The revision of character options in World of Warcraft will also affect the rest of the world. Many NPCs will be redesigned.
One of the biggest features of the upcoming expansion World of Warcraft Shadowlands deals with small details that make a big difference. Players will receive numerous new options to customize their heroes as they wish. However, these changes are expected to also affect a large part of the old NPCs.
What was said? During a group interview, the well-known RedShirtGuy asked a question to Game Director Ion Hazzikostas. He wanted to know if the new customization options that also allow for Wildhammer dwarves or Sand trolls would introduce new quests for these races or explanations for why these species are now with the Horde or Alliance.
Ion Hazzikostas denied that there would be quests, but explained:
I think we will incorporate the new customization options for characters into both the NPCs and the player characters.
I think, in a way, we actually see this as a bit of a retcon [retroactive continuity]. We will not change existing, notable characters. But when you walk through Stormwind or other places in the world, you will see guards or random civilians who use these [new] appearances as if they had always done so.
Honestly, I see this more as a correction of something we have overlooked in the past years as well as an enhancement of broader representation. We are the stewards of a fantasy universe and a world we have created. We don’t want to get it wrong because we feel tied to a creative decision from a completely different era that is over 15 years old.
What does this mean? In plain terms, this likely means that we will experience much more diversity in the NPCs of the world going forward, making Azeroth generally much more colorful. Noticeable new customizations like the dark skin tones of the Blood Elves, the Asian faces of the Humans, or the new tail lengths of the Draenei will appear in the “old game world” just like the old customizations.
What do you think of this change? Do you think it’s good that Azeroth is becoming more colorful and diverse? Or should we leave old NPCs untouched?
