So. MMOChampion has posted a list which is essentially a WoW player’s wet dream. Some folks are excited. Other folks are less than optimistic. (see the MMOChampion discussion thread, as it harshes the mellow, hardcore.)

Me? I think the truth falls somewhere in the middle, but hope the middle is closer to what was posted.

Having the world change dramatically (and having it not hose everything) would be a first for a mainstream MMO. It would give us reasons to return to the old lands and check things out, as the changes sound rather interesting. Some cool things could be done by phasing but also allowing the players to share in the incidents surrounding the changes. To be honest, I hate starting an alt on Alliance side because I have played through the Blood Elf starting zones. That region is streamlined to get you to 20 in a hurry, and while the Draenai zone is similar, it lacks the sheer speed of the Blood Elf territory.

I have been leveling alts between raids and instances on Jaramon and frequently I have entire zones to myself. This can be good in some cases, but when I have to do a group quest I wind up having to grab a passing guild member for an assist (and an XP Penalty) or just pass on it. It would be nice to have those zones more populated again. Additionally, there are zones I avoid because, quite frankly, they are pretty but they suck in design. Hinterlands and Ashzara come to mind. I think those are the two worst zones in the game for playability but are very pretty. (Desolace is in there as well but is neither pretty or convenient.)

Everyone has been clamoring for flight in the old world, this will make it happen. when the original game was designed, flying mounts were likely an ink blot under a coffee stain. There were vast areas that were “doodah” areas for the designers. They pretty much filled in with weird things like lone camps or dancing happy trolls (Truth!) By hacking on the world a bit, and making dramatic changes, they can tighten up their design and make flight possible, (likely for a nominal fee in game.)

The new level cap is interesting, and possible, though I’d be surprised if they didn’t go the whole 10 levels, unless the stretch was longer between levels. I’m not really happy about the class/race changes from the lore perspective, but if they provide a compelling Lore reason to do so, I could live with it.

Of course the truth should come out this week at Blizzcon. I am excited on a number of levels, even if this all turns out to be rubbish.