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The latest patch 5.4 newsChris Metzen talks about heroes
by Daniel Whitcomb 
Oct 25th 2011 at 10:30AM
Eurogamer.net recently sat down with Blizzard Senior Vice President of Creative Development Chris Metzen. They talked about the story for all three of Blizzard's big franchises and the ins and outs of creating stories and heroes for each one.
On Warcraft, Metzen waxed philosophical on creating a meaningful story for 11 million fans who are each carving out their own individual stories on their own characters, and on translating that story culturally as well linguistically between all the different cultures of the people who play WoW. As Metzen observed, a story that goes over well in North America may fall flat in China. He also talked about making lore decisions and balancing the needs and wants of the players and the writers. Sometimes the players want you to go right when you want to go left, and it is a challenge, he says, to decide which way to go.
If you're a fan of Blizzard's other franchises, there's more to read as well, from Metzen's observations on the "goofy" love story of StarCraft's Jim Raynor and Sarah Kerrigan, to the human heart at the center of Diablo's horror story. He also talks about balancing story with game design decisions and how his own personal struggles inform his work.
Chris Metzen has always been my favorite guy over at Blizzard, and this interview reminds me why. Even when I disagree with certain story or lore decisions he makes, the man has an unending fount of love and passion for his worlds, his characters and those who read or experience his work, and it shows. If you feel the same (or even if you don't), this interview is well worth reading.
Filed under: Lore, Interviews
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
kevin.luang Oct 25th 2011 5:21PM
Well thought out and seemingly rageless thread apologizing about the previous thread, stating of tiredness and being swept away with emotion.
Constructive breakdown of rage about Theramore.
Comparisons of Horde=Israël, Alliance=Palestina.
Remainder of sophisticated rant bordering on extremist.
Rest of posters not sure if just insane, or worthy of calling the police for.
Fweet Oct 25th 2011 6:48PM
LINK TO OBSCURE YOOTOOB VIDEO
INSIDE-JOKE/REFERENCE TO A POST ON THE QUEUE OR DRAMA MAMAS FROM THREE WEEKS AGO!
Haylan Daniels Oct 25th 2011 10:45AM
That was a pretty interesting bit there. It's always cool to learn more about how the characters we love/hate come into being and how we're still considered in the story
Sinthar Oct 25th 2011 10:49AM
I have to say, I may disagree with the man in some aspects, but you have to hand it to Chris for the sheer ammount of energy, vision and drive he puts in. Culturally balancing storylines is nothing I would have thought of, until it was causing a problem, and Im guessing that certain storeys would have the same people cast as Villians in one version and heroes in another. (For cultures on opposite sides of various conflicts). For example persuading the Japanese people that Enstien was the genius would be harder because he was sort of involved with a certain bomb going off in WWII. (Its a poor example I know - but hopefully youll get the sort of thing Im trying to relate).
moonburn Oct 25th 2011 10:54AM
Was a good interview, but that pull quotes: that Metzen and colleagues regret the "visually and thematically challenging" Burning Crusade expansion, just infuriated me. WHAT do they regret? The Illidan story? The garish outfits? The PvE model? Adding arena? You know that there had to be more in the interview to have inspired the use of THAT quote, but there's no elaboration. Seeing that answer could have explained a lot about the direction WoW is taking now…
ElrithCC Oct 25th 2011 12:29PM
Based on what Metzen has said in the past, I think he is talking about the "Dr Strange" alien transdimensional shattered worlds drifting in the ethos thing. Something he is fond of, but has been criticized for in the fan base as well as apparently cautioned on going overboard with in the company itself.
I think it's great. Though I love classic fantasy and was craving it after TBC, I'd love to go to Argus for example.
DurkonKell Oct 25th 2011 2:19PM
I LOVED outland visually and thematically, and I'm very sad to hear that the situation at Blizzard precludes them going 'overboard' in such an imaginative way again.
Phaelan Oct 25th 2011 10:57AM
If they weren't so caught up in having to write a story that must be converted into a game/s, The story would flow a hell of a lot better and faster. They chose this way to tell it, I don't have a problem with it personally, and think that too many people get caught up in there having to be a balance to the story. There doesn't. Look at the stories that people feel very strongly about, Star Wars, LOTR, SoIaF, etc, all are epic story lines that have the good guys losing, and losing bad, until the the end.
Warcraft is a different story, it started that way at first, but as it's moved along it's become far more complex and indepth than your basic "good guy vs bad guy" story. They are moving the story to an all out war between Horde and Alliance and in war, one side loses, there isn't always a give and take, there is a fluidity to war, but not always. I have no problem with the Horde winning right now or even having the advantage for a while...with the story so far, Garrosh is pushing to far, there is too much internal turmoil for the Horde to remain strong for long.
Calicia Oct 25th 2011 11:02AM
Was there more to the article that I missed? A caption to a belf shot said: Along with many colleagues, Metzen regrets the 'visually and thematically challenging' direction of The Burning Crusade expansion to WOW.
I really wanted to read about that, but couldn't find any mention in the body of the piece.
Eldoron Oct 25th 2011 2:38PM
Perhaps they mean the alien, scifi theme... and I'd agree with them. BC was so out of the picture... Vanilla, Northrend, and Cataclysm would have had such a nice flow, but in between we had a visit to a world like that. I don't say it was bad, but I still don't know why they decided to put that out as the 1st expansion. Was it because they wanted a stronger badguy with each xpac, and among them, Illidan was the weakest? We'll never know
Zenotho Oct 25th 2011 11:06AM
It would be cool to add a world event to Theramore when this occurs. Make the horde physically take the island before the city burns, and make the alliance players defend it. Would go a long way to furthering the h v a war on each realm if you remembered a particular belf pally who killed you while you were defending a human city.
You could even make the area a pvp daily questing zone for the duration - i.e. Kill 10 horde/alliance players and defend a siege engine. Just a thought.
Randy Oct 25th 2011 1:47PM
Yeah....cause I REALLY want to defend a city in a world event that one....I don't like to start with....and two....why the crap am I gonna defend something I know in advance is destined to fall and I cant control it?
I'm just hoping Jaina sees all of this....glares north toward Orgrimmar, yells "Lok'tar BITCHES!" and nukes the hell out of Orgimmar
Eldoron Oct 25th 2011 2:42PM
Jaina is not a fool... she'd know it was all Garrosh's doing. So she wouldn't harm any orcish soldier, but would send 2 pyroblasts towards Garrosh in a row, wherever he may be.
snarkygoldfish Oct 25th 2011 11:13AM
I have the utmost respect for anyone that loves their creations so much (even if I don't always agree with their decisions with them...but it is, ultimately, his right. We're just borrowing his toys, in a sense) and is able to bring so much creativity into this world.
He has a job he loves, and maybe every nerdy little kid on earth dreams of one day having. So...respect, and a little bit of jealousy, Mr. Voice-of-half-of-Azeroth.
RS Oct 25th 2011 11:24AM
God I wish I had that type of drive.... I'm type B through and through, rather play than create.
He seems like a really decent guy, shame I'll probably never get to meet him.
Don't you hate that? You see an interview or something article about a decent famous/semi-famous person, you'd love to meet them, have a beer, discuss whatever they do, but knowing your life and theirs...you'll never intersect, except through their art. At least you have that right?
Duts Oct 25th 2011 2:43PM
And Paris, Rs. We shall always have Paris. ;-)
Dankie Oct 25th 2011 11:52AM
I'm just flabbergasted at the differences between reading interview american style and European. It's an absolute *pleasure* to read this article at eurogamer.
miri_tx_21 Oct 25th 2011 12:11PM
Am I the only chick that thinks that Chris Metzen is hot? I'm sorry, but he'd so get it. Wouldn't even have to take me to dinner first. When he was leading up to the MoP announcement, I kept imagining him in full Leonidas gear, thrusting his spear and yelling 'THIS IS SPARTA!'
Kuro Oct 25th 2011 12:58PM
He seems to have all the traits of a dominant alpha male... deep voice, exuding testosterone, grunting, chest thumping.
And you already have a level of familiarity with him because he voices most of the characters in the franchise.
Caylynn Oct 25th 2011 1:03PM
No, he's not my type. *shrug* Of course, I'm also a happily married woman, but I wouldn't say no to a young Harrison Ford (as he was in Raiders of the Lost Ark), or Justin Hartley (Green Arrow from Smallville).