WoW Designer reveals why the Skyborne were added
With the launch of World of Warcraft Forever just a week away, the focus has shifted from hype to the deep design philosophies guiding the game’s creation. Principal game designer Kris Zierhut recently shared some fascinating insights into why the new Skyborne race was introduced, revealing a clear strategy focused on player experience and world balance.
When asked about the inclusion of the Skyborne race, Zierhut explained that the primary goal was to welcome more elves into Azeroth while ensuring the delicate balance of the factions was maintained. He noted that while elves are historically popular, introducing them required careful consideration of existing structures.
The rationale behind adding Skyborne specifically stemmed from player demand. Zierhut pointed out that a segment of the player base expressed a desire for races that didn’t fit the traditional monster archetype. He noted, “There’s a certain amount of players who don’t want to play a monster, to put it really honestly. They don’t want to be an Orc or a Troll or a Tauren or Undead. They want to have something that looks prettier. It’s not everybody.”
This focus on aesthetics is central to the decision. While other elven possibilities, such as the Blood Elves, exist within Azeroth, the development team decided to focus on the Skyborne addition for now. This approach allowed them to avoid stepping on the toes of the retail team, allowing the existing narrative around Silvermoon, the home of the Blood Elves, to develop without interruption.
This strategic choice means that while players are getting a fresh addition, the opportunity for other elven races remains on the horizon. The team indicated that the Blood Elves could potentially be introduced in the future, but for the immediate launch, players will have the Skyborne race to enjoy if they wish to play as a Horde elf.
Beyond race selection, Blizzard has also provided details on the post-launch roadmap, promising a different pace than the modern game. The Forever team is opting for updates that are slower and more deliberate than the quick eight-week patch cycle seen in the current WoW. Furthermore, Zierhut shared that future updates will involve revisiting familiar locations from past expansions, such as Northrend and Pandaria, adding new layers to the world that players have already loved.
Buy on Amazon
Credit
