Only Blizzard could turn a patch into a massive event, heralded by a big cinematic trailer. Patch 3.3, The Fall of the Lich King is heading to World of Warcraft, and the developer has let us know about it in style.
Patch 3.3 is to be the last content patch before the Cataclysm expansion, and will include the new Icecrown Citadel area. Within shall be the Frozen Throne, where the Lich King himself awaits. This will wrap up the whole Lich King scenario and set WoW players up for the next big chapter.
I think I made myself look like I know way more than I do on that subject. Check out the video, in any case.
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It's actually a pretty big deal. The patch adds like 3 new small-group dungeons and one (I think?) new raid. I watched a friend play through it last night and it was pretty cool stuff to see...if you're into that kind of thing.
To be fair Jim, Blizzard patches are usually VERY heavy on content, and this one in particular is wrapping up a hefty story line. I think it IS a massive event.
Oh, I'm not saying that the patch isn't full of content. I'm just saying that only Blizzard could turn a normally insignificant affair into a huge event.
I'm a huge World of Warcraft fan and patches are always a big deal, they add huge amount's of content and change the way classes play, they've had really cool trailers for other patches before. Patches aren't just bug fixes in World of Warcraft :)
@Xzyliac $4 a month to connect to the internet you already pay your ISP for. FAIL.
This patch has been nothing but headaches, instances not found, extended down time, random bugs, and my favorite on patch day, no add-ons work right. Oh the woes of patch day.
@hyurirage what do you expect on patch day? Plus clearly you do not know what Xbox live is since you think it is simply connecting you to the internet.
@hyurirage
Yup. $4. It's a ballbreaker let me tell you.
The irony is I'm assuming you pay for your WoW subscription. Which you already paid for the disc to play and then payed the subscription to keep playing. I don't see the difference.
I'm not here to argue though. Just thought I'd point out that MS isn't always a dick with their services. Usually but not always.
I suppose I was asking for it though. Defending the big bad corporation and all.
Actiblizzard says jump, WoW players start applying to NASA.
I stopped playing just before Ulduar, but Ill probably get back into it for the next expansion because Ive always been a Warcraft fan. Raiding doesnt justify the need to scheduel your life around it or the time commitment needed to have any sort of fun though, so Ill sit that part out(and watch youtube vids of the encounters).
Epic is one word you could use, another is typical.
Other than WoW addicts (myself being one for almost four years) I can't see this being appealing at all. Graphics are old and the trailer itself is a cheesed up version of a Lord of the Rings trailer.
Still with over a eleven million players during their five year reign, the aim is to excite those people and get them back in to the fold. Job well done in that regard.
I have to say though, I really hope another developer comes out with a next-gen MMO that can rival the quality of WoW. I just can't stomach the game anymore.
For WoW players it's a huge deal, this whole xpac has been about preparing to murder the Lich King. This patch and 3.1 both came with new story elements and the trailers for them were good lead-ins for the new raid content.
I ran half of the first wing of Icecrown Citadel last night. It was cool but I got benched for one of the other priests in my guild for the second half and arguably the better part, a flying gunship battle between the Horde and Alliance which includes jetpacks.
Eleven million during the span of the game, no clue how many play now.
I know for my part I quit about a year ago, same with the majority of my old guild mates and friends. Point being, of those eleven million (sans the China players) a trailer like this - while typical for Blizzard - is just what those players that quit a while ago need to get back in to their favorite addiction.
"I have to say though, I really hope another developer comes out with a next-gen MMO that can rival the quality of WoW. I just can't stomach the game anymore."
Another hand goes up for also seeing Fail of the Lich King. Now while I enjoyed my time with the MMO and the cinematics they've put out are fun, it really is time for them to focus on the other two games and get that new MMO out sooner.
This is actually a pretty big deal.. Finally adding the Lich King to the game along with tons of other things. This isnt just a normal " insignificant " patch like you would normally see.
You want to see an insignificant patch being hyped with a trailer.. Look no further than SOE with EQ2.
Although it was as ridden with bugs as first patch days usually are, I've really loved what I've done with this so far. And the first boss in the new 5-man dungeons, "The Godfather of Souls", is literally James fucking Brown. Well played, Blizzard.
@Xzyliac: it's not the money, it's the principles. As you obviously can tell, I'm paying subscription for Wow, I'd have no problems paying for a premium service. Except it does nothing I can't get on my PC for free.
I guess it's my fault for bashing "the best way to play multiplayer". And next time I'll put on /sarcasm before attempting to be so.
If you buy an Xbox Live annual subscription card (rather than letting M$ charge your CC monthly), you can get it for a bit more than $3/month. (13 month card for $40).
I think this was quite a suitable trailer, considering it's the culmination of a plot that's been building for years. I clapped with glee this morning when I watched it ^^
Three times >_>
Also the 'lower bar' of gear has been raised quite high this time around, so it wont be very hard or time consuming for a new lvl 80 to get the necessary gear to join the Icecrown raid. My guess is that Blizz wanted to ensure everyone had a chance to experience what is going to be a huge event in Warcraft history :)
It makes me so sad that they choose to tell the excellent Warcraft story in this way. Using an MMO is a unique and intriguing way to do this, but it also generalizes it and makes it generic. it makes it less valuable in some ways. Killing Arthas over and over makes his death rather trivial. I wish Blizzard would tell a different story. I played all the original Warcraft games but because I don't want to invest thousands of hours into an MMO I don't enjoy I can only get the story through a Wiki article.
I am glad they are continuing to push games forward but I guess I can't help but whine about the story I loved and how they chose to finish it somewhere else. All well.
I'm by no means a WoW apologist, but since all their patches are more about new content than bugfixes, they can rightfully be called DLC. Hence the trailer.
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Contest:
11:00 AM on 12.09.2009
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Not to sound fanboyish or anything but Xbox Live is $4 a month.
Also, Fail of the Lich King.
This patch has been nothing but headaches, instances not found, extended down time, random bugs, and my favorite on patch day, no add-ons work right. Oh the woes of patch day.
Yup. $4. It's a ballbreaker let me tell you.
The irony is I'm assuming you pay for your WoW subscription. Which you already paid for the disc to play and then payed the subscription to keep playing. I don't see the difference.
I'm not here to argue though. Just thought I'd point out that MS isn't always a dick with their services. Usually but not always.
I suppose I was asking for it though. Defending the big bad corporation and all.
I stopped playing just before Ulduar, but Ill probably get back into it for the next expansion because Ive always been a Warcraft fan. Raiding doesnt justify the need to scheduel your life around it or the time commitment needed to have any sort of fun though, so Ill sit that part out(and watch youtube vids of the encounters).
Other than WoW addicts (myself being one for almost four years) I can't see this being appealing at all. Graphics are old and the trailer itself is a cheesed up version of a Lord of the Rings trailer.
Still with over a eleven million players during their five year reign, the aim is to excite those people and get them back in to the fold. Job well done in that regard.
I have to say though, I really hope another developer comes out with a next-gen MMO that can rival the quality of WoW. I just can't stomach the game anymore.
I ran half of the first wing of Icecrown Citadel last night. It was cool but I got benched for one of the other priests in my guild for the second half and arguably the better part, a flying gunship battle between the Horde and Alliance which includes jetpacks.
Even sweeter is when a Druid in bearform wears one: it's attached to their ass!
Eleven million during the span of the game, no clue how many play now.
I know for my part I quit about a year ago, same with the majority of my old guild mates and friends. Point being, of those eleven million (sans the China players) a trailer like this - while typical for Blizzard - is just what those players that quit a while ago need to get back in to their favorite addiction.
*cough*World of Starcraft*cough*
You want to see an insignificant patch being hyped with a trailer.. Look no further than SOE with EQ2.
Still, meh. Not enough to bring me back. I still don't find anything remotely interesting about Northrend or Arthas.
I guess it's my fault for bashing "the best way to play multiplayer". And next time I'll put on /sarcasm before attempting to be so.
Crazy kids and their $15 a month maximum allowance.
Three times >_>
Also the 'lower bar' of gear has been raised quite high this time around, so it wont be very hard or time consuming for a new lvl 80 to get the necessary gear to join the Icecrown raid. My guess is that Blizz wanted to ensure everyone had a chance to experience what is going to be a huge event in Warcraft history :)
ending line was the best.
"Let them come, Frostmourn hungers."
I am glad they are continuing to push games forward but I guess I can't help but whine about the story I loved and how they chose to finish it somewhere else. All well.
This seemed ho hum, its still the bloody same story from WoTLK, whats new? Its still Arthas and his pops, and justice for all bla bla ...
Now can we all move on?