Pretty much the title. I see more and more people being excited about the idea of adding content to classic, polishing class balance, etc. But I really think the idea is deeply flawed in itself. If a game is good (and WoW is more than just good) there are only so many improvements you can make that do not result in preference changes. And that is not what a passionate classic fan wants. We want the game as we know it. There is not much of an argument to be made against strict improvements (better netcode or not needing to hold down shift constantly) but spotting areas where strict improvements can be made is a frickly job.
So instead of trying to make the perfect game, we should try to accept that WoW does have its flaws. But is an amazing game regardless.
If we want a better WoW, we shouldnt risk losing what we have (again). I think WoW should try the route that pretty much all the big franchises go: Release new installations. Try new stuff, but stay true to your core principles. And if an installment turns out to be rather disappointing... thats fine. It really is. Like expansions, some will be better than others. The difference is that these games will all be there, in their true form. Not an abomination of multiple layers of disconnected content. And its up to us, the players, to decide which we still want to play in a decade.
Absolutely agree in the short to medium turn.
What happens 2 or 3 years down the line for classic, then? If new changes renew subs, or a TBC followup gains subs? I'd have to imagine if its profitable they will make those decisions. I think by separating the servers by games could keep everyone happy. Not everyone wants TBC or new changes, but if you could copy existing characters to a new server that has either of those things...maybe? Do you spread the population too thin?
I'll cross those bridges when I need to, for now just super psyched to have Classic finally on the horizon.
I would like to say that we should not be afraid of change, as we can always let the devs know that we dont like the new changes.. But I think for a video game company such changes have to be liked as ALOT of money and effort was put into it, and it can either make or break that company...
i think the idea to release always a new game is not good.
The problem with WoW was not that there are all the Xpacks but that the overall design changed between the xpacks. Just compare BFA with Classic. They are 2 totall diffrent games now. If they stayed with the core design it would maybe a better game today.
I hate that CoD and Fifa always get a new Title that you have to buy new. I know that it would not always make sense with CoD but with Fifa a patch would do the work.
MMORPGs have to be epic in scale and full of content. If they can not hit that mark like Wildstars or any other "wow Killer" then it dies faster then everything else. You want to invest endless hours into a MMORPGs, you want to get rewarded for what you do and you want to change the world of the game. If that is not the case you could play any rpg were you have a start and finish.
I'll admit I am concerned for this Classic+ or whatever people are throwing about. Let's talk about it when Classic is 3+ years old.
If we take a game that I love (Classic) and add content that remains true to the core game philosophies of Classic, I have a higher chance of liking the final product, than an entirely new game that will have its own game philosophies. I don't give vanilla the same credit that others do. I don't think it was some mystical product that cant be replicated. I don't think that Blizzard haphazardly made a random series of choices and decisions that lead to an incredible final product... Vanilla was planned and executed well. Blizzard designed a formula, and stuck to the formula. 15 years later they wanted to remake Classic with the same recipe, and we have every indication that they stuck to that recipe and made Classic cookies taste real similar to vanilla cookies. IF (big if here) Classic turns out the way it is shaping to turn out, I don't see how Blizzard hasn't earned enough player confidence to continue with the same recipe going forward. Classic doesn't belong to you, or to me... It belongs to Blizzard. If Blizzard can monetize horizontal content and their analytics indicate that is what players want, then that is what they should do. Why risk starting a new MMO when you already have the BEST MMO as a foundation?
^ I think their analytics is split between the casual players and us hardcore WoW players... So I think they'll manage two projects by continuing developing games (or expansion) for both camps, until they start to see one being more favorable than the other...
I dont actually think that #nochanges at all is a good way to go. It is 2019 outside at a lot of new better technologies have been developed, not even saying about some approaches. Im not talking about new content, graphics and so on, but a lof o unconvinient stuff was in vanilla wow due to no or less experience. Classic wow have to be classic but as @thoriumwindy said we should not be afraid of changes. Classic is good but 2 years and you will get bored, imo.
That the game evolves and the whole game is an endless journey is a good thing. But they should really consider the option to choose to continue. Like, copy your char over to a new realm that has the new content or something. To see realms on different xpacs etc would be neat I think. With servers being merged and monitored by the staff to keep the population going.
A new game might be what we need these days tho, BFA is too deep in the mud to be saved now. And I dont think they can save it even if they tried.
I'll admit I am concerned for this Classic+ or whatever people are throwing about. Let's talk about it when Classic is 3+ years old.
This.
I'll admit I am concerned for this Classic+ or whatever people are throwing about. Let's talk about it when Classic is 3+ years old.
This.
My only problem with this is that 3+ years seems really, really late to start DEVELOPING anything.
I feel like they'd want to start working on what's next by the time Naxx is about to release. Not that they'd release it super soon afterwards, but this shit takes time to do well and at the same time waiting too long to add more content seems like it's a bit dicey.
If something actually will happen, it will be tbc. Mark my words. Either nothing or tbc.
I could see them doing tbc, I just hope that they don't try to re-balance tbc with vanilla qualities. Either give us classic+ or tbc in a few years time, not both because it will just end up ruining it for both playerbases.
Conspiracy theory:
Blizzard will see how Classic does over the next ~3 years. Crunch some numbers, and develop a WoW2 with positive aspects from both versions of the game.
I'm not saying this is a good or bad idea, just a theory.
Blizzard just needs to realize that a good MMO(RPG) doesn't need expansions. At least not the kind that have been rolled out for WoW. Adding something like Kara to Classic would have gotten plenty of additional miles. The gear doesn't even have to be better than the previous instances. All it would need is different affixes and I think most of the people who played Vanilla would roll with it. By the time BC had rolled out, most folks hadn't even done Naxx and that includes me and I started playing in Nov 04. Most people hadn't openly explored all of the terrain within each zone.
A new game would be better than cronenberging a working and enjoyable version.