[iNews24 Reporter Moon Young-soo] “I remember watching the Korean broadcast of ‘Starcraft: Brood War’ when I was a teenager. I have so many memories, so I hope that Korean players will enjoy ‘World of Warcraft: Civil War’, which they have worked diligently to create. (Taylor Sanders)”
On the 23rd, Blizzard Korea held a press conference at SJ Kunsthalle in Gangnam, Seoul, to announce ‘World of Warcraft: Civil War’, set for global release, including in Korea, on August 27th.
Taylor Sanders, Lead Encounter Designer, attended the event and reflected on the 30th anniversary of the Warcraft series while addressing questions about ‘World of Warcraft: Civil War.’
Initially revealed at BlizzCon 2023, ‘World of Warcraft: The War Within’ is the first expansion in the Worldsoul Saga, which will consist of three upcoming expansions for ‘World of Warcraft.’ This expansion is also led by Chris Metzen, the executive creative director of the Warcraft Universe, who has returned to Blizzard. Metzen is a developer behind Blizzard’s early successes.
In this civil war, players can embark on adventures in the underground world of Azeroth, including locations like the Isle of Dorne, the Echoing Abyss, the Sacred Gorge, and Azkahet. They can also play as the new race, the Earthen. Up to five players can participate in the PvE dungeon, the Maw, and players can enhance the characteristics of their classes through ‘Heroic Traits.’ The ‘Battle Unit,’ which connects gameplay elements across all characters linked to a Battle.net account, is a new feature introduced in this civil war, enabling players to manage their in-game possessions effortlessly.
Blizzard Korea will host a launch event for ‘World of Warcraft: Civil War’ at SJ Kunsthalle on the 24th. A variety of events for Korean fans will include a signing session with the World of Warcraft development team visiting Korea, as well as experience and giveaway events featuring caricatures of World of Warcraft races. On that day, 100 copies of the ‘World of Warcraft: Civil War 20th Anniversary Collector’s Edition,’ specially produced for the 20th anniversary of World of Warcraft, will be available for sale on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additionally, a partnership event will take place between Baek Jong-won, a famous chef and longtime fan of ‘World of Warcraft,’ and The Born Korea. When purchasing the ‘World of Warcraft: Civil War’ set menu at over 200 Yeokjeon Udon locations nationwide, customers will receive a code for the in-game mount, the ‘Grim Steed.’ This event will run from August 26 to September 20.
Below is the complete transcript of the Q&A session that occurred that day.
![A partnership event between Baek Jong-won, a famous chef and a longtime fan of World of Warcraft, and The Born Korea is being held. [Photo=Moon Young-soo]](https://image.inews24.com/v1/be14769ab261e4.jpg)
Welcome to Korea. As a dungeon combat designer, could you describe your work and role in this new expansion?
“We manage combat with various monsters and creatures. When players encounter enemies like small crabs or Sylvanas Windrunner while questing, our team is also responsible for the dungeons, raids, and keystones.”
When designing battles in this expansion, were there any particular aspects you focused on that align with the theme of the civil war?
“Whenever we prepare a new expansion or setting, we design battles that can fulfill the fantasy associated with it. For instance, one of the main factions in the civil war is the Nerubians, and we aimed to create the sensation of fighting within a spider’s web during those encounters.”
The dungeons can be played in a party, but they also seem to cater to solo players. How did you create a combat experience distinct from keystone dungeons or raids?
“Keystones focus on repetitive experiences, where players aim to maximize efficiency in a limited time. In contrast, the Hollow is content designed to provide a new experience each time players enter, rather than repetitive gameplay. There are no loading screens, and new content will be applied differently each time. You can play in the Hollow with friends, but it’s noteworthy that it’s enjoyable alone as well.”
PvE content like Gulp has faced criticism for being repetitive or dull. How did you differentiate it?
“In planning an expansion, our development team seeks to incorporate as much user feedback as possible. For instance, when entering a mine filled with snake spiders, your initial goal is to rescue the prisoners, but the next time you enter, different objectives will be set. This approach alleviates concerns about repetitive gameplay. Additionally, players seeking maximum rewards can obtain them by playing once a week.”
What about PvP content in the civil war?
“A new battlefield is being developed. In this battlefield, various routes will allow for effective strategies, such as attacking opponents from the rear or flanks. Furthermore, a rated battlefield has been created to offer enjoyment through a solo queue.”
I’m curious about the unique features and rewards in the first raid, ‘Nerub’ar Palace.’
“There will be eight bosses. One of them can create clones and occasionally generates dimensional gates, leading players to be scattered in various directions. The response from guild members or raid members will be crucial in these encounters.”
What was the primary design focus for adding hero traits to each class in the civil war?
“Hero traits allow players to embody the appearance of heroes from the Warcraft universe, such as the ‘Mountain King.’ Players can select and develop one of two hero traits per specialization.”
Is there a possibility for Draktyr to unlock additional classes beyond the Originator?
“Draktyr will also be available as a warrior in future civil wars.”
The narrative has recently centered around Alliance characters. Will there be a storyline focused on Horde characters as well?
“The beginning of the civil war has highlighted the Alliance characters significantly. However, what has been revealed so far is only the first chapter. I cannot provide details to avoid spoilers, but you will encounter Horde characters and villains in future developments.”
Convenience has seen substantial improvement. What aspect of convenience do you consider most crucial?
“We received considerable feedback regarding the disparity between main characters and sub-characters in the Dragon Corps. The combat unit was introduced to address this. With a substantial portion of content now account-bound, shape-shifting and specialized skills are also shared, simplifying sub-character development.”
Are there any additional plans to lower barriers to entry?
“The civil war aims to be accessible and welcoming to both returning and new players. One such feature relates to the dungeons, which will satisfy casual players as well as newcomers and returnees alike. We have created an experience where players can explore the world while easily entering dungeons. We hope to receive ample feedback on the dungeon content.”
The Echo of Radiance event implemented as a pre-patch was beneficial. Do you plan to revisit past events or implement similar activities post-expansion release?
“The Echoes of Radiance event had multiple objectives. Firstly, it aimed to provide background and context for the upcoming expansion, and secondly, it served to help new and returning players transition smoothly into the expansion. This event assisted players who hadn’t engaged with World of Warcraft for years in returning and preparing for the next adventure. If possible, we would love to present similar events in the future.”
Recently, interest in World of Warcraft has surged in Korea.
“We appreciate the growing interest in World of Warcraft. The development team is equally invested in the Korean community. We hope for your continued support.”
A message to Korean players.
“Thank you for the warm welcome. I’ve heard much from Koreans and have engaged with various aspects of Korean media. I hope Korean users enjoy playing the civil war that we’ve painstakingly developed and that they share their feedback with us.”
/Reporter Moon Young-soo ([email protected])
Exploring the Exciting Features of “World of Warcraft: Civil War”
[아이뉴스24 문영수 기자] “I remember watching the Korean broadcast of ‘Starcraft: Brood War’ when I was a teenager. I have so many memories, so I hope that Korean players will play ‘World of Warcraft: Civil War’, which they have worked hard to prepare. (Taylor Sanders)”
On August 23, Blizzard Korea held a press conference at SJ Kunsthalle in Gangnam, Seoul, introducing “World of Warcraft: Civil War,” set for global release on August 27. The excitement surrounding this new expansion is palpable, especially as it enriches the storied lore of the Warcraft series, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Unlocking New Adventures in Azeroth
Developed with Care: The Team Behind the Game
Lead Encounter Designer Taylor Sanders was present at the event, sharing insights and answering questions about the expansion. This new chapter in WoW, first teased at BlizzCon 2023, is part of the larger Worldsoul Saga, which will introduce a trilogy of expansions.
What’s New in “Civil War”?
Players can expect a wealth of new content, including:
- Adventures in diverse locations like the Isle of Dorne, Echoing Abyss, Sacred Gorge, and Azkahet.
- Play as the new race, the Ora, exploring their unique attributes.
- Up to five players can challenge the PvE dungeon, “The Maw,” focusing on co-op gameplay.
- Introducing the “Heroic Trait,” which enhances class-specific abilities.
Launch Events and Promotions
On August 24, Blizzard Korea is hosting a launch event at SJ Kunsthalle featuring various activities for fans, including:
- A signing event with the World of Warcraft development team.
- Exclusive giveaways, including caricatures of WoW races.
- The special release of 100 copies of the “World of Warcraft: Civil War 20th Anniversary Collector’s Edition,” available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Delicious Offers with Baek Jong-won
In a unique promotion running from August 26 to September 20, famous chef Baek Jong-won, a fan of WoW, is collaborating with The Born Korea. Customers purchasing the “World of Warcraft: Internal War” set menu at over 200 Yeokjeon Udon stores nationwide will receive an in-game code for a mount, the “Grim Steed.”
Game Mechanics and Experience
Behind the Design: Encounter Strategies
During the event, Sanders elaborated on the battle mechanics and encounter design. The development team emphasized gameplay that aligns with the theme of internal conflict, such as:
- Immersive experiences against various enemies like the Nerubians, designed to evoke a sense of battling in a spider’s web.
- Innovative dungeons that cater to both solo and group players, moving away from the repetitive nature of previous content.
Enhanced PvE and PvP Experiences
The expansion offers a new level of interaction within PvE and PvP environments. Significant features include:
- Dynamic PvE content, where players will encounter unique objectives upon returning to dungeons, preventing a dull gameplay loop.
- A new PvP battlefield with multiple strategies and a ranked mode for solo players.
Innovative Raid Design: Nerub’ar Palace
The inaugural raid, Nerub’ar Palace, presents eight complex boss encounters, each boasting unique mechanics to test players’ coordination and adaptability. For instance:
- One boss generates clones and dimensional gates, pushing players to react swiftly to unexpected challenges.
Customization and Gameplay Evolution
Hero Traits and Class Development
Each class will see the introduction of “Hero Traits,” empowering players to adopt iconic hero abilities from the Warcraft universe. This allows for greater customization and depth in character development.
Returning Characters and Stories
As the narrative unfolds, while Alliance stories take center stage at launch, Sanders hints at a return to Horde-focused narratives in future chapters, promising to maintain balanced engagement across the factions.
Enhancing Engagement with Player Feedback
Blizzard’s commitment to player satisfaction is evident, implementing community feedback to refine gameplay. Announcements about future events and updates signal their desire to foster a welcoming environment for both returning and new players.
Key Features and Improvements
| New Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| “Heroic Trait” | Enhancements for class abilities based on iconic Warcraft heroes. |
| Dynamic Dungeons | Unique objectives each time players re-enter dungeons. |
| New PvP Battlefield | A competitive setting that allows for strategic gameplay. |
| Special Promotions | In-game rewards through real-world purchases, enhancing engagement. |
Direct Engagement with the Community
During the Q&A session, Taylor Sanders emphasized Blizzard’s recognition of the growing interest in “World of Warcraft” within Korea. He expressed appreciation for player feedback and engagement, underlining the importance of community interaction in shaping future content.
