User:Kirkburn/WWI

Kirkburn @ WWI

Really nice atmosphere - met up with cladhaire, Adys, Kirochi, some Curse guys, Pixel, Drysc, Neth, Skosiris.

I forgot my camera. And my laptop is at the hotel :P Press room is awesome though.

Goody bag: WoW pet, beta key. Minature. Cards.

Diablo 3
D3 announced - looks incredible. Carries a lot across from D2, but expands on it.

Looks very polished already. Wouldn't expect a beta to be tooo far off (though it's not as if SC2 has one still). Perhaps playable at Blizzcon (50% more floor space!).

World
Maps looks very simple and easy to follow. Much better than D/D2 - rather than attempting a "mini view" of the screen, it's laid out like a normal map.

Amazing physics system - both to kill creatures, and just for a realistic atmosphere.

Will there be secrets? "It's a secret".

Hardcore mode? Undecided, but probable.

Random world generator present as ever. More random elements - e.g. encounters, dungeons, events.

Less carpal tunnel, but still frantic.

Classes
Classes? Barbarian, witchdoctor, others not announced. Necromancer hinted at but not confirmed. No difference between genders - Blizz would get shouted at :P

New health system - rather than emphasis on potions, health globes appear - immediate effect, drop from enemies. Encourages you to kill enemeies to regain health. Health gain affects all group members nearby - tactics on when to use!

Action bar has more emphasis on skills, no potions.

Nice effect on health/mana globes - always animated. Mana faster, more obvious.

Enemies
Bosses are bigger and badder. Realistic turning circles for big creatures. Battles are longer.

Loot drops individually for groups (no loot stealing, generated for each player).

Massive numbers of mobs, from above and below. Damage can be dependent on how long you leave them alone (esp for summoners) - must prioritise, and move in and out of range.

Skills often concentrate on AoE damage.

Lore panel will be tomorrow morning, characters in the afternoon.

StarCraft 2
Played a little bit - 20 mins easy skirmish vs zerg, on easy. I'm rubbish. Too many things going on for my poor little brain :) Also, I don't know StarCraft well, and have no idea what to attack and what to run away from :P

Looks great - definately geared towards speed.

Lots of addons for buildings, but limited per building - must pick and choose.

Tech tree could still change

Several tilesets, some for single missions!

As unit abilities are changed, the artwork can stay the same. Blizz is running passes to get everything up to scratch. Terran mostly done, Protoss in progress, zerg is next.

Some singleplayer units may not appear in the multiplayer if it will cause imbalance. However, may still be available in map editor.

No naval combat, but water involved in sinle player (e.g. stuff emerging from the water)

Impassable terrain likely, but needs to fit into the world (e.g. just flying over stuff). More likely to be seen in singleplayer.

WoW
Still a while until Wrath comes out - expect small patches, but nothing big. Content would just push back release even further.

Expect no changes to KJ - guilds that have collapsed is very small number, and he is intended to be difficult!

Quest aim is variety - learnt from TBC. Quantity shouldn't be a problem, TBC got that down pretty well. Vehicles in quests (and novel purposes for them) is a big help.

Blizz looked at lots of hero class choices - but their main criteria was "what does WoW need?" DK was most different to current classes, and fits Northrend very well.

Arenas will still be the top end of PvP - not sure of exactly how levelling will work - probably similar to when TBC came out.

Two new arenas, Dalaran and something I didn't catch.

New BG is attack/defend. Boats planned to be used as beginning area - better fit than purple bubbles and gates! DotA is definately being considered for future BG, but need a lot of details worked out.

New, more advanced, collision and line of sight mechanics in WotLK, should help prevent exploits.

Like the idea of player-controlled boats, but need a world in which they'll be useful. (Editor: makes more sense for a Southern Seas expansion I guess!)

Barbershop - probably not just hairstyles, also a bit of a plastic surgeon. e.g. new horns are likely for tauren.

Dance studio idea - still being worked on, amount of variety introduced will depend on the amount of development time left. Animations are race specific of course. Name is speculative afaik.

No change to quest limit (25), design choice not technical. They are talking about improving the quest log - allowing you to see more information at once.

Threat meter and outfitter type addons are high prio. Threat meter especially.

Wintergrasp rewards - renewable (e.g. gems) to get people coming back. Terokkar/spirit shards mechanic liked.

Herbalism confirmed as Inscription support profession.

Alpha
All below from Horde perspective, level 70 chars

Appears to be the actual alpha server?!

Howling Fjord again... place names: Bleeding Vale (just outside Vengeance Landing). Vengeance Lift. Baleheim (Vrykul camp)

Borean Tundra also available to port to.

UI changes: clock at bottom of map. Everything else looks normal.

Version 3.0.1, v8471

Characters: Winterskorn Spearman. Level 68. Fairly well spread out. Thornvine Creeper, level 70. Wild Worg, 69.

Quest names: Help for Camp Winterhoof

Inscription: Ivory Ink, Silver Ink, both orange at 70.

Hippogryphs flying around overhead.

1256500 XP for 70-71

Shattrath portal to Northrend, temp for alpha. In central area, near Adal. (Also General Tiras'alan - new?)

Don't fall off the lifts, you'll die. Gate prevents you running onto lift when it's moving.

Deathstalker Razael. Dire Crow meat.

Ice Elemental, 69 - 1750 XP for kill. Derelict Strand, about 1200 XP for discovery.

North Fleet Soldier, 69. North Fleet Marksman. Humans, dwarves, draenei.

Sergeant Lorric yells: [Common] Dana.

Ebon Gargoyle, 73.

Lots of Frostweave cloth.

[Enshrined Mace of the Elder] dropped

Warlock demon form in action - very very cool.

Flame and mist effects much more atmospheric then previously. View distance is pretty huge - fog makes sense. Texture detail is much higher.

One guy writing down all the talents, one about to start first Utgarde Keep instance (purple skull). Last boss can do 20k dmg apparently, if you stand still. Player reports Drak'tharon keep as more fun. First mob is two level 70 Dragonflayer Ironsomething.

Wyrmskull Village: Dragonflayer Thane, 69. Dragonflayer Death Weaver, 69. Dragonflayer Tribesman, 68. Dragonflayer Cage, needs key. Something with flmaes being powered by spellcasters in town center. Dragonflayer Lieutentant, 69 - on a HUGE protodragon. Daggercap Gloves of Arcane Wrath dropped. Super Healing Potion, Salted Venison (7800ish health)

No model reuse that I can see so far.

Vengeance Landing
"High Executor Anselm yells: Fire!" Fairly small number of quests available at the start at Vengeance Landing - probably opens up more as you complete certain one.

"Apothecary Lysander says: I cannot work under there conditions! We need a viable strain!" Gives quest The New Plague.

Pontius quest: Let Them Eat Crow. Gives Plaguehound Cage.