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| publisher = Blizzard Entertainment |
| publisher = Blizzard Entertainment |
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| date = August 27, 2019<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/22990080/|title=Mark Your Calendars: WoW Classic Launch and Testing Schedule|publisher=[[Blizzard Entertainment]]|date=2019-05-14|accessdate=2019-05-14}}</ref> |
| date = August 27, 2019<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/22990080/|title=Mark Your Calendars: WoW Classic Launch and Testing Schedule|publisher=[[Blizzard Entertainment]]|date=2019-05-14|accessdate=2019-05-14}}</ref> |
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| − | | version = 1.13. |
+ | | version = [[Patch 1.13.5|1.13.5]] |
| preview = |
| preview = |
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| platforms = {{wp|Microsoft Windows}}, {{wp|macOS}} |
| platforms = {{wp|Microsoft Windows}}, {{wp|macOS}} |
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{{tocright}} |
{{tocright}} |
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| − | '''''World of Warcraft: Classic''''' (shortened as '''''Classic''''') is a |
+ | '''''World of Warcraft: Classic''''' (shortened as '''''Classic'''''), sometimes referred to as "'''vanilla WoW'''", is a server option for ''[[World of Warcraft]]'' announced at [[BlizzCon 2017]]. The goal of ''Classic'' is to let players experience ''World of Warcraft'' as close as possible to what it was before ''[[The Burning Crusade]]''. |
==Development== |
==Development== |
||
| − | Before work began on ''World of Warcraft: Classic'', it was only possible for players to experience the original ''World of Warcraft'' by using [[emulated server|private servers]], which are illegal, often have stability or corruption problems, and generally are very imperfect recreations of the authentic ''World of Warcraft'' experience. As much as [[Blizzard Entertainment|Blizzard]] |
+ | Before work began on ''World of Warcraft: Classic'', it was only possible for players to experience the original ''World of Warcraft'' by using [[emulated server|private servers]], which are illegal, often have stability or corruption problems, and generally are very imperfect recreations of the authentic ''World of Warcraft'' experience. As much as [[Blizzard Entertainment|Blizzard]] had been aware of the desires of their community, until recently it seemed impossible for them to emulate ''Classic'' servers due to the technical hurdles of essentially having to run two [[massively multiplayer online game]]s side-by-side. A breakthrough was then achieved that made it possible to run ''Classic'' servers on the modern architecture of current ''World of Warcraft'' servers.<ref name = "PCGamer"/> |
| + | |||
| + | Blizzard had begun conceptualizing Classic by early 2017.<ref>[https://www.gamespot.com/articles/blizzards-president-on-making-sure-nothing-changes/1100-6470241/?ftag=NLS-04-10aaa1d Blizzard's President On Making Sure Nothing Changes]</ref> |
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Even though a modern server architecture is used, ''Classic'' servers won't have the same features that current ''World of Warcraft'' does. There won't be cross-realm servers or [[Looking For Raid]] and [[Dungeon Finder]] automatic party matchmaking. There are still a lot of questions about how the team will tackle it. This endeavor is being undertaken by an entirely separate team at Blizzard from the one working on ''World of Warcraft'' and its next expansion.<ref name="PCGamer">[http://www.pcgamer.com/this-is-how-blizzard-plans-to-finally-bring-back-vanilla-wow-servers/ PC Gamer - This is how Blizzard plans to finally bring back Vanilla WoW servers]</ref> |
Even though a modern server architecture is used, ''Classic'' servers won't have the same features that current ''World of Warcraft'' does. There won't be cross-realm servers or [[Looking For Raid]] and [[Dungeon Finder]] automatic party matchmaking. There are still a lot of questions about how the team will tackle it. This endeavor is being undertaken by an entirely separate team at Blizzard from the one working on ''World of Warcraft'' and its next expansion.<ref name="PCGamer">[http://www.pcgamer.com/this-is-how-blizzard-plans-to-finally-bring-back-vanilla-wow-servers/ PC Gamer - This is how Blizzard plans to finally bring back Vanilla WoW servers]</ref> |
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In June 2018, the team settled on using [[patch 1.12]] as a foundation for ''Classic''. They managed to have a locally rebuilt version of patch 1.12 running internally, using modern code and data architecture.<ref>[https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/21881587/dev-watercooler-world-of-warcraft-classic Dev Watercooler: World of Warcraft Classic]</ref> |
In June 2018, the team settled on using [[patch 1.12]] as a foundation for ''Classic''. They managed to have a locally rebuilt version of patch 1.12 running internally, using modern code and data architecture.<ref>[https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/21881587/dev-watercooler-world-of-warcraft-classic Dev Watercooler: World of Warcraft Classic]</ref> |
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| − | A demo of the game was available at [[BlizzCon 2018]], and was downloadable on home computers for anyone who purchased a BlizzCon ticket or [[Virtual Ticket|virtual ticket]]. The servers became available when Opening Ceremony started at BlizzCon 2018 and was set to end on November 8, but was extended until November 12.<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://www.wowhead.com/news=288505/world-of-warcraft-classic-demo-extended-to-12-november|title=World of Warcraft: Classic Demo Extended to 12 November|publisher=[[Wowhead]]|author=Archimtiros|date=2018-11-08|accessdate=2018-11-08}}</ref> |
+ | A demo of the game was available at [[BlizzCon 2018]], and was downloadable on home computers (64-bit client only) for anyone who purchased a BlizzCon ticket or [[Virtual Ticket|virtual ticket]]. The servers became available when Opening Ceremony started at BlizzCon 2018 and was set to end on November 8, but was extended until November 12.<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://www.wowhead.com/news=288505/world-of-warcraft-classic-demo-extended-to-12-november|title=World of Warcraft: Classic Demo Extended to 12 November|publisher=[[Wowhead]]|author=Archimtiros|date=2018-11-08|accessdate=2018-11-08}}</ref> Player levels ranged from 15 to 19, and the only available zones were [[Westfall (Classic)|Westfall]] and [[Barrens (Classic)|the Barrens]] without access to dungeons such as [[Deadmines (Classic)|Deadmines]] and [[Wailing Caverns]].<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://blizzcon.com/en-us/news/22551243/bring-home-the-blizzcon-wow-classic-demo-with-the-virtual-ticket|title=Bring Home the BlizzCon WoW Classic Demo With The Virtual Ticket|publisher=[[Blizzard Entertainment]]|date=2018-09-27|accessdate=2018-09-27}}</ref> It was based on [[patch 1.12.0]], ported to a modern infrastructure as patch 1.13.0. The first day of the demo, there was a playtime limit of a cumulative 60 minutes with a cooldown of 90 minutes, applied through the [[BlizzCon Exhaustion]] debuff.<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://us.battle.net/forums/en/wow/topic/20769628564|title=Playing the Classic Demo|author={{Blizz|Ythisens}}|date=2018-11-01|accessdate=2018-11-03}}</ref> The debuff was removed on the second day of [[BlizzCon 2018]].<ref>[https://twitter.com/WarcraftDevs/status/1058759179538550785 WarcraftDevs on Twitter] - "The playtime limits on the WoW Classic demo have now been removed. Enjoy!" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20181103185315/https://twitter.com/WarcraftDevs/status/1058759179538550785 archived])</ref> |
| − | == |
+ | ==Release== |
| + | ''Classic'' launched globally on 27 August, 2019 at midnight in Central European Summer Time,<ref>{{ref web|title=Here’s when World of Warcraft Classic launches in every region|author=Austen Goslin|publisher=Polygon|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/8/26/20833102/wow-classic-launch-servers-time-release-date}}</ref> following an early-access period when players could download the client and create toons (to reserve the name) but not play them.<ref>{{ref web|title=WoW Classic Name Reservations Now Open!|author={{Blizz}}[[Blizzard Entertainment]]|url=https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/world-of-warcraft/23086691/wow-classic-name-reservations-now-open-updated|date=20190826}}</ref> High volumes were partly mitigated by larger server sizes than the original, and Blizzard introduced temporary [[layering]] technology that was similar to [[Sharding (term)|sharding]] but not cross realm.<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://www.wowhead.com/news=291722/layering-in-classic-wow|title=Layering in Classic WoW|publisher=[[Wowhead]]|author=Anshlun|date=2019-05-14|accessdate=2019-05-15}}</ref> Nevertheless, some servers experienced extreme login queues forcing the rapid creation of additional servers in all regions.<ref>{{ref web|title=Blizzard is frantically opening new WoW Classic servers to keep up with demand|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/blizzard-is-frantically-opening-new-wow-classic-servers-to-keep-up-with-demand/|publisher=GamesRadar|author=Jordan Gerblick|date=20190827}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | |||
| − | *Phase 1 (Classic Launch): [[Molten Core]], [[Onyxia (original)|Onyxia]], [[Maraudon]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| − | *Phase |
+ | *Phase 1 (Classic Launch): [[Molten Core]], [[Onyxia (Classic)|Onyxia]], [[Maraudon]] |
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | *Phase 3 (released February 12th, 2020): [[Blackwing Lair]], [[Darkmoon Faire (Classic)|Darkmoon Faire]], [[Darkmoon Deck|Darkmoon deck]] drops begin, [[Alterac Valley]], [[Warsong Gulch]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
*Phase 5: [[Ahn'Qiraj War Effort]] begins, [[Ahn'Qiraj]] raids ([[Ruins of Ahn'Qiraj|Ruins]] and [[Temple of Ahn'Qiraj]]) open when the war effort dictates, Dungeon loot reconfiguration: [[Dungeon Set 2|Tier 0.5]] Dungeon gear, Relics, drop rates and location changes |
*Phase 5: [[Ahn'Qiraj War Effort]] begins, [[Ahn'Qiraj]] raids ([[Ruins of Ahn'Qiraj|Ruins]] and [[Temple of Ahn'Qiraj]]) open when the war effort dictates, Dungeon loot reconfiguration: [[Dungeon Set 2|Tier 0.5]] Dungeon gear, Relics, drop rates and location changes |
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*Phase 6: [[Naxxramas (Classic)|Naxxramas]], [[Scourge Invasion]], [[World PvP]] objectives in [[The Silithyst Must Flow|Silithus]] and [[A Game of Towers|Eastern Plaguelands]] |
*Phase 6: [[Naxxramas (Classic)|Naxxramas]], [[Scourge Invasion]], [[World PvP]] objectives in [[The Silithyst Must Flow|Silithus]] and [[A Game of Towers|Eastern Plaguelands]] |
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| − | + | Additionally, some content such as updated [[Blackrock Depths]] loot, [[Sunken Temple]] class quests, high-end [[Timbermaw Hold]], [[Thorium Brotherhood]] and [[Argent Dawn]] reputation rewards came later than Phase 1. Finally, the temporary [[layering]] at launch was to be discontinued or replaced no later than the release of world bosses with Phase 2.<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://www.mmo-champion.com/content/8513-WoW-Classic-Summit-Fan-Site-Interviews|title=WoW Classic Summit Fan Site Interviews|publisher=[[MMO-Champion]]|author=Stoy|date=2019-05-15|accessdate=2019-05-15}}</ref> |
|
| + | Following the successful launch, Blizzard CEO [[J. Allen Brack]] teased his own earlier statements that Classic would be a bad idea by recalling an ice cream metaphor: |
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| − | ==Demo limits== |
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| + | {{quoteWiki|For some of you, your favourite flavor [of ice cream] is vanilla. [...] You think that you want this, and I think maybe that you do.|[[J. Allen Brack]], CEO, [[Blizzard Entertainment]]|''Classic'''s popularity at [[BlizzCon 2019]]}} |
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| − | *There were 20 realms named "BlizzCon Classic X", with X being a number from 1 to 20. |
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| − | *Every character started at level 15 and got a taste of talents and professions. The [[level cap]] was 19. |
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| − | *Alliance started in [[Westfall (original)|Westfall]] while the Horde started in the [[Barrens (original)|Barrens]]. [[Deadmines (original)|Deadmines]] and [[Wailing Caverns]] were not available. One may experience [[Barrens chat]] and getting one-shotted by [[Defias Pillager|Defias mages]]. |
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| − | *There was no support for the 32-bit client. |
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| − | *Any behavior that would result in a player being suspended from the ''Classic'' demo would also cause them to be suspended from the live game, including naming violations. |
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| + | ==NoChanges controversy== |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | During development until launch, many players disagreed quite vocally on Blizzard's forums and social media about the direction Blizzard should take with ''World of Warcraft: Classic''. ''#NoChanges'' became a popular slogan for the assertion Blizzard should reproduce as authentic a Vanilla experience as possible. Critics argued Blizzard should apply 15 years of hindsight to consider limited changes. |
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| + | |||
| + | ===Gameplay=== |
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| + | ''#NoChanges'' proponents asserted gameplay should remain as authentic as possible, contrasting any suggestions for balance tuning or using modern technology to remove former limitations. For example, ''Classic'' could have removed the former limit on buffs and debuffs or given protection [[paladin]]s a taunt ability to substantively improve their raid-tanking viability. |
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| + | |||
| + | In general, Blizzard developed ''Classic'' without any such changes. Not only were classes and combat mechanics largely retained from Vanilla, but Blizzard purposefully introduced mechanics like [[spell batching]] to simulate technical limitations modern architectures could have avoided completely.<ref>{{ref web|author={{Blizz}}[[Kaivax]]|title=Spell Batching in Classic|url=https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/wow/t/spell-batching-in-classic/137118|date=20190328}}</ref> |
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| + | |||
| + | ===AddOns=== |
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| + | ''#NoChanges'' were often cited by both proponents and critics of including [[AddOns]] in ''Classic''. Arguments against including AddOns asserted that they took away the authenticity of the Vanilla UI or altered the community's behavior (ie, becoming "mandatory" for high-end performance because peers would use them and deny the right for others to join without using them also).<ref>{{ref web|author=Enabrann et al|title=Should AddOns be Banned [in Classic]|date=20190412|urlhttps://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/wow/t/should-addons-be-banned-in-classic/150000}}</ref> Conversely, arguments in favor of AddOns asserted that they were very much part of Vanilla. Indeed, addons introduced many features that were later absorbed into the native UI. |
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| + | |||
| + | This dispute also extended to how the [[World of Warcraft API|API]] was modified to fit ''Classic''. Blizzard removed functions that did not exist in ''Classic'', but this actually reduced some capability versus what was possible in Vanilla. This reduction was because the API evolved in [[Patch 2.0.1/API changes|patch 2.0.1]] to prevent [[bot|automation]] and improve security, but these changes were accompanied by new functions so AddOns could reproduce their Vanilla capabilities within acceptable boundaries. ''Classic'' did not keep all of these new functions; for example, the [[focus]] frame and corresponding <code>/focus</code> command were removed despite AddOns introducing this feature in Vanilla.<ref>{{ref web|title=Focus was in Vanilla: Please Fix the API|author=Eloraell et al|date=20190531|url=https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/wow/t/focus-was-in-vanilla-please-fix-the-api/188182}}</ref> In [[Patch 1.13.3/API changes|patch 1.13.3]], Blizzard further modified the API to remove some convenience functions that were entirely possible to duplicate using longer, more inefficient code snippets. However, some of these were restored in [[Patch 1.13.4/API changes|patch 1.13.4]] suggesting tacit acknowledgment that API trimming had gone too far.<ref>{{ref web|url=https://www.curseforge.com/wow/addons/libtoteminfo|title=LibTotemInfo AddOn|publisher=Curse|accessdate=20200513}}</ref> |
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| + | |||
| ⚫ | |||
*The original idea was to have the content unlock in 4 phases. This was increased to 6 phases in March 2019.<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/wow/t/classic-content-plan/120346|title=Classic Content Plan|publisher=[[Blizzard Entertainment]]|author={{Blizz|Kaivax}}|date=2019-03-11|accessdate=2019-03-11}}</ref> |
*The original idea was to have the content unlock in 4 phases. This was increased to 6 phases in March 2019.<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/wow/t/classic-content-plan/120346|title=Classic Content Plan|publisher=[[Blizzard Entertainment]]|author={{Blizz|Kaivax}}|date=2019-03-11|accessdate=2019-03-11}}</ref> |
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*''[[World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade|The Burning Crusade]]'' and ''[[World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King|Wrath of the Lich King]]'' classic servers are not out of the question, depending on the success of the original launch.<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdZH3UAwUZo&t=11m56s|title=WoW Classic Interview w/ Ion Hazzikostas & Calia Schie (11:56)|author=Quissy|publisher=YouTube|date=2019-05-14|accessdate=2019-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{Ref web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hnewman/2019/05/14/blizzard-entertainment-ceo-interview-on-priorities-wow-classic-and-diablo/|title=Blizzard Entertainment President Interview On Priorities, WoW: Classic And Diablo|author=Heather Newman|publisher=Forbes|date=2019-05-14|accessdate=2019-06-07}}</ref> |
*''[[World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade|The Burning Crusade]]'' and ''[[World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King|Wrath of the Lich King]]'' classic servers are not out of the question, depending on the success of the original launch.<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdZH3UAwUZo&t=11m56s|title=WoW Classic Interview w/ Ion Hazzikostas & Calia Schie (11:56)|author=Quissy|publisher=YouTube|date=2019-05-14|accessdate=2019-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{Ref web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hnewman/2019/05/14/blizzard-entertainment-ceo-interview-on-priorities-wow-classic-and-diablo/|title=Blizzard Entertainment President Interview On Priorities, WoW: Classic And Diablo|author=Heather Newman|publisher=Forbes|date=2019-05-14|accessdate=2019-06-07}}</ref> |
||
*The Classic beta started on May 15, 2019, with the [[level cap]] limited to 30. The level cap was later raised to 40. The Classic beta ended on July 12, 2019. |
*The Classic beta started on May 15, 2019, with the [[level cap]] limited to 30. The level cap was later raised to 40. The Classic beta ended on July 12, 2019. |
||
| + | *''World of Warcraft: Classic'' won the 2019 Golden Joystick Award for "PC Game of the Year".<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/354154/Winners_Announced_at_the_2019_Golden_Joystick_Awards.php|title=Winners Announced at the 2019 Golden Joystick Awards|publisher=Gamasutra|date=2019-11-15|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115221558/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/354154/Winners_Announced_at_the_2019_Golden_Joystick_Awards.php|archivedate=2019-11-15}}</ref><ref>{{Ref web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/Golden-Joystick-awards-2019-winners/|title=Here's every winner from this year's Golden Joystick Awards, including the Ultimate Game of the Year|publisher=GamesRadar|date=2019-11-15|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191115184820/https://www.gamesradar.com/Golden-Joystick-awards-2019-winners/|archivedate=2019-11-16}}</ref> |
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==Gallery== |
==Gallery== |
||
| − | <gallery> |
+ | <gallery mode="packed"> |
Blizzcon 2017 - Classic.jpg|Welcome back |
Blizzcon 2017 - Classic.jpg|Welcome back |
||
World of Warcraft Classic logo.jpg|The logo from the announcement video |
World of Warcraft Classic logo.jpg|The logo from the announcement video |
||
WoW Classic logo animation.gif|Logo animation |
WoW Classic logo animation.gif|Logo animation |
||
| ⚫ | |||
WoW Classic Release Map.jpg|Global Release Times - August 27 |
WoW Classic Release Map.jpg|Global Release Times - August 27 |
||
| + | </gallery> |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | ;Promotional artwork |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | <gallery mode="packed"> |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| − | Classic - Stratholme.jpg |
||
| + | WoW Classic Onyxia.jpg|[[Onyxia]] |
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| + | WoW Classic Hakkar.jpg|[[Hakkar the Soulflayer|Hakkar]] |
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| + | Gryphon and Wyvern WoW Classic.jpg|[[Gryphon]] and [[wyvern]] |
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| + | Blackwing Lair Classic key art.jpg|Assault on [[Blackwing Lair]] update |
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| + | Dire Maul WoW Classic.jpg|Ruins of the [[Dire Maul]] update |
||
| + | Zul'Gurub Classic key art.jpg|Rise of the Blood God update |
||
| + | AhnQirajWarClassic.jpg|Gates of Ahn'Qiraj update |
||
| + | WoW Classic C'Thun.jpg|[[C'Thun]] |
||
| + | </gallery> |
||
| + | |||
| + | ;Promotional screenshots |
||
| + | <gallery mode="packed"> |
||
| + | Classic - Stratholme.jpg|[[Stratholme (Classic)|Stratholme]] |
||
| + | Classic - Andorhal.jpg|[[Andorhal]] |
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| + | Classic - Onyxia.jpg|[[Onyxia's Lair (Classic)|Onyxia's Lair]] |
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| + | Classic - Stranglethorn Vale.jpg|[[Stranglethorn Vale (Classic)|Stranglethorn Vale]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | Classic - Barrens.jpg|[[Barrens (Classic)|The Barrens]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | Classic - Scarlet Monastery.jpg|[[Scarlet Monastery]] |
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| + | Classic - Thousand Needles.jpg|[[Thousand Needles (Classic)|Thousand Needles]] |
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| + | Classic - Un'Goro Crater.jpg|[[Un'Goro Crater (Classic)|Un'Goro Crater]] |
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</gallery> |
</gallery> |
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| Line 64: | Line 101: | ||
<vplayer/> |
<vplayer/> |
||
*{{#vlink:TcZyiYOzsSw|''World of Warcraft: Classic'' announcement}} |
*{{#vlink:TcZyiYOzsSw|''World of Warcraft: Classic'' announcement}} |
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| + | *{{#vlink:iCn14KLCerY|A Toast to 15 Years}} |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
||
*''[[World of Warcraft: Game Manual]]'' |
*''[[World of Warcraft: Game Manual]]'' |
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| + | *[[World of Warcraft: Classic Press Kit]] |
||
*[[World of Warcraft evolution guide]] |
*[[World of Warcraft evolution guide]] |
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| − | *[[Porting |
+ | *[[Porting addons to Classic]] |
| + | *[[Classic realms list]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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| Line 80: | Line 120: | ||
{{Elink|icon=wow|link=https://worldofwarcraft.com/wowclassic|site=Official ''Classic'' site}} |
{{Elink|icon=wow|link=https://worldofwarcraft.com/wowclassic|site=Official ''Classic'' site}} |
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{{Elink|type=wowheadc|link=https://classic.wowhead.com}} |
{{Elink|type=wowheadc|link=https://classic.wowhead.com}} |
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| + | {{Elink|link=https://www.gamermaps.net/map/world-of-warcraft/classic|site=Interactive map}} |
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{{Games}} |
{{Games}} |
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Revision as of 22:58, 5 August 2020
 World of Warcraft: Classic | |
| Developer(s) |
Blizzard Entertainment Portion of Team 2 |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Blizzard Entertainment |
| Platforms | Microsoft Windows, macOS |
| Release | August 27, 2019[1] |
| Latest release | 1.13.5 |
| Genre(s) | MMORPG |
World of Warcraft: Classic (shortened as Classic), sometimes referred to as "vanilla WoW", is a server option for World of Warcraft announced at BlizzCon 2017. The goal of Classic is to let players experience World of Warcraft as close as possible to what it was before The Burning Crusade.
Development
Before work began on World of Warcraft: Classic, it was only possible for players to experience the original World of Warcraft by using private servers, which are illegal, often have stability or corruption problems, and generally are very imperfect recreations of the authentic World of Warcraft experience. As much as Blizzard had been aware of the desires of their community, until recently it seemed impossible for them to emulate Classic servers due to the technical hurdles of essentially having to run two massively multiplayer online games side-by-side. A breakthrough was then achieved that made it possible to run Classic servers on the modern architecture of current World of Warcraft servers.[2]
Blizzard had begun conceptualizing Classic by early 2017.[3]
Even though a modern server architecture is used, Classic servers won't have the same features that current World of Warcraft does. There won't be cross-realm servers or Looking For Raid and Dungeon Finder automatic party matchmaking. There are still a lot of questions about how the team will tackle it. This endeavor is being undertaken by an entirely separate team at Blizzard from the one working on World of Warcraft and its next expansion.[2]
In June 2018, the team settled on using patch 1.12 as a foundation for Classic. They managed to have a locally rebuilt version of patch 1.12 running internally, using modern code and data architecture.[4]
A demo of the game was available at BlizzCon 2018, and was downloadable on home computers (64-bit client only) for anyone who purchased a BlizzCon ticket or virtual ticket. The servers became available when Opening Ceremony started at BlizzCon 2018 and was set to end on November 8, but was extended until November 12.[5] Player levels ranged from 15 to 19, and the only available zones were Westfall and the Barrens without access to dungeons such as Deadmines and Wailing Caverns.[6] It was based on patch 1.12.0, ported to a modern infrastructure as patch 1.13.0. The first day of the demo, there was a playtime limit of a cumulative 60 minutes with a cooldown of 90 minutes, applied through the 
[BlizzCon Exhaustion] debuff.[7] The debuff was removed on the second day of BlizzCon 2018.[8]
Release
Classic launched globally on 27 August, 2019 at midnight in Central European Summer Time,[9] following an early-access period when players could download the client and create toons (to reserve the name) but not play them.[10] High volumes were partly mitigated by larger server sizes than the original, and Blizzard introduced temporary layering technology that was similar to sharding but not cross realm.[11] Nevertheless, some servers experienced extreme login queues forcing the rapid creation of additional servers in all regions.[12]
In order to reproduce the original Classic experience, content was added via multiple stages mimicking selected major content patches back in the day:
- Phase 1 (Classic Launch): Molten Core, Onyxia, Maraudon
- Phase 2 (released November 12th, 2019): Dire Maul, Azuregos, Kazzak, Honor system (including dishonorable kills), PvP Rank Rewards
- Phase 3 (released February 12th, 2020): Blackwing Lair, Darkmoon Faire, Darkmoon deck drops begin, Alterac Valley, Warsong Gulch
- Phase 4 (released March 10th, 2020): Zul'Gurub, Green Dragons, Arathi Basin
- Phase 5: Ahn'Qiraj War Effort begins, Ahn'Qiraj raids (Ruins and Temple of Ahn'Qiraj) open when the war effort dictates, Dungeon loot reconfiguration: Tier 0.5 Dungeon gear, Relics, drop rates and location changes
- Phase 6: Naxxramas, Scourge Invasion, World PvP objectives in Silithus and Eastern Plaguelands
Additionally, some content such as updated Blackrock Depths loot, Sunken Temple class quests, high-end Timbermaw Hold, Thorium Brotherhood and Argent Dawn reputation rewards came later than Phase 1. Finally, the temporary layering at launch was to be discontinued or replaced no later than the release of world bosses with Phase 2.[13]
Following the successful launch, Blizzard CEO J. Allen Brack teased his own earlier statements that Classic would be a bad idea by recalling an ice cream metaphor:
“For some of you, your favourite flavor [of ice cream] is vanilla. [...] You think that you want this, and I think maybe that you do.”
- — J. Allen Brack, CEO, Blizzard Entertainment on Classic's popularity at BlizzCon 2019
NoChanges controversy
During development until launch, many players disagreed quite vocally on Blizzard's forums and social media about the direction Blizzard should take with World of Warcraft: Classic. #NoChanges became a popular slogan for the assertion Blizzard should reproduce as authentic a Vanilla experience as possible. Critics argued Blizzard should apply 15 years of hindsight to consider limited changes.
Gameplay
#NoChanges proponents asserted gameplay should remain as authentic as possible, contrasting any suggestions for balance tuning or using modern technology to remove former limitations. For example, Classic could have removed the former limit on buffs and debuffs or given protection paladins a taunt ability to substantively improve their raid-tanking viability.
In general, Blizzard developed Classic without any such changes. Not only were classes and combat mechanics largely retained from Vanilla, but Blizzard purposefully introduced mechanics like spell batching to simulate technical limitations modern architectures could have avoided completely.[14]
AddOns
#NoChanges were often cited by both proponents and critics of including AddOns in Classic. Arguments against including AddOns asserted that they took away the authenticity of the Vanilla UI or altered the community's behavior (ie, becoming "mandatory" for high-end performance because peers would use them and deny the right for others to join without using them also).[15] Conversely, arguments in favor of AddOns asserted that they were very much part of Vanilla. Indeed, addons introduced many features that were later absorbed into the native UI.
This dispute also extended to how the API was modified to fit Classic. Blizzard removed functions that did not exist in Classic, but this actually reduced some capability versus what was possible in Vanilla. This reduction was because the API evolved in patch 2.0.1 to prevent automation and improve security, but these changes were accompanied by new functions so AddOns could reproduce their Vanilla capabilities within acceptable boundaries. Classic did not keep all of these new functions; for example, the focus frame and corresponding /focus command were removed despite AddOns introducing this feature in Vanilla.[16] In patch 1.13.3, Blizzard further modified the API to remove some convenience functions that were entirely possible to duplicate using longer, more inefficient code snippets. However, some of these were restored in patch 1.13.4 suggesting tacit acknowledgment that API trimming had gone too far.[17]
Notes and trivia
- The original idea was to have the content unlock in 4 phases. This was increased to 6 phases in March 2019.[18]
- The Burning Crusade and Wrath of the Lich King classic servers are not out of the question, depending on the success of the original launch.[19][20]
- The Classic beta started on May 15, 2019, with the level cap limited to 30. The level cap was later raised to 40. The Classic beta ended on July 12, 2019.
- World of Warcraft: Classic won the 2019 Golden Joystick Award for "PC Game of the Year".[21][22]
Gallery
Welcome back
The logo from the announcement video
Logo animation
Global Release Times - August 27
- Promotional artwork
Assault on Blackwing Lair update
Ruins of the Dire Maul update
Rise of the Blood God update
Gates of Ahn'Qiraj update
- Promotional screenshots
Videos
See also
- World of Warcraft: Game Manual
- World of Warcraft: Classic Press Kit
- World of Warcraft evolution guide
- Porting addons to Classic
- Classic realms list
References
- ^ Mark Your Calendars: WoW Classic Launch and Testing Schedule. Blizzard Entertainment (2019-05-14). Retrieved on 2019-05-14.
- ^ a b PC Gamer - This is how Blizzard plans to finally bring back Vanilla WoW servers
- ^ Blizzard's President On Making Sure Nothing Changes
- ^ Dev Watercooler: World of Warcraft Classic
- ^ Archimtiros 2018-11-08. World of Warcraft: Classic Demo Extended to 12 November. Wowhead. Retrieved on 2018-11-08.
- ^ Bring Home the BlizzCon WoW Classic Demo With The Virtual Ticket. Blizzard Entertainment (2018-09-27). Retrieved on 2018-09-27.
- ^ Ythisens 2018-11-01. Playing the Classic Demo. Retrieved on 2018-11-03.
- ^ WarcraftDevs on Twitter - "The playtime limits on the WoW Classic demo have now been removed. Enjoy!" (archived)
- ^ Austen Goslin. Here’s when World of Warcraft Classic launches in every region. Polygon.
- ^ Blizzard Entertainment 2019-08-26. WoW Classic Name Reservations Now Open!.
- ^ Anshlun 2019-05-14. Layering in Classic WoW. Wowhead. Retrieved on 2019-05-15.
- ^ Jordan Gerblick 2019-08-27. Blizzard is frantically opening new WoW Classic servers to keep up with demand. GamesRadar.
- ^ Stoy 2019-05-15. WoW Classic Summit Fan Site Interviews. MMO-Champion. Retrieved on 2019-05-15.
- ^ Kaivax 2019-03-28. Spell Batching in Classic.
- ^ Error on call to Template:ref web: Parameters url and title must be specifiedEnabrann et al 2019-04-12. .
- ^ Eloraell et al 2019-05-31. Focus was in Vanilla: Please Fix the API.
- ^ LibTotemInfo AddOn. Curse. Retrieved on 2020-05-13.
- ^ Kaivax 2019-03-11. Classic Content Plan. Blizzard Entertainment. Retrieved on 2019-03-11.
- ^ Quissy 2019-05-14. WoW Classic Interview w/ Ion Hazzikostas & Calia Schie (11:56). YouTube. Retrieved on 2019-06-07.
- ^ Heather Newman 2019-05-14. Blizzard Entertainment President Interview On Priorities, WoW: Classic And Diablo. Forbes. Retrieved on 2019-06-07.
- ^ Winners Announced at the 2019 Golden Joystick Awards. Gamasutra (2019-11-15). Archived from the original on 2019-11-15.
- ^ Here's every winner from this year's Golden Joystick Awards, including the Ultimate Game of the Year. GamesRadar (2019-11-15). Archived from the original on 2019-11-16.
External links
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