World of Warcraft Will Destroy Itself With WotLK

One of the features originally highlighted when the Lich King expansion was announced was to make the overall game easier and quicker to level through. Blizzard already started their plan with the new patches to make the game easier. When I played WoW there was a decent amount of hardcore players, but there were too many noobs. Blizzard is ruining the game by making it too easy to get more players, and in return, more money. Some hardcore players will start quitting, but Blizzard will get a huge amount of noobs coming back or joining the game because they can finally level.

Like I said, I used to play WoW and enjoy it (I played at launch, then started another character around two and a half years ago), but after hours upon hours of playing it, I realized that it wasn't as great a game as everyone initially thought of it, and that it was easy and repetitive above all. Sure, it had its' addicting, fun, immersive charm, and it was fun working towards getting the best character in the game, but it gets tedious after a while. One of the most addicting things was working towards levelling and getting rewards.

Out of the ten things Blizzard has already done, and I'd like to highlight one thing. Mounts at level 30. There's a huge difference between level 30 and 40, and that pretty much breaks the middle of the game and doesn't make mounts as special to own because of how easy it is to own them. Here's an interesting article on what Blizzard has already done to make the game a lot easier, and that's just the beginning:

http://wowriot.gameriot.com/blogs/KaVinSKy-K0Rn3R-yayyyyyy/Patch-243-EZ-Mode/

BTW, this is based completely on facts, not just my opinion.

*waits for WoW fanboys to post

 

I have never met a WOW addict that wasn`t proud of his character.
My brother is into this, I`ll give him a heads up.
Thanks.

 

I agree, hence why I moved to AoC. I loved World of Warcraft, even still have my WoW mousepad. (Sounds stupid, but I was at Gamestop and needed a wide mousepad... I'm fidgety, leave me alone... anyway, the only one they had was a WoW one) Don't get me wrong, I loved WoW, probably enough to justify the purchase of the mousepad anyway, but AoC has many more perks to me. It was a little hard to get used to at first, but much more rewarding than WoW.

WoW has that "jump in and play" feel, which was great when I started, but got old quick. Everything was just too easy. Again, I'm not saying the Questing was easy, per-say, but the overall feel was just too shallow. Almost like Morrowind - Oblivion kind of thing. Oblivion held your hand through the whole thing, where Morrowind kind of threw you to the wolves.

The only thing that I don't like about MMO's, and it's selfish and dumb, I know, but I spend a lot of my time on a bus, or in the Soundlab, where high-speed internet is scarce. Oh well, guess that's why I have all the other games.

 

I would've mentioned Age of Conan in my first post, but I didn't want to sound like an AoC fanboy. You see my AoC fanboyism on the AoC forums . Yeah I loved WoW, too, enough to justify spending $70 to get the awesome Burning Crusade collector's edition (regular retail stores were sold out, but I found one in a mall). I wouldn't mind Blizzard adding some more content between level 30 and 40, which is what the game needed and is one of the main reasons I quit, but giving players mounts at level 30 is a stupid way to handle it. After playing AoC, I won't ever go back to a regular MMORPG. Maybe a sequel to WoW can regain itself, but I can't see Blizzard even slightly changing the formula so they can keep the 11+ million players they've gotten with WoW.

 

Agree, I and too found the Burning Crusades Collectors Edition at a local Fry's. (Ridiculously large box, cards, art book, game DVD, pet, etc.) Paid $30 when even Amazon wanted $60.

 

sell your character before its too late. if we would of sold our characters when we quit we could have easily got ~500. But we were stupid and just sold recently, only got 160 for a T4-T5 pally.

 

$160 for a T5 Paladin? That seems awfully low. I sold a couple of toons recently and got about $225 each for them. 'Course, they were mostly in T6 and Hyjal/BT gear and epic gem'd, but still. Anyway, I agree with you wholeheartedly. The time is NOW to sell your WoW accounts. With the new expansion coming out this fall, you will see prices for accounts with T6 toons on them drop significantly due to the new content that WotLK offers. I know this from experience, as this happened in EverQuest 2.

As far as WoW destroying itself with WotLK, or at least with the players, it is a very real consideration. I think back to when I played the original EverQuest, and SOE released the Planes of Power expansion. Travel was negated, leveling was easier, and far more accomodations were made for the lower level people. No longer did it feel special that you acheived your gear, your level, your place on your server with one of the top raiding guilds. Hell, even your epic weapon didn't feel "special" anymore.

Instead, with the Planes of Power expansion, EverQuest became indunated with level-capped n00bs who raced to reach level 70 but couldn't play their class to save their life. The introduction of the bazaar in PoP ruined the social networking that you gained by meeting people in the East Common tunnels, third torch.

Anyway, for the sake of making money, Blizzard will do what it has to do. With the introduction of WotLK, I have a feeling that WoW is not going to be the same as it was before, just like EverQuest wasn't with the release of Planes of Power. This will be the third time that I have "quit" WoW, but I do think that it will be the last. I love MMO's, I enjoy playing them and socializing and interacting with real live people, and I don't think that I will ever stop playing them.

However, I've played WoW long enough to know that I'm pretty bored with both the gameplay and the content. Simply put, a new level cap of 80, a new sub-class, and "new" content (along with dumbing down and making the game easier) is not enough to make me want to do the same old song and dance that I've been doing with WoW since its release. It's time to move on, and see what's on the horizon. Warhammer Online looks promising, but we'll see what happens. =)

 

WoW sucks.

 

hahahahaha.....are you one those people that are selfish enough to CARE what the other people are doing and getting with THEIR money paid for the game and THEIR time??? Why the hell do you care if mounts are now available at level 30??? it will make grinding levels more easy and faster for new people and rerollers. I can understand you getting frustrated if they would have done it like 5months after WoW came out....but dude.....grinding levels means next to nothing right now as the majority of people are rerollers and have already pretty deep knowledge of know-hows of a certain class without even playing one. The wasted time to run around on foot was pretty stupid to begin with.

I still fail to understand all these QQ'ers who cry that blizzard is making the game "noob" friendly. So what??? the game is just as much hardcore friendly as is noob friendly. I am sure that you were also in line for bashing blizzard when they lowered req. of heroics to honored rep or removed attunement of Karazahn. Sure you "hardcore" people had it the hard way in the beginning but please stop be so full of yourself that you cant look pass the simple fact that WoW is a MMORPG and one of the main success factors of it is that it caters to both the hardcore and softcore gamers. There is still plenty of harcore game content around like sunwell Tempest keep, times ZA and hyjal.

Btw...FYI...i was a casual gamer...then went hardcore in BWL/MC days...went casual at TBC..then hardcore for Hyjal/TK and now casual arena PvP'er. AoC is pretty nice game itself but it can not be compared to WoW till it introduces all the content that they promised. EVERY MMORPG is really the same at the core...grind levels...kill stuff...gain exp...when you reach max level..grind reps...upgrade gear...keep it for 3 months and then upgrade gear again. nothing different. /sigh at people who complain.

Sitback and enjoy YOUR time instead of trying to think of ways of how to make others miserable...

 

Who cares how many noobs there are on WoW? You were a noob once too. The only thing Leveling is good for is learning your toon/class. And even at that, it is just the basics. I don't care how good you played your class before 70(or 80 when the expansion comes), it means nothing once you step into a raid for the first time.

If someone is really bad at end-game content, there will be no good guilds that will let him/her in anyways. Shoot, I would say bring on the noobs! Easier kills in BG/Arenas. Only downside would be dealing with the chat spam.

Oh and BTW, I played from the start, leveled up the hard way. Quit about 6 months ago.

 

I actually think it's a good thing that they are making it easier to level. Personally, for MMORPG's I'm basically only into PvP, and I really just hate having to level to 70 to start PvPing because it's basically only (supposedly) balanced at 70. Of course, then you get to play arenas and what not, but at the moment I'm only in the mid 30's, and I actually am grateful they are making it easier. I bought a 6 month subscription already, just because I want to get to 70 and get equip to sell my account, and I've basically been regretting the fact that I bought the game ever since I got it because it's just really boring and repetitive. I'm sure that once I get to 70 it'll be more interesting, but at the moment it's just a really dull experience for me.

 

@kid

Thats what i was trying to say...since more than 90% of the active players are at 70 or close to it...it doesnt really mean any sense to make a character at lvl 1 and grind all the way ...mostly ALONE...to 70....hence they reduced the exp req to level from 20-60 and deathnights will start at lvl 58. The only reason they want you to go through hte leveling process is that it gives a little sense of achievement and introduce game and class mechanics little by little.
Once you reach 70, theres plenty of stuff you can do but i doubt that you will get a chance to do much since WotLK will close to arrival and most of the current players will go casual....but it still is a great game with an awesome community.

 

well I was actually responding to the OP =]

but anyway, I'd also like to point out that allowing level 30s to get mounts is more of a reward for people who have already been playing the game if you ask me, because it is very unlikely for someone who does not have another main to actually get 35g by level 30. Personally I only have like 10... and I'm level 36...

I think it's more of a means to try to keep those who have already been playing, since many people get tired of playing their characters and want to make a new character

 

Don't use the term 'noob' in a post meant to be taken seriously. Other than that, your argument actually leads to the conclusion that WoW will destroy its appeal to YOU. That doesn't mean it will destroy itself.

They will continue to pull in subscriptions, your guess is as good as mine when it will peak, it could be with the Lich King Expansion, it could be with the one following that. But it will not just die. Everquest has over 14 expansions, the original Everquest, and it still has several servers running. A game like WoW will be around for at least another decade considering its success compared to EQ.

That said, I loved WoW when it was released, but I dumped it ever 2 or 3 months of playing for an 8 month break and came back later. I eventually hit 60 (before the burning crusade expansion) and I was done. Raiding is not what I am interested in, leveling and questing is what drew me into the game, not calculated, spreadsheet level raiding.

I wish I still had the drive to become addicted to MMOs, I can generally only last a month or two before extreme boredom kicks in and I'm on to something new.

 

you guys are really in it. its just a game. if they ruin it, then do something else?

 

Class experience is everything in end game content. You might be right when it comes to simple 5-man "raids" like Arc, AL, UB, or SH. But when it comes to doing 25-man content (specifically BT), it's an entirely different ballgame. You had best bring your A-game, or you will quickly find yourself looking for a new guild to hang your hat in.

 

Dang double post. =(

 

I think you are missing what I am saying. I don't care how long it took someone to level. Once you hit 70, and start end game (My guild was farming BT when I left), it is a entire different ball of wax. Playing your class is a different ball of wax.

 

ITT: average MMO fan would overreacts to every change made in a patch. Getting a mount 10 levels quicker is unnecessary but doesnt change much. Plus quicker to 70 is cool because slower leveling just meant more grinding, not players honing their skill.

 

Never mind those minor changes, what ruined WoW was the change of focus from PvE to arena "e-sports" and giving every scrub that can lose 10 arena matches a week access to items of similar quality raiders get.

Sure, we raid for the fun of it still, but since the rewards have been nerfed to hell in the name of "balance", the incentive isn't there to raid for gear... so why put in 16-20 hours a week raiding? They sold the game out to the casuals. That's why Death & Taxes, one of the oldest and most respected guilds in WoW, recently disbanded.

A few patches from now I expect Blizz to make epixx rain from the sky in every capital city.

Gief Warhammer nao.

 

Well I have (had) been playing since beta to 3 months ago. Found after making 4 60's 3 70's I just got bored with it. I may come back for Lich King see if blizzard has made any actual improvements or more just same old. Though I do wonder, where would you go about selling an account? eBay seems pretty against it, I might just sell mine and start from scratch.

All in all I don't mind the changes, if it makes new players come in and have fun i'm all for it. To me the fact it kept my interest this long is impressive.

But hey they can't keep everyone happy, hence so many MMORPG's

 

You aren't the only one that is bitter about that. Nearly every raider I know in WoW feels the same way, including myself.

 

I'd love if someone made an MMORPG without "Levels". You could still find rare items and develop techniques; but you'd never become ZOMG POWERFUL compared to new players; even a basic player would have a chance of taking you down in a duel for example, if they were clever enough. So you wouldn't have to worry so much about "Levelling", no more grinding, just finding people to teach you techniques and exploring, maybe finding some rare items on the way.

 

I think the mass numbers of noobs makes a game more enjoyable. When the fanbase just dwindles to a small base of hardcore players, it destroys the content. You travel and see the same people in the same places over and over again. At least you can find noobs to fill out your raids and act as meatshields. Or just use them as entertainment.

 

I sold mine to an online site, you have to look around each of them and see what they will offer you. I decided against selling it to another person and wanted to deal with a company site, because of the possible risk of getting scammed out of the paypal money. If you choose to sell it to a person, you could use Markee Dragon and the forums as a way to spread the word but almost all of the deal is done on AIM or some other instant messenger.

I got about 90 bucks from a site for my level 60 Blood Elf Paladin that I just didnt feel like leveling some were giving me only 70 and even below.

In response to the OP I played WoW pretty much since release and did the whole Pre- BC raiding thing including MC,BWL and AQ, I really enjoyed it and was pumped for BC but ended up getting bored and didn't like the 70 endgame. I found there was no point in raiding and PvP was more a thing on the side. I hated how PvP gear became a joke at 70, pre TBC most people in GM/HWL gear had at least a pretty idea of what they were doing but now its just idiots buying points or losing their way to epic gear, all the gear looks the same now to, pretty mehh imo.

 

I think peoples can`t create something, that can try destroy wow )

 

WoW isn't going anywhere.
It will be around as long as there are people to play it.

Those that play other games should be GLAD that WoW is alive and well.

WoW is the kiddie-pool of MMORPGs.
One step above Hello Kitty Adventure Island is the target market for WoW.

WoW is DESIGNED to be easy and mindless. This is the only way to keep their main market from quitting.

Even endgame raiding can be little more than a bunch of monkeys following general instructions. (Anyone thinking they are some genius after raiding in WoW is kidding themselves...)

This isn't an insult to the players or the developers.

Even an adult needs time to de-stress and a few hours of mindless (and bloodless) monster bashing doesn't hurt anything and can be done even with the kids watching due to the kiddie-pool content. Much like watching a Disney movie the game has a few winks to adults and is catered to children.
Nothing wrong with that.

As long as you understand the target audience, WoW is doing fine and will stay doing fine.

 

What games are you playing where you think you're a genius after finishing a raid? That new Mensa mmo or something? Anyone coming out of any online game thinking that they're a genius because of it is kidding themselves.

 

Dunno, there are some people (especially the people who complain about "noobs") who seem to think of themselves as some sort of special because they are actually able to handle the massive month or two of casual levelling required for max level in WoW.


There are also guys like this:

/shrug

 

Im seeing somthing that i saw happend to Star Wars Galaxys. it was one of the best mmo's out there untill SOE (sony online Entertainment) decided to make the game easyier for the newer players so they put in this patch that caused hundreds of people to quit the game at once. My guild that had 500 people went from 500 to about 100 in the course of a few weeks. I thought Blizzard would be better than that but just hope that making things easyier wont cause the game die like star wars galaxys did.

 

There was such a game as this. It was called Star Wars Galaxies. Of course, since it was owned and operated by SOE, they decided to "enhance" the game with content such as the CU and the NGE. Star Wars Galaxies is only a shell of what it used to be when it was released. And for that, many people left the game in droves.

I think I read somewhere that at any one time, there are less than 10,000 people online at any one time. Truly pathetic numbers compared to the hundreds of thousands that played on its release.

You're speaking of the Combat Upgrade and the New Game Experience patches/content that SOE added to the game. I was there as well, and ended up leaving the game because of it. Good job, Raph Koster.

Or be the reason for costly repair bills. That's always fun when repairing a full suit of epic gear (T6 and better) because of n00bs not knowing how to play their class.

 

I'm of the opinion that while WOW has its flaws, its a perfectly fine MMO. I'm of the opinion that many of the complaints are from avid MMO fans who after 500+ hours get bored of a game and rather than attribute it to gett boring they start blaming small things here and there and go to the next "great" MMO which they will get bored with and so forth...

 

Like I said, I like WoW, and I would still play it, but I uninstalled it for AoC. (Insane 32G!) To me, Age of Conan is shaping up to be the next great RPG. The quest are more invigorating, the weapons/armor/items are much more in-depth, and the all around flow feels like "WoW's older, more mature brother."

 

Vanguard was supposed to have done the same when it came to "replacing" EverQuest. It failed miserably.

 

Very good point, but to me Vanguard wasn't supported by the developers for long enough, although I never really dove into that game for too long.

 

Blizzard > all. Anything they touch turns to Gold. Even the unreleased Starcraft Ghost. I mean come on. The Ghost chick is HOT.

 

More like..

*Waits for all my fellow AoC players to come and put me on their shoulders.

Both games are cash cows.

The only difference is that WoW is years old with 10+ millions players and growing. And AoC is nnew and is losing players.

You know. Since AoC is guildwars and WoW rolled up into one with a little arcade combo system.

Oh and... Boobs?

 

Mip, you claim to play neither game and can't seem to find any sources for your opinions except retracted ones. Going to have to call you on shenanigans on this one.

I have played both.

There is room for both Conan AND WoW and neither is going anywhere for quite some time.
They are designed for entirely different age groups and different audiences.

 

if you play WoW, just quit. it's an endless cycle of world of gear-craft

 

Very true. Ever since Vanguard was bought out by SOE (although Sigil Online was developing it) the game was never quite the same after the aquisition. And it goes without saying that we all know what happens when SOE gets its fingers in an MMO. SWG anyone?

Huh? Age of Conan just came out last month and was boasting a subscriber base of over 100,000... the first day. I'd be interested in knowing where you're getting your information from.

 

Hardly! I came from playing Phantasy Star Online to moving to WoW. Yes you need good gear to do serious end game raiding or PvP however you don't need it to have fun in the game through heroics, questing, battle grounds or RP. Older MMOs such as PSO are far more based on grinding better and better gear.

 

I'm on a mission from god.

Don't deny me.