WoW Forever is aiming to strike a balance between Classic and Retail, but how do developers decide which quality of life features from Retail make the cut, without losing the original magic of Classic?
In an interview with TechRadar, the WoW Forever team discussed how they set out to create the optimal “Classic Plus” experience, whilst still reaching a “good middle ground” for today’s audience.
During BlizzCon, the Forever team explained that they designed the game around four core design pillars: approachability and familiarity, the world as the main character, the journey before the destination, and protecting and nurturing social experiences.
World of Warcraft: Forever What’s Next Panel Recap
Four core pillars guide the experience: approachable and familiar, the world as the main character, the journey before the destination, and protecting and nurturing the social experiences that make Azeroth feel alive. Every addition is measured against the spirit of the original game and the feeling that it belongs in a world worth getting lost in.
As a result, Blizzard has confirmed that Summoning Stones will not be a feature in WoW Forever. The team explained that “certain convenience changes can very easily erode one or more of those pillars.”
“Summoning stones are one of those. Easy, quick access to teleports shrink the world, and marginalize part of the identity of a class like Warlock. Thus, it fails muster against ‘Nurture and Protect Social Experiences’ and ‘World as the Main Character’.”
During the most recent episode of the Wow Forever Podcast, the team also discussed the addition of Summoning Stones, stating that they want to “be very careful on anything that cuts down travel time.” Travel to the dungeon and the effort it takes to get there and the people you talk to on your travels are all part of the dungeon experience, and taking that away would not align with their four design pillar philosophy.
Which side are you on? Would you like to see Summoning Stones in Forever, or are you happy to travel?
