The Queue: Everyone's sleeping ...
by Chase Hasbrouck 
Oct 23rd 2011 at 11:00AM
Yes, I went with the easy joke.
At the moment, the majority of my fellow writers are sleeping or have only finger nubs remaining from trying to liveblog, so the European team has been called in as relief. Admittedly, writing the Queue while half-asleep has never stopped Fox before, so I suppose there's a precedent.
Daynthebold asked,
Am I the only one who uttered, "Meh?" Seriously, completely underwhelmed by this announcement. 6 new zones? 6 new dungeons and three recycled ones? It just seems like we get less and less with each pack, starting with Cataclysm.
This is true (to a point), but I think the answer is just that Blizzard realizes it has a much more diverse player base now than it did four years ago. Dungeons and raids were pretty much the sole focus of endgame play in Burning Crusade, but the player base is much more diverse in its goals now. More attention is being placed on making the game suitable for both short periods and long periods of play, grinds are being removed, etc. Maybe it's just me, but I'll take quality over quantity in my entertainment any day.
Also, there's a good chance that Mists of Pandaria won't take nearly as long as Cataclysm did to come out, considering that there was already a playable version at Blizzcon.
sassa asked,
Where is Pandaria on the world map?
As of right now, we don't truly know. I suspect it will be like Northrend, however, in that it's "on the map" but you won't be able to fly yourself there.
Either way, I'm sure we'll see something in an upcoming patch about "an ancient homeland disrupted by the cataclysm" to begin to set the stage for it.
Puntable asked,
Are the MoP dungeons going to follow the Cataclysm model of difficulty?
No. As mentioned in the Dungeon and Raid panel, the developers thought the heroics were too difficult, and will be aiming for a shorter and easier play experience. If you want difficulty, that's what the new Challenge Mode is for.
yous95 asked,
Besides the Brewmaster from Warcraft 3, is there any actual lore behind the Pandaren and Pandaria? The lack of knowledge of these things makes this expansion feel less epic.
There isn't a lot of pre-existing lore for the Pandaren, true, but this gives Blizzard a chance to break new ground without feeling constrained. Having a "big bad" all the time limits your storytelling, especially if you want to turn the focus back on the Horde vs. Alliance clash. Cataclysm is the perfect example; it "tried" to work in a theme of renewed conflict, but it's been mostly set aside in favor of Deathwing stuff.
Everyone asked,
What will the new monk class column be called?
I have no idea. I'm partial to "The Secret Ingredient," myself. Commenters, what do you think? Let us know!
Have questions about the World of Warcraft? The WoW Insider crew is here with The Queue, our daily Q&A column. Leave your questions in the comments, and we'll do our best to answer 'em!
Filed under: The Queue
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 18)
Stella Oct 23rd 2011 11:01AM
A lot of people are saying that Mists of Pandaria douesn't have a story, a main enemy or a Big Bad. I suddenly reallized that we, that is the Horde, the Alliance and our conflict is the real Big Bad of MoP.
I als gather from some of Metzen's comments that something big is coming after MoP. Something that we'll never be able to handle if we're focussed on fighting each other. And that the story of Mists of Pandaria is the story of how the Horde and Alliance learn to get past our baggage to at least some extent.
Am I seeing things here?
Bellajtok Oct 23rd 2011 11:18AM
Exactly! I think it's going to be the most at-home expansion we've had yet. After all, how can we take on the Titans and Old Gods if we're not united?
Saf Oct 23rd 2011 11:23AM
Yeah, I sorta agree with that.
Sure, MoP doesn't have the 'EPIC BIG BAD COMING TO END THE WORLD!!! WE MUST STOP HIM/HER!!!' vibe, but realistically if they were to try something like that, people would just complain that it would never top the Deathwing encounters.
To me atleast, MoP feels like a calm-before-the-storm ex-pack. Very much of a 'take your time... relax... enjoy the scenery that this new isle has to offer... work out your frustrations and worries in the BG's... the world is safe now,' vibe actually. Which is the perfect setup for the following ex-pack to be another End-of-the-World scenario.
Dreyja Oct 23rd 2011 11:25AM
Exactly. I'm not sure why people would be bothered by the idea of the horde and alliance kicking the crap out of one another when we've been doing it at the WORST possible times, all along. Think about it. How stupid was it for us to compete with each other to take down Arthas? REALLY STUPID. Even more so with a Giant Angry Dragon burning up the resources around us.
We have generations of hate to drive us, and that's enough. Dangit.
It bugs me but it fits the story. My biggest worry is why in the world would my toon, who tries to do "the right thing," would want to bring this death and suffering to a place that has escaped it so far. I have to get my head around that but overall the story makes sense to me.
Imnick Oct 23rd 2011 11:26AM
There was no big bad in Vanilla WoW either, it is likely that patches will follow those lines by introducing a new PvE antagonist every time.
There's also the "sha" or whatever they are called, creatures that are empowered by the presence of conflict.
Who happen to live in a land where the Alliance and Horde are about to have a war.
How very convenient for them!
manchuriantor Oct 23rd 2011 11:31AM
I never thought some people would be cheering when WoW became this lame. Maybe the monk class will be fun, but it certainly won't be enough to bring me back. Is it fair at this point to call WoW a cash cow that Blizzard is milking for every last penny? Why give players only 5 levels of content again? Are they revamping Outlands? Northrend? That was the excuse people used for Cataclysm. Blizzard really failed to deliver IMO.
As for the talent revamp, you're still going to have raid and PvP builds. It may make the game easier for them to balance but that line they gave about it getting rid of cookie cutters is complete bull. Another 'feature' they can point to when it really belongs as part of a major patch.
With TOR and GW2 beta around the corner I won't be giving Pokemon Panda Island Vacation a second look. WoW really has jumped the shark.
Ellemir Oct 23rd 2011 11:38AM
Yes, I was so thrilled to have the trailer focus on US again. That's what I loved about the first cinematic, it was about the players. There was some of that in the 2nd, but it was more about Illidan. The third was TOTALLY about Arthas and I felt left out. This last one was mostly all about Deathwing. I'm looking forward to this expansion, I think we'll have fun.
Dreyja Oct 23rd 2011 11:38AM
@manchuriantor - To be fair, the actual number of levels means nothing. The amount of time/content it takes to get from 85 to 86 can be as much as it would have been back when we were getting 10 levels. Blizz learned from its mistake with Cata, they've said so MANY times. They don't want people to be able to burn through the content too fast.
As for "lame" - you are basing this totally on your perception of Pandas being too cute or something. I do not understand this at all. You've not seen the content so it is WAY too premature to make that call. The Pokemon thing takes nothing away from your game, so what the heck has that got to do with it?
Sense of humor - have you WATCHED any of the good old kung fu movies? Before we had Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, we had a ton of Jackie Chan movies and others like the "Once Upon a Time in China" series that were full cheese and (AMAZING) physical comedy. They were also kick-ASS! Humor doesn't make things lame.
Noyou Oct 23rd 2011 11:41AM
I'm not even going to say it's quality over quantity, that won't register to the naysayers anyways. WoW has to evolve as a game. You can like it or you can stay unsubbed. You are unsubbing the way it is anyway so why should they cater to you? WoW might never bring back the people who quit shortly after cata or before. But they will bring in a lot of new blood with this expac. Love it or hate it, you can adapt along with it, or move on to something that suits your style more.
manchuriantor Oct 23rd 2011 11:56AM
@Dreyja
It's lame because they actually put pokemon pet battles in as a major feature. It's lame because they can't even discuss any real content. For example, they say that they're going to make the focus on Horde vs Alliance but then give NO examples on how they will accomplish that. You're the one bringing up pandas to try and divert attention from the real lack of anything substantial.
@Noyou
"But they will bring in a lot of new blood with this expac."
And just like in Cataclysm they will bleed more veterans than new subs gained.
Bellajtok Oct 23rd 2011 12:02PM
@Manchuriantor
Veterans will eventually leave anyway. No one sticks with one game forever. Bringing in new blood is the best choice to improve WoW's lifespan and community.
Dreyja Oct 23rd 2011 12:02PM
@ manchuriantor - Did you actually SEE the dungon/raid design videos? This was the announcement year. We've never gotten a TON of details about story at this stage of the game. Why are you assuming the Horde/Alliance thing is going to suck?
Again, poke-wow doesn't take away from your game. I have no idea why this would bug you.
To each their own. It all looks very interesting and full of potential to me.
JattTheRogue Oct 23rd 2011 12:24PM
@manchuriantor: "It's lame because they can't even discuss any real content. For example, they say that they're going to make the focus on Horde vs Alliance but then give NO examples on how they will accomplish that. You're the one bringing up pandas to try and divert attention from the real lack of anything substantial."
What exactly were you expecting in terms of details at the announcement of the expansion? You know, I will fully allow for the possibility that it might be lame, but why one earth would you think you would know whether or not it will be at this stage? Of course there are no details. We don't even have the real intro trailer yet, just that little teaser. The last patch of this expansion isn't even live yet, and you expect to suddenly know everything about the next expansion the very first day they announce it? I hate it when people like you start whining because of these ridiculously unrealistic expectations. OK, maybe MoP doesn't look like your thing -- there are some things about it I don't like too, like the new talent thing -- but you really have no idea at this moment how it will all play out, so either subscribe or don't, but stfu about it. We don't care.
manchuriantor Oct 23rd 2011 12:29PM
@JattTheRogue
"stfu about it. We don't care."
I'm thinking you do care and you're a little bit angry. lol
Harvoc Oct 23rd 2011 12:36PM
@ Manchuriator
And you resort to "umadbro?"... Sad...
Mitch_b_666 Oct 23rd 2011 12:54PM
If we'd had yet another world destroying baddie, I would've honestly stopped playing as much as I do.
It's much like the current situation with Dr Who, "oh did the doctor avoid death, risk life and limb to save time/space/humanity in this series final again?" "Yup.."
Yes it's still enjoyable, but having the same situation play out time and time again itself is boring. MoP is much needed imo.
herra.ledonne Oct 23rd 2011 1:12PM
@Manchu
I'd much rather have the minipets be good for SOMETHING rather than just follow me around when I'm slaying the same grues for the fifteenth day in a row for their boogers that daily questgiver needs to make a hair growth potion or something. But then again, that's just me. If you dislike the idea of pet battles, then just stay off the tall grass.
Spellotape Oct 23rd 2011 1:14PM
I don't know anyone would be worried about there "only" being five extra levels - half of Outland and Northrend was (and remains) optional when levelling ... in Cataclysm you could probably skip one area if you were deadset on completing every quest a previous zone had, but otherwise it seemed like you needed to go to everywhere.
Schadenfreude Oct 23rd 2011 2:03PM
Judging from some of Metzen's comments, I really think that 6.0 is going to be the big opening up of those portals in outland to the rest of the twisting nether; we're going to Argus and Xoroth and so on to face down the Burning Legion and Sargeras at level 100 (or maybe demons at 95, and then sargeras and the titans at 100 in 7.0). The alliance and horde will have to work together as never before; we might finally see the ability to defect --or even to move fluidly through the two factions, especially since the silhouette garbage was finally thrown out.
And that, I think, may be the "end" of WoW. They'll keep making expansions afterward if it's profitable, but (hopefully) they won't do a dragonball z and keep inventing bigger and bigger bads-- they'll be more exploration and diplomatic type adventures rather than trying to up the ante when there's really no more ante to be upped. They'll probably stop the level cap at 100 permanently, and then concentrate on making a "horizontal" growth of the endgame: more things to explore and collect, no vertical growth of more and more levels.
But I could be wrong. :D
Kolonus Oct 23rd 2011 2:27PM
Is this comment inflammatory? I don't think so, but here:
I'm calling it now for an event where Garrosh is humbled and, in some fashion, approaches the Alliance and Varian with a request for aid. I expect it in the latter part of the cycle, and with the requisite twists and turns leading up to it.