As promised, my thoughts on the expansion pack - “Yay, more World of Warcraft!” Ok, see you later. Haha, just kidding. I’ve been a little distracted playing too much Civilization IV, so have been a bit less focused on WoW then in previous days. Just as well, as there is a preponderance of Burning Crusade information out there already. But if you don’t want to actually read any of these multi-page blah-blah fan boy previews I’ll give a summation. But first, links to those previews.
- Blizzard - The official press release
- Official Site - The official expansion web site
- Gamespot - Hands on with the new Horde Race, Blood Elves
- Gamespy - Expansion overview and some Patch 1.9 notes as well
- IGN - Also an expansion overview with a side of Patch 1.9 info
- 1up - Hands on with Blood Elves
- Gaming Steve - He’s got some links to scans of the CGW article about the expansion and the patch (a bit hard to read, since they’re scans, and all the info is now available from other sources, so unless you’re obsessive about every detail skip it)
Ok, yes, I read all those sources so you don’t have to. Basically the bits I cared about were that the new Horde race is the Blood Elves and their starting location is Sunstrider Isle in Quel’Thalas, north of the existing Eastern Plaguelands area. Well, no one has actually posted a map yet that I’ve seen, so I used my (very poor) Photoshop skills to point out the area in question. There are two areas on the Eastern Kingdoms map that give no information when moused over. Look, I put in arrows!
On the other continent, Kalimdor, there is another such unused area. Possibly the new Alliance race starting location…
As much guessed, they are raising the level cap to 70. Since I’m so far from even hitting level 60 this just doesn’t have the impact on me that it might on all those gajillions of people at the current level cap. Also, they’re opening a portal to another whole realm where all those level 60-70 players can hang out and get their very own flying mounts. Which are only usable in this other realm, so that’s really not as cool as it sounds. (But could you imagine allowing players to fly anywhere in the current world? They’d totally break things and get into areas they really shouldn’t be in. What a design nightmare!)
No new class. Which is fine, it’s not like I’ve played all the existing ones yet. But they are introducing a new profession, Jewelcrafting. Think socketing from Diablo 2. Basically, weapons and armor will have sockets on them (and the existing professions will be changed to let players craft socketed items), and Jewelcrafters will create items to place in these sockets and do cool things to the items. Which is really just a lot like an enchantment… Anyway, Jewelcrafters will also be able to make necklaces and rings, apparently, which is cool because right now those items can only be found which makes them hard to get.
And of course, new quests, new dungeons, etc.
I’m still looking forward to the expansion pack, but I think it’s starting to sink it that it won’t be coming out until at least next spring (there’s been no release date announced), and given Blizzard’s typical “It’s done when it’s done” style, I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t see it until next fall or Christmas even! So I guess instead we’ll have to get excited about the next few patches, one of which is going to apparently introduce weather to the Warcraft world! No more perpetual clearness. Snow, rain, and sandstorms were all mentioned. I’m sure they’ll post some massive patch notes when the furor of Blizzcon and the Expansion pack unveiling dies down. I can wait. For now, more Civilization IV!
6 Responses to “WoW Burning Crusade Thoughts”
WOW RULEZ!!!!!!!!!
Indeed it does.
Well, not to burst your bubble, but that Kalimdor screenshot is pointing to Mt. Hyjal. There’s stuff there, and a raid zone into it that is currently blocked with a locked gate, which if you die next to, you can ghost through and rez on the otherside.
Then waste a good hour running around exploring.
Other nodes of land currently not labeled in the game.
In the middle of the world map is the Maelstrom (swirl).
Directly below that is the Goblin’s mainland, with the center of their trade empire known as Undermine.
Far to the north, just off the coast of the Eastern Kingdom’s is Northrend, where our friend Arthas sits on the Frozen Throne.
There is an island west of Undermine which has not been identified that I know of and there are 3 other uncharted areas on the Eastern Kingdoms. One east of Burning Steps, one North of Stormwind, and one to the south of Silverpine.
No bubbles burst here. But if they can suddenly have us all “discover” a new area that we just plain couldn’t see before, then they could put some people on a mountain top.
But I’m not claiming any extra knowledge here, I’m sure any of the places you mention might very well be the new Alliance race starting location as well. Though people have raised doubts about them adding Northrend as a location in this expansion. Especially since if they were going to do add a whole new continent, the Horde race would probably dwell there as well…
I was just pointing out areas on the map. Northred will be awhile away. A developer at Blizzcon says the game has to grow up to his(Arthas) level, stating that lvl 70 wasn’t big enough yet.
The other thought would be to split up the map view of silithus. When you mouse over it only the top half lights up. When you zoom in you can see both the top and bottom half areas on the map.