The War Within - Creator Summit Group Interview - Michael Bybee and Sean McCann

The War Within Posted 2024/04/29 at 7:32 AM by Paryah

Michael Bybee: Production Director on World Warcraft

Sean McCann: Senior Game Designer in charge of Delves

Release Cadence and DatesIs there a rough timeframe for Beta and release of the War Within that we can expect?Michael BybeeAre there any plans to mirror Classic for a release schedule for expansion launch and/or patch launchesMichael BybeeWhe three days early access be a on weekend or a normal release Monday-Thursday and people without early access starting on Friday?Michael BybeeIs heroic week coming back for the start of seasons, giving guilds a week to clear heroic before mythic starts?Michael BybeeFeedbackAre there any areas that you're particularly keen for feedback on?Sean McCannMichael BybeeWhere should we be putting that feedback to ensure it is seen?Michael BybeeDelvesHow many levels of Delves are there?Sean McCannWhat level do Delve companions go to?Sean McCannHow high does Delve gear go?Sean McCannWill there be challenge, achievements or other ways to increase the difficulty for more rewards or push personal skill?Sean McCannWill Delves scale up health and damage or will there be things like affixes?Sean McCannAre there plans for Delve Companions other than Brann?Sean McCannAre there plans for other customizable mount rewards, other than the flying machine?Sean McCannIs there a limit to how many Delves you can run per week?Sean McCannAre Delves something similar to Pandaria scenarios or more like the Torgast experience?Sean McCannHow frequently will Delves rotate?Sean McCannWill Delves feature some level of randomness in their encounters? So they feel more different at later stages?Sean McCannWill there be anything dynamic in the maps and their layouts? Sean McCannAre Delves going to be outside of the new continent like the Dragonflight racing?Sean McCannWill Delves progression experience be exposed to the Wow API for third party sites to access?Sean McCannWarbandsAny plans for making the Warband login background a collectible to collect in game.Sean McCannWill there be any additions to the WoW phone app for Warbands?Michael BybeeCan we mix characters on different servers in the same Warband?Michael BybeeIn Warbands, will it be possible to give Soulbound items to my own characters?Michael BybeeAre there any plans for mixing the follower dungeons feature with Warbands resulting in doing dungeons with alts as followers?Sean McCannWhen the Warband system launches we'll be able to collect all types of transmogs with one character. Will this work retroactively with the items we collected before War Within? For example, if I got Tusks of Mannoroth on a mage during Dragonflight, could I pass them to my warrior during the War Within?Michael BybeeWith Warbands, is there any chance of any character being able to utilize professions of another character without having to log into each character to perform a task?Sean McCannCan we get double click to log in functionality for the Character Screen?Michael BybeeIs pose selection for the Character Screen going to be an option in the future?Michael BybeeIs there any way to unlock more than four characters to show on the Character Screen?Sean McCannMichael BybeeHow much are Warbands going to help with gearing your alts?Michael BybeeSean McCannMichael BybeeOn the current Alpha build, a quest needs to be completed twice in order to collect the cloth and plate appearances of the quest reward. Are there plans to open up the "collect everything on everyone" mindset to quest rewards?Michael BybeeAre there any plans for account-bound gold with the Warband system?Sean McCannStoryWith the focus on a complete story progressing over the next few expansions are there any plans to update and try new methods of in-game story telling devices?Sean McCannCan we get any more context on the fate of Dalaran?Sean McCannWith the story becoming more important, what steps are being taken to get people in-game up to speed on the story so far and familiar with characters.Sean McCannRaids are very important for the story and players can experience that through LFR, but some are rarely able to experience it because they can't go through the raid. Are there any proposals to make raids more focused and inviting for solo players?Sean McCannThe amount of lore you can find hidden around is great. Will that tie into the main story as the expansion goes along or remain as just fun little lore bits?Sean McCannCan you speak at all about the intentions behind narrative design for this expansion? In Dragonflight it felt like the story largely took a backseat or was hidden in lots of side quests.Sean McCannClassesFor the first public Alpha build are there any new Hero Talent trees debuting?Michael BybeeIs there any concern that classes will become over-bloated with the number of new abilities and Hero Talents being added?Michael BybeeShould we expect to see Class design changes besides Hero Talents in the War Within?Michael BybeeIs there any chance more specs can move towards support styles like Augmentation Evoker? Michael BybeeAre there any plans to allow for more visual customization of classes with glyphs or even quests?Michael BybeeSean McCannAre there any plans to expand on spell effect reskins like the former Covenant Abilities options that were added recently?Michael BybeeSince Single Minded Fury is remaining an option on the Talent Tree, could Enhance Shamans ever expect to see two-handed options again? Or maybe even Colossus Protection Warriors using a two-hander and shield.Michael BybeeRacesIs there a possibility of seeing more Allied Races added to War Within? Maybe Nerubians?Michael BybeeWith cross-faction being included and updated more and more in the game, is there a chance that race restrictions will be lifted? I'd like to be a Vulpera Paladin.Michael BybeeAny plans to let Evokers have different visage forms? I want to be a panda.Michael BybeeRaidsIs follower raids something you're looking at?Michael BybeeHas there been any consideration for smaller 1 to 2 or 3 boss raids?Michael BybeeWhat considerations are being given to the difficulty between Mythic, Heroic, Normal, and LFR?Michael BybeeCan you explain what verticality means in the raid? Michael BybeeAre there any plans to change the rigid 20% structure of Raids?Michael BybeeIs the team happy with the idea of private auras in mythic raids?Michael BybeeWill we continue to see Fated seasons?Michael BybeeIs the permanent raid spot issue for certain specs and classes due to raid buffs being locked something that's on the radar?Michael BybeeIs there any change in relative mythic difficulty, especially with regard to how hard the bosses are week one and how quickly they are nerfed?Michael BybeeDo you have any plans to try smaller or mini raids later on in patches? And if so, maybe some smaller raid size experiments?Michael BybeeMythic+You surprise the community with some fun new ideas like Plunderstorm or MoP remix. Are there plans to do something similar for Mythic+ enthusiasts? Some exciting playgrounds or good test or try new ideas?Michael BybeeHave you ever considered converting Mythic+ Affixes to have positive effects, along with buffing the baseline difficulty of the Dungeon?Michael BybeeSean McCannAre there any new Mythic+ affixes or reworks, including seasonal affixes?Michael BybeeIs there a plan to revisit the Mythic+ system, especially regarding key acquisition, rerolling fishing, picking a key, vendor/tokens. Are there any plans to address affixes both seasonal and weekly?Michael BybeeAs in all expansions before, will there be a Realm First plus 10 keystone Achievement?Michael BybeeIs there anything on Mythic+ Seasonal affixes or are they gone with the rotating dungeons?Michael BybeePvPWhat is the number of people and roles for the Solo Queue RBG setup? Will it be the same as Blitz?Michael BybeeAny news or measures to mitigate the long queues in PvP solo shuffle?Michael BybeeCan we expect solo PvP to continue as the rated PvP game mode in the War Within? Are there any changes to it?Michael BybeeGearAre there any changes to the loot systems coming in War Within?Michael BybeeWill Tier pieces drop from Delves or just be available via the Vault and Catalyst?Sean McCannMichael BybeeAre there going to be any new Legendary items in this expansion?Michael BybeeAre you happy with the way people are gearing and especially how fast they gear correctly?Michael BybeeWill Tier Gear still focus on specs or will they look at hooks for Hero Talents?Michael BybeeYou can buy PvP transmog sets and weapons from older seasons with Marks of Honor. Any plans to do something similar with PvE sets?Michael BybeeAre there any plans to help players that just want to focus on Mythic+ and PvE?Michael BybeeCould we expect to see more flail weapons in the future? Especially two-handed flails?Michael BybeeIs there any way dinars will make an appearance in non-Fated seasons, giving everyone the chance to work towards very rare loot and target special trinkets?Michael BybeeProfessionsAre there any plans to return to Archeology?Sean McCannWith our first look into professions, it looks like Herbalism has a mini-game with a farm in Harrowfall. Will all professions have a secondary form of engagement like that?Michael BybeeIs there a plan to change the work order system so that Public Orders have to have all the materials listed like in DF beta?Michael BybeeAre there any plans to be able to reset or respec professions?Michael BybeeAre there any plans to allow for public orders to request a specific rank? Some sort of market board for crafting orders would be great.Michael BybeeIn Dragonflight Alchemy and Angineering were the only two professions that gave players actual power. Is that something that's going to continue in the War Within?Michael BybeeEventsAre there any plans to continue with updates to holiday events?Michael BybeeWill the War Within have fewer timed events like Hunts or Iskaara feasts?Michael BybeeAre there any major or exciting developments for the World Quest system for War Within?Sean McCannGuildsWhat can you tell us about the new features of the guilds?Michael BybeeHave you thought about implementing a guild reward system for WoW, similar to Rumble, where common efforts give a number of rewards?Michael BybeeMounts and FlyingAre there any changes for collections in general?Michael BybeeHave you thought about adding some leaderboards next to Dragonriding races to see who has the best time for their server?Michael BybeeThere were hints through datamining of ground mounts getting dynamic features. Is this actually coming?Michael BybeeCould we expect to see a 600, 700, 800 etc. mount collection achievement and mount rewards?Michael BybeeNot a question but a comment, Plunderstorm, but make it dragonriding. Mario Kart and Mario Kart Dragonriding is pog.Michael BybeeTransmogDo you have any plans for transmogs like those in the Wizard Tower in War Within?Sean McCannAny plans to add more spots for saved transmogs?Michael BybeeCould we share transmogs like we share talent builds with codes?Michael BybeeCan you change transmogs to change the color of your gear sets like in Diablo?Michael BybeeSystemsCan we expect some add-on integrations into the game?Michael BybeeIs Dungeon Finder, Timewalking, or anything new coming to Cross-Faction play?Michael BybeeSean McCannThe new arachnophobia option has opened up the possibility of being able to replace spiders and other creatures. Will there be more options in the future?Michael BybeeHave you thought about opening a server or map editor like in Warcraft 3, allowing players to make their own Battleground, instance dungeons, or even a server?Michael BybeeWhat improvements did you make to the engine between Dragonflight and the War Within?Michael BybeeAny plans to do anything with Garrison tech gameplay in the future?Sean McCannMiscellaneousWith WoW moving to a more seasonal direction, will we see a grind come back to the War Within?Sean McCannAre there any plans to make soloing BfA raids easier?Michael BybeeIn Dragonflight we saw a lot of previously unobtainable items making their way back to the game. Are you planning on bringing back more items in the War Within? Like the highly requested Caravan Brutosaur from BFA?Sean McCannDragonflight was the first expansion to not have tradable Open World Epic items. Is this something you're planning on reintroducing?Michael BybeeAre there plans for Collectors Editions for the three part expansions?Michael BybeeNow that you can play across factions and servers, are there any plans to allow players to play cross-region?Michael BybeeIf you are currently working on Player Housing for War Within, would you tell us, or would you deny it until its release?Sean McCannWhat was the inspiration behind the gorgeous zone that is Harrowfall?Sean McCannMichael BybeeIs there a time frame for music, which might help content creators when they are eventually able to make content live?Michael BybeeIs there any chance to expand the void storage with new tabs?Michael BybeeAre there any additional UI improvements in the works?Michael Bybee

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Comment by Raxus502so they flew out some "influencers" and gave them gift bags to get spoon fed softball questions that were pre-approved...Comment by KestevavildGreat, eye-opening interview!
This might a new world record : they didn't answered almost ~90% of the questions. Sometimes they even answered a totally different topic which was asked.

Almost all answers boils down to :

"Can we have soloable BfA raids already?
"uhh, we talk about this issue a lot! We talk about. We talk about it i promise, and we have a lot of great ideas about it! Will we implement it? Ohh, boy, why would we? Next question!Comment by nljadedReally discouraging about the add-on situation. I don't think they will ever make nay meaningful changes to this. Every response has been, "we talk about it a lot but don't have anything to announce". Literally just disable add-ons in instanced content until you can figure out a permanent solution.Comment by Skyreaver817Completely dismissed player housing...again....interesting choice.Comment by Raxus502Really discouraging about the add-on situation. I don't think they will ever make nay meaningful changes to this. Every response has been, "we talk about it a lot but don't have anything to announce". Literally just disable add-ons in instanced content until you can figure out a permanent solution.Comment by quickstopnirvanaWhy do so many people, including YouTubers and presumably WoW devs according to this interview, misspell it “Harrowfall”? It’s Hallowfall.

Is it like how people say “The Outlands” when it’s actually “Outland”?Comment by Kahllol
there's no reason for them to create an entire new raid tier especially when most of the playerbase likes the fated season idea, and there's no relevant narrative reason to do so.
Comment by loppol11We are, especially now for Season 1, going to do a totally different set of Tier Gear for every Hero Talent. That said, obviously the Tier abilities, will have to go with them. I mean, the visual look of them. The reality is, we like Tier Sets, we know that you like Tier sets. So we're going to keep doing them.Comment by LandaiI really hope we never see another Fated season again. I hate them lolComment by MordrayAnd once again no mention of or even a question on the next classes to get the full race unlock treatment.Comment by SharkTribeThe firm "no" on potential other race options for Drakthyr hurts.
Seems like it shouldn't be that hard to implement- simply pick your race and class as normal, and your race is your visage form.
Bummer, huge oof there. : (Comment by GrumiogravesA lot of these responses amount to "cool idea! But don't get your hopes up"Comment by BlightySo many nothing burger responses.

Just ctrl + F and type in "I don't" and see how many nothing responses they give us back. What's the point setting up these interviews if they're not allowed to tell us anything of substanceComment by st1flerReally discouraging about the add-on situation. I don't think they will ever make nay meaningful changes to this. Every response has been, "we talk about it a lot but don't have anything to announce". Literally just disable add-ons in instanced content until you can figure out a permanent solution.Comment by Setsuna665i feel like the answer to the question about Dragonflight was the first expansion to not have tradable Open World Epic items. Is this something you're planning on reintroducing? would have to be a no as long as they plan on doing early access. it would either have to not drop until release and not during prerelease or just not drop anymoreComment by NagasshQ:You can buy PvP transmog sets and weapons from older seasons with Marks of Honor. Any plans to do something similar with PvE sets?
Michael Bybee:
No, we really like the Great Vault system for that. Really discouraging about the add-on situation. I don't think they will ever make nay meaningful changes to this. Every response has been, "we talk about it a lot but don't have anything to announce". Literally just disable add-ons in instanced content until you can figure out a permanent solution.Comment by grayshirtCan we get double click to log in functionality for the Character Screen?
Michael Bybee:Could we share transmogs like we share talent builds with codes?
Is there any way to unlock more than four characters to show on the Character Screen?Has there been any consideration for smaller 1 to 2 or 3 boss raids?Is Dungeon Finder, Timewalking, or anything new coming to Cross-Faction play?Is there any chance to expand the void storage with new tabs?Comment by lostsoupthis is nearly unreadableComment by EnglishTea"we are actually not ready to announce any additional Paladins or other class extensions beyond what you've currently seen."

I wonder if this means that they (1) do not have plans to make additional class-race combinations in the foreseeable future or (2) have some new class-race combinations in the works that they don't want to announce yet. I really hope it's the latter cuz I've been waiting on human druids and human shamans for a while.Comment by MowseI hope they change their minds about adding a dye system in the future. Would fit into several of the professions nicely and be super cool. I've wanted that for so long ;_;

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