In the aftermath of Gamescom, some reflective words from Blizzard’s Tom Chilton emerge. It is important not to discourage new players with ever-increasing expansions for World of Warcraft. Belief in growth is probably not very strong anymore. With a shift away from cute pandas, towards the blood and sweat of earlier days, they aim to win back former players. Is World of Warcraft (WoW) taking a new old direction?
“With each expansion,” Chilton said to MVUK, “the threshold that new players need to overcome to return to the game rises.” Therefore, they have now offered players an instant start at level 90 to break down these barriers.
However, Chilton probably does not really believe in growth anymore. While it is not ruled out that World of Warcraft might grow again, it is not something they expect urgently. But that is not the point; much more, Blizzard is focused on delivering the best content that is possible.
World of Warcraft gives away Mists of Pandaria or at least sells it cheaply
Chilton’s statements also align with reports from the USA, where former WoW players are offered the chance to receive MoP for free if they reactivate their account. A fan site reported this. The news was hotly debated. Especially since some currently active players resented why they weren’t given something like this. They felt they deserved it much more because of their loyalty. While calmer heads wisely said that this is simply clever behavior by Blizzard. Former players might buy one expansion, but it would be difficult with two. The likelihood of a WoW veteran finding their way back to Azeroth decreases with each missed expansion.
Whether this “We’re giving away Mists of Pandaria” action will also appear in Europe is currently unclear. But it is known that the price for Mists of Pandaria has been permanently reduced to just under ten euros. Meanwhile, in an unrelated turn of events, the British now have to pay a few more pounds per month – their subscription expenses are nearing ours.
No more fun, it’s back to bloody
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Warlords of Draenor: What went down in the cinematic?[/quote_box_right]
With Warlords of Draenor, Chris Metzen made it clear during the trailer presentation that they want to take World of Warcraft in a different and harder direction again. To focus more on the “War” in “World of Warcraft”. They have had enough of cuddly pandas.
The strategy probably looks like this: they want to spare players who felt discouraged by pandas and the peaceful scenario in Pandaria (with farming, zen talk, and Pokémon pets) from this now. Instead, they want to win them back with Old-School Warcraft. The first images of the animated series “Lords of War” confirm this impression.
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