There is a huge difference between the release of Classic WoW in it’s original form and the release of a version of Classic WoW where the obvious errors, backed by years of testing and player feed back, have proven the content was poorly designed and definitely a failure. The release of such content, without attempts of modifications, is nothing less then a insult to the Classic player community.
Archaeology Quick Fix: Map markers will display as normal for each continent. Difference: There will be one dig locations for each of the fossil types. Example: Eastern Kingdoms will always contain 1 dig site for Dwarf, Troll, Night Elf, and Nerubian. Dig sites will move around the continents as normal but will always have one of each fossil type available for players to dig.
After landing in the zone, players will deploy the Theodolite that will point the player in the direction of the dig site (a direct line of site, not the zig-zag garbage of current game play). Players will find a visible dig site that can be dug/looted for the corresponding fossil type as well as plain “Fossils”.
The solve function would remain the same with perhaps some better RNG on the solves. This should reduce the “grindiness” by 90% and thus up the fun level by 90%. This also cuts out the RNG of not having access to the Fossil types players want, again making the “FUN” level increase.
Why is Archaeology a failure?
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Grindiness - No one enjoys the demented game of hide and seek. While most gathering proffesions are a bit of a grind, only Archaeology comes with the overwhelming desire to bash ones head into the desks repeatedly. This didn’t escape Blizzard, as they discontinued Archaeology after only a few expansions. So one could conclude, Blizzard takes great enjoyment in your displeasure as the released Archaeology in it’s original form
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Horrible RNG - RNG of site locations, fossil location within the site, fossil types, and puzzle solve types. There is so much RNG in this profession, there was never any chance this would be enjoyable. Adding something to the game that was a know miserable experience, having years of collected data from retail, was either a huge error of judgement or a deliberate act of stupidity.
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No Continued Value - Archaeology has no longevity, once you get the item you need, you’re done. With Blizzards continued support of gold farmers and the GDKP raids, most the items are purely cosmetic and really have no true value in the game.
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Zero Player Interaction - Unlike other gathering professions, Archaeology has nearly zero player interaction. While Mining and Herbalism have a continued value for supporting your guild, supplying your alts with crafting supplies and gear, or a continued sorce of income, Archaeology just ends and becomes pointless.
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End Value - Archaeology is not worth the time required. Unless the RNG gods have your favor, most people will find better gear in a Dungeon or Raid before they get the items they want from Archaeology. Archaeology is not a gold friendly activity, you will find your time is much better spent doing other activities.
Archaeology could of been a great addition to the game. Removal of the demented hide a seek portion of the proffession would of been a good start. The addition of treasure maps that lead to both random world drop treasure chests and allow access to mini dungeon/raids (either reused dungeons, like Onyxia’s Lair, or spending a little time making new dungeons. Perhaps designed after movies such as Indiana Jones, Goonies, Krull. Additional loot tables containing scaled up vesions of gear rarely ever seen or removed, Iron Foe, Chromatic Sword, Ahune’s Staff.
Unfortunately, Archaeology is a good idea that was absolutely poorly exacuted in retail and is just an incredible insult to players now, knowing the years of data collected and ultimately complete removal from the game due to it’s design.