New Interview: WoW Co-Lead Designer and Lead Producer Support Multi-boxing!

[Diego]

The following is an excerpt from a recent interview with Tom Chilton (co-lead designer) and J. Allen Brack (producer) of Blizzard. Check out the whole interview here: http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=221566

"Eurogamer: The new recruit-a-friend initiative has some pretty amazing incentives for fast levelling, both for new players and veterans. Isn't it just a multi-boxer's delight, and ripe for exploits?

Tom Chilton: [Laughs] Well, we actually are perfectly content to endorse multi-boxing to some reasonable degree. If a person wants to go out and buy a second account and power-level themselves, we're okay with that.

J. Allen Brack: Also, part of the point of the system was to get everyone to the point where they could actually take advantage of Wrath of the Lich King. We want to make sure that when the expansion comes out, new players can roll a Death Knight and be ready to go."

[Doubleo7]

"endorse multi-boxing to some reasonable degree"

I wonder what 'reasonable' means... lol

[Coltimar]

"endorse multi-boxing to some reasonable degree"

I wonder what 'reasonable' means... lolI think this means clear all 5 man dungeons on heroic and clear Kara with 2 people. I think . . .

[Fleecy]

You can also take the point of view, its a money making scheme - that appears to be quite a success.

WotLK cost a lot to develop. I think Blizzard need a larger level 70 player base to take up the next expansion. I'm sure there are casual players out there still working their way to level 70 - even to level 60. The RAF system introduces more revenu to WoW and in turn more accounts will take up WotLK.

[Ellay]

That's quite a headline, I'd like to see if I can get in touch with any of the higher reps at Blizzard and find out more :)

[Sam DeathWalker]

I am sure "reasonable" means 26.

[Stealthy]

I am sure "reasonable" means 26.Hahah well said! :)

[Xzin]

That's quite a headline, I'd like to see if I can get in touch with any of the higher reps at Blizzard and find out more :)

I would be happy to talk with the higher ups at Bliz about multiboxing and discuss the community if they wanted to. I guess they could email me on the email address I registered with them. Not that I expect them to but still - would be nice to discuss it.

[Xzin]

RAF is genius. You just picked up the bar and moved it a huge notch. Instant 60, just add water. Not quite "auto level" but it 1) lets people make DKs and 2) makes sure that people don't avoid the game because like EQ, EVE, etc - it is too hard to start from scratch because you will never catch up.

Not only that but look at the people out here buying a new box (or boxes) to level up with. Then paying the transfer fees. Genius.

[Tasty]

I'll be honest ever since I started using RAF I've actually Enjoyed leveling alts.

[Naysayer]

If I were a fresh nooby to the game and used RAF, I would have missed a lot of content from 1-60 that when I look back now as a veteran I wouldn't have wanted to miss. I think RAF hurts the game more than helps, but as a vet I can reroll any class I want to 60 in less than 20 hours played.

[Suribusi]

That's quite a headline, I'd like to see if I can get in touch with any of the higher reps at Blizzard and find out more :)

I would be happy to talk with the higher ups at Bliz about multiboxing and discuss the community if they wanted to. I guess they could email me on the email address I registered with them. Not that I expect them to but still - would be nice to discuss it.


Yeah I wish they would hit me up as well. Certain things just need to be known and taken seriously. ;)



-S

[zanthor]

If I were a fresh nooby to the game and used RAF, I would have missed a lot of content from 1-60 that when I look back now as a veteran I wouldn't have wanted to miss. I think RAF hurts the game more than helps, but as a vet I can reroll any class I want to 60 in less than 20 hours played.
Back when EQ released Ruins of Kunark... ok, yea, I'm showing my age... but anyhow... they spent a HUGE amount of time making sure that old content didn't become trivial. They changed game mechanics to ensure that players higher than the old level cap couldn't take in old content, and honestly as a casual player of the day, that offended me greatly.

My guild was big, but not huge, and we didn't have enough people to down the red and white dragons... however with the 10 level boost it was going to be quite possible, perhaps even trivial to do so. Within a short time Verant spent the time to change the encounters, and my guild never got to see the old content...

Just because a guy levels RAF to 60 FAST with a vet doesn't mean that he can't go back on another alt later and see the content. The good thing is that blizzard has accepted that old content will be trivial, they are chosing to revamp SOME that was horribly underexposed, but as a whole they are focusing on new, rather than devoting resources to old... I think this is by far the best they could do.

As for supporting multiboxing at that high a level, I think thats great. As far as how far they'll support it? I believe they'll support it to the point of allowing it to exist. They aren't going to balance encounters around the idea of multiboxing, but they will not stop us from finding ways to beat them. Same with PVP, they'll design the games how they design them, some MB may excel at, others not so much...

[Naysayer]

If I were a fresh nooby to the game and used RAF, I would have missed a lot of content from 1-60 that when I look back now as a veteran I wouldn't have wanted to miss. I think RAF hurts the game more than helps, but as a vet I can reroll any class I want to 60 in less than 20 hours played.
Back when EQ released Ruins of Kunark... ok, yea, I'm showing my age... but anyhow... they spent a HUGE amount of time making sure that old content didn't become trivial. They changed game mechanics to ensure that players higher than the old level cap couldn't take in old content, and honestly as a casual player of the day, that offended me greatly.

My guild was big, but not huge, and we didn't have enough people to down the red and white dragons... however with the 10 level boost it was going to be quite possible, perhaps even trivial to do so. Within a short time Verant spent the time to change the encounters, and my guild never got to see the old content...

Just because a guy levels RAF to 60 FAST with a vet doesn't mean that he can't go back on another alt later and see the content. The good thing is that blizzard has accepted that old content will be trivial, they are chosing to revamp SOME that was horribly underexposed, but as a whole they are focusing on new, rather than devoting resources to old... I think this is by far the best they could do.

As for supporting multiboxing at that high a level, I think thats great. As far as how far they'll support it? I believe they'll support it to the point of allowing it to exist. They aren't going to balance encounters around the idea of multiboxing, but they will not stop us from finding ways to beat them. Same with PVP, they'll design the games how they design them, some MB may excel at, others not so much...When a new player enters his first instance, and that instance happens to be Ramparts, I laugh a little. Then I feel sorry for the guy. This happens quite often. I'm glad I did the 1-70 solo 7 times before I RAF'ed. I had a lot of fun leveling in the old lands. Lots of cool out of the way quests, and instances that are pretty much dead now. Most of these new players who RAF it up are missing out. Not that I care all that much, just glad I got to see it because it was fun for me.

[Zentikie]

For myself I enjoy the freedom that RAF gives me.

Without the money you have as vet it will be difficult to get for exampel all the spells paid. Sure the can level in 1+ day to 60 but will be slowed down for gringing some cash. The man behind this system is a very clever man i must say:) Wish i had some of this in my crew hehe