On high levels…

“We feel that we now have an overwhelming majority of players who have played through the content to the end. It’s not even about the casual/hardcore thing, it’s more about addressing an issue that exists among max-level players. We felt we could deliver on content towards the end of the game, and that players between level 30 and 40 already have so much to do in the game that they haven’t run out of content yet.

“These medium-level players are not really hungry for the new features that Wrath of the Lich King brings. It’s really about satisfying the players who have reached max level, whether they solo or whether they PvP, whether they raid or role-play. If they’re at max level they’re all saying, ‘I want more, what are you guys doing for us?’”

On the big bad…

“We’re giving all players going into the expansion interaction with Arthas. We were too protective of Illidan [the arch villain in The Burning Crusade] making sure we didn’t waste the opportunity, so now you’re interacting with him straight away. You’re talking to him, having these moments with him, so you don’t have to be a raider to see him. We’re also having a Caverns of Time mission - The Culling from Warcraft III - so that you can go back and play alongside Arthas when he was shiny and good, when you’re burning Stratholme.”

Be sure to check back tomorrow, and each day this week as we delve deeper into this monster expansion.

Jan 28, 2008