I know the thought of an “Orgrimmar revamp” is not popular, given preferences for other cities, but Orgrimmar as it should look appears nothing like the Orgrimmar we see in-game.
It is the cosmopolitan center of every Horde culture. It is the seat of Horde power. It is the hub through which all Horde races’ trade and culture flows. Unlike Stormwind, which before and after Cata was made with a technique that suggested a vast city when viewed from the ground, Orgrimmar has always kinda looked like a few dozen huts in a couple of valleys. Whereas when viewed from the ground Stormwind’s densely-packed buildings cut by canals with civilization on all sides could create the illusion of a large population, I would say that Orgrimmar does not do this.
Whereas Stormwind accomplishes the illusion of a city, Orgrimmar barely does more than accomplish the illusion of an outpost. It is difficult when looking at the latter city to imagine where people actually live.
This is especially odd given that the city is still styled after Garrosh’s regime, a Horde leader we are now 3 regime changes divorced from. And, whereas Stormwind had quite a bit of extra space to make additions, the only space available for the entire population of Forsaken refugees was the top of the main gate.
Also, whereas Stormwind was rebuilt many years before the start of even WC3 and was an older city with history before then, Orgrimmar is brand-spanking new in comparison. It was built roughly 4 years before the start of classic around Year 21. It was rebuilt after burning down in Year 28. It is now around Year 35. 14 years after its foundation, and after the Horde has significantly grown in power, allies and influence, its seat of power does not seem to have grown much at all. In fact, in the transition from Classic to Cataclysm, a few buildings seem to have been lost, particularly in the Valley of Honor.
So, what does Orgrimmar look like now? Now that the orcs are diminished in relevance, now that several more races have joined including another race of aristocratic elves with refined tastes, now that the “iron orc” era has come and gone, and now that the era of the Warchief has passed. Have they had to cut more into the valley? Expand out from the gates, where they’re vulnerable? Would they have moved across the Southfury to that spot at the edge of Ashenvale sheltered by the mountains? How has Orgrimmar logically changed to maintain its exponentially-growing population?
