What WoW can learn from Arcane’s Steampunk

Community General Discussion
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The problem with Gnomes and Goblins, and by extension their tech, in WoW is that they are overly cartoonish with almost zero moments that treat them seriously in the scope of the story.

Arcane had a “Gnome-like” character found in Heimerdinger, a short whimsical character who, despite his small stature was taken seriously for his wisdom and hundreds of years of experience. He was a multifaceted character and his inclusion in the story did not break the tone, because he did not act like the Comedic relief.

Furthermore, the steampunk technology was not treated as some side thing to be ignored until it was convenient to use. The story is about the implications and consequences of invention. The technology was treated with respect and explored in-depth.

Meanwhile Steampunk technology in Warcraft looks like it’s barely holding itself together and is about to fall apart any moment. Reinforcing the comedy, and making it feel out of place.

Whatever Blizz has planned for the future, I think that WoW should seriously explore both the Alliance and the Horde expanding upon their technological capabilities.

Giving opportunity to examine each Faction’s philosophy about invention. Something that would be interesting for a franchise called “War Craft”.

We got a taste of that when Gelbin had a radio activated bomb to destroy a fleet.

Also remember, that the Gnomes had nuclear technology, which was crucial to the downfall of their home.

There’s obviously a lot of narrative potential around technology.

Before the Worgen curse, Gilneas was a society with a Victorian level technology. So it’s clear that humans are not dumb or universally stuck at medieval levels.

It stands to reason that a society composed of Humans, Elves, Dwarves, and Draenai might encourage a culture that is driven towards invention.

Or working to understand Titan technology.

Alternatively consider the possibilities of inventions made in a collaboration between Alliance and Horde, or a group of people from both factions who have a neutral ground - what would the implications of such a thing be?

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Additionally, consider that both factions are getting Earthen, the pre-dwarves.

Increases both factions capabilities towards invention

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Gameplay wise, some may point to the possibility “Tech class” - but I’d say that there’s be potential for new types of weapons.

Imagine if the different classes, at least the melee centered ones, got unique firepower weapons.

It’s a world with literal Air Ships so why not?

Stop treating the Gnomes, Goblins, and steampunk as Comedic Relief.

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Side note, give Mechagnomes more robot customization options.

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Oddly was just talking about this with friends. I hope we see an impact on the world at large from the inventions of engineers. A more hi-tec Warcraft going forward. I think the low medieval fantasy is 1) To vanilla at this point and tbh Classic portrays it better and 2) it’s boring at this point. There’s so much tech we interact with in every expansion but it hardly seems to have an impact. Not to mention the titan technology found throughout each expansion.

If Blizz can pull off a medieval/steam punk setting that’d be pretty unique. I’m all for it. Medieval WoW is pretty much gone at this point.

Edit: I must be tired or it’s just so boring but points 1 & 2 are the same XD

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I thought a cool theme would just be to fuse tech and magic with gnomes, have some kind of malfunction that causes a disortion and gives gnomes magical cosmetic appearances for their race. Like colorful magical hair, maybe runes on their skins, amazing stuff like that.

Goblins, hmm haven’t really thought of that one. Maybe elemental goblin themes? Between Fire, Water, Air, and Earth after one to many goblins deviated from their contracts causing some massive curse upon the goblins and giving elemental cosmetics to the goblins? Which they now also fuse with their tech?

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Because then it would no longer be Warcraft.

Tech in Warcraft is silly and cartoonish and Gomes and Goblins are different flavors of comic relief. You start changing that and it stops being Warcraft.

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I’d argue it’s the lack of utilizing new forms of invention for War that makes it feel like not being War Craft these days.

Something that’s been in heavy discussion as of late.

Keeping technology as this comedic relief that’s never really explored in consequences is THE biggest plot hole in the mmo.

Especially when considering that the RTS games actually showed progress.

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I disagree. In fact, I’d say the opposite. Its when tech isn’t treated like comic relief that we get the plot holes. Things like the Vindicaar and the Mana Bomb that destroyed Theramore. If the races are capable of such destructive and serious tech why isn’t it being used? Why does the Alliance care about a bunch of Orcs with axes or a few Primal Dragons when they have an orbital lazer?

When you start going beyond the silly tech that has a chance to blow up in your face is when you start getting the serious plot holes.

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That’s actually a great example of Blizz just not thinking about the wider consequences of invention and technology.

Which proves my point.

The underthinking about the technology, because they don’t take it seriously - is what led to these plot holes in the first place.

They treated tech as something to be ignored until convenient. Which is exactly the kind of problem that I’m talking about - and a mistake that Arcane learned from. (Considering the League of Legends was inspired by WoW)

This is mainly a problem in the MMO, because the rts games made a point about how technology gave humans an edge when fighting the orcs and the horde.

So I’ll say again, bring the Craft back to Warcraft.

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I like the wow approach to tech, and mechagon is one of my favorite zones as a result.

If they made more zones like mechagon I would not be mad.

They really need to enable silver and rusted versions of mechagnome heritage. It’s by far the most, some would say the only, robotic gear available and it shouldn’t be gold or else.

Yes, Mekkatorque is downright silly and gnomes in general are pretty comical. Goblins slighty less, but still rather comical. I’m alright with them being that way (tech is created almost exclusively by “mad scientists” in this world and I’m totally cool with that).

If they turned it more serious I’m not sure how I would take it, I assume I would still like it, it just isn’t necessary for me I don’t think.

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It at times feels like the game is in a constant battle of “we’re a medieval fantasy game” and “we’re a high tech WMD producing, robot game”. You enter Tinker Town or Goblin refuge and it’s a stark contrast to the rest of the city.

There’s so many instances of mech suits in the game from shredders to the robotic death suits of Legion.

There was already a pretty heavy influence of scifi with the Legion expansion and it felt normal imo, but then when you return to an older zone it’s like a totally different world.

I think it’d be great to see it explored OR we have our own dark age of technology and get reset to simply using engineering for medieval level tech.

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Something else to note, WoW is adding a customizable flying vehicle.

And there are motorcycles and Cars and Tanks.

Seriously, they have the ingredients to make a modern Steampunk City.

Just do it.