World of Warcraft: RealID (Real Names) for Forums a Bust

World of Warcraft: RealID (Real Names) for Forums a Bust

One of the hottest topics in all forums and information sites concerning World of Wacraft was Blizzards statement to make everyone’s real names be shown on their (Blizzard) forums.  It was a pretty big topic and I have avoided talking about it on here for a couple of reasons but since Blizzard has released their newest information, thanks to Nethaera, I feel that a mature discussion about it can be made.

Blizzard wanted to stop trolling on their forums, that was their main concern, so they released to the public that RealID would also release your real name when you posted on their forums.  *insert nuclear bomb explosion sounds bigger than Deathwings’ Cataclysm*  I have no idea what all players opinions are but within my guild it was pretty extreme.  There were the ‘omg that is awesome – death to trollers!’ and there were the ‘omg WHY would Blizzard take away our privacy!’ teams.  There was a rather large debate on the guild forums/shoutbox and in game, and I have to say, I can see both sides points.

I can understand Blizzard wanting to reduce the amount of trolling and drama on their forums – honestly who likes that? – and I think they were hoping that revealing the real names of the posters would slow or stop all of that.  Personally I think that would cause even more drama especially to those who like to post as alts or make level 1 characters to do things on the forums.  Not to mention what if someone had the same real name as you?  That could be a whole lot of trouble!  It would be nice if those dramas and trollers would stop but that is naive – even though it’s a nice thought.

With the concerns with privacy – that’s a huge topic.  I understand the statements about it being a game to escape the real world.  True, it’s why we have avatars and name them (though some people do name their WoW characters after themselves) so there is the understanding to escape.  There are privacy preferences for those who do not like to give out their real names in guild or game, even if they have been there for years, which I am inclined to agree with.  I’m not a big ‘zomg we’re m8′s, whatz u’re real name?!’ kinda girl.  So can you imagine if you’ve kept your name to yourself for years and you post on Blizzard forums for it to show up as Jane Doe “NightSkye”?  For some people that is extremely invasive.

Personally, I was never a huge Blizzard forum poster, so the idea of my real name being on the forum wasn’t that upsetting but for those who do post like crazy, it was.  A lot of players stated it would be okay if Blizzard gave them the ability to turn on for off that feature but then again, it would have defeated Blizzards purpose.  I don’t mind Blizzard knowing all of my personal information and I don’t mind an IP trace either but it does give me the willies knowing that the world could essentially know who I am via my character…especially the people who don’t like you.  *shudders*

I would like to know what you, dear readers and players think, but please be respectful about it.  I acknowledge every opinion, thought, or conviction of each of your posts and I would ask that you be understanding with others who might post and it doesn’t agree with you.

I thank you for your understanding *bows*

Happy Hunting!

Cataclysm: Videos and Talent/Mastery Systems

Cataclysm: Videos and Talent/Mastery Systems

A lot more information has been released for Cataclysm, which makes me extremely happy, though how did everyone like the Ruby Sanctum?   I am asking right now since I’ve finally gotten around to doing it and first time was 25 man.  A very fun fight especially in the Twilight stage and I like the idea of the big meteors as well.  I am really hoping for the ArP Trinket that drops….

There are a lot of videos of the new zones out for Cataclysm thanks to all the BETA players so make sure you check them out (thanks to MMO-champion.com):

SPOILER ALERT!!! DO NOT WATCH THESE VIDEOS IF YOU DON’T WANT ANY SPOILERS – YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

• Starting Zones for Goblins/Worgen, Blackrock Caverns
• Orgrimmar/Stormwind/Throne of Tide Dungeon

What seems to be a hot topic is the new Talent and Mastery System Blizzard has been talking about lately, thanks to Zarhym, who goes into a very detailed description in their post.  Feel free to read the original post but there was one part I wanted to talk about today.

“To Recap
When players reach level 10, they are presented with basic information on the three specializations within their class and are asked to choose one. Then they spend their talent point. The other trees darken and are unavailable until 31 points are spent in the chosen tree. The character is awarded an active ability, and one or more passive bonuses unique to the tree they’ve chosen. As they gain levels, they’ll alternate between receiving a talent point and gaining new skills. They’ll have a 31-point tree to work down, with each talent being more integral and exciting than they have been in the past. Once they spend their 31′st point in the final talent (at level 70), the other trees open up and become available to allocate points into from then on. As characters move into the level 78+ areas in Cataclysm, they’ll begin seeing items with a new stat, Mastery. Once they learn the Mastery skill from their class trainer they’ll receive bonuses from the stat based on the tree they’ve specialized in.

We understand that these are significant changes and we still have details to solidify. We feel, however, that these changes better fulfill our original class design goals for Cataclysm, and we’re confident that they will make for a better gameplay experience. Your constructive feedback is welcomed and appreciated.” – Blizzard.

A few people I have talked to (guild mates) really are not excited about this new change but I really like the idea.  I like that you put in 31 points into 1 tree, instead of all over the place, because it makes you really learn your class – as well as spec.  When you get ‘bigger’ your rewarded by being able to put more points into another tree which will make you more than likely feel more powerful than just your first 31 points.  When you begin to reach the height of your ‘age’ you’re once again rewarded by the Mastery system.  Is it just me who sees that as awesome?

I like the idea that they are wanting you to focus more on the spec you chose, to make you level just as you are – to make you a better player, and as you reach new levels you’re rewarded with more options.  True you’re pretty much cookie cutter until you’re rewarded but when you’re ‘little’ everyone is pretty much the same as it is.  But!  I am hoping they nail the system down after that disappointment with what they took out of Cataclysm.

UPDATE:

• Remember the tiny skeletal raptor pet from a previous post?  That is a possible contender for a vanity pet for Archaeology.
• The Mastiff (will be classified under “Wolf” Family):  From BETA Testers they confirm that it is the Worgen Hunter starter pets and can only be tamed by the Worgen.  I am unsure at this moment if upon official release of Cataclysm if it will change or stay the same.
• The Monkey (will be classified from the newly made “Primate” Family): From BETA Testers they also confirm that this is a Goblin Hunter tamed pet.  Once again, unsure if this will stay or change upon the release of Cataclysm.
• Hunters begin the game with is known as starter pets and depending on their race, they are designated a pet to accompany them until level 10.

Let me know what you think!

Happy Hunting!

Cataclysm: Hunter Changes and More Things

Cataclysm: Hunter Changes and More Things

You knew it would happen.

Yes…yes you did.

Hunter changes have come afloat and there are just a few lovely things I HAVE to talk about though I am not against other classes, so check out the Talent Calculators and down below for other class changes (those will be talked about in another post).

1. Death Knight
2. Druid
3. Hunter
4. Mage
5. Paladin
6. Priest
7. Rogue
8. Shaman
9. Warlock
10. Warrior

Okay so onwards to the Hunter goodness!

First and foremost, out of all the changes coming to the Hunter class the one I am the most excited about it the stable slots!  Ghostcrawler talks about the new ‘model’ coming out for the pets and stables.  A Hunter can have 5 active pets, as in the ones he/she can call to switch out their current pet, with another 20 OR MORE stable slots to store more of your wonderful pets.  The pets can be summoned out of combat and you can visit a stable master to change out your 5 active pets with others that you desire.

Is that not just amazing?!  Finally I can have all the Spirit Beasts (which I do) but I don’t have to just have room for one raiding pet – I can have several!  Not to mention if they come out with more Spirit Beasts I can have room, I was going to be in such a bind if they came out with another Spirit Beast and I had to get rid of my raiding pet to have room.

Next there are all the other changes, once again discussed by Ghostcrawler.   A quick summary of the post:  Focus, shots, pets, cobra shot, kill command, aimed shot, AE changes, and Venoms.  It’s unsure at this time if these are Blizzards final thoughts or if they will change.

Focus:  Blizzard is still working out the kinks in our new shot cost system ranging from shots to the kind of weapon you’re using.

Shots:  In this section they talk about each talent trees signature shot.

Pets: taken from Blue (Ghostcrawler) [ ... ] We don’t want “wolf or die” in Cataclysm (and before that it was cat). Each pet family will bring a unique raid buff, allowing hunters to be wildcards for when you are lacking something. The ease of swapping pets will facilitate this further. That is wonderful, granted they speak of other things but this is the most exciting!

Cobra Shot:  Basically they want this to be BM’s new Steady Shot.

Kill Command: Frenzy/Focus Fire are liked by all but Blizzard wants to make them their own buttons – not to be combined into Kill Command.

Aimed Shot: This shot will once again be an opener, good bad?

AE Damage: Showing they want Mutli-shot to be used on 2+ targets and abilities like Explosive Trap and Volley for 4+ targets.

Venoms:  Blizzard is working on focus costs being too high.  It seems they are wanting to show that Venoms are different from Stings and shouldn’t be used in every fight.  Hunters will have to learn priority once again!

Finally for Hunters, our new abilities:

• Aspect of the Fox – level 83 – The hunter takes on the aspects of a fox, increasing your focus regeneration by 20% and allows you to Auto-shot while moving.
  Instant, 1 sec cooldown
• Cobra Shot – level 81 – Deals weapon damage plus [ 6% of RAP + 168 ] in the form of Nature damage and increases the duration of your Serpent Sting on the target by 3 sec. ( Aspect of the Hawk : Generates 1 Focus. )
  5-35 yd range, 1.5 sec cast
• Trap Launcher – 48 – When used, your next Trap can be launched to a target location within 40 yards.
  30 Focus, Instant
• Widow Venom – level 40 – A venemous shot that reduces the effectiveness of any healing taken by 25% for 30 sec. Only one Venom per Hunter can be active on any one target.
  30 Focus, 5-35 yd range, Instant

Now this isn’t all that has happened with Hunters but this is the information I am the most excited about – especially the stable slots.  I can’t help but collect and I am even more happy that they are going to break down pets to give their own buffs and make it interesting in raids.  Well, if they get the mechanics right but still.

Now on to more mount and vanity pets info I’ve come across (please not once again that these may NOT make it into the final release of Cataclysm but it’s nice to think about!):

Dragons:

• a Deepholm dragon mount  (image1)
• a Skywall dragon mount (image 2)

Pets

• Mastiff – new Worgen racial pet?
• Deep Sea Murlocs – talked about these little guys in a previous post – would love them as a Collectors Edition Pet.
• Seagull/ Raven/Bush Chicken – possible pets?

Happy Hunting!