Shadowlands Zones, Covenant Armor, and Character Customization Interview with Art Director Ely Cannon

Beta Posted 2020/07/09 at 1:59 PM by perculia

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Shadowlands ZonesWe’ve now explored all of the outdoor zones and dungeons in Shadowlands, and there’s so much variety and stunning backdrops. What are the challenges in creating zones that give off an otherworldly vibe but are still recognizable as World of Warcraft?otherArdenwald is interesting because it's otherworldly but it has some clear Emerald Dream influences based on the story, so it's interesting to see a zone that's different but also ties to Azeroth. Which ties into my next question - what were the influences behind each of the new Shadowlands zones? Were they existing WoW zones, death-themed concepts in WoW, or IRL places outside of the game?Yeah it's interesting to create a fantasy world and show something new, but then on top of that show how the anima is hurting this world you just set up.New to Shadowlands, players upon leaving Oribos have a special gateway animation transitioning to another zone instead of a loading screen. What was the artistic decision between removing the loading screen and what was the team aiming for with the animation style?Character CustomizationWhat is the process for choosing what sort of customization options each race gets? We've seen a steady stream of updates for each race, with some updated over several months such as Orcs getting their fist round in April and then another round today in July. Are some races revisited to add more options pending community feedback? The Night Elf ones were particularly exciting because with the hair vines and jewelry you can replicate the iconic Night Elf appearance from concept art, and with the scars, specifically the one called Teldrassil - we've gotten a lot of feedback from players that it means a lot for them to customize their appearance in a way that reflects their character's story from BFA.
We’ve now seen all the core races receive a sizable revamp and even some Allied Race tweaks. Will character customization updates continue as frequently throughout the beta, or will the majority of changes be limited to the alpha?
According to a dev interview Ion gave several months ago, Blood Elves were originally unintended to have blue eyes in Shadowlands, but later on that decision was reversed following team discussions. If the art department was involved, what was the reasoning that led to blue eyes being added for Void Elves and Blood Elves?Besides the Blood Elf and Void Elf eyes, are there any other notable customization options that weren't originally planned, that were added pretty late in the process?bald haircutsWith all the diversity now possible in player customization options, we’re curious if the new customization options will also be reflected on Shadowlands NPC appearances? And will existing NPCs around Azeroth (like Stormwind NPCs from Cataclysm) receive new appearances reflecting the new diverse customization options?TransmogHas any new tech been developed for customization options or transmog in Shadowlands? For example, earlier in Battle for Azeroth, we learned about the new tech to make creative back pieces like the Wrathion backpack. Are there any plans to expand on this further, or are there any other sorts of new tech that went into appearances?3D objects into the skyThe covenant armor sets are gorgeous and innovative with creative references to each covenant’s culture. What are the influences behind each covenant’s armor set? Was any armor type/covenant combo challenging to design? And any insights on the Mail Ardenweald set as it was the only site to receive a total revamp during Alpha?initial setmade something we feel more-strongly represents the fantasy of Ardenwealdfaunsplate armor setDesigning Sylvanas' New LookWe’ve seen some fan-favorite characters receive updates this expansion. What is the process behind updating a famous character’s appearance for a new expansion? Players on Wowhead are really interested in the choice behind Sylvanas’ new spiky armor as well as Kael’thas reinvented.he's interesting

Comment by tangoman777Really wish that new class/race combinations were considered part of the customization push. Monk should have been expanded to all races at the same time as DK.Comment by UtigardeShe's no longer hiding behind being the Banshee Queen or the Dark Ranger, she is the Sylvanas we have been waiting forComment by DamaindShe's no longer hiding behind being the Banshee Queen or the Dark Ranger, she is the Sylvanas we have been waiting forComment by 1971014This post was from a user who has deleted their account.Comment by lizymoonThe more of Shadowlands comes out the less likely that I'll get it. Especially when they talk characters and story.Comment by Swordbreaker925It baffles me that they say its hard to distinguish mail from leather and plate. But based on the fact that this mail set features ZERO actual mail, i guess i'm not surprised. I dont think they understand what mail is in the first place.Comment by LeHewittPlease, please, please give us the option to mirror the scars over to the other side! The burn scar is perfect but on the wrong side for my character. ;_;Comment by VinceVegaShe's no longer hiding behind being the Banshee Queen or the Dark Ranger, she is the Sylvanas we have been waiting forComment by Dexstar09She's no longer hiding behind being the Banshee Queen or the Dark Ranger, she is the Sylvanas we have been waiting forComment by Dexstar09also as Belf/Horde player since TBC an I have no problem with High elves being on both sides cause hey more elves to kill even though it'll be odd killing someone who looks identical to me,but I think they need to chill a bit on the Belf/Velf and give the other races some love, I mean at this point give the Nborne some Nelves faces n skin color or something cause by God they need all the love n help they can get, hopefully they get enough feedback to prompt something.Comment by crazyjeffyStill no mention of separate shoulder transmogs

Hope is fleetingComment by Mauaki Are there any plans to expand on this further, or are there any other sorts of new tech that went into appearances?Comment by Dreadmureshoes for trolls pleaseComment by hrlqnNot going into the character path of Sylvanas but merely speaking of the new look i find it to be quite unremarkable for such a pivotal character. Muted accents don't really make her justiceComment by EmeraldBlueShe's no longer hiding behind being the Banshee Queen or the Dark Ranger, she is the Sylvanas we have been waiting forComment by DanditoSylvanas was always evil and a villain, same as she is now, if you think they are retconing and making her OOC, you just didn't know her lore and liked the lie she painted. The entire point of her character is that she lied all the time lmao.Comment by KorsyoMany interesting questions, but wasted the opportunity to ask about the character going bald when equipping 90% of the headgear. I mean... let's use some of those xmogs and not look like shaved goats. Of course for some models it makes sense, but for many others, hair should be visible somehow. A good example being cowls.

Another one being the option to customize how to sheath 1h weapons (back or waist). Last but not least... the old "Y" sheath pose option for the Warglaives of Azzinoth. Why? Animation wise it made sense and it was rather unique looking. This option in particular surely can't be hard to code it into a option at the transmog menu, since it was already in the game.

Edit: I also agree on the class fantasy customization as someone above mentioned. Currently, hunters have quivers if they use the Legion xmogs, otherwise they fart the arrows from the Void. Few other examples? Paladins - Librams, Death Knights - visible runes on weapons (hard to code this, since there are 1 mil weapon models) etc.Comment by ValkyrstudiosShe's no longer hiding behind being the Banshee Queen or the Dark Ranger, she is the Sylvanas we have been waiting forComment by DeadlysongSylvanas was always evil and a villain, same as she is now, if you think they are retconing and making her OOC, you just didn't know her lore and liked the lie she painted. The entire point of her character is that she lied all the time lmao.Comment by LautnerI'm confused as to why people thought Sylvanas was some sweetheart anti-hero. She's been selfish since the dawn of her creation.

Like, generally in writing there are some obvious foreshadowing moments. When something 'doesn't make sense', that means that it's not supposed to more often than not. It's like playing 'got your nose', and I roll my eyes and think, "I'll wait for the real story/motivations..."

But then on wowhead, you have 200 people commenting, "Give me back my nose, Blizzard, give it back now! What a terrible nose trickery curse you've cast upon us!"

It's all about perception, and I've never seen Sylvanas be anyone other than who she was at the top of ICC spires, at the Wrathgate, at Teldrassil nor the gates of Orgrimmar.

Sorry for the people who head-cannoned that she was someone else. </3