«Sometimes, very epic things can begin with small, heartfelt moments. What you're about to see is one of those moments.» This is how Chris Metzen introduced the cinematic trailer for The War Within, and sure enough, the scene that opens is a simple one. No action, no world-shattering event or dragonriding race, just the passive figure of Anduin, recognizable by his sword Shalamayne, seated in the desert. Apart from serene orchestral music, the only sound at first is the wind, shifting the sands and gently pulling at Anduin's cloak, a simple cloak of white — grey and dirty from use. Shalamayne is dark, the Light that usually glows in a hollow in the blade's center has gone out. We can see it's twilight — whether the sun is rising or setting, the day is in a transitional period, in between darkness and light. Anduin, we can't help but notice, is facing the darker section of the sky. The camera moves over Anduin's face showing his aged skin, the fact that he has a beard. It's been a long time since we last saw Anduin: the three-year time skip between Shadowlands and Dragonflight, as well as the entirety of Dragonflight. Shalamayne twists back and forth in the sand, first one way, then another, as Anduin clenches and releases his grip. Anduin's eyes are unseeing, he's not thinking about moving the sword, it's a subconscious act reflecting his inner turmoil. Everything about this scene reinforces the themes of indecision as if Anduin himself is stuck, like the sky, halfway between the darkness and the light. He sighs, and closes his eyes, and we see a vision of Azeroth, not the planet, but the World Soul that dwells within. In appearance, the soul is like a planet covered in seas of Light. The colors we associate with Azerite are there — gold and blue — but as the light streams out from the soul, there are also hints of red and purple, colors we associate with Shadowflame and the Void. The world soul whispers a name.
World of Warcraft's The War Within expansion kickstarts multi-part Worldsoul Saga next year
03.11.2023 - 23:25 / eurogamer.net / Chris Metzen / Next Year
BlizzCon has brought big news for World of Warcraft fans as the MMO prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary next year; Blizzard's announced not only its next expansion, The War Within, but the two coming after that, all forming chapters in the newly revealed Worldsoul Saga.
The Worldsoul Saga was enthusiastically unveiled by Blizzard veteran Chris Metzen, who returned to the company late last year after departing in 2016. This new World of Warcraft story arc is set to play out across multiple expansions over the next few years, starting with The War Within — WoW's tenth expansion — in 2024.
The War Within takes players into heart of Azeroth itself, where they'll explore new subterranean kingdoms, engage with ancient cultures like the Earthen Dwarves — a new Allied race — and the terrifying Nerubians of Azj-Kahet. Azj-Kahet is one of several new zones coming in the expansion, alongside the Isle of Dorn, The Ringing Deeps, and Hallowfall.
As per Blizzard's brisk oveview of The War Within, it'll also introduce new bite-sized experiences for 1-5 players known as Delves, promising end-game rewards; then there are Warbands — enabling players to share the likes of their bank and reputation among their alts — as well as new dynamic flight for mounts, new dungeons and raids, plus Hero Talents, described as a new level of customisation that can be used to create the likes of dark rangers and far seers.
Metzen didn't stop with 2024's expansion, however; he also revealed the next two chapters in the Worldsoul Saga: Midnight and The Last Titan. Midnight will return players to the Old World and the fabled lands of Quel'Thalas, where the invading forces of the Void are attempting to snuff out light of the Sunwell and plunge Azeroth into darkness and fear. While mechanical specifics remain under wraps, we do know it'll see players reunifying the elven tribes of Azeroth and making a stand with the forces of light.
However! Things may not go as planned, causing events to spiral out of control, leading into the Worldsoul Saga's third expansion, The Last Titan. This'll once again take players to the Old World, this time to the wintery lands of Northrend, where they'll bear witness to the return of the Titans and uncover a vast conspiracy stretching throughout the history of the world. This will apparently challenge everything players think they know about the Titans, their intentions, and the true nature of Azeroth itself.
So that's plenty to mull over while Blizzard prepares for The War Within's arrival next year, but it's not quite everything revealed for World of Warcraft. Blizzard also confirmed Cataclysm will be coming to World of Warcraft Classic in the «first half of next year», and that the Classic base
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World of Warcraft: The War Within's most exciting new endgame activity puts a spin on the traditional MMO raid formula: "If you have five Fire Mages you can run a Delve"
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