The War of Worldcraft:

1
The War of Worldcraft

• Crafting a MMORPG from the Top Down

2
When the World was Young(RTS Development)

• Orcs Humans, baby
• Races/Cultures were initially based
• on design need (units)
• Unit function and kit informed how
• the world was built

3

• Unit color is everything
• Based on race design, the
• geographical flow was linear
• (Azeroth gt Khaz Modan gt Lordaeron)

4

• Backstory crafting emotional landscapes
• Manuals and illustrations

5
When the World Came of Age

• Story drives world design
• (Vindication, baby)
• RPG elements demand a
• more evident world
• (Focused tilesets/ set pieces)
• Geographical flow was more organic
• defined by cultures
• (Kalimdor gt Northrend gt Outland)

6

• Staying relevant
• - spinning the archetypes

7
When in Doubt Build Two at a Time!
8
When the World Blew Up and Out!

• Re-envisioning the world from
• the inside out
• (expansionistic design player
• driven)
• Handcrafted world - leave no
• stone unturned
• Immersion is critical

9

• Art direction and thematic cohesion

10

• Story and quests
• Letting history do the work
• Dont bury the poor kids!

11
Maintaining the Fantasy

• Tech vs, magic How far do you go?
• Firearms, Tanks,
• Steam-Machinery

12

• Burning Crusade romping through
• the astral plane
• High fantasy technologies, cosmic
• themes, spaceships

13
Pop Goes the Culture

• Pop References - how much is
• too much?
• Keep it in the background

14
Sharing the Vision

• Atlas is screwed OR No man is an instanced
  island
• Individual ownership is critical
• Cohesion comes through constant communication and
  collective belief