As MMOChamp posted and most of the world now knows, a lot of new twists and turns are planned for the next expansion, and I'm not sure what to think...
First of all, they are revamping a lot of old Azeroth, and while part of me cheers at the thought of revisiting all the places I loved, another part of me fears what those places will become. Yes, while flying through Kalimdor and searching all the nooks and crannies, recalling all the forgotten lore lost over the years to the passage of time sounds wonderful, I fear what the onslaught of money-eager Blizzard will do to these places. Thousand Needles, flooded? Orgimmar, torn in two like a repeat of Silvermoon? The Barrens, the heart of the Horde, split asunder? Of course world events always bring about devastation, but do I really want my heart of go along with that?
And while it looks like the races have been finalized, I'm not so sure I like the thought of the new race/class combinations. Great, Tauren get paladins and priests... Prepare for the onslaught of many a Holy Cow joke. Human/undead hunters? I suppose it was seen coming with the South Park episode, but neither race has shown any affinity for nature...
Then of course, there is the lore. While I'm all for Thrall coming back in a big way, I just can't imagine him being the Guardian of Tirisfal. I mean, really? Where the FUCK did that come from? And while I'm sure there were some internal pressures that could lead to Garrosh being the new leader of the Horde, Thrall couldn't have been THAT desperate, could he?! I mean, obviously there is no Tauren love here, if the hot-tempered Orc has some conspiracy theory going against Cairne, I know there has to be some massive contingency of Tauren out there that want to defect to indepenency. (I know the remainder of the Highmountain clan do...)
And all encompassing this, is this feeling of being rushed. The expansion hasn't even been out for a year, and we already have a clear idea about what will happen in the next segment of the game. The speed of everything is exhausting - what happened to relaxing into content, building up the anticipation of a a massive endboss kill? Patch 3.2 brought many a change I didn't want to see, and I can't say I am very happy. The only motivation I have to keep playing is to see Arthas, but I have a bad feeling it won't live up to my expectations. I want another Illidan, another Kil'Jaeden, another big boss at the end that we have to struggle to see, to build up the anticipation and gratification as we approach. And so far, nothing about this expansion suggests I will get that again.
I think I can say for certain now that Wrath of the Lich King will be my last World of Warcraft expansion. As much as I love this game, I don't think I can move on to see it changed so. I'm tired of being hurdled foward to end game content without feeling like I've earned it. Hard Modes are fun an all, but they take away all the joy of the final boss. Algalon was great to finally see, but a only one-hour window drains away motivation to actually work on him.
I just don't feel like I'm working towards anything any more but frivilous toys, and that's not what I play this game for.
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7 comments:
Mudflation eventually ruins all good MMOs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mudflation
Awww, C'mon, you don't mean that. I agree with all of your frustrations, I'm the same type of player, but nothing is really ever going to change the fact that WOW is an amazing game. Unfortunately, it's still the best MMO out there, and nothing else really looks to be challenging it anytime soon.
My 2 cents is this. You're a great blogger, and have tons of insight and personality, and bring a lot to the community. Step back, and don't let yourself get stressed out by the rush that WOW has become. Savor and enjoy the things that make it so great. Most of all, enjoy the friends you have made. This game, and unfortunately the people that surround us can really cause you a lot of stress, aggravation and it all leads to burnout. Keep up the good work, and don't quit on the expansions.
The last of my motivation was killed when I stepped into the Coliseum heroic and three purples dropped during the 20 minutes it took to beat the dungeon as wellas three conquest badges and three Champion Seals. That place is a loot vending machine and takes no real skill to win. TBC Heroics took work to beat and you had to be on your toes, WotLK heroics are a joke and this new one is the biggest joke of them all.
WoW may be the biggest MMORPG out there and still going strong. But I'm starting to want a new game. I hope someone gets off their ass and makes one. WoW is real vulnerable right now. Their game has become too much of a cakewalk and dumbed down to the point where complete idiot players can obtain purples with minimal work.
There has to be some challenge in a video game. It's not like there is any real roleplaying going on or a real story being told. The game becomes repetitive and boring if there is no challenge to look forward to.
And now a new expansion already in the works before we even get more info on Icecrown Citadel? Pretty lame.
I think Thrall would make a dead on Guardian. Short of Jaina Proudmoore, he's the only leader that has shown the ability or desire to try to find common ground between the Horde and Alliance. His role will be to get the two factions to work against a common enemy in much the same way they did in Silithus. A job made all the harder with Garrosh and Varian in charge.
Plus - they've written the poor guy into a corner. He's bigger than life - much more so than the other leaders combined.
That means you can only really either kill him or promote him.
Guess he gets "promoted"....
For now.
@ Windpaw
I totally see the written into the corner bit. I love his character and hate to see the way he is currently stuck. However, I'm not impressed so far with the direction they are taking lore in general. The tauren leader, killed by an orc his friend entrusted? Tauren forsaking the Earth Mother and embracing the light? It's like watching Neg's world fall apart around her.
@ Thunderhorns
Don't even get me started on welfare epics...
Yeah - don't get her started on welfare epics - ;)
I don't think it's a matter of forsaking the earthmother and embracing the light - it's more a change in their understanding about the nature of the earthmother, elune and the light. If it's not done with ham-hands it can be really solid. Yes - I remember the whole blood elves "We haz naru in a box!" excuse for blood elf paladins - but I'm trying to stay positive here.
Cairne getting killed by Garrosh? Unless Cairne has been secretly eating tauren babies and selling the horde out to the Burning Legion - well - I'd almost hand in my horde badge...
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