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Patch 3.2 prediction - released near the Aion online release date
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Post by
mudd
I'm probably repeating about 10 other threads here, but I think the next big, (and it is very big in terms of changes) patch is designed around Blizzard's paranoia of losing more people to other MMOs, and I believe will be released around September 20th to counter-act Aion Online.
Instant battleground joining feature
.
That was "stolen" directly from Warhammer to keep players away or intice them back from Warhammer.
No trash in the coming raids
Quite a ground breaking change, surely aimed at keeping bored veteran players from cancelling?
Badge changes.
Not aimed so much at the veterans but ones that have joined, say since BC or Wotlk, who want new items without having to run Ulduar 3/4 nights a week. The types of people who might go and play Aion online AND cancel WOW. Basically nobody reading this post or on Wowhead as they're not fanatics.
And most importantly - getting XP from battlegrounds.
Another feature that has been asked for since the battlegrounds were released (and was in there briefly as quests), has now made its way in. Where from? Warhammer competition (and Aion), I'd guess.
And shortening of Battlegrounds
Finally the battlegrounds have had their times shortened to something that isn't almost always 30 minutes in a fair match. Particularly Arathi Basin. What is the sudden change of heart for this decision? To get people using battlegrounds to level. Why would they want this? So you keep playing your 5 other alts of course.
Dual spec was asked for for years particularly by Warriors
. It was never going to happen and then all of a sudden in 3.1, bang it appeared.
This is not to say players will be leaving en masse for Aion as it is unlikely to ever happen like that. But it seems Blizzard, atleast in 2009, are getting some competition to make them "up their game" (I hate that phrase) and implement stuff people want. Not just from other MMOs I think, but XBOX, PS3 and Steam.
Of course the numbers that have left in the US and Europe are never going to be reported as the Asian market counteracts this and helps their figures.
Are the changes in 3.2 going to be enough to keep you loyal?
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403699
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Post by
Rikaku
I tried out Aion (Chinese release) and looked at the US testing/beta. It was really fun for about 3 days, and then, not so much. Which is exactly how I felt about WAR. Aion has some really great stuff going for it, but I don't think it's enough to sway me from WoW. It feels more like a version of WoW tied up with FFXI.
3.2 will definitely keep me in WoW, if not for my main then at least leveling my alt will be more enjoyable.
Post by
ArgentSun
So... you are telling us Blizzard took features from other MMOs and implemented them in order to keep up with their quality? That's what companies do - they see a rival with something they don't have, so they take the idea and make it better. And let me tell you, Blizzard does a pretty darn good job at making stuff
better
.
And all of the post-WotLK changes can easily be justified by the huge number of players who have actually suggested them before. Let's face it, trash in raids exists for two reasons - random epics/wipes, and preparation for the boss. The latter is especially true in the Vault of Archavon, where the trash before the bosses is 50% of the boss fight.
Post by
dsrbo
Aion is probably not what will attract the masses. It's the same with WoW in China. The western culture and Aion do not match very well, just like the Chinese players prefer other MMOs over WoW.
Game features are not really what makes or breaks an MMO IMHO. It's the games' atmosphere. Aion sort of has the wrong for western cultures I'd say. Personally I just saw the games visuals and already felt disgusted.
Post by
mudd
The trash is to slow the instance down, but in some cases they can be almost as hard as the bosses. The best example I can think of is still the Core Hounds in Molten Core. Some of the the ones in the first part of Ulduar are quite tough to start with too. The trash in Naxxramas version 2.0 are laughable though, with maybe the exception of the gargoyles.
Why would they take out something that slows the raid instance by so much? I haven't played the PTR but would suggest they finally have time to do a lot of bosses and complex ones.
Post by
sporn1
If Blizzard lost 75% of it's player base, it would still be the largest and most successful MMORPG of all time. They aren't "paranoid" about anything, and for good reason.
Whatever their numbers are, IF they lost 75% of their player base that's still 75% of their monthly subscription income.
Post by
Lionsprey
If Blizzard lost 75% of it's player base, it would still be the largest and most successful MMORPG of all time. They aren't "paranoid" about anything, and for good reason.
not if thosse 75% joined the same MMO
Post by
TrisstenXprime
Aion, while it might take a small percentage of the player base, will not make a huge dent in my opinion. The whole fantasy world dragons and knights thing has been done to death.
Star Wars: The Old Republic looks to be more of a threat. It is still a long ways off but it has the nostalgia and adventure that offers the potential to have any of us that grew up in the Lucas era seeing stars.
Post by
TheReal
Aion, while it might take a small percentage of the player base, will not make a huge dent in my opinion. The whole fantasy world dragons and knights thing has been done to death.
Star Wars: The Old Republic looks to be more of a threat. It is still a long ways off but it has the nostalgia and adventure that offers the potential to have any of us that grew up in the Lucas era seeing stars.
And yet the majority of online gamers are likely in the 10-18 age group; these kids don't know the magic of Star Wars. Sure, they had their taste with the three new movies, but those movies didn't have nearly the impact the first three did. If it is more of a threat than Aion, it doesn't have that much of a lead.
Who will be the WoW killer? Probably no one. As long as Blizz doesn't operate their business stupidly and end up filing bankruptcy, WoW is going to be around for a very long time. IMO, the only thing that will kill WoW is WoW itself.
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414512
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Post by
Rayyth
Lol. 75% of WoW players are not going to leave for Aion. What a joke. The videos look like nothing more than WoW with a graphics update. And there is no way 3.2 is going to be released September 20, OP. Think about it.. two more months? Even Ulduar wasn't tested for that long.
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