Seems a lot of the hype around classic revolves around the return of a vibrant and active community.. my question is will it meet the expectations people have now? Vanilla was a long time ago - and although private servers are evidence that community building is indeed still possible, I fear that it's just not gna be the same on official Classic servers.
Perhaps we were happier to help each other out back then because we were younger, or because the game was so new. Maybe seeing as it was a smaller player base on each server? Or conversely was it the challenge of the activities in vanilla that sort of forced people to play nice with each other?
I'm certain guilds will function well in the same way that they do now, but I doubt that feeling of server-wide cognition and familiarity will be resurrected by Classic.
It all depends on how the mechanics will be designed. Keep it faithful to the vanilla design philosophy? Then people will have to help each other and most importantly invest a lot more time into organising groups, which in turn gives more weight to individual and group reputation.
It they try and modernise the game with dungeon finder, and even small life improvements like easily accessible portals, they will already be diminishing the importance of other players and it won’t work.
Yeah been thinking this myself - are we simply looking through rose-tinted glasses here?
Now that the world has been explored, and those returning to classic may (or may not, lol) have a good idea of what to expect. The world will have been explored, the quests understood, dungeon tactics revisited etc. Will people still need to help each other in the same way that they did when it all began? I'm not so sure.
I can guarantee you that even those who consider themselves 'experienced' will still encounter a learning curve when it comes to replaying Classic.Finesse wrote: ↑7 years agoYeah been thinking this myself - are we simply looking through rose-tinted glasses here?
Now that the world has been explored, and those returning to classic may (or may not, lol) have a good idea of what to expect. The world will have been explored, the quests understood, dungeon tactics revisited etc. Will people still need to help each other in the same way that they did when it all began? I'm not so sure.
So much was different that I reckon only vanilla private server players will have any advantage in this respect having played it day in and day out.
I agree, there's too many naysayers who claim that it has all been done already and there is no enjoyment to be had anymore.Ravenheart wrote: ↑7 years agoI can guarantee you that even those who consider themselves 'experienced' will still encounter a learning curve when it comes to replaying Classic.Finesse wrote: ↑7 years agoYeah been thinking this myself - are we simply looking through rose-tinted glasses here?
Now that the world has been explored, and those returning to classic may (or may not, lol) have a good idea of what to expect. The world will have been explored, the quests understood, dungeon tactics revisited etc. Will people still need to help each other in the same way that they did when it all began? I'm not so sure.
So much was different that I reckon only vanilla private server players will have any advantage in this respect having played it day in and day out.
I think the community will meet expectations. When the game is made the way it is, it is not the game that is formed around the community, but the community that forms around the game.
If I can be rude, and rough; a game forming itself around the community rather than the other way around, that is what current World of Warcraft is.
When a community forms itself around a game, the players are still in the mercy of the game, and the players will do what they can, with the tools they are given to survive. The way Classic was, a community will grow, and be vibrant and active, because players will have to use the help of each other. This will naturally happen when people start to understand what kind of game Classic is.
Again, if I can be rude and rough; the game will make the community police itself. The community will call out players who are not up to the kind, community standards, and weed itself out.
So in many ways, yes, the community will meet expectations.
eve online player here - we play on a single worldwide server, that is a single shard server with as many as 30,000 people online at one time. its a tough game throughout, no matter how long you have played, and like you say they build with the tools they are givenFirelord wrote: ↑7 years agoWhen a community forms itself around a game, the players are still in the mercy of the game, and the players will do what they can, with the tools they are given to survive. The way Classic was, a community will grow, and be vibrant and active, because players will have to use the help of each other. This will naturally happen when people start to understand what kind of game Classic is.
i dont think classic will be necessarily a 'hard' game but it won't be a steamroll either like a lot of players believe. this is why classic will succeed - because players will be forced to interact unlike the lonely modern version where you just queue, spam and then leave without a word
To me, Classic was never 'hard' in the sense of you are going through the greatest challenge of all time. However, the way Classic was made, there was an all-around tedium that built up towards a reward that meant a lot to you when you got it, and that also did last you a long time.omniGG wrote: ↑7 years agoi dont think classic will be necessarily a 'hard' game but it won't be a steamroll either like a lot of players believe. this is why classic will succeed - because players will be forced to interact unlike the lonely modern version where you just queue, spam and then leave without a word
Though 'tedium' also means something being dull, dry and boring, it is not what I only mean. Yes, Classic was dull, dry and boring in many areas, just how the current game has those areas as well.Tedium
/ˈtiːdɪəm/
noun
the state or quality of being tedious, slowness.
However, with Classic, the tedium was something enjoyable, too. You went through something, whether that being alone or with other players, and you got something out of it, something worthwhile. It was a great balance, a balance I think is lost today in the current game, since it has become something of minimal effort; for the greatest of rewards, making the reward itself feel dull and useless, giving no sense of pride over it.
A great quote I saw during the Warlords of Draenor era-
Classic was all-around hard, difficult or tedious. The whole world was a challenge at each appropriate level, but not by a ridiculous amount—just good enough to give great sense of pride and enjoyment with what you accomplish with your character.Back in Vanilla, you felt pride, happiness and great enjoyment after obtaining an item that meant a lot to have, even if the journey to it was a grindy and tedium one.
In the current game, you feel nothing but relief that everything is just done with, and the item itself makes you feel nothing.
The current game has lost all that, and the only thing they can brag about being difficult, is the high-end raiding, and that's it. To me, that is not a good balance, at all.
Well put. What’s a reward worth anyway if u dont work hard for it.
[mention]omniGG[/mention] also an eve player here! o/
In my opinion, Classic had a nicer and more natural flow of rewards and their significance to your character. Some rewards weren’t “big” but still they were a significant improvement to your character. That extra stamina or even extra +2 strength was a good boost for you, even at lower levels. Every level bracket could give you items that could last you as long as 10 levels if you went through to get them.
You were rewarded for your effort, and the rewards gave you a sense of pride and was an achievement in its own way.
[mention]Firelord[/mention] I share a lot of your sentiments!
I believe the community will flourish, but there will be some growing pains given the large influx of people that have never played vanilla before. The good news is that the game itself encourages community building through cooperative game-play. Vanilla presents challenges that require teamwork and communication, and then rewards you for your efforts. It's a satisfying balance. The need to interact with other players is part of what make vanilla WoW such a good MMO. You will get to know the people on your server through questing, offering profession services, raids, etc. People that are toxic will be blacklisted, and those with a good reputation will build a network of people willing to help them.
What's really nice to see is the huge response from everyone looking forward to Classic. I see so many discussions like this from people concerned about making the community great, and that is a good sign. People want community, and I think there will be a real effort to make it happen.
Cuppa
I think the more important question to ask is, what can we individually do to help the community we're looking to build meet expectations? Being helpful, thoughtful, patient, fun and social will make the game more accessible to people that haven't played it before. Returning players can be helped back into the groove and newbies can get caught up to speed. This is a rare opportunity and all it takes is one fantastic interaction that spawns a friendship that will negate any cranky veterans that might otherwise be hostile.
If we all do our part to have fun playing the game we love, that's going to be infectious and newcomers alike will have fun too. I've played on Nostalrius, Kronos 1&2, Elysium and Lights Hope and every time there have been new social interactions and adventures that make the game feel like new every time. Whether it be advice, a kind word, tips or suggestions just remember to be generous with your knowledge and understand that not everyone will have our advantage. I honestly think the community will turn out better than some might expect.
Some really great commentary here guys. Like [mention]Jynirax[/mention] has mentioned, it’s all going to be about how people approach the game with a positive attitude and help each other.
For example I played for a while and then stopped because I just didn’t get that. I came back for a second go and a guy called Notlad randomly challenged me to a duel outside SW (and obviously kicked my ass). We got talking and he realised I was a noob and showed me the under stormwind bug, and some other walljumping stuff. I eventually joined his guild and the rest is history. Notty if you are out there, thank you!
[mention]Cuppa[/mention]
[mention]Jynirax[/mention]
Great posts, and values I share.
Sure, being a positive sunshine every day is not going to happen, and to force yourself to help people every day is not something that is gonna happen either. However, simply having respect and a good attitude even if you're not 'feeling it' will hold people and yourself to a great standard still. Simply showing respect is a great attribute, and will take you a long way.
Do you guys feel that the average age of the player base could play a role here?
I mean, most of us interested in Classic are in our thirties (or at least towards it). Or that's how I see it. Why would a teenager want to play some outdated videogame from the past decade, when the market has so much more to offer?
Mature community is almost universally a more appealing community. And usually mature people are those, who have more responsibilities IRL. Therefore I feel like everything should be alright.
I played with a 17 year old back when Kronos 2 first launched and he told me he was playing because he had fond memories of playing around the house and growing up with his Dad playing World of Warcraft on the family computer they had in their living room. I think the game was so huge at its peak that there are a lot of people that have had friends and family they remember gushing about World of Warcraft. If you combine that with modern MMORPG gamers that never played old school WoW, I think there will be a huge influx of first time players.
I’m very excited to see what those fresh players will think about Classic, whether good or bad thoughts. Truly, I know Classic will not be for everyone, but it surely will be an eye opener for everyone whichever way it goes.Jynirax wrote: ↑7 years agoI played with a 17 year old back when Kronos 2 first launched and he told me he was playing because he had fond memories of playing around the house and growing up with his Dad playing World of Warcraft on the family computer they had in their living room. I think the game was so huge at its peak that there are a lot of people that have had friends and family they remember gushing about World of Warcraft. If you combine that with modern MMORPG gamers that never played old school WoW, I think there will be a huge influx of first time players.
this ^ also to add to the point - those who wanted to start playing later on but felt that they missed out on the original hype will want to give classic a goJynirax wrote: ↑7 years agoI played with a 17 year old back when Kronos 2 first launched and he told me he was playing because he had fond memories of playing around the house and growing up with his Dad playing World of Warcraft on the family computer they had in their living room. I think the game was so huge at its peak that there are a lot of people that have had friends and family they remember gushing about World of Warcraft. If you combine that with modern MMORPG gamers that never played old school WoW, I think there will be a huge influx of first time players.
I strongly believe Classic WoW will live forever and meet our expectations. Although - this may not be the case during launch.
Firstly, I believe this because it's already survived fourteen years with thousands of people playing the game illegally on private servers. If it's lasted this long, it wouldn't surprise me if it'll last another fourteen, or even longer - especially as there never seems to be any great new MMORPG games coming out, and they always seem to flop.
Secondly, I understand that people are worried that now we know so much more about the game it'll ruin the experience - but I don't think this is the case. The game is still immersive, challenging, and most importantly it's still fun to play. Time doesn't change these key factors. Yes, knowledge is power, but having a slightly better understanding of the game doesn't make it easy, it only helps to a slight degree.
Lastly, I believe that during launch Classic WoW will be an incredibly bizarre environment full of nostalgic players looking for that hit muddled in with hardcore, long-time players too. After time, these players will dwindle and we'll mostly be left with the hardcore players, those who appreciate helping others, joining guilds, and just generally loving the game. So what I'm saying here is that I believe the community may not be so great to begin with, but over time it'll get better and better.
Mostly agree with what people here have said.
From my experience playing on private servers, inviting random people for quests, elites, etc is still pretty common and usually appreciated. Something that died in retail with the release of the dungeon tool and just overall content nerfs.
There will be those who just want to solo grind as fast as possible to 60 and ignore other player as good as they can; but for all those who are not playing as hunters or warlocks that is not going to be much of an option in the long run.
Also, most people coming from either Classic or private servers are mostly used to and expect that sort of social interaction and playing-together, not so much because the game forces you to do so more often than current retail, but because they know there are others who think the same way they do.
I don't think it will, but people will be happy. Most of the people is thinking about "re-experiencing vanilla again!" but I don't think that will happen. Mainly because we already have experienced it in either retail or private servers to some degree. Regardless, it will be great.
Correct me if I am wrong,
but Classic is shipping along with Blizzard ID which was not the cause when real Classic launched back then.
I think the experience will not be the same, it has to be worse.
Back then people were literally were sending mails to notify others about certain stuff, now you just do that via Bnet app. It is handy, but it will not be the same.
Back then when you really liked a person, you invited them via facebook or MSN which gave them a little glympse of your daily life. I met soooo many friends that was, I still meet and party with few of them on monthly basis.
Well we have to deal with it and move on, but I still think the community will handle it, although it will not be as epic as it was before 
Sure the Classic experience won't be the same, for variety of different reasons. Not only that the game is old and played through by players dozens of times, us who are no longer kids who lived in an entirely different world but also the gaming culture itself is very different from what it used to be and social media is far more relevant nowadays.
But that is not neccessarily a bad thing. Change is inevitable and good in my opinion. I don't neccessarily want to have the same experience people could have back in the day as long as I will be able to experience the core parts, design phylosophies and community aspect of the game with you guys for one last time.
Not to mention so many more accessible tools to build communities out of game these days. Anybody can go and create a subreddit or a Discord server and instantly have a place to build up their community. Back in the day it was basically just whatever forums you were invited to/told about and the official WoW forums (which let's be honest, were always pretty bad).Faendor wrote: ↑6 years agoSure the Classic experience won't be the same, for variety of different reasons. Not only that the game is old and played through by players dozens of times, us who are no longer kids who lived in an entirely different world but also the gaming culture itself is very different from what it used to be and social media is far more relevant nowadays.
If the Classic playerbase mirrors what I've seen in Barrens Chat, yes. If it mirrors what I've seen in the official Blizzard forums, maybe not. ;-)
Toxic people are everywhere, whether in-game or not. Assuming healthy server populations, there'll be plenty of good people to mingle with.
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