What are the Casual Trends of WOW?

With each change that Blizzard make to the WOW game it become more clear that the direction of the game is going to become a casual online game, that fit all players. No more skill is needed to get ahead in the game, no more special knowledge is needed to get it all.

If you look at the changes Blizzard as done to Warcraft in the last two years, or so, you will find out that WOW is slowly, but steadily, becoming a casual oriented game. This was done in the attempt to draw new customer base players.
 
Now, you can fully enjoy all aspects of the game, in any level, at any time. No longer you need to devote hours of play time to get the best items, no longer it is necessary to master the technique of PVP to get to the top level or be good enough to enter a guild. You can do it all with your few closest friends or even by yourself, going solo all the way. 

Is this a good thing? 

With these now trends a lot of fun things were added to the Warcraft game.

• More events with nice seasonal items, and fun quests to do.
• The Achievements system (this one was big!) that added a new way to go, and in my opinion allow the “old school” players to preserve the status levels.
• Non-combat pets: More challenge and depth to the game.
• The opening of all mounts and introduce of new races.
• A quick jump to high level with the Death Knight.
• And getting the mounts from level 30. This one goes as a con with most experienced player, but I think it is a good thing as you can level fester new character.

On the other end… 

Quick leveling, combine with the higher levels with less XP needed, the resize of raiding and the opening of the end game items to all (as a result), have made it to simple for new comers to have it all, therefore diminish the status of the devoted player.
 
Some have argued that this as take up Blizzard resources so the higher level and devoted players did not received enough attention. Players that reached level 70 and then 80 were left with nothing to do. 

I don’t think that is the case. 

First of all the casual trends pull new player, and with new players come an increase of revenue from the game. Even if Blizzard pocket it all, I think that the achievement and the improvement of PVP is the best thing the high level players could have hope for.
 
Second, with new generation of players coming to WoW anyone that is already in the game benefit from it. I explain: As new comers enter in to WOW, the one that are in get to become the “second step of the ladder” (of the status ladder). Even more then that, you can profit from it – making more gold, becoming a guild master and much more.
 
The casual trends of WoW are not the end of the game as we know it. It is the birth of a new and improved World of Warcraft, where but devoted and regular players can benefit and interact with each other.

* This article was written as the WotLK was going out. As the Cataclysm expansion was announced at Blizzcon, and it’s seems like the Casual Trends are not going to chance, I believe this is even more relevant now then in the past.

** What does Warcraft Formula has to say on the Casual Trends in World of Warcraft – http://qstonwowtips.com/?page_id=94.

Or Read Some Related Posts:

1. Why You Can Make Gold From the Casual Trends on WoW and How to Do It?
2. WOW Gold And The WOW Inflation – Why It Is Good For You?

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