Blizzard talks ... blizzards in WoW
by Christopher Grant 
{ Apr 6th 2006 at 3:00AM }
MTV takes a look at Blizzard's decision to add weather to their massively popular MMORPG, World of Warcraft, and -- more interestingly -- how they implemented it. "[E]ach sub-zone among the 11 where weather is currently available is now linked to a set of variables that allow for the possibility of precipitation. The variables have been set to make the potential weather appropriate, meaning heavy showers are more likely in one region and drizzles in another."
For now the weather doesn't have any ancillary effects beyond enhanced atmosphere and verisimilitude. Blizzard is hesitant to add in side effects like wind slowing down your character or rain rusting your armor; though, they did suggest bonus effects like "more herbs grow after it rains."
Blizzard is easing players into the new weather system. How long before wayward strangers in Azeroth start making small talk about the weather? Add in your own "Rain of Chaos" and "Frozen (snow) Throne" jokes here.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tom Hayden @ Apr 6th 2006 3:52AM
Nice use of "verisimilitude." Nerd.
Enigma @ Apr 6th 2006 3:58AM
Ohhh, aaaah what a story.
Leave it to MTV to come with something as unoriginal as this. Been there done that kind of thing.
Next up, MTV will delve in the realm of "jumping" in platform games.
:-P
Stoof @ Apr 6th 2006 5:39AM
Dude, can I include a snowman being built ontop of you if you're AFK?
genecyber@gmail.com @ Apr 6th 2006 6:14AM
I am a comment spammer: genecyber@gmail.com
C. Grant @ Apr 6th 2006 8:13AM
Enigma, I disagree. I think there's plenty of interesting stuff in there, and plenty of interesting questions the presence of weather in an MMO raises.
Enigma @ Apr 6th 2006 8:21AM
The stuff in there is no different that has been addressed for the past 2 years in the MMO and gaming world. Especially with games such as Dark and Light, and Vanguard. They have had docs up for the longest time with their weather ideas.
But since Blizzard finally decides to put in weather, and since it is a "mainstream" MMO at the moment, this topic is finally discussed in "popularity".
Just saying it is funny how "now" it gets noticed.
kronuseqoa @ Apr 6th 2006 8:59AM
I can't believe that some people are making such a big deal about weather in a mmo lmao. I mean comon I play eqao frontiers for the ps2 and it has had weather effects for the past 3 years.
White Rose Duelist @ Apr 6th 2006 9:48AM
As bad as comment spam is, I really don't think it's cool to post people's email adresses without their permission.
C. Grant @ Apr 6th 2006 10:40AM
WRD: These are large, coordinated spamming attacks against our network. In many cases, they include their addresses in the content of their spam. #5 was trying to sell WoW gold and #4 was promoting some page.
Believe me, I'd rather *not* do it, but I'd also rather not spend my time trying to police people from abusing our comments and our readers. Read the touching true life tale of a converted comment spammer here: http://www.all-about-content.com/2006/01/why-would-i-say-im-comment-spammer.html
C. Grant @ Apr 6th 2006 10:50AM
Enigma:
If you read the article (which should be the minimum requirement before commenting on it) you'd see that they mentioned Dark and Light, got Blizzard's response to it, and discussed the differences between cosmetic weather vs. affective weather. Not to mention, Dark and Light isn't out yet, WoW is.
I don't understand when you write "Just saying it is funny how "now" it gets noticed." You seemed to do a pretty good job explaining why it's now getting noticed:
"But since Blizzard finally decides to put in weather, and since it is a 'mainstream' MMO at the moment, this topic is finally discussed in 'popularity.'"
And I think you're being pretty ignorant of the influence and popularity of WoW. It's not simply a mainstream MMO "at the moment", it's the success story the entire PC industry is looking at.
Enigma @ Apr 6th 2006 11:51AM
I am not being ignorant to it. I am glad WoW had that success. But it is reasons like that, why the industry doesnt have more success or recognition like WoW. They really dont pay attention to ideas or concepts until it becomes a WoW type success.
If they covered these ideas and spent their editorial talent to cover this, instead of quick reads and then sweeping them under the carpet of the archives section, then this will get more people to notice what is out there.
Quite frankly, and you can agree with me on this, it is sad that nobody out there really knew DnL ever existed with breakthrough weather like this, etc (in which it IS out with the working weather in their game Settlers of Ganareth, which is free to the public until DnL) until WoW put weather in and paid contribution to their ideas.
If the industry would pay attention more to creative ideas that dont always have to come from the 3 big name developers (sarcasm), then the awareness would get out there. But until then, we have to live with hard to find snipets of info from great ideas, until a large known game maker/franchise borrows them. Then the word is out there.
Enko @ Apr 6th 2006 11:59AM
Remember when MTV was music-oriented? me neither... It's like they're going out of their way to avoid it now.
Devian @ Apr 6th 2006 2:01PM
Agree with Enigma here.
SWG had weather long before both DnL/Blizzard. I can't remember any special "OMG WEATHER IN AN MMO!? BLASPHEMY!" special on it.
WoW is nothing new.
Also agree with Enko. Next thing you know, CMT (Country Music Television) will be hosting rap battles.