The year 2020 is just starting, but when it comes to World of Warcraft, I would prefer it to be over already – at least that’s how Cortyn feels.
The new year has just begun and usually, this is the time when one looks forward to the future with hope and positivity, hoping for the best and brushing aside negative thoughts. However, this time I simply can’t manage that when it comes to World of Warcraft. Even though Patch 8.3 and even the release of Shadowlands are on the horizon, I am extremely skeptical and wish that we had already left this year behind us. But let me explain.
Patch 8.3 is a flop for me, no matter what happens
I love the story of World of Warcraft. For years I have absorbed it like a sponge and could also be happy and accept rather controversial twists, knowing that the story does not develop in a direction many fans would have liked. I like what Sylvanas is doing. I find Anduin convincing, and I also find Jaina’s repeated concessions to maintain peace acceptable.
But Patch 8.3 Visions of N’Zoth can never meet my expectations. Because Patch 8.3 deals with the story of N’Zoth, one of the Old Gods. I like these “Cthulhu” influences in WoW, the Cult of the Shadowhammer, and all the associated visions of power, madness, and influence.
The old god N’Zoth has always been for me the ultimate mastermind, the brilliant evil that acts in the background and is never grasped. He was and is more significant to me than Deathwing, Illidan, or even the Lich King Arthas. I like manipulative characters who remain hidden, and I always knew: When N’Zoth appears, it is “for me”. Then it is exactly what I wanted to play, what I wanted to see and experience.
But Patch 8.3 cannot hold that. That N’Zoth appears as a foe and does not even get his own area is farcical to me. Instead, there is a “remake” of Uldum and the Vale of Eternal Blossoms. Added to that are alterations of Stormwind and Orgrimmar in the horrific visions, and of course the new raid Ny’alotha, which at least provides a glimpse into the Black Empire.
But that is too little. It is not enough to satisfy my hunger for “Old God” lore. It is not enough for me to see a lot of the Black Empire, to have one or two areas where I can look around in wonder and think, “This is it. This is what I’ve always wanted to see.”
I have been looking forward to N’Zoth for many years. And now that he is almost here, I don’t even want to see it because it already doesn’t satisfy me on paper. A new endgame zone the size of Argus would have been what I wanted. But instead, there are only “reheated” old areas.
I am fulfilling the perfect cliché of “complaining before fully experiencing something” – but I know myself and my expectations, which simply are not met in this case.
Shadowlands needs time – a lot of time
The beta and the release of Shadowlands do not make me optimistic for 2020, mainly due to the release of Battle for Azeroth.
A brief look back: The first tests of Battle for Azeroth started in February 2018, before the beta officially began at the end of April 2018 and more players were invited. The game’s release followed in August, only about 5 months later. The beta was so short back then that Blizzard couldn’t address or even respond to feedback.
This led to the Azerite system making its way from beta to the final game, even though it was criticized by a large part of the player base. It was extremely unpopular during the beta, and players pointed out the problems and that they wouldn’t be easy to fix back then.
We are still feeling the effects of that today, even though Azerite items have since changed significantly. Grinding is hardly necessary anymore, and a vendor for these items ensures that you always get what your character needs.
For Shadowlands, Blizzard – at least I strongly assume – will not repeat the mistake of a short beta. This time the beta will surely be more extensive, so there is enough time to actually implement player feedback and perhaps fundamentally revise 1-2 systems if they completely fail.
So I don’t expect a release in August 2020, but rather in November 2020 or December 2020 – with the option to push the add-on further back if fundamental problems are still not resolved. Blizzard has recently shown that they like to push their own release dates with Warcraft 3: Reforged. But I would prefer a good game to one that is urgently tied to a release date.
The covenants of Shadowlands will be a problem
In Shadowlands, the covenants will be one of the major features. Players can join one of four factions and receive special abilities, unique soul bonds with NPCs, and other small bonuses. While it will be possible to switch covenants, it is intended to be associated with some difficulties. A covenant is meant to be a fundamentally permanent decision that is only altered in emergencies.
And this is exactly where I see the next big problem. This binding to a covenant would be no problem at all if it were only about cosmetic rewards. However, each covenant offers a special ability per class, meaning that which covenant you choose will affect your character’s performance.
This will likely lead to professional players changing their covenants depending on the current raid content to have the perfect answer for the current boss. This situation, in turn, will lead the community to begin viewing the decisions of professional players as the new “standard”, even if that makes no measurable difference for the average player.
I can already see the forum posts with the complaints: “I am no longer invited to Mythic+ because I chose Covenant X and not Covenant Y,” closely followed by the demand: “Covenants should be changeable at any time.”
Maybe I’ve just become a bit grumpy over the years regarding modern World of Warcraft, but I can’t help it. I have little optimism for this current year – and that’s rare when it comes to WoW. I usually get excited quickly and look forward to new things positively. But I just don’t believe we’ll see much of that before 2021 when Shadowlands is in full swing.
Shadowlands is rather reserved, brings little new
Additionally, World of Warcraft Shadowlands does not feel like a typical expansion, but rather like a big first aid kit. Shadowlands does not bring many pure “innovations”, but instead brings back content and mechanics that were part of WoW a long time ago. Or it removes unpopular systems. Here are just a few excerpts of things that are actually not innovations but merely improvements of existing content:
- The leveling experience is being revamped. The maximum level shrinks from 120 to 60, and the XP gained within an expansion will also be adjusted to ensure a continuous gameplay flow.
- Return of old abilities: Numerous abilities that have disappeared over the course of the expansions are coming back. They are part of class identity and are sorely missed.
- The permanent grind for artifact power is being abolished.
Furthermore, Shadowlands does not introduce a new class, and there are no comprehensive reworks of character classes planned – just minor changes here and there, but nothing truly significant.
Or to put it with Schuhmann: “Hmm, that looks very conservative.”
Only the game world and associated lore are fresh and new and hopefully can keep me engaged for a while.
But that will probably only happen in 2021, after Shadowlands has overcome its teething troubles, with which WoW expansions traditionally start.
Or to put it briefly: I am positive about World of Warcraft, but not for the year 2020.
But at least there’s still a small chance that I am wrong and in three weeks will say, “Okay, I was completely premature, Patch 8.3 is amazing.” But I don’t see that happening right now.
Are you looking forward to WoW in 2020? Or do you view the upcoming changes with skepticism and believe the game still needs some time to stabilize?
