- Is the game easy to learn how to play?
Yes. We strive to make all of our games easy to learn how to play, yet difficult to master. We will continue to improve this process throughout the beta.
- Is Blizzard aware of some of the game play problems that have been prevalent in other MMORPGs?
Yes. Blizzard employees are gamers first and foremost, and we have played more than our fair share of existing Massively Multiplayer games. We tend to agree with MMORPG gamers on the strengths and weaknesses of the genre to date. We will strive to advance the genre by both building on its positives and improving its negatives.
- How will you prevent camping and kill stealing?
We limit camping and kill-stealing issues by "instancing" certain areas of the game. An instance is a section of dungeon or outdoor area that is private. No other players, unless they are part of your group, can enter your instance of the dungeon/outdoor area. There are also plenty of non-instanced common areas where players can meet and adventure together.
- How do you prevent camping and kill stealing in non-instanced areas?
Competition over rare item drops and quest items is the primary cause of camping and kill stealing. In World of Warcraft, many rare item drops are not exclusive to any one creature. Several creatures will have a chance of dropping the same item. If the required item is a quest item, the player can join a group of other players on the same quest and seek the item together with them. Every player on the quest will receive a copy of the quest item from the monster or location where it was found.
- Will there be other things to do besides leveling?
There will be a huge variety of things to do to keep players from feeling like they just have to grind through one creature battle after another. Characters can craft items, fight in vast battles against other players, establish homes, and explore distant lands. Even when players do fight monsters, it will often be as part of a quest, or in search of special ingredients for their crafts.
- Is there a way to finish World of Warcraft? How long can I play?
There will be thousands of hours of game play in the shipping game, and nearly infinite goals for players. Because we'll have a live team regularly adding new quests, creatures, and items, the game will never truly end.
- Will there be a party system for group adventuring?
Yes.
- How large is the party size for players?
Currently, the party size is five players, and the game is generally balanced for groups of five. Smaller groups can still be quite successful, and regardless of the group's size, everyone in the group will be able to make important contributions. Also, players will be able to "link" groups in order to form larger parties for raids or guild activities.
- Are there ways to gain experience in the game besides fighting?
Yes, there will be ways to gain experience other than by fighting. Exploring is just one example of how you can gain experience; a character can receive experience by simply finding a new area (for your character) within the game.
- How does group experience work?
Group exp is still being evaluated. The current system is in its simplest form with everyone sharing the divided experience for a kill.
- How can you hook up with your friends of different races early in the game?
For some races it's easier than others. For example, the humans and dwarves will have an easy transit between their two cities, while the night elves will find it harder to meet with their Alliance brethren early in the game as they are off in a distant land.
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