Developer Update: A Look at What’s Ahead for Wrath of the Lich King Classic

[Ôwns-proudmoore (Ôwns)]

@Bloomsday-sulfuras

Link them. I’ll wait.

Loot boxes, video game features used by nearly 40% of children, have clear links to problem gambling, according to a study that has reignited calls for them to be regulated as betting products.

Researchers analysed 13 studies into the behaviour of gamers who spend on loot boxes, which allow players to spend money on randomised in-game rewards that can aid players’ progress or enhance the appearance of characters, without knowing what they will get.

All but one of the studies showed a clear correlation between the use of loot boxes and problem gambling behaviour, under the commonly-used Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) measure.

They were “structurally and psychologically akin” to gambling, the report found, yet are used by nearly half of children who play video games.

The Guardian ^

Building on previous research by the same author, which exposed a link between problem gambling and video game loot boxes, the new study suggests that a number of other practices in video games, such as token wagering, real-money gaming, and social casino spending, are also significantly linked to problem gambling.

The research provides evidence that players who engage in these practices are also more likely to suffer from disordered gaming – a condition where persistent and repeated engagement with video games causes an individual significant impairment or distress.

Author of the study, Dr David Zendle from the Department of Computer Science at the University of York, said: “These findings suggest that the relationship between gaming and problem gambling is more complex than many people think.”

“When we go beyond loot boxes, we can see that there are multiple novel practices in gaming that incorporate elements of gambling. All of them are linked to problem gambling, and all seem prevalent. This may pose an important public health risk. Further research is urgently needed.”

Science Daily ^

[Cybrok-area-52]

First off, the idea of making 10 and 25 drop the same items is a HORRIBLE idea, the difficulty is different, thats how the game was, leave it alone. Thank god thats at least not going through.

Second, the buff to Naxx is great,

Third, you dont need to change how tier is acquired and you dont need to change emblems, dungeons were updated to drop more up to date emblems, just leave it

Fourth, DO NOT make 10 man drop Valor on launch for Naxx. Naxx10 is boring, really bad gear that dungeon gear and crafted is better than most of anyway, and will make it required for 25 man players similar to later on with TOC and ICC

TLDR: WoTLK was successful for a reason, the only changes listed here i can agree with is the buffed Naxx and using just two emblems throughout the xpac. Heroism for dungeon/10man, Valor for 25m and 10 man HEROIC/HM only, nothing else

[Leialoha-bloodsail-buccaneers]

You’re taking the time to feed a troll. Best to starve it.

[Mynta-benediction]

nah, I don’t like retail, I love the older game philosophy, just with more of a challenge, things aren’t black and white.

[Jitterss-pagle]

Purely out of curiosity, what changes specifically sound terrible, and why are they terrible?

[Bloomsday-sulfuras]

@Muddkip-illidan

a game can’t have long term success without BOTH critical acclaim and financial success. DI has only financial, and it will not last, at least here in the west.

You think Diablo Immortal doesn’t have critical acclaim? It has 4.5 stars on the app store.

[Novum-kirtonos]

Ok. I was ready to be done with classic because of the removal of the lfd tool. But now i am very interested in seeimg what they mean about making heroics meaningful through the whole expansion.

If done right, this could be something that could completely chamge wow and is something that i have always thought they should have done. Better gear upgrades also. But if they plan on making this just a stupid speed race, i am not interested. The goal should be to beat a higher difficulty. Not speed running. For those that want to speed run, they have mythics in retail.

I can really see this being a a major feature that could make it into retail expansions even. There is a huge playerbase that 5 man content can keep satisfied.

[Ôwns-proudmoore (Ôwns)]

@Euphorazine-pagle

And in December 2022, I expect the same number of copies of Dragonflight to be sold. Like the game or not, its successful. Imagine reading all the vitriol and hate towards blizzard on their forums, and the game does exceptionally well again.

You don’t understand, all of the opinions I read in my echo chambers say the game is terrible, the people on youtube said its terrible, and yet time and time again it is successful.

Like I said, you’re entitled to your opinion, no matter how wrong of an opinion it may be.

[Huffpost-skeram]

I never said that

[Jitterss-pagle]

What would you do differently and why?

[Redheadchild-kul-tiras (Redheadchild)]

Challange modes for heroics sounds interesting. Maybe when i get the chance i will make a thread for ideas on how they could implement that.

[Bloomsday-sulfuras]

@Ôwns-proudmoore

The Guardian

@Ôwns-proudmoore

Science Daily

Wait, you think Clickbait articles posted to tabloids are “studies”? Anyway, we’re getting sidetracked as you still haven’t answered my question. And none of these articles answer that question either. Let me refresh your recollection of what my question was:

@Bloomsday-sulfuras

Are you trying to say that the only reason players spend money in a video game is because they are addicted to it?

[Ôwns-proudmoore (Ôwns)]

I will take actual studies over your excuses every day of the week.

[Aedd-faerlina]

I wouldnt change anything, just release wrath as it was then… you know… the whole point of the “classic” brand.

[Bloomsday-sulfuras]

@Ôwns-proudmoore

I will take actual studies over your excuses every day of the week

Again, the question is:

@Bloomsday-sulfuras

Are you trying to say that the only reason players spend money in a video game is because they are addicted to it?

Are you refusing to answer this?

[Despitebeing-incendius]

@Zipzo-atiesh

You think you wanted #nochanges, but you don’t and “the community” proved this in spades back in Classic Era.

Then what was the purpose of this statement? If not to characterize players of Classic Era as the minority of players who clamored for #NoChanges?

[Ôwns-proudmoore (Ôwns)]

Nobody has had enough time to get addicted to diablo immortal yet but the more money they spend on it the more addicted to it they will become, yes. This is factual. Its not the only reason players get addicted to a game but for those heavy on microtransactioning they are on a fast road to addiction

[Smáshing-atiesh]

“Fourth, DO NOT make 10 man drop Valor on launch for Naxx. Naxx10 is boring, really bad gear that dungeon gear and crafted is better than most of anyway, and will make it required for 25 man players similar to later on with TOC and ICC”

My wager is they will have 25 and 10 share a lockout.

Which would be failing.

[Zipzo-atiesh]

The point is that the general forum community flip flops between #somechanges and #nochanges whenever they see fit to defend themselves from a change they don’t like.

I saw a monumental push for dual spec in TBC. I said it wasn’t possible…but oooh #somechanges, it’s possible!

Time and time again, #somechanges has been used as a crutch to argue for “good changes” to a game that is arguably very flawed by modern standards.

…but when it’s changes you don’t like?

#nochanges!!! Don’t change anything!!!

It’s hilarious.

[Bloomsday-sulfuras]

@Ôwns-proudmoore

Nobody has had enough time to get addicted to diablo immortal yet

Ah ok so no. People spend money in games for other reasons besides being addicted. Perhaps it’s because they enjoy the game and they think it’s a good game. That’s what makes the most logical sense to me. I think we’ve sorted it out now.