Bashiok comments on Fire Festival; new Hallow's End surprises
by Mathew McCurley 
Jun 22nd 2011 at 5:00PM
The Midsummer Fire Festival remained largely the same due to the amount of work that had to go into rearranging fire locations due to the cataclysm, changing around all of the decorations, and generally spending a lot of time switching over from the old world. Bashiok does cop to the fact that the event is more or less the same as last year's, but reminds us that the Midsummer Fire Festival has already had its major overhaul back a few years ago.
The more interesting news, however, is that Bashiok says we've got some surprises coming our way with respect to Hallow's End, WoW's take on Halloween. We've been long speculating, based on data-mined items and story cues, that Hallow's End will deal with the continuing story of Sylvanas' march into the kingdom of Gilneas and the worgen's fight to take back their homeland. Plus, who doesn't love the classic Halloween monster movie tropes of zombies and werewolves?
Bashiok confirmed that there are changes in store for Hallow's End. To what extent, we do not know. However, I will be looking forward to surprises because, really, I love surprises. I'm a giant sucker for surprises. Bring on the surprises!
Bashiok's response to Midsummer concerns, Hallow's End surprises
We update holiday events when we can. Midsummer has actually had at least one major overhaul in its history, with other tweaks and updates here and there.
Since Cataclysm changed pretty much all of the locations for towns, buildings, geography, etc. in Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor, that required re-placing, by hand, every banner, every fire, every decoration on every building, every quest giver, everything.
So yes it's essentially the same event with updated loot drops this year, but it was no small amount of work just to keep it the same event.
As I said we update holiday events when we can, it's not a guarantee. BUT, Hallow's End will have a few new surprises in-store.
Since Cataclysm changed pretty much all of the locations for towns, buildings, geography, etc. in Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor, that required re-placing, by hand, every banner, every fire, every decoration on every building, every quest giver, everything.
So yes it's essentially the same event with updated loot drops this year, but it was no small amount of work just to keep it the same event.
As I said we update holiday events when we can, it's not a guarantee. BUT, Hallow's End will have a few new surprises in-store.
The news is already rolling out for the upcoming WoW Patch 4.2! Preview the new Firelands raid, marvel at the new legendary staff, and get the inside scoop on new quest hubs -- plus new Tier 12 armor!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Hollow Leviathan Jun 22nd 2011 5:08PM
Hallow's End will reveal the twist ending, the Forsaken have been dead the whole game. Gasp!
...wait.
Eirik Jun 22nd 2011 6:13PM
I would call that an example of Fridge Logic, except that the jello in the back is telling me that it was obvious from the beginning.
splodesondeath Jun 22nd 2011 6:18PM
Introducing the Forsaken lord who contests Sylvanas for her throne, Sam M. Malan, Knight of Brill!
But who would have thought that, in a twist of fate, Sam M. Malan would be... dead, as well!
Hal Jun 22nd 2011 6:23PM
Sylvanas: "I see dead people."
SaintStryfe Jun 22nd 2011 7:00PM
INCEPTION.
MusedMoose Jun 22nd 2011 7:43PM
I wish I could give you more than three stars. That's the funniest thing I've read all day.
StClair Jun 22nd 2011 10:35PM
The clue is how everything in Tirisifal Glades is faded and washed out, except for the Scarlet Crusade.
sunflowers4488 Jun 22nd 2011 5:10PM
Can't wait to see what's in store for Hallow's End!
I remember when they overhauled Midsummer. Running through the capitals for the crown that first year is one of my favorite memories in WoW. And to think, we did it without an achievement involved- just so we could run around Shat wearing a fire halo for kicks!
The Dewd Jun 22nd 2011 5:11PM
Sylvanas raises the horseman to lead an assault on Gilneas and we fight him there instead of SM?
wutsconflag Jun 22nd 2011 5:13PM
It would have been nice to see this holiday updated a bit more what with 4.2 (Firelands, Ragnaros, etc) coming out, soon. I really feel like Blizzard missed a great opportunity here, although I understand the work involved with the massive amount of changes they surely had to make.
SamLowry Jun 22nd 2011 6:35PM
But they could make the same argument for EVERY holiday. If you change the location of an inn then obviously you have to alter the decorations affixed to it every time the holidays change, so that's a rather lazy explanation.
SamLowry Jun 22nd 2011 9:34PM
I feel like Roger Ebert here--I point out the obvious truth and get slammed for it.
Vael Jun 23rd 2011 12:06PM
Picking where to balance development resources is something Blizzard has been largely successful at, in my opinion. While I would've like to see a mini fire elemental uprising in each capitol city, a la Wrath Launch / zombie infestation, I'm looking forward to the new quest hub (Isle 2.0) and the continuation of plot and story.
Artificial Jun 24th 2011 2:11AM
@SamLowry: Most of the holidays don't have nearly as much stuff all over. In fact, I don't think any do, although Lunar Festival comes close with all the ancestors scattered about. Really, though, the fact that it could be said to varying degrees of all the holidays is true, and their explanation -- that this is in fact quite a bit of work -- is also true. Calling all that work "lazy" quite rightfully should get you slammed.
Gossamer Jun 22nd 2011 5:16PM
I'm just shocked that they wouldn't take advantage of Firelands coming out so near the holiday. I had hopes that the tiny fire elemental I feed every year might actually turn in to Ragnaros this year. Color me disappointed.
Andre Jun 23rd 2011 1:52PM
He did turn into Ragnaros for a few seconds.
Ez Jun 22nd 2011 5:22PM
New toons have it way easier this year! They get to fly EVERYWHERE to get the Flames instead of trampling through every fp and getting killed trying to figure out where the freakin Flame is!
The Dewd Jun 22nd 2011 5:25PM
But they also are using their own mounts which means that on PvE servers they aren't just hopping a taxi to the next location and dropping their flag in between fires.
Eirik Jun 22nd 2011 6:18PM
Speak for yourself, Mr "I'm level 60+, I can fly". Don't mind me, trudging around here in the mud.
Pardon, I have to go. My mechanostrider is picking a fight with this guy's sparklepony. No, don't ask, I don't know either.
vocenoctum Jun 22nd 2011 6:48PM
Not to mention Have Group Will Travel. Get one sneaky bastard into the location, then everyone ina raid group poofs in.
Not a lot of challenge to it, but it's a holiday anyway, so whatever. I'm not worried.