WoW: Shadowlands is developing splendidly. This is primarily due to Blizzard listening to feedback and implementing many things directly.
Can Blizzard once again convince with World of Warcraft: Shadowlands? At least it seems so. Because feedback and suggestions are currently being noticeably addressed in the Alpha of Shadowlands. This is not comparable to the Alpha of Battle for Azeroth – and that makes me extremely positive.
This was the case in Battle for Azeroth: Those who participated in the Beta and Alpha of Battle for Azeroth can surely still remember the numerous criticisms from the community. From the very beginning, many players were dissatisfied with the Azerite item system and pointed out problems that later came to fruition. The system seemed underdeveloped, and many features like Warfronts or Island Expeditions did not feel cohesive.
That these features still made it into the game without revision led to great dissatisfaction. The very problems that were expected manifested during Battle for Azeroth. Therefore, Blizzard also had to implement many unplanned “emergency systems,” such as the essences for the Heart of Azeroth.
Shadowlands implements a lot of feedback
So it is currently in Shadowlands: Although WoW: Shadowlands is still technically in Alpha and not all areas are playable yet, Blizzard has already implemented much feedback. The developers regularly post updates about their thoughts, ideas, and considerations. Much feedback is either implemented directly or at least tried out. Here are a few examples:
Torghast has been revised multiple times: Torghast is one of the new endgame features of WoW. An (almost) endless dungeon where players can gain new abilities and unlock a lot of bonuses – like spells that last 10,000 years. There are also components for legendary items, but otherwise just a lot of cosmetic rewards.
After initial tests, Blizzard implemented a “soft timer” that makes enemies harder and the player weaker over time. After negative feedback from players, the system was discarded – time pressure should not be a factor in Torghast.
The players’ desire for an “endless mode” that only functions for prestige rewards like cosmetic items and titles has already been implemented by the developers. So there is now a clear separation between the “short” cell blocks that one must enter for legendary gear and the endless halls of Torghast that can be explored at will.
Classes are getting revamped: Without the Azerite abilities and bonuses from BfA, some classes feel incomplete, even though Blizzard has already made a few revisions. Instead of resting on this, the developers are currently reviewing feedback on all specializations. Recently, the Phoenix Flames were granted to all fire mages and given a new task – it can now specifically spread the “Ignite” debuff to nearby enemies.
More control over progression: The prospect of more control over weekly loot is also based on community feedback. The weekly chest for completing “Mythic+” dungeons then offers a selection of three different rewards. This minimizes the chance of getting, for example, a belt seven times in a row and only being frustrated. The developers had already announced this at BlizzCon, but it is also based on player feedback.
Additionally, there are small changes, such as blue eyes for elves – a desire players have had for years.
If Blizzard continues like this, it can only get better
All of this makes me at least positive. Blizzard shows in the current Alpha that they not only listen to feedback from the community but also gratefully accept it and introduce changes based on it. Whether this will ultimately be sufficient to make Shadowlands one of the more popular expansions remains to be seen. It is also certain that Blizzard’s willingness to make major changes will decrease over time. The closer we get to the release of Shadowlands, the less time will be available for major revisions.
However, the current course seems to be the right one and proves to me that Blizzard wants to do well with Shadowlands once again. If the development continues like this – which it seems to be so far – we can expect one of the best expansions ever with Shadowlands.
This is exactly what World of Warcraft desperately needed.
