We still have the entire beta for them to tweak and change any of the current ideas that might be lacking or might not mesh well with your class's existing kit.
Always remember to leave constructive feedback (Note: "This sucks!", "Blizzard obviously doesn't play my class," and "Ghostcrawler promised me a pony!" are not examples constructive feedback.) and tell them what parts seem clunky, good, lackluster or just simply feel "off" of what it should be for whatever reason (and always include the reason why). If you're eloquent in your post (and sometimes even if you're not), you might be the voice that gets things changed.
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will destroy Azeroth as we know it. Nothing will be the same. In WoW.com's Guide to Cataclysm you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion. From goblins and worgens to mastery and guild changes, it's all there for your cataclysmic enjoyment.Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Cataclysm
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 6)
Al Apr 12th 2010 4:37PM
They do nothing to rectify any of this by apparently ignoring said feedback, yet posting in troll threads and answering pointless questions like "What whisky do you guys drink?" or "I hear U liek Mudkipz?"
Of course, then you have moments like the Shaman review where they skipped any and all feedback, then threw a hissy fit over the hissy fit.
Gregg Reece Apr 12th 2010 4:44PM
Actually, you're probably being down-rated because you've completely missed the point of the post.
You're more than welcome to disagree and not like the stuff Blizzard is planning. Just don't freak out. If you're going to tell them your feelings on it, don't do a 2000 word diatribe about how Blizzard is stupid, doesn't play your class, and their devs need to be replaced.
Instead, tell them why you don't like the idea, why you think it is bad for the class, and why you think the interaction between spell A and talent B doesn't work as it should.
You're more than welcome to hate these changes, I'm just asking you to explain why to them instead of going off on a childish tantrum that gives no real feedback other than the fact you're in need of a nap.
Nandini Apr 12th 2010 5:13PM
WoW is something many players feel quite passionate about. It's a social game, and has many fun and otherwise emotional aspects.
I just hate to see many perfectly valid (if shortsighted) opinions going to waste because they're not presented in the form of a business decision model. It's perfect valid for Blizzard to ignore those posts, and to tell people that they won't make business decisions (all game decisions are ultimately business decisions) based on them.
Still, I feel Blizzard goes beyond ignoring these opinions to invalidating them outright. I guess I might expect the same if I filled out a restaurant comment card not by checking all the neatly printed boxes, but rather by writing "EVERYTHING SUCKED" over the top of them. That moment of sheer frustration is still a vitally important response for the restaurant to be aware of, however.
Nandini Apr 12th 2010 5:18PM
tl;dr, since that seems to be popular:
If Blizzard did not wish to receive "freaked out" feedback on something as intimate to players as class design, they should not have made these out-of-context preliminary announcements in the first place.
Gregg Reece Apr 12th 2010 6:39PM
Nandini:
Be passionate, but don't flame. That's pretty much all I'm asking for. You're asking for people to flame which just clutters the forums and stops any real discussion from going on.
Shrike Apr 12th 2010 7:07PM
"Still, I feel Blizzard goes beyond ignoring these opinions to invalidating them outright."
But where is your evidence of this? This statement, on its own, does nothing. In fact, it simply casts baseless doubt on a process of which you have no special knowledge.
Just because Blizzard does not respond to an opinion, does not mean they ignored it. Just because Blizzard makes a decision some don't like, does not mean they ignored the opposing views.
All this does is reinforces the one true fact that we know: *Blizzard* is the game's developer, not us.
jfofla Apr 12th 2010 1:20PM
People are slowly beginning to understand this is not an expansion, it is a brand new game. Only Blizzard would be so brilliant. Imagine a company reinventing their most popular game at the height of it's popularity.
This is why I will be playing WOW 10 years from now. Blizzard is the best and brightest of the industry.
MisterMoose Apr 12th 2010 1:24PM
No, it really just is an expansion. They aren't reinventing the game, just tweaking some numbers and tweaking how some other numbers are calculated. It will allow a bit more spell depth for healers, but that's about it.
Ravenna Apr 12th 2010 5:05PM
Someone has already done something like this. It was called "The Star Wars Galaxies NGE" and it arguably killed that game.
I'm not saying that's going to happen here. I'm not panicking, complaining, or flailing. But I am going into this with both optimism and caution, and hoping Blizzard isn't repeating the mistakes of another game's past.
jfofla Apr 12th 2010 6:14PM
If I recall, the NGE was in response to the popularity of a new game, WOW, from Blizzard.
I trust Blizzard to know exactly what to do.
Colin Apr 12th 2010 1:21PM
Gregg, you're only saying this now. When the pally changes are released, you'll be right there bawwwing with the rest of the forum dwellers!
I kid, I kid. I haven't really been let down by anything so far. It's just a bunch of people trying to fit these new mechanics into current raids. We don't have all the pieces, so stop whining about the puzzle not fitting together, people.
(cutaia) Apr 12th 2010 1:24PM
It's like if you always eat gumbo for dinner, and someone tells you that tomorrows dinner is gonna contain eggs. Don't run around screaming that eggs don't mix with gumbo...just assume you're getting a quiche.
galestrom Apr 12th 2010 2:10PM
Well said.
It's also worth mentioning that taking any of the preview changes into the context of WotLK is fail. It's gonna be a whole new game folks, and I for one am pretty stoked about it. Should be cool. =)
Irem Apr 12th 2010 2:28PM
I love this comparison and will probably borrow it several times in the coming weeks. Royalty check's in the mail.
DeathPaladin Apr 12th 2010 2:31PM
Though at the same time, it's just as bad an idea to assume you are getting quiche. Because you could get excited about having quiche, only to find a big plate of unseasoned scrambled eggs when dinnertime comes.
adol Apr 12th 2010 2:53PM
cutaia promised me a Quiche!
Josh Apr 12th 2010 1:25PM
Form letters work best for these.
Dear Blizzard/Ghostcrawler/BASTARDS,
(a) Thank you for the recently posted information regarding class changes in Cataclysm.
(b) I read the class previews, and I've gotta say, it's pretty underwhelming.
(c) WTF IS WITH THIS TIME WARP SHIT?
(a) I appreciate that you able to provide information about the direction each class is going to be taking in the expansion, even though no one was desperately asking for it at the time
(b) Seriously guys, I'm rerolling if that whole 'Rape Cloud' shit goes live
(c) MY $15 A MONTH PAYS YOUR DAMN SALARY. BUFFS PLX OR I'M FUCKING GONE.
(a) I can't wait to find out more about other aspects of Cataclysm closer to release.
(b) Ten of my friends quit, and I'll go too if you don't lift your game.
(c) I HAVE DELETED MY SHAMAN AND MY PRIEST, AND I AM NOT AFRAID TO GO BACK TO JAIL, CRAB BOY.
Regards/Later/GHOSTCRAWLER IS A GIRLS NAME,
[Name]
Arizor Apr 12th 2010 2:19PM
Hmmm.
d) None of the above, For me at the moment.
Too early to tell how it will pan out.
(cutaia) Apr 12th 2010 4:44PM
Dear Blizzard,
I read the class previews, and I've gotta say, it's pretty underwhelming. MY $15 A MONTH PAYS YOUR DAMN SALARY. BUFFS PLX OR I'M ****ING GONE. I can't wait to find out more about other aspects of Cataclysm closer to release.
GHOSTCRAWLER IS A ROBIN,
(cutaia)
_________________
(I think I did this all wrong...)
Champayne Apr 12th 2010 1:26PM
I loled at the "Aponi Brightmane" link. :D