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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsBreakfast Topic: Is transmogrification bringing you back?
by Adam Holisky 
Aug 27th 2011 at 8:00AM
Some people that I've spoken with have said it is. They love the old raids and pine for the days of yesteryear. With transmogrification, they hope to find groups of like-minded players to run the old content, expand their raiding beyond just the cutting-edge tier. They want to experience the game for what it is in its entirety and not focus on a single microcosm of content.
To them, transmogrification is (hopefully) the vehicle in which they'll ride to the good ol' days again.
I suspect, although don't know for certain, that transmogrification will contribute to a positive bump (or a slowing of the decline) in subscriber numbers. A commenter in The Queue asked the other day if the upcoming Raid Finder will allow for players to find groups for older raids. While it might be unlikely, given how the current Dungeon Finder behaves, a combination of that ability in the Raid Finder and transmogrification might be enough to draw back the old-schoolers in droves.
So let's hear it: Is transmogrification going to bring you back, or at least keep you around longer?
Filed under: Breakfast Topics
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 6)
Sarog Aug 27th 2011 9:36AM
It is a great - and long overdue - feature, but I don't see it bringing anyone back. Not for long anyhow. Unless you enjoy the state of the game as it is (in which case you are more unlikely to have left), the effect of a bit more character customization will wear off quickly If people are bored with the game, frustrated with how it plays, tired of the story, or any combination thereof, they will be just as bored, frustrated and tired whether or not they are in current gear or their favourite gear from yesteryear. I doubt many people will resub just for visual novelty. Transmogrification is an important step in improving the quality of the game, but I think it will need to be accompanied by quite a lot more before the individual tweaks and additions are enough to form an enticing basket of new features.
ravyncat Aug 27th 2011 9:46AM
I love the idea of transmogrification, but were I leaving (or thinking about it) it would not keep me in WoW. To me it is a fun feature/quality of life change.
To really keep people, the next expansion needs to come out sooner and it needs to have a lot more content for endgame.
They did an awesome job with 1-60. I have had so much fun leveling alts or going back and doing Loremaster in every new-old zone. But I know there is a significant amount of the playerbase who does not enjoy doing that if they are already max level. Even I was disappointed that I reached 85 in only four days of moderate play. It was too short. I do not raid so I am left bored at 85 unless I do things like Loremaster.
That is the main problem; boredom. I'm pretty sure that is why a lot of my guildies--most of the raid team from Wrath--left the game. :(
MusedMoose Aug 27th 2011 11:17AM
Agreed. I think that, when we look back over WoW years from now, Cataclysm will be remembered as the expansion that did awesome things for the game as a whole (improved leveling, various quality of life issues) but kind of dropped the ball for its high-level and endgame stuff. I don't raid so I can't speak to that, but I have seen a lot of dissatisfaction from raiders about the current content. And as someone who loves leveling alts, I was less than thrilled to hear about only 5 new levels and 5 new leveling zones.
But from what I've seen from Blizzard, I get the impression that they've learned from their mistakes; I hope this is true and not just my optimism. ^_^ And I have high but wary hopes for the next expansion. If we're really lucky, it'll get us all the way to 100, which would be pretty damn cool.
Noyou Aug 27th 2011 3:52PM
Totally agree with you ravyn. But I also think they need to bring back the "epicness" of getting to endgame. This is a slipper slope right now. As the level cap creeps up into the 90s and beyond, they don't want to make it too rough that you feel it's overwhelming. As it is now, you practically fly thru the levels. Even from 80-85 It takes about 10-12 hours or gameplay if you are straight questing. I envy some of my friends who can go thru an entire zone and complete all the quests there. This I have never been able to do (for some reason I did hyjal on maybe 4 toons, complete- even before the news of the requirement came out) on most zones. They are charged with the difficult task of balancing playstles. Putting enough content in there for all players. Making it epic but not too hard. Making it fun but not too easy.
MattKrotzer Aug 27th 2011 9:50AM
I love the idea of Transmogrification.
However, I'm tired as hell of hearing about it already. If we have to wait till BlizzCon to see a PTR, with no more news until then... I'm going to have Transmog burnout before it's ever even available.
Tovin Aug 27th 2011 10:27AM
Krotzer, how on Azeroth do you manage to update your profile pic? What is this...your third pic since you started posting?
Hob Aug 27th 2011 10:37PM
Hey, don't hate on Matt. The man likes to change his pictures. Nothing wrong with that.
Although... this one seems to have been taken with an eye-strain-o-vision lens. It's actually a picture of Matt Dillon, right?
MattKrotzer Aug 28th 2011 12:51AM
I clear out any cookies that say joystiq.com, log in to the main joystiq.com page, and change the picture. A short while later, it's updated.
And yes, this is the third. Fourth, if you count my old Josin avatar.
Tovin Aug 28th 2011 4:07PM
I wasn't hating on Matt--just frustrated with this barely sufficient comment/profile system. Thanks for the tip, Matt.
Tricia Aug 27th 2011 9:52AM
I'm not a raider. Occasionally I get the itch to try it, but then I watch as my husband tackles one and all it looks like is work and frustration, and I get enough of that from my job. However, the older content and old world raids appeal because they won't be nearly so much work to tackle at max level with a group. Ever since I unlocked my last Molten Front hub and essentially finished the area, I haven't really logged on. Oh, I peek at the AH once in awhile or check my mail, but I haven't played at all in weeks. It's not an active 'I'm leaving the game.' stance but rather a "i don't feel like lvling alts and my main really doens't have much to do except grind rep/pets/mounts... and that can get dull after awhile.
Then 4.3 was announced and it gave me something new to try... all those dungeons and raids I missed because I joined at the tail end of BC and was never geared enough then to try things and now that I am geared and max lvl, no one really does them much. I want my purple judgment armor and the Hammer of the naaru on my Pally... and I can't wait to put my DK into the starting area DK gear again because it was sooo cool looking. Darkmoon Faire looks fun and different enough to keep me entertained, and I might even try the new 5 mans that are incoming.
But basically, yes Transmog is bringing me back into an active playing role I think.
I'm tackling Molten Core with Hubby and possibly friends this weekend.
Greg Aug 27th 2011 9:52AM
I took a one year break to change my perspective on the game. Transmogrification is not encouraging me to return any time soon. I don't think anything can. I just reached a point of cynicism that I could no longer tolerate. I was literally getting sick of myself.
So, I'll continue by 1 year hiatus until Jan '12 and consider restarting WoW again then. Until then, I'm not paying Blizzard for taking the game in a direction I'm just not willing to go.
Cobalt Aug 27th 2011 9:53AM
I'm coming back for the new 5-man content (DAMN YOU 10/25-MAN RAID UNIFICATION!!!!).
But I'm staying for the Mogging. For a while, at least.
Gimmlette Aug 27th 2011 10:04AM
I'm not planning on changing the look of my gear as I want the tier gear specifically for the overall look. (Ask me how excited I am about void storage though. SQUEEEE!!! Go ahead, ask me.) I am planning to change the look of my gun.
It's going to take a lot to make me leave in the first place. I figure I'll be the last one who turns out the lights in Ironforge.
Ian Aug 27th 2011 10:04AM
It will change what people spend their time doing, at least until they have the set/sets they want, but I feel that is not the right sort of feature that should be bringing someone back to the game.
The participation in something, to progress your character or simply because you enjoy playing the game.
Playing dress-up is to appeal to the vanity of players, not give them real content.
Ian Aug 27th 2011 10:06AM
And yes as someone else stated, Void Storage as a storage medium for selected novelty or sentimental items does appeal.
While I am still playing, I am finding little real appeal in transmogrifaction outside of a small number of items, but I am very much enjoying the prospect of void storage.
Hail Aug 27th 2011 10:06AM
I'm going leaving for college and won't be playing there (at least for the first while), so nomatter what happens to wow the only thing that will change my status is school breaks.
storment Aug 27th 2011 10:10AM
Something I could have done in several other games for years now? Nope, not sold. Too little too late.
Spriestess Aug 27th 2011 10:11AM
No, it won't make me start playing again. If I had quit because I didn't like the way my armor looked then I would say sure... but I quit playing due to lack of time and lost interest in the grind for gear.
I would like to say though thanks for doing this NOW! Goodness knows how many old armor sets I've deleted just due to lack of space in my bank :-/
If WoW ever decides to implement player houses, then maybe that would make me think about playing again :P
omedon666 Aug 27th 2011 10:13AM
Funny you should ask!
I quit a few months ago, citing lack of customization as one of my "demands". True to my word, (and pleased with Blizzard finally "getting with the program") I came back.
Now, I have purchased a singular month to round up some visual gear, which I'm going to try on at 4.3, *IF* I like what I hear at Blizzcon. If they can't meet or beat the RIFT/GW2 feature of a live, randomized, dynamic PVE-active world that I can get in on at will, or LOTRO's soloable (I'd accept duoable) instancing, I will play those games instead. I'm tired of being co-dependent for scaled, adventurous, logistically relevant action, when I don't have to be so in other games.
A pretty character is a must, but if the next expansion is just going to be another coat of paint on the same ol' WoW, I can be pretty elsewhere.
omedon666 Aug 27th 2011 10:24AM
Also, as an above poster reminded me, that housing is another thing I'd stay for.