I think this could be super fun and successful; here’s my idea (I’m sure others have had similar):
Imagine just a normal menu like you’d find in Dota or COD. There, you can create different class loadouts (gearings, talents, etc). Then, queue into games! 2s, 3s, BGs, just queues like you’d have in Dota or COD, no running around cities or anything. The only time you are controlling a character is in a match (or practice like a lot of games have).
I think a one time purchase like COD would work, and then there could be your usual methods of monetization like coins to buy for skins etc. There could also be progression for unlocks of different gear like you have in COD (or just more clean like Dota without that stuff). F2P could be fine too and then bank on skin sales / other methods of monetization. If you copied the model of some FPSs even further, you could start the game with some defaults so there is less to learn when getting started.
Imagine how much bigger the WoW esports scene would get, and the game in general, if the barriers of entry to competitive play were reduced. The sheer time requirement needed to start playing arenas or RBGs in a competitive way is a huge barrier of entry for a lot of people.
It could also be easier to balance the classes in this PvP only version, as there are no balance considerations necessary for PvE content.
Things like in match UI would need to be figured out, since most players in live WoW have their own specific setups with mods etc. Something universal or a way to modify it to a player’s content would be required.
I’m curious if anyone else has come up with this idea, or if there are any additional suggestions to make it cool! WoW PvP is so exciting and fun, and I would really like to see it grow in the esports space / overall. I think without getting a ton more players the scene won’t grow particularly fast, and I believe this approach would give the opportunity for tons of new players to get into WoW PvP. I’m sure some would even cross over into the main game after playing the PvP only version.
Thanks everyone have a great day!
PS I didn’t know how to categorize this I couldn’t figure out how to put it in general or PvP or whatever sorry.