Goodbye World Of Warcraft
DOOManiac
Worst. Critic. Ever. Join Date: 2002-04-17 Member: 462Members, NS1 Playtester
Worst. Critic. Ever. Join Date: 2002-04-17 Member: 462Members, NS1 Playtester
in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">commence screenshot thread</div>World of Warcraft stress test ended today. WoW is without a doubt the finest MMORPG I've ever played. It's already more polished and has more content than other MMORPG's I've played. Tons of fun, can't wait till its retail.
So here are some nice screenshots of the past few days of winding down the stress test:
<img src='http://www.doomaniac.com/stuff/World%20of%20Warcraft/WoWScrnShot_091004_184458.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
<img src='http://www.doomaniac.com/stuff/World%20of%20Warcraft/WoWScrnShot_091004_184501.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
<img src='http://www.doomaniac.com/stuff/World%20of%20Warcraft/WoWScrnShot_091004_233449.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
<img src='http://www.doomaniac.com/stuff/World%20of%20Warcraft/WoWScrnShot_091104_011526.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
<img src='http://www.doomaniac.com/stuff/World%20of%20Warcraft/WoWScrnShot_091104_202043.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
<img src='http://www.doomaniac.com/stuff/World%20of%20Warcraft/WoWScrnShot_091204_195603.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
More screenshots are available <a href='http://www.doomaniac.com/stuff/?dir=World%20of%20Warcraft/' target='_blank'>here</a>.
So here are some nice screenshots of the past few days of winding down the stress test:
<img src='http://www.doomaniac.com/stuff/World%20of%20Warcraft/WoWScrnShot_091004_184458.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
<img src='http://www.doomaniac.com/stuff/World%20of%20Warcraft/WoWScrnShot_091004_184501.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
<img src='http://www.doomaniac.com/stuff/World%20of%20Warcraft/WoWScrnShot_091004_233449.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
<img src='http://www.doomaniac.com/stuff/World%20of%20Warcraft/WoWScrnShot_091104_011526.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
<img src='http://www.doomaniac.com/stuff/World%20of%20Warcraft/WoWScrnShot_091104_202043.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
<img src='http://www.doomaniac.com/stuff/World%20of%20Warcraft/WoWScrnShot_091204_195603.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
More screenshots are available <a href='http://www.doomaniac.com/stuff/?dir=World%20of%20Warcraft/' target='_blank'>here</a>.
Comments
Yours are nice, though, Doom.
How big is the world?
Absolutly huge...
I shall miss ye WoW...
Me dancing.
<img src='http://www.bpeden.net/pix/ss33.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
Dancing with my COD clan-mates.
<img src='http://server5.uploadit.org/files/Silligoose-party1.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
<img src='http://server5.uploadit.org/files/Silligoose-party2.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
Naked dancing party in crossroads that I started thursday before we originally thought the beta was gonna end. At one point we had like 20 people lollercaust.
<img src='http://www.freepichosting.com/Thumbs/421553601/1/1.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
This is the last day of the stress beta where everyone started to raid each other and as you see, the Night Elves/Humans/ Dwarfs are winning.
Suddenly that 10 a month doesn't seem like so much.
last 30 minutes of my game time was spent with 16 other members of my guild we all went fishing it was awsome
<img src='http://pics.xs.to/pics/04091/awow1.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
Just waiting outside of Ol' Sooty's cave until he respawns. A Lvl20+ Bear with a mean streak a mile long. Need about 4 people to take him on at around Lvl15.
<img src='http://pics.xs.to/pics/04091/awow2.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
Hohohoho, this is where cliff walking gets you. Basically the world of WoW loads constantly for the user. So each continent is one gi-fuggin-gantic map. Thus the best part is that you spend 5 minutes or so, you can find the 'inbetweens' of the realms. Here we see the inbetween from Loch Modan and The Badlands.
<img src='http://pics.xs.to/pics/04091/awow3.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
CHLOROFORM!
<img src='http://pics.xs.to/pics/04091/awow4.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
I spent my last day playing out an Elite Level quest. Had to kill about 12 Lvl22+ Mo'Grosh Ogres. So a very large group of players was needed to infiltrate their stronghold. Though the reward was quite good, as you can plainly see. Bling bling.
This is my last Hearthstone ever...
<img src='http://pics.xs.to/pics/04091/awow5.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
And here is where I ended my time on the Stress Test. Outside the majestic gates of the last Drawven stronghold, Ironforge.
Lvl16 Drawven Warrior.
1 Gold, 53 Silver, 18 Copper.
1 Mechanical Squirrel
And a hell of a lot of cool armour and weaponary. My 2 handed axe was a 32-40 damage with 10.4dps.
<img src='http://pics.xs.to/pics/04091/awow6.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
Infinitum~
I'll come up with a far more creative name when I play it properly.
<img src='http://pics.xs.to/pics/04091/awow7.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
We need to make up an Alliance clan for the final game called the Frontiersmen, and a Horde clan called the Kharaa~
Flying through Dun Morogh on a gryphon.
<img src='http://www.lunixmonster.org/hosted/coil/wow/gryphon.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
This guy was badass. Huge sword, no shirt, just cloth pants, shoes, and fingerless gloves. And a pet raptor.
<img src='http://www.lunixmonster.org/hosted/coil/wow/warhammer.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
An Ancient of War in the Night Elf capital, Darnassus. Man I'm glad these are on our side. Can *you* find the Dwarf in this picture?
<img src='http://www.lunixmonster.org/hosted/coil/wow/ancient.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
Examples:
<a href='http://www.blizzard.com/wow/ScreenShot.aspx?ImageIndex=144&Set=0' target='_blank'>http://www.blizzard.com/wow/ScreenShot.asp...Index=144&Set=0</a>
<a href='http://www.blizzard.com/wow/ScreenShot.aspx?ImageIndex=166&Set=0' target='_blank'>http://www.blizzard.com/wow/ScreenShot.asp...Index=166&Set=0</a>
Also, my video card sucks.
Alternate response: it's gonna have shader effects? Oh WVU. It's beautiful even without them!
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Reference 1: <a href='http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/story/chapter1.shtml' target='_blank'>http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/story/chapter1.shtml</a>
(The History of Azeroth)
Reference 2: World of Warcraft's existing postal system, which allows
you to place a physical copy of a received letter in your inventory.
(Complication: I do not know if letters are soulbound or not; if they
are, they shouldn't be.)
_________________
NOTE: I REALIZE THAT MUCH OF THESE SUGGESTIONS WOULD REQUIRE A FAIR
AMOUNT OF WORK. FOR RELEASE, ALL I ASK IS THAT RECEIVED MAIL *NOT* BE
SOULBOUND TO A PLAYER. THE REST CAN COME WHEN THERE IS TIME TO CREATE
IT.
_________________
IDEA #1: LIBRARIES.
The history of Azeroth written up on www.worldofwarcraft.com was an
enjoyable read for me. I love the fully realized world that has sprung
from Blizzard's first offering, Warcraft, so many years ago. It made
me wish, however, that I had encountered books during my brief time
playing the Stress Test (Malygos: Bril, L16 Dwarven Paladin). Perhaps
I didn't visit a library and books already exist in-game, but if they
don't then they really, really should.
Some ideas for libraries:
--allow players to view a book from anywhere in the library (take it to
their favorite spot to read)
--create a physical instance of the book that the player holds in his
hand or inventory
--be able to create as many instances of a book as required
--prevent players from leaving the library with a book - the book
vanishes, the player must return the book before being allowed to exit,
or must return it on penalty of smackdown by guards, etc.
--books should physically exist in the world, on shelves. Some books
can be harder to find than others. Not all need be found in libraries.
Is there a huge point to libraries? Not for the hardcore gamer, perhaps,
but for the hardcore explorer/adventurer/tradesmith, they would greatly
enrich the world. Bookstores could be created, too, allowing players to
purchase copies of their favorite tomes and keep them on hand. And beyond
the scope of existing literature, there is...
IDEA #2: PLAYER-CREATED LITERATURE.
Pondering the question of libraries led me to look for examples of written
word already extant in World of Warcraft. Two come to mind: notes from
NPCs that serve as quest items, and letters removed from the post box.
The latter was my key, though: player-created text that existed in a
physical form in the world. I could write a poem, a story, a history, a
recounting of an epic battle, a treasure map, ANYTHING -- and for 30cp, I
could mail it to someone and create a physical entity containing my work.
What to do with this, now?!
I present the following suggestions with the intent of creating and
supporting player-made written works within World of Warcraft.
First, the writing interface should be expanded.
--Allow standard copy and paste functions, as well as *simple* formatting
(underline, italic, bold, tab)
--Allow players to save text without doing anything with it.
--Possibly allow players to access existing TXT or DOC files on their hard
drive, to write text in external programs and bring it into the game.
--There is no need to allow unconventional special characters or formatting,
more than two or three fonts (and the current mail font is fine, in my
opinion), or other more unusual word-processing functionality. It should be
a text editor, no more.
Secondly, a system to introduce written word into the world is necessary.
--Require a player who wishes to write to have blank paper, quill, and ink.
(OPTIONAL: Each could come in multiple grades: paper grade would denote color,
texture, and amount of text that will fit on one sheet. Better quills would
allow more ornate fonts. Ink could come in different colors, and perhaps
even special varieties for secret messages, etc.)
--The player would have the option of signing or not signing his work (though
of course the work would be traceable to him, for administrative purposes)
--Players could purchase books of pages, or books into which could be inserted
loose pages - a journal or scrapbook of sorts.
--Players could trade individual pages or full books to other players.
Lastly, for the truly inspired, a profession or secondary skill: Scribing.
--Scribes would be able to construct quills, inks, and books from raw materials.
--Scribes would be able to copy individual pages or full books.
--Scribes would be able to write with better ink, quills, and paper, and produce
more impressive results.
________
For ESRB concerns, perhaps written word that a player wishes to make public
(trade, auction, whatever) would be reviewed by GMs or other Blizzard staff for
content before being flagged as tradeable. Economic impact from both player-
created writing and a Scribe profession/skill would be negligible, as player-
created written word would have artistic value only, and therefore price would
only be quantifiable by the players or by staff (and I don't expect staff to take
the time to put a price on every piece of literature produced). If anything,
Scribing would serve as a sink -- scribes would buy or harvest materials (herbs or
minerals for inks, feathers for quills) and stand to gain very little from their
finished progress, excepting selling materials (books, quills, paper, inks).
However, NPC-controlled libraries of player-created work would be possible, as
would player-controlled book selling operations. An author who makes a name for
himself might even be able to make a living writing. The system is obviously a
limited one, on par with the pre-printing press era of bookmaking in the real
world, but there's nothing wrong with that. Books would already be a curiosity
in a videogame (grin).<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Examples:
<a href='http://www.blizzard.com/wow/ScreenShot.aspx?ImageIndex=144&Set=0' target='_blank'>http://www.blizzard.com/wow/ScreenShot.asp...Index=144&Set=0</a>
<a href='http://www.blizzard.com/wow/ScreenShot.aspx?ImageIndex=166&Set=0' target='_blank'>http://www.blizzard.com/wow/ScreenShot.asp...Index=166&Set=0</a> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
What he said.