While two weeks earlier, Blizzard sent a questionnaire (confidential by the way) to a handful of players about their interest in a Classic version of the extension Wrath of the Lich King of World of Warcraft, a new questionnaire has just been unveiled, even more precise in its questions.
Last minute quiz
In this astonishing questionnaire, Blizzard is interested in the interest of players for certain very specific features. The objective here seems quite clear for the company: to find out if players are ready to shell out money for certain features that were originally not or very little available in this version of the game.
The last form of this type dedicated to Burning Crusade Classic had been sent at the beginning of March 2021, three months before the deployment of the extension. The one that interests us today, that of Wrath of the Lich King, seems to relate to very minor (and paying) features, so we can easily think that the re-development of the extension is already at a very advanced stage and that Blizzard is focusing on the final pre-deployment formalities.
Content of the questionnaire and speculations
While the firm seems to be interested in fairly banal questions, the transfer of characters, toys or mascots, others more interesting but also more controversial are much more intriguing. At the head of the line we naturally find the mount of the “Collector’s” edition, similar to the Dark Gate Pass from Burning Crusade Classic, as well as the boost up to level 68.
Many players objected to such features during the previous Classic experience, arguing that it took away from the “Classic experience” they were looking for, and they again seem very vocal about this possibility for Wrath of the Lich King if we are to believe the feedback visible on forums or social networks.
The questions generally revolve a lot around boosts and a possible “Dark Gate Pass” Northrend version. We therefore wonder about the following functionalities:
- A mount from Wrath of the Lich King Classic usable in modern WoW: A new mount from Wrath of the Lich King whose speed automatically scales with each character’s riding skill.
- Character transfers: This service allows you to change your server, WoW account, or Battle.net account characters.
- Game time : Includes 30 days of game time.
- A Classic-exclusive Wrath of the Lich King Classic mount: A new mount from Wrath of the Lich King whose speed automatically scales with each character’s riding skill.
- Sesame: With Sesame up to level 68, you can give a character an instant boost to level 68. Only applies to non-Death Knight characters.
- Sesame gift: Offer a single-use sesame to one of your friends that they can apply to one of their characters.
- Mascots: Companions following you in your adventures.
- Toys : Fun objects that trigger variable cosmetic effects such as banners or objects that change your appearance.
As a reminder, the Burning Crusade Classic Dark Gate Pass was available in two distinct versions and offered several rewards:
Deluxe Edition: 69,99€
- Toy: door of darkness
- Toy: Illidan’s Way
- Frame: Awakened Phase Hunter for Burning Crusade Classic only
- Frame: Viridian Phasehunter for Shadowlands only
- 1 Sesame for level 58
- 30 days of World of Warcraft game time
Pass Dark Portal: 39.99€
- 1 Sesame for level 58
All of these bonuses were mentioned in the questionnaire, in addition to other more… surprising ones (the “boost” gift in particular). As it stands, it seems very likely that a new Bundle of this type is planned, very very likely even. Its content could be very close to that of Burning Crusade Classic, possibly with the possibility of creating a Death Knight from level 68. Because yes, as a reminder, no player had the possibility of exploiting his free “boost” on a Draenei or Blood Elf in Burning Crusade Classic, forcing many players to switch characters days before the expansion rolls out…
A situation that not only pleased many fans, but also embarrassed many players who did not necessarily have time to play for hours before the deployment of the extension. They were thus forced to a double choice: not to pass the Dark Portal at the same time as everyone else but to play their class of heart, or to cross it at the risk of getting tired of their current class.
Finally, on the side of the gift of “boost”, difficult to say what it is. Of course it would only be a one-time donation per account, but given the incredible virulence of many players towards a simple boost, it’s hard to imagine Blizzard trying to make this practice even more common. . On the other hand, it would encourage many players to opt for this Pass in order to allow a friend who has not played Burning Crusade Classic to join them… A strong argument for a company whose objective ultimately remains to generate profit, let’s not forget.
Can we hope for a release in June 2022? Certainly not. Zul’Aman and Phase 4 of Burning Crusade Classic were deployed just recently. Sunwell Plateau and Phase 5 are still missing for this version of the game. Based on the current content rollout cadence, Phase 5 should end around July. . It would therefore hardly be surprising if the Pre-Patch of Wrath of the Lich King is planned for this same month, with a deployment of the extension a month later, at the beginning or even during August.
On the other hand, what seems almost obvious is that an announcement of the imminent arrival of the extension dedicated to Northrend could well take place on April 19th…!
It was on the night of April 2 to 3, 2022 that the news fell: the name of the ninth expansion of World of Warcraft acting as a sequel to Shadowlands and being introduced by Patch 10.0 would have leaked on the official Blizzard website. The theme ? The Dragons…