Blizzard has taken out another interview about a zone advance. This time the interviewees are the mission designers Eric Maloof and Steve Burke who are going to tell us about the changes in the areas that are about to be reached. Ashenvale in Cataclysm.
Eric and Steve tell us about the new volcano that has risen north of Ashenvale and how the Horde is taking key positions that once belonged to the Alliance. Also, they chat about the biggest changes in Ashenvale and according to the designers, the area is a little less frustrating but the story hasn't changed much.
You can see, the whole interview after the jump.
Today we're going to cover the changes being made to Ashenvale for World of Warcraft: Cataclysm as the Warsong Escorts and Silverwing Sentinels continue to compete for dominance of the Rzon. Mission designers Eric Maloof and Steve Burke sat down with us to discuss how the recurring process is going in the familiar and ever-changing territory of Kalimdor.
Q. What was the original concept for the area?
R. The idea for Ashenvale was to show the effects of the cataclysm while taking the opportunity to improve the level design of the RZone. There were areas of Ashenvale that were quite challenging in terms of accessibility and quest fluidity. The level and mission designers have worked together to alleviate the problem areas and highlight the big changes.
Q. Who will use this zone (what levels / factions?)
R. Horde and alliance players, approximately from levels 20 - 25. We anticipate that this will be a fairly visited area in terms of player circulation.
Q. Without giving any spoilers, what is the general story for this area? How was it changed from the original design?
R. Among other catastrophes, a huge volcano has erupted in the center of Ashenvale. As the night elves manage to survive the chaos caused by the cataclysm, the horde plans what they perceive as a golden opportunity. Garrosh Hellscream's forces are upon the night elves and have seized many key positions that once served as alliance forts. There is a definite feeling that the balance of power in this region is teetering on a goblin snare rope.
These changes also mean that Horde players will have a lot to do in Ashenvale.
Q. What do you think is the most impressive new feature in the area?
R. Visually, it is the volcano. It is impressive, and adds a great touch to the place that was once known for its dense forest. Thematically, the tension present in the area gives it a whole new sensation. The horde is barricaded within the walls of Hack's Post under massive attack from the night elves and their allies. Meanwhile, Astranaar desperately fights waves of Hellscream's forces. Virtually wherever you go in Ashenvale, it is impossible to escape the fact that it has become a war zone.
Q. Explain a little more about what it means to redesign an area like this.
R. A little more than meets the eye, we think. Ashenvale is deceptively large, and there were previously some issues with the quest flow and horde-alliance balance of content. Soon after we rolled up our sleeves and got down to business, we realized we had the skills to do the job. There were many missions that we wanted to maintain, but there were also many that did not fit more or did not turn out to be very efficient. We also needed to create a variety of new missions, especially those "For the Horde."
Q. What has required the most effort to implement these changes?
R. It can actually be a bit harder to get there and start 'opening' an existing zone than it is to a completely new zone starting from scratch. Given our ambitious time constraints, trying to determine what remains, what disappears, and what other changes to make is certainly challenging.
Q. What should players see or do first?
R. Horde players should visit Mor'shan Stockade first. There is a new horde contingent fighting very hard to make sure no Night Elf escapes Hellscream's attack, lest they make their way into the Northern Wastes! Alliance players coming down from Darkshore will want to help defend the Watchtower from Maestra and Astranaar as both settlements struggle to avoid falling under Hellscream's control.
Q. Who seems to have the most advantage in the area: Horde, Alliance, or Elementals?
R. The horde and the alliance are pitched against each other on many fronts, none have a clear advantage here. Ashenvale elementals are a minor annoyance compared to faction fighting.
Q. Will there be any changes to Blackfathom Caverns?
R. There are no significant changes planned for Blackfathom Caverns at this time.
Q. What happened to Refugio Brisa de Plata?
R. The horde has passed!
Q. What has changed the most: the story or the terrain?
R. The amount of changes has been quite similar between the story and the terrain. The terrain is far more frustrating than before, and the visual results of the cataclysm tell the story as much as the missions. As for the story, the theme hasn't changed as much as its intensity has.
Thanks Eric and Steve for taking the time to tell us about the work you have done to evolve a classic zone in World of Warcraft: Cataclysm !!