Blizzard reveals plans for World of Warcraft: Shadowlands expansion
Blizzard developer Ion Hazzikostas recently appeared on Sloot’s Twitch stream to discuss the upcoming Shadowlands expansion for World of Warcraft. Hazzikostas answered a range of questions about the game’s mechanics and new systems, including the controversial Covenant system.
Players have expressed concerns about the Covenant system, which requires them to choose one of four options early on in the game. The choice appears to have some degree of permanence or difficulty in changing. Many players have criticized this lack of flexibility.
In response to these concerns, Hazzikostas stated, “The community, I would hope, is with us in this fight. The conversation I’d love to have in the coming weeks is, ‘What are the balances that we can strike.’ What is a path forward that’s not just, ‘Hey, Blizzard don’t ever attach power to any kind of meaningful choice’ because there’s something cool about those choices, and let’s try to save it before we just throw it out.”
During the conversation, Hazzikostas shared some quick takeaways for the future of WoW:
- No plans to reintroduce master looter as an option.
- No plans to allow players to change gear in Mythic+ dungeons.
- Tier sets could potentially make a comeback, but they are still being designed.
- The team has focused on making the game more alt-friendly compared to Battle for Azeroth.
- Blizzard is looking to balance the Covenant system, rather than removing it entirely.
- No warforging, titanforging, or corruption-style system will be introduced in Shadowlands.
- No specific plans for changes to Mythic+ dungeon affixes at this time.
- Legendaries will be craftable and obtained through various activities.
- Emissaries will be replaced with “Callings” from your Covenant.