Blizzard Entertainment’s online game “World of Warcraft” is regarding to release the expansion “Dragon Rise” this year, and it has entered the beta testing stage. Senior game designers Jake Miller and Graham Berger were interviewed by Taiwanese media and talked regarding the half-dragon man and the dragon rider. technology design concept.
The story of “World of Warcraft: The Rise of the Dragons” tells that the dragons of Azeroth have a great influence on the world, not only using powerful forces to lead the mortal race and influencing major events, but also occasionally profit for themselves. As the dragons’ sacred homeland reawakens, they will call upon the heroes of the Alliance and Horde to come forward to help them confront the looming threats and the mysteries that are regarding to surface.
Half-dragon related
Q: The half-dragon man wears mail armor. I feel that the dragon scales should be very durable, can block magic, and look strong from the outside. Why is there no design tank class?
A: When we are designing a new race, we will see what elements it is suitable for. After examining the characteristics of the half-dragon, we mainly want to emphasize the magical characteristics of the five dragons. In addition, although “World of Warcraft” has added several occupations, they are basically melee and tanks. We have never added new occupations with long-distance DPS output and healing ability, so this time is actually full of freshness.
Q: When designing the Half-Dragon, did you consider designing this race from Blackwing Lair or other characters that appeared in the early days? Or do you directly use the appearance of the characters that have appeared in the past?
A: We want to emphasize how the dragon came out. We have thought regarding what he would look like if he were two-legged. In combat, I can think of spells from the dragon system, such as the deep breath from Onyxia. (Deep Breath). We also wanted to bring something fresh, but with the spirit and feel of a World of Warcraft dragon, and then add some new features to it.
Q: The ability of the current half-dragon man can see the shadow from the red, blue, green, and bronze dragons. There is no black dragon. Why is it designed this way? But in fact, it has the appearance of a black dragon, so will this part have a chance to appear in the future?
A: For the half-dragon man, we are glad that the appearance provides players with a lot of customization options, and the black dragon shape is there, and there are many options that can be customized.
Let’s talk regarding skills once more. We want to emphasize the magic skills of the dragon family. Therefore, it is very important which spells the five dragons can use. We want to emphasize the skills that can be used. For black dragons, such as deep breath and obsidian tablets are used by black dragons. Skills, we found in the development that we should focus on the skills of some dragons. The black dragons are indeed selected less. Of course, with the evolution of the game in the future, if players want, we do not rule out adding more black dragon skills.
Q: The action animation of the Half-Dragon Man in the Alpha version still reminds players that it is the skin-changing version of the Demon Hunter / Charming Demon. Are there adjustments to be more “dragon”-type actions in the official board?
A: We have designed a brand new model for the half-dragons. We hope that their movements can be quite realistic and explosive. Therefore, although we emphasize spells, when casting spells or skills, we hope that their whole body can be quite dynamic. We hope this part will be different from other spellcasting classes.
In addition, the full set of actions in the air are newly designed animations and effects. We hope that this can make players feel very powerful actions when using them. We are quite satisfied with these actions at present.
Q: The Alpha version of the Half-Dragon has added a lot of creation options, but the dragons that players met in Azeroth in the past are more powerful and powerful. In comparison, the Half-Dragon is much weaker and looks like a lizardman. Would you consider adding new ones? Body type options?
A: We decided from the very beginning that we would have a lot of customization options, so the art team provided a lot of options from the beginning, and the Alpha test players said they needed more options, such as the options for horns and scales, which were added later. , we’ve now also added a fourth body type, which looks more robust.
However, as mentioned earlier, they are still fast-moving spellcasting professions, so under this premise, the body size will be slightly different from the dragons that players have previously recognized.
Q: Can you share the process of thinking regarding the “new race”? When will existing races be considered, such as goblins, and when will new races be created, such as the half-dragons this time? Have the long-awaited naga, fisherman, and walrus considered by players, or is there a chance to become a controllable race in the future?
A: To join a new race or class depends on what kind of world we want to create and what kind of story we want to tell. When we come to the Dragon Islands this time, we will inevitably encounter a lot of dragons. Therefore, in addition to flying dragon riding, we thought that it would be better if players might also be part of the dragons.
The dragons may not have so many racial skills, but the existing occupations are not suitable for using dragon magic, so we thought regarding whether we might add a new occupation, and finally thought of combining the two, becoming the current half-dragon and half-dragon. Dragon people call dragon masters.
As for other allied races, we have to see if the stage of the story is suitable, so for this story, we will focus on half-dragons. Of course, we will not rule out any possibility in the future.
dragon riding
Q: Since the Dragon Islands is a new area that you have never touched in the past, did the art team refer to the design impression of the past “Dragon Race” when designing the concept of these areas? Can you give some specific examples?
A: Every time we enter a new area, it is a challenge for the art team. We hope that it will reveal a layer of veil for players. The Half-Dragon Islands are not only the hometown of flying dragons, but also a place that players have never seen before. In the past world, the map this time actually has a relatively large step difference, which is in line with the environment of the dragon family, and also brings in the conditions for players to use the flying dragon riding technique.
Q: Compared with mounts, dragon riding has more abilities, will this make players less willing to use mounts?
A: Dragon Riding has many new abilities. If players like to have many new actions, we can provide more customized actions, so our design will be successful. Of course, we will also listen to the opinions of players. , adjusted according to player preference.
Q: Players can unlock and collect mounts with special appearances following reaching the team dungeon achievement. Will the new expansion pack still be a mount following having a flying dragon mount? (If it is still a mount, will this incentive be reduced because of the flying dragon mount?)
A: It is true that many players, including me, like to collect these mounts. We have announced some new ground mounts, so players still have some new mounts. In addition to dropping the mounts in this dungeon, we also provided some new flying dragon shapes to make For rewards, such as beards, horns, etc., there is even a very rare reward that can completely change the appearance of the dragon.
Q: The diverse functions of flying dragon mounts will make players who collect various flying mounts jealous. Are you considering adding new features to flying mounts?
A: When we designed Flying Dragon Riding, we started from knowing the Dragon Islands, so these abilities are also the focus of our emphasis. During the first week of Alpha, players liked Flying Dragon Riding, aiming at the way of moving in the air. , the player’s reaction does affect the direction of our design, so the way following this, the player’s reaction will be an important part.
World of Warcraft Dragons Rise is expected to launch in 2022.
