Azeroth
Latest
The world (of Warcraft) is flat
Dramatized has a simple but intriguing question on the forums: "Is Azeroth flat or round?" It's got to be round, right? You can prove that the world is round a number of different ways, but do they actually work? I don't ever remember seeing ships disappearing beyond the horizon (in fact, Tydeus confirms that ships don't drop below the horizon, so either Azeroth is flat or just really, really big), and in most places on Azeroth, the horizon is actually a mountain range. And I've never seen an eclipse on Azeroth, so we have no idea what shape the world really is. The ingame map between Azeroth and Outland hints that it may be a globe, but really it's just the map overlaid into a circle -- no hints there.Neth hints in the thread that maybe even the Explorers' League doesn't really know if the world is round or not. But whether it's round or flat, it's a pretty good guess that there's a lot to this world we haven't yet seen -- if it is flat, neither the Horde or Alliance have reached the edge yet, and if it's round, you'd wonder why someone hasn't sailed from Darnassus across to Azshara (and if Northrend is what's north of the two main continents, what's south?). Remember this the next time someone asks just what else Blizzard can visit in future expansions -- there's a whole world out there we haven't been able to see yet.
Cinemassively: Here Without You
One of the best machinimas created in World of Warcraft was actually made almost three years ago, and still lives on in machinimators today. With over 20,000 videos uploaded to Warcraftmovies, Here Without You, by Dimoroc, was one of the first 1200. Many filmmakers have since tried to replicate the raw emotion evoked in this video, but few have succeeded.Here Without You centers around the origin of a Forsaken, from how he came to be, to how he's haunted by his past. Using only music and interactions, instead of dialogue, Dimoroc was able to create a moving display of love. After posting this video, he disappeared, which is a real shame, because he helped pave the way for so many talented machinimators after him.[Via Warcraftmovies.com]
WoW Moviewatch: Here Without You
This machinima is almost three years old, yet it still holds up today. Here Without You, by Dimoroc, doesn't have special effects, a flashy intro, or even any dialogue. It tells the story of a Forsaken and how they became that way. Using music and powerful scenes, he is able to convey emotion that I did not think possible of World of Warcraft.The story of Dimoroc himself is a mystery. He showed up at Warcraftmovies, uploaded this one video, and then disappeared shortly after. Almost two years later, he popped up under a different account to thank everyone for their comments, then disappeared again. However, present or not, he has left a lasting impression on the WoW machinima community. If you're out there, Dimoroc, thank you for creating one of the few machinimas that made me cry!Previously on Moviewatch ...
RP Spotlight: Impermanent death
Mystic Chicanery's Nibuca says she isn't really a roleplayer, but nonetheless has made an interesting observation with big implications for roleplayers. "If Azeroth were real," she asks, "what would be the cultural implications of an impermanent death?"We all know that death is a one-way journey in reality: death's permanence affects everything we do in this world -- all our laws, customs, and moral values. Yet in Azeroth it is not so: the main consequence of dying is a tedious and expensive "corpse run" for your ghost to retrieve your body. If this sort of impermanent death were a reality on Earth as it is in Azeroth, then everything about our world would be changed. As Nibuca points out, people would take risks with their lives much more lightly, execution would no longer be the ultimate punishment, and doctors might sometimes find it easier to let their patients die and then resurrect them, rather than deal with the mess of curing their sicknesses.Roleplayers have to be somewhat careful not to let impermanent death and other such necessities of computer gaming become realities from their characters' point of view. After all, if the rules of Azerothian reality were the same as the rules we have in the game -- where death never lasts and good gear is the ultimate goal -- then there is really nothing of importance at stake for any of the characters in the Warcraft stories, least of all yours. That kind of world would effectively be just a game, whether it was real for its inhabitants or not. Can you imagine how real life would be different if death were impermanent like it is in the game? Would such game-world realities enhance our own real world, or reduce it to trivial meaninglessness?
Around Azeroth: Autumn in Azshara
Reader Spirittamer, at level 63, has been attempting to do all of the old-world Azeroth quests -- an ambitious goal! (After all, quests get lonely too, don't they?) He was sent to Azshara in order to aid a fallen hero of the Horde and discovered this lovely sunny picnic spot. Spirittamer tells us, "Of course, you have to convince the previous occupants to let you use the gazebo..."Do you have any unusual World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? Because we'd love to see your idea of the best looking instance on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@wow.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! %Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: One zeppelin, two zeppelin...
Ben writes in with this zeppelin-filled screenshot from Grom'Gol in Stranglethorn Vale. Though I'm sure some of our readers could do a bit of math and come up with some exact numbers on how often two zeppelins arrived in Grom'Gol at once, I'll simply say it's an uncommon sight. Or, as Ben says, a "memorable event!"Do you have any unusual World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? Because we'd love to see your idea of the best looking instance on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@wow.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! %Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: A thorny screenshot
Mike sends in this shot of an impressively large bramble outside of Brambleblade Ravine in the Tauren starting area. Or maybe it's not Brambleblade Ravine... Says Mike, "'At least I'm pretty sure it is. But you know, it could be outside Razorfen Kraul too. Anyway, it's a cool bramble!" We concur wholeheartedly.Do you have any unusual World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? Because we'd love to see your idea of the best looking instance on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@wow.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! %Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: Dreamcatcher
Reader supun sends in this shot taken in the Draenei starting area on Azuremyst Isle. This Azerothian device bears a resemblance to a dreamcatcher -- though you rarely see those hanging against the lovely purple skies that are a hallmark of Azuremyst.Do you have any unusual World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? Because we'd love to see your idea of the best looking instance on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@wow.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! %Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: Death in the desert
Reader Lantanian from Quel'dorei offers up this screenshot straight from the Tanaris desert. Though you can clearly see Gadgetzan not-too-far in the distance, it was apparently too far for one poor traveler, who succumbed to the wilderness just outside of town.Do you have any unusual World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? Because we'd love to see your idea of the best looking instance on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@wow.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! %Gallery-1816%
Around Azeroth: Twilight over the Wetlands
Reader Robotusch sends in this shot from the Wetlands in Azeroth's Eastern Kingdoms. And though the Wetlands, a lower level Alliance zone, might not sound like an exciting place, Robotusch informs us, "when you're treated to such a misty twilight, one does have to stop for a second to wonder what the new day will bring for heroes and monsters in the lands of Azeroth." (For those of you who appreciate these twilight hours, the shot is also available in wallpaper size.)Do you have any unusual World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? Because we'd love to see your idea of the best looking instance on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@wow.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! %Gallery-1816%
The Escapist spends a day in the life of a WoW addict
So when you read the title up there, did you think that this story was going to be a downer? We did too, until it read through this very engrossing article. Written by Stacey Allen, the entire thing explores her rise to a gamer with the help of her husband and her (and his, of course) eventual magnetic meeting with World of Warcraft. It's a very enjoyable read that explores her various experiences with gaming more than anything else.We couldn't help but feel a bit moved by the whole thing, which does end with a snap back to WoW. Still, when you hear about all those relationships destroyed or families torn asunder and then read this article it really puts a contrastive light on the whole issue. Stacey and Michael have found a way to stay close to each other, even if that happens to be traipsing around Azeroth each night. It would be nice if there were more stories like this, not just about WoW but about gaming in general.
Around Azeroth: Waiting...
Reader Andy sends in this unique perspective of Arathi Basin, pre-battle. And though any of you who have run AB will know this view by heart as you autorun up against the gate, ready to spring forth as soon as possible, this particular moment of tension is rarely captured in screenshot form. Just look at the blacksmith in the distance, an undefended node, ripe for the capturing, as soon as these pesky gates open!Do you have any unusual World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? Because we'd love to see your idea of the best looking instance on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@wow.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! %Gallery-1816%
Beefing up the holidays
Okinos does a little trolling on the forums about holidays supposedly being boring (when actually, with the exception of no new content for Winter's Veil, they have been anything but), but at least something good did come out of the thread: not only does Drysc lay down a huge burn, but we're rewarded with a visit from Kisirani, part of Blizzard's world events team.And she's got great news for those who love holidays-- all of the holiday events are scheduled to get a makeover, Hallow's End style. Darkmoon Faire is getting beefed up, as is "an older holiday" that is getting "a significant amount of punch" added to it. Chinese New Year, aka the Lunar Festival? Valentine's Day? Your guess is as good as ours.Blizzard's team has to take time off, too, so it's not too surprising that there wasn't too much new content to go through this year (although the Clockwork Bots definitely make up for it, if only they'd work right). But it's definitely awesome to hear that there's more in store for holiday events around the realms.
One Shots: Moon over Bloodmyst
World of Warcraft's Bloodmyst Isle has a fascinating sky -- going from brilliant red during the day to this tranquil purple in the evening. Reader John sent us this shot with little explanation, so we can only take it at face value: as a lovely scene of the moon rising over Azeroth's shores. (Also available in wallpaper size.)One Shots lives on a steady diet of your screenshots! Snapped a good screenshot lately? Tired of seeing the same old games featured? Send us shots from your favorite game! It's easy to participate -- just send your screenshots and stories to oneshots@massively.com. %Gallery-9798%
Around Azeroth: A Westfall sunset
Telemora of Shadowsong offers this screenshot from the inn in Sentinel Hill, Westfall. You can just see the golden rays of sunset peeping through the hole in the roof. Though this begs the question... this inn has been in the same state of disrepair for years now -- what are those Sentinel Hill laborers doing? (Also available in wallpaper size.)Do you have any unusual World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? Because we'd love to see your idea of the best looking instance on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@wow.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! %Gallery-1816%
One Shots: Westfall can be a scary place
You wouldn't think that Westfall, one of World of Warcraft's starter (level 10-20 or so) zones, would be a scary place. However, perhaps for Twinkletowz, the level 13 pink-haired Gnome warrior (for those who don't play WoW, yes, there is such a thing, and those little anklebiters can be a fierce as any Orc!), this buzzard in the moonlight provided a confrontation of epic proportions. For animal-lovers in the audience, we're told that buzzards were harmed in the making of this screenshots -- virtual buzzards, at least.One Shots lives on a steady diet of your screenshots! Snapped a good screenshot lately? Tired of seeing the same old games featured? Send us shots from your favorite game! It's easy to participate -- just send your screenshots and stories to oneshots@massively.com. %Gallery-9798%
One Shots: A Darkshore river
Reader Chord on World of Warcraft's Icecrown realm offers us this shot of Darkshore in Kalimdor. This particular shot of the forest catches the scenery at its most pastoral -- for much of the landscape maintains grey tones and a tired appearance of faded grandeur. (And if you like it, it's also available in wallpaper size.)One Shots lives on a steady diet of your screenshots! Snapped a good screenshot lately? Tired of seeing the same old games featured? Send us shots from your favorite game! It's easy to participate -- just send your screenshots and stories to oneshots@massively.com. %Gallery-9798%
Around Azeroth: Wyrmscar Island
Reader Kazzul of Turalyon (EU) sends in this picture of Wyrmscar Island off the coast of Bloodmyst Isle. (If you have no idea what I'm talking about, this red-skied land is the Draenei starting zone.) Though the image bears some resemblance to the ruins you'll see in Azshara and even Desolace, the color of the sky here is a dead giveaway of the location. (Also available in convenient wallpaper size!)Do you have any unusual World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? Because we'd love to see your idea of the best looking instance on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@wow.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next! %Gallery-1816%
One Shots: Thunder Bluff in the morning
Arka of the World of Warcraft realm Dragonblight who tells us, "I have a hobb .. obsession with taking screenshots. I just love how realitic WoW is compared to some of the scenes you might capture with a real camera." In this particular shot we're looking out across the Tauren capitol of Thunder Bluff sparkling in the morning sun. So what do you prefer -- game screenshots or photographs? (Also check the wallpaper-sized version!) Snapped any good screenshots recently? Send them to us so we can feature your screenshot and story for tomorrow's One Shots! It's easy to participate -- just send your screenshots and stories to oneshots@massively.com. %Gallery-9798%
Around Azeroth: Braaiiiinnnnnnss
I admit -- the zombie jokes are probably overdone at this point. But you can't deny that this excellent screenshot of Tirisfal Glades sent in by reader Oaty of Hearts Blood defines all things Scourge in World of Warcraft. (Including, no doubt, their hunger for delicious brains.) And the best part -- the full-sized version (click on the image above) is wallpaper sized for continued enjoyment on your desktop.Do you have any unusual World of Warcraft images that are just collecting dust in your screenshots folder? Because we'd love to see your idea of the best looking instance on Around Azeroth! Sharing your screenshot is as simple as e-mailing aroundazeroth@wow.com with a copy of your shot and a brief explanation of the scene. You could be featured here next!%Gallery-1816%
