Summary
World of Warcraftgame director Ion Hazzikoztas stated that the launch of Patch 11.1.5, Nightfall, did not go according to plan and admitted that Blizzard needs to improve how it addresses bugs and other issues. Hazzikostatas also said that Blizzard will listen toWorld of Warcraftplayer feedback and adjust how it releases content during its patch cycles.
Patch 11.1.5 went live on April 22, nearly two months after the Undermined content update was launched. The 11.1.5 update was headlined by the titular Nightfall scenario, which sawWorld of Warcraftplayers team up with a new Arathi faction called Flame’s Radiance in their ongoing campaign against the Sureki, a Nerubian splinter group loyal to the fallen Queen Ansurek. At launch, the Nightfall scenario was plagued by bugs that caused it to not function properly. Over several days,Blizzard made adjustments to how fast players can gain reputationwith the Flame’s Radiance and added new cosmetics to vendors.
Despite Blizzard’s ongoing efforts to improve the state of the Nightfall update,World of Warcraft’s lead developer admitted more needs to be done. Ina PC Gamer interview, game director Ion Hazzikostas said that Patch 11.1.5 did not meet the company’s standards, and said that player frustrations over the bugs and lacking content from Nightfall’s launch were justified. Hazzikostas said, “It’s not the experience our players are expecting or deserve when they log in on patch day and they’re excited to check out the new thing.”
World of Warcraft Game Director Says Patch 11.1.5 Did Not Meet Blizzard’s Standards
Hazzikostas also stated thatthe way Patch 11.1.5 staggered its content over several weeks, when compounded with the Nightfall scenario bugs, was a point of contention. Hazzikostas added thatWorld of Warcraftplayer feedback has been loud and clear about the matter, and said, “There’s too much that is being delayed and not enough that’s available up front.”
Two of Patch 11.1.5’s headline features will be released in the coming weeks. Starting May 20, aBattle for Azerothfeature will make its return, asthe Horrific Visions Revisited eventwill offer new ways for players to obtain Heroic gear and Void-themed cosmetic rewards. Two weeks later, the Dastardly Duos boss rush event will begin its first run, from June 3 to July 15.
“We’re going to listen, we’re going to learn, and we’ll attempt to do better next time, both in delivering the content and setting expectations around how it’s going to be paced.”
Given thatWorld of Warcraftoperates on an eight-week patch cadence, Hazzikostas said the team will not stray from that course despite 11.1.5’s issues.With Patch 11.1.7 likely coming out in early summer, it remains to be seen how muchWorld of Warcraftplayer feedback will be utilized in the months ahead.
