The War Within - Creator Summit Group Interview - Michael Bybee and Sean McCann

Posted 2024/04/29 at 7:32 AM by Paryah

Michael Bybee: Production Director on World Warcraft

Sean McCann: Senior Game Designer in charge of Delves

Release Cadence and DatesIs there a rough timeframe for Beta and release of the War Within that we can expect?Michael BybeeAre there any plans to mirror Classic for a release schedule for expansion launch and/or patch launchesMichael BybeeWhe three days early access be a on weekend or a normal release Monday-Thursday and people without early access starting on Friday?Michael BybeeIs heroic week coming back for the start of seasons, giving guilds a week to clear heroic before mythic starts?Michael BybeeFeedbackAre there any areas that you're particularly keen for feedback on?Sean McCannMichael BybeeWhere should we be putting that feedback to ensure it is seen?Michael BybeeDelvesHow many levels of Delves are there?Sean McCannWhat level do Delve companions go to?Sean McCannHow high does Delve gear go?Sean McCannWill there be challenge, achievements or other ways to increase the difficulty for more rewards or push personal skill?Sean McCannWill Delves scale up health and damage or will there be things like affixes?Sean McCannAre there plans for Delve Companions other than Brann?Sean McCannAre there plans for other customizable mount rewards, other than the flying machine?Sean McCannIs there a limit to how many Delves you can run per week?Sean McCannAre Delves something similar to Pandaria scenarios or more like the Torgast experience?Sean McCannHow frequently will Delves rotate?Sean McCannWill Delves feature some level of randomness in their encounters? So they feel more different at later stages?Sean McCannWill there be anything dynamic in the maps and their layouts? Sean McCannAre Delves going to be outside of the new continent like the Dragonflight racing?Sean McCannWill Delves progression experience be exposed to the Wow API for third party sites to access?Sean McCannWarbandsAny plans for making the Warband login background a collectible to collect in game.Sean McCannWill there be any additions to the WoW phone app for Warbands?Michael BybeeCan we mix characters on different servers in the same Warband?Michael BybeeIn Warbands, will it be possible to give Soulbound items to my own characters?Michael BybeeAre there any plans for mixing the follower dungeons feature with Warbands resulting in doing dungeons with alts as followers?Sean McCannWhen the Warband system launches we'll be able to collect all types of transmogs with one character. Will this work retroactively with the items we collected before War Within? For example, if I got Tusks of Mannoroth on a mage during Dragonflight, could I pass them to my warrior during the War Within?Michael BybeeWith Warbands, is there any chance of any character being able to utilize professions of another character without having to log into each character to perform a task?Sean McCannCan we get double click to log in functionality for the Character Screen?Michael BybeeIs pose selection for the Character Screen going to be an option in the future?Michael BybeeIs there any way to unlock more than four characters to show on the Character Screen?Sean McCannMichael BybeeHow much are Warbands going to help with gearing your alts?Michael BybeeSean McCannMichael BybeeOn the current Alpha build, a quest needs to be completed twice in order to collect the cloth and plate appearances of the quest reward. Are there plans to open up the "collect everything on everyone" mindset to quest rewards?Michael BybeeAre there any plans for account-bound gold with the Warband system?Sean McCannStoryWith the focus on a complete story progressing over the next few expansions are there any plans to update and try new methods of in-game story telling devices?Sean McCannCan we get any more context on the fate of Dalaran?Sean McCannWith the story becoming more important, what steps are being taken to get people in-game up to speed on the story so far and familiar with characters.Sean McCannRaids are very important for the story and players can experience that through LFR, but some are rarely able to experience it because they can't go through the raid. Are there any proposals to make raids more focused and inviting for solo players?Sean McCannThe amount of lore you can find hidden around is great. Will that tie into the main story as the expansion goes along or remain as just fun little lore bits?Sean McCannCan you speak at all about the intentions behind narrative design for this expansion? In Dragonflight it felt like the story largely took a backseat or was hidden in lots of side quests.Sean McCannClassesFor the first public Alpha build are there any new Hero Talent trees debuting?Michael BybeeIs there any concern that classes will become over-bloated with the number of new abilities and Hero Talents being added?Michael BybeeShould we expect to see Class design changes besides Hero Talents in the War Within?Michael BybeeIs there any chance more specs can move towards support styles like Augmentation Evoker? Michael BybeeAre there any plans to allow for more visual customization of classes with glyphs or even quests?Michael BybeeSean McCannAre there any plans to expand on spell effect reskins like the former Covenant Abilities options that were added recently?Michael BybeeSince Single Minded Fury is remaining an option on the Talent Tree, could Enhance Shamans ever expect to see two-handed options again? Or maybe even Colossus Protection Warriors using a two-hander and shield.Michael BybeeRacesIs there a possibility of seeing more Allied Races added to War Within? Maybe Nerubians?Michael BybeeWith cross-faction being included and updated more and more in the game, is there a chance that race restrictions will be lifted? I'd like to be a Vulpera Paladin.Michael BybeeAny plans to let Evokers have different visage forms? I want to be a panda.Michael BybeeRaidsIs follower raids something you're looking at?Michael BybeeHas there been any consideration for smaller 1 to 2 or 3 boss raids?Michael BybeeWhat considerations are being given to the difficulty between Mythic, Heroic, Normal, and LFR?Michael BybeeCan you explain what verticality means in the raid? Michael BybeeAre there any plans to change the rigid 20% structure of Raids?Michael BybeeIs the team happy with the idea of private auras in mythic raids?Michael BybeeWill we continue to see Fated seasons?Michael BybeeIs the permanent raid spot issue for certain specs and classes due to raid buffs being locked something that's on the radar?Michael BybeeIs there any change in relative mythic difficulty, especially with regard to how hard the bosses are week one and how quickly they are nerfed?Michael BybeeDo you have any plans to try smaller or mini raids later on in patches? And if so, maybe some smaller raid size experiments?Michael BybeeMythic+You surprise the community with some fun new ideas like Plunderstorm or MoP remix. Are there plans to do something similar for Mythic+ enthusiasts? Some exciting playgrounds or good test or try new ideas?Michael BybeeHave you ever considered converting Mythic+ Affixes to have positive effects, along with buffing the baseline difficulty of the Dungeon?Michael BybeeSean McCannAre there any new Mythic+ affixes or reworks, including seasonal affixes?Michael BybeeIs there a plan to revisit the Mythic+ system, especially regarding key acquisition, rerolling fishing, picking a key, vendor/tokens. Are there any plans to address affixes both seasonal and weekly?Michael BybeeAs in all expansions before, will there be a Realm First plus 10 keystone Achievement?Michael BybeeIs there anything on Mythic+ Seasonal affixes or are they gone with the rotating dungeons?Michael BybeePvPWhat is the number of people and roles for the Solo Queue RBG setup? Will it be the same as Blitz?Michael BybeeAny news or measures to mitigate the long queues in PvP solo shuffle?Michael BybeeCan we expect solo PvP to continue as the rated PvP game mode in the War Within? Are there any changes to it?Michael BybeeGearAre there any changes to the loot systems coming in War Within?Michael BybeeWill Tier pieces drop from Delves or just be available via the Vault and Catalyst?Sean McCannMichael BybeeAre there going to be any new Legendary items in this expansion?Michael BybeeAre you happy with the way people are gearing and especially how fast they gear correctly?Michael BybeeWill Tier Gear still focus on specs or will they look at hooks for Hero Talents?Michael BybeeYou can buy PvP transmog sets and weapons from older seasons with Marks of Honor. Any plans to do something similar with PvE sets?Michael BybeeAre there any plans to help players that just want to focus on Mythic+ and PvE?Michael BybeeCould we expect to see more flail weapons in the future? Especially two-handed flails?Michael BybeeIs there any way dinars will make an appearance in non-Fated seasons, giving everyone the chance to work towards very rare loot and target special trinkets?Michael BybeeProfessionsAre there any plans to return to Archeology?Sean McCannWith our first look into professions, it looks like Herbalism has a mini-game with a farm in Harrowfall. Will all professions have a secondary form of engagement like that?Michael BybeeIs there a plan to change the work order system so that Public Orders have to have all the materials listed like in DF beta?Michael BybeeAre there any plans to be able to reset or respec professions?Michael BybeeAre there any plans to allow for public orders to request a specific rank? Some sort of market board for crafting orders would be great.Michael BybeeIn Dragonflight Alchemy and Angineering were the only two professions that gave players actual power. Is that something that's going to continue in the War Within?Michael BybeeEventsAre there any plans to continue with updates to holiday events?Michael BybeeWill the War Within have fewer timed events like Hunts or Iskaara feasts?Michael BybeeAre there any major or exciting developments for the World Quest system for War Within?Sean McCannGuildsWhat can you tell us about the new features of the guilds?Michael BybeeHave you thought about implementing a guild reward system for WoW, similar to Rumble, where common efforts give a number of rewards?Michael BybeeMounts and FlyingAre there any changes for collections in general?Michael BybeeHave you thought about adding some leaderboards next to Dragonriding races to see who has the best time for their server?Michael BybeeThere were hints through datamining of ground mounts getting dynamic features. Is this actually coming?Michael BybeeCould we expect to see a 600, 700, 800 etc. mount collection achievement and mount rewards?Michael BybeeNot a question but a comment, Plunderstorm, but make it dragonriding. Mario Kart and Mario Kart Dragonriding is pog.Michael BybeeTransmogDo you have any plans for transmogs like those in the Wizard Tower in War Within?Sean McCannAny plans to add more spots for saved transmogs?Michael BybeeCould we share transmogs like we share talent builds with codes?Michael BybeeCan you change transmogs to change the color of your gear sets like in Diablo?Michael BybeeSystemsCan we expect some add-on integrations into the game?Michael BybeeIs Dungeon Finder, Timewalking, or anything new coming to Cross-Faction play?Michael BybeeSean McCannThe new arachnophobia option has opened up the possibility of being able to replace spiders and other creatures. Will there be more options in the future?Michael BybeeHave you thought about opening a server or map editor like in Warcraft 3, allowing players to make their own Battleground, instance dungeons, or even a server?Michael BybeeWhat improvements did you make to the engine between Dragonflight and the War Within?Michael BybeeAny plans to do anything with Garrison tech gameplay in the future?Sean McCannMiscellaneousWith WoW moving to a more seasonal direction, will we see a grind come back to the War Within?Sean McCannAre there any plans to make soloing BfA raids easier?Michael BybeeIn Dragonflight we saw a lot of previously unobtainable items making their way back to the game. Are you planning on bringing back more items in the War Within? Like the highly requested Caravan Brutosaur from BFA?Sean McCannDragonflight was the first expansion to not have tradable Open World Epic items. Is this something you're planning on reintroducing?Michael BybeeAre there plans for Collectors Editions for the three part expansions?Michael BybeeNow that you can play across factions and servers, are there any plans to allow players to play cross-region?Michael BybeeIf you are currently working on Player Housing for War Within, would you tell us, or would you deny it until its release?Sean McCannWhat was the inspiration behind the gorgeous zone that is Harrowfall?Sean McCannMichael BybeeIs there a time frame for music, which might help content creators when they are eventually able to make content live?Michael BybeeIs there any chance to expand the void storage with new tabs?Michael BybeeAre there any additional UI improvements in the works?Michael Bybee

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Comments

Comment by Matrixwolf

Follower raids with lore characters actually teaming with u to fight… even in older raids where u one shot bosses still would be cool visually… also kezan hotrod 5 seater mount when?…. And this xpac kinda makes it feel like undermines will be a patch and not a whole xpac with a tinkerer class or that if it is it won’t be for a long long time thus tht hotrod mount is so far off by years.. also dragon riding but for ground mounts or swimming mounts would be a cool system to create

Comment by Failcookie

No,no plans to announce about that at this time. And, and the look on my face you saw when you asked that question is because that's the first time I've heard the words "void storage" in a very long time.

I don't think I have thought of, or looked at my void storage all expansion. So that makes sense to me.

Comment by Hranthaer

I don't think you all want more support classes. I think that would be fantastic. But when we posted the the Priest Hero Spec we got a lot of feedback that it was not what people were looking for. So we made some adjustments there; really, we listened to feedback. That's the whole reason we're doing the blog posts about the Hero Talents.

I understand that he's not on the class team, but this is a cop-out answer. The reason ppl didn't like the Priest Hero spec that was revealed is cuz Power Infusion sucks and people hate that they were doubling down on it for specs that aren't built as support specs. There are a large amount of People that definitely want support specs, but we don't want them to be made by completely overhauling the existing specs, we want additions, not changes

Comment by Tyneic

I feel like there's some hard contradictions in these statements.

"Has there been any consideration for smaller 1 to 2 or 3 boss raids?

Yes, but that's always been true. Basically, the way that we think about that kind of experience is looking at what's happening in the game, how players are responding to it, what we think we need"

"Will we continue to see Fated seasons?

When we do something like a Fated Raid season, it's not could have done a whole new Raid or we're going to do this Fated Raid season. It's more about we want to make sure that folks have stuff to do in this time frame while we're finishing up the next expansion, here is an option that we think is acceptable. If it's not something that people love at all, then we would find something else, but it probably would not resolve in yet another raid tier in that time frame."

So they could give us a 1 to 3 boss raid at any time they feel like they need it, but they can't give us a 1 to 3 boss raid instead of a Fated season?

In the end, isn't this a lot more about "As long as we can get away with doing almost no work on anything that goes past a third raid per expansion, we will keep doing exactly that." rather than "Hey we're doing what you guys would like, look at us listening to feedback!"

If that's the case, why is aug not a tank spec or deleted yet?

Comment by Soeroah

In no particular order...

Follower raids: Yes, please. It's a chance for them to make a canon 'story version' of raids where the NPCs helping you are NPCs you meet in the zone, and they can deliver dialogue and junk to enrich the story, while the multiplayer version cuts the RP down to a smaller amount for streamlining purposes.

Public events: Every single zone? uuugh. Those were among my least favourite part of Dragonflight. At least need groups to complete them. Hopefully the new ones are all closer to the most recent public events which are soloable - or hopefully they let us use our alts or hired NPCs to fill in for group members. Too many times this expansion I've sat doing nothing in the group finder for half an hour before someone joins just to realm hop.

Fated seasons: Everyone say no!

Letting us utilise alts' professions on another character: I'd actually like that. I remember in WoD we could use a profession hut to craft basic stuff of another profession (unless I remember wrong); it'd be nice to be able to do that from the crafting tables. Just get our alts to craft a piece of gear for the character we're currently on, instead of having to list a work order and all.

Delves: I'm pretty happy that the rewards cap out at Rank 8 and then the last three are just bragging rights.

Comment by Ruta73

"Michael Bybee:
Unfortunately, the answer is no, we are not currently planning to extend the visage forms for Evokers."

That is stupid, then they need to re-do that part of the quest when we first get our Visage forms that they said we get to choose the form we feel connected with.

I am very disappointed with this answer.

Comment by Hranthaer

In the end, isn't this a lot more about "As long as we can get away with doing almost no work on anything that goes past a third raid per expansion, we will keep doing exactly that." rather than "Hey we're doing what you guys would like, look at us listening to feedback!"

If that's the case, why is aug not a tank spec or deleted yet?

there's no reason for them to create an entire new raid tier especially when most of the playerbase likes the fated season idea, and there's no relevant narrative reason to do so.

Also the Augmentation thing is stupid because there are a quite large portion of the community that Love Augmentation as is and would be pissed if it was changed to not be a support spec. Personally i think a Support spec that is also a tank would be awesome, but alot of ppl wouldn't enjoy that gameplay style. I know numerous people that came back to the game or switched mains specifically for the augmentation spec and it's support play style and that have stated they would outright quit the game if the support play style was removed. also a large majority of the people that complain about augmentation are people on WoWhead and didn't even dislike the idea of a support spec, they disliked how Overpowered it was at launch, and where it is now is actually fairly balanced. Personally I wish we had more support specs so they would have a better amount of data to use when balancing the role, and I love the style of buffing my allies so they can be more effective while I support them.

Comment by Willowwhisp

Great interview, great questions and answers. Thanks to Michael and Sean for their patience in answering everything so well--especially Michael.

Comment by Jinokun

Bybee is the goat, more of him

Comment by Royceman95

It looks like they are avoiding the question about playable nerubians. Could they become playable in The War Within? I hope so.

Comment by rinkworks

Comment by Kilifizz

I dont get why we cannot get "Wargold" in our bag, they have this in GW2 and thats really nice, no need to go to the bank to get my gold.

Comment by Jinokun

was reading some of the answers and... is my english bad or do some answers in the text make absolutely no sense?

Comment by apedosmil

there's no reason for them to create an entire new raid tier especially when most of the playerbase likes the fated season idea...

Source?

I don't really do progression raiding anymore, so I don't honestly care, but I am struggling to recall a single comment anywhere (other than yours, I guess) in favor of fated raids.

Then you've been living under a rock. The additional Fated seasons we get are NOT at the expense of another raid tier, it's in place of a content drought. Having the extra season is cool too, because for M+ and PVP, it's more of what those communities love. For raiders, this gives you what was always possible for M+ and PVP, more content. Now, what I love about the Fated season is that if I don't wanna play it, I lose out on a single mount at most. Transmog is super important, so having an extra season with less focus on new transmog, lets me go play my backlog. Fated seasons may not be universally loved, but what in WoW IS universally loved? I do think that it's mostly positive.

Comment by Stormbringer4190

bit disappointed about the profession section, they could've asked/requested to only place no mats orders for their equivalent in gold if it's a public order. that &*!@loads of 1g 0 mats orders are disgusting and despite ignoring the orders and their customers they show up everytime I log in again and on every character I have since these people seem to spam orders for all professions

Comment by the9tail

I love the honesty but also disappointed in that they are still keeping their stances against things and brushing it off as "that'd be cool and we agree, but we aren't gonna do it" as an acceptable and repeatable response.

Like the playerbase clearly wants to be able to be different visages, they want some nostalgia revived with Gladiator Warriors and 2H Enh and they want to be able to play any race/class combo.

The too much work excuse might work for patches but not for expansions - they say paladins are too much work but literally just introduced a new paladin in the expansion and a huge number of mounts. The excuse is tired and a lie at this point. The truth is they don't think doing the "harder" classes will result in meaningful retention or will create more PR problem than it will benefit. "Vulpera Paladins would be cool" - yeah except whatever lore excuse Blizzard uses will be complete picked apart and people will expect polish.

So yeah Blizz, stop with the half-assed honesty and next time be actually honest rather than hiding, say No and actually tell us why next time or maybe... just maybe follow through with your listening to us.

Comment by Skyreaver817

Completely dismissed player housing...again....interesting choice.

Comment by Gadd

Completely dismissed player housing...again....interesting choice.

Or (being optimistic here) they're working on it and that response was tongue-in-cheek. i mean a guy can hope.

Comment by InfernalDark

Recap? Too much text.

Comment by 2561701

so they flew out some "influencers" and gave them gift bags to get spoon fed softball questions that were pre-approved...

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