One of the most interesting features for the next World of Warcraft expansion, Warlords of Draenor, is that it will include dramatic character model updates for the original eight races (and the Draenei and Blood Elves), as well as various texture improvements. But ever since this was announced last year, players have wondered if the visual upgrades will make the game--known to be playable on even low-end rigs--too taxing to look good on their existing computers.
Some have asked if they'll need to buy a new computer to play Warlords of Draenor, and now Blizzard has finally responded. "That's a hard question to answer," Blizzard community manager Taepsilum said on the game's forums recently. "I'd say that you shouldn't be worried about any big drop in performance; things will most likely remain very close to what you are experiencing right now. So if you're satisfied with what you have right now, then there shouldn't be any need to change anything."
For raids specifically, Taepsilum said though more detailed character models and expanded surrounding geometry will require more processing power, the developer is also overhauling the way in which onscreen information is presented as a means to boost performance.
"We are also applying a squish to anything related to stats; this means that in certain situations, there might be some performance improvements, especially when it comes to add-ons that process combat data," Taepsilum said. "More importantly, we are reducing the amount of visual clutter that currently fills every fight where a lot of players are involved. Less sparkly stuff flying around means better video performance for everyone."
"Client performance is something we care about a lot. It doesn't matter how well designed an encounter is: you aren't going to have fun raiding at 8fps," Taepsilum added. "We want everyone to be able to enjoy playing with the new models, and our dev team is working hard making sure that WoW is as resource efficient as possible in order for that to happen."
Warlords of Draenor is World of Warcraft's fifth expansion, following The Burning Crusade (2007), Wrath of the Lich King (2008), Cataclysm (2010), and Mists of Pandaria (2012). It launches later this fall, and every copy includes one immediate character level boost to 90. World of Warcraft, which is now in its 10th year of continued operation as a paid game, ended 2013 with 7.8 million subscribers.
| Eddie Makuch is a news editor at GameSpot, and you can follow him on Twitter @EddieMakuch |
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even with new models game still looks horrid, so I'm not surprised that you won't be experiencing frame drops lol
even more high def green man-women oh yeah.
Intel Pentium 4 2.2ghz and a AMD graphics card that supports Direct X7 should do the trick.
B*TCH PLEASE!!! I can run Watch Dogs on ultra. Your minor graphical upgrade doesn't scare me!
If this game comes out and in order for anyone to play it has to buy a new PC will put a dent in the "PC gamers pay less to play." argument. I'd hate to think I would have to upgrade my setup just to play a money sucking game. This would be like buying a new system just to play CoD.
It won't, because the game doesn't interest me in the first place. lololololololo
Don't you mean it's sixth expansion, following the first 5?
good now the 8 million Chinese farmers will be happy their overlords wont force them to work extra hours to upgrade their slave stations
but why ? why on earth do I have to buy panda expansion to play this one? And why does it cost 45E as if it was a new game?
I can upgrade my PC, but buying pandas? realy? cmn.
WoW has always been accessible to everyone no matter what computer you have for a reason.
If they cut people off by making them need to build a new PC or buy a new one if on laptops that is only going to hurt their player numbers.
If you can't run WoW you should probably re-think your life
Depends on the rig of those that started playing this when it came out. Especially for thos that were just using a normal computer.
I'd rather play a good game than a good looking game.
Maybe I can give a try.....
I'm liking this redesign
That's how you make money. You include even those without the means to afford expensive rigs. Wish the industry took notes, as much as i hate Activision Blizzard they know how to make money, much like Disney.
I wont insult my wallet and my computer having wow and watchdogs sharing my storage.
ahhaahhaahhahahahah
if u have a pc from 2004 ur fine
I don't care about graphical improvements whatsoever. Voice the quests for christ's sake, and you have a winner. I can't believe that we are still forced to actually read in a clearly video focused medium. If I need to buy a better system just to get this happening, I'll run to the store and do it right now.
Possible, I'm sure there's WOW fans out there that haven't upgraded since 2004.
@tonytones21 Big man.
@Radnen 5th xpac. vanilla doesn't count.
@Dilandau88 Or if you think that having a computer that can run games is in any way linked to how you experience your life, you should have a rethink as well.
@killaman9996 When WoW launched in 2005 AMD X2's where out around then many may still have this rig since if it works for what they need why upgrade
@killaman9996 Define "normal computer."
@Janpieterzun I heartily agree. I'm actually quite surprised that Blizzard goes to such lengths to try and keep those old rigs in the game. Colour me impressed!
@Enkhrypthor <3
@Xanitra Most people don't read quest dialog beyond "Kill X of Y."
@Xanitra go get TESO fully voiced quests
@KaptajnKnap @tonytones21 Being a big man doesn't help me run games better. It's my big PC rig that does :).
@WereCatf @killaman9996I think he means a low-end computer or really crappy laptop. Integrated graphics card, i3 or worse cpu...
@vadagar1 @Xanitra boring game . . .
@3dmatrixgamer Cause MMOs are made to be massive, not for a minority.
@Anigmar @WereCatf @killaman9996 Man anything lower than a dual core these days makes the entire operating system grind to a halt.
@Ervaine @vadagar1@Dexyu@Xanitrai play it for the scenery frankly
@Ervaine @vadagar1@Dexyu@XanitraThe Elder Scrolls - games are generally totally awesome... except for TESO. It's an insult to the series.
@Ervaine @vadagar1@Dexyu@XanitraES is indeed a classic series and TESO insults that series
@vadagar1 @Dexyu @Xanitra Definitely better than spending tons of money on wows expansions and pc upgrades , besides ES is a classic series who wouldn't want to play it .
@vadagar1 @Dexyu @Xanitra TESO is beyond mundane.
@Dexyu @vadagar1@Xanitranot for an mmo
wow on the other hand ; /