| Acura604 | 11-08-2013 02:51 PM |
World of Warcraft now goes to 100
As you might expect, the biggest news out of the BlizzCon keynote was kept for last: World of Warcraft is getting a new expansion that raises the level cap to 100. It’s called Warlords of Draenor, and while Metzen didn’t bother to announce an actual release date he did take time to point out that this expansion introduces a new world to explore, new character models, and a new garrison system that lets players build their own strongholds on Draenor and recruit NPCs to hang out inside. You’ll be able to accept missions based on your stronghold, and you customize what bonuses the stronghold affords you based on the buildings you construct.
If you’re a former World of Warcraft player, don’t worry; Blizzard wants you back, and they’re willing to let you promote one character to level 90 right away via the “Call to Arms” feature so you have a reason to pick up the expansion.
Blizzard has announced Warlords of Draenor, the next expansion for World of Warcraft.
A video shown at BlizzCon 2013 revealed new character models and gave us a glimpse of Draenor, the expansion's new area which consists of seven zones. Newcomers can boost one of their characters to level 90 immediately, explore six new 5-player dungeons and hit up new raids (two are planned for launch), join a new "seamlessly instanced" PvP zone, fight new world bosses, and find new rewards on their way to the new level cap of 100. Characters from Warcraft's past, including Grommash Hellscream, Blackhand, and Ner'zhul, will be encountered throughout.
Amid hundreds of new quests, players will be able to build and upgrade their own customizable Garrison, as well as recruit NPC followers who can be used to collect resources and complete quests. Among the possible upgrades for the Garrison are a barracks (allows more followers to be sent on missions at the same time), an infirmary (heals followers more quickly between missions), an inn (attracts new followers), and a blacksmith (who researches new plans and crafts resources). Friends can visit each others' Garrisons, where they'll then be able to trade resources with each other.
To help players who are new to the game or haven't played in some time and decide to boost to 90, Draenor will offer an introductory area comparable to the one for Death Knights at the beginning of Wrath of the Lich King. The boost can be used on new or existing characters and will grant character some level-appropriate items to get started.
"We know that many of you already strongly identify with the look of your current character, so we're dedicating a lot of time and resources to make sure these updates capture each race's iconic identity and personality," Blizzard said of the newly enhanced character models. "We're still in the process of determining which races will be available upon the expansion's release, but our goal is to update all eight of the original World of Warcraft playable races, along with the Draenei and Blood Elves, over the course of the expansion launch and subsequent content updates."
The graphics engine as a whole will be getting updated, too. No specifics were announced on that front, but Blizzard says it will be announcing the exact system requirements once the expansion is closer to release.
The expansion set is scheduled for an unspecified time in 2014. | 