Classic WoW Wiki:Race speculation methods

= Introduction =

Whenever you engage in designing a new race or speculating as to what races may be added in the future, there are a number of means that can be used to make an educated guess. When evaluating a race's likelihood of being implimented, you should consider each point in turn - though Blizzard does not always (see "Order of Official Importance" below).

= The Methods =

The Historical Method
This lore-centered method relies upon long-term historical trends in the Warcraft storyline and the general worldview and beliefs of existing and potential player races in order to discern the likelihood of a race being implimented in a specific faction.

This method generally follows the cliche that birds of a feather flocks together - races ally with races that share their ideals. Also, it looks back on the history of Warcraft, and judges if any of the races in question fought or had disputes with one another, and how long ago such conflicts were (and how vehemous the animosity between the two races might be.)

This method is favoured by roleplayers and lore-experts, and it was the (apparent) failure of the Foresaken-Horde pact to adhere to this model that caused considerable controversy when World of Warcraft was first released.

The Balance Method
This technique takes a more practical approach - taking into account important game-mechanics such as faction balance, server stability and so on. It is widely believed to be the most pressing method for Blizzard, for good reason.

It manifests itself in three ways:


 * Class Balance: Many have suggested that Blizzard desires to maintain an equal choice and number of classes in both the Alliance and the Horde. Currently, there are currently 20 class-race combinations in each faction (26 in the Horde when the Burning Crusade is released), and so it stands to reason that Blizzard will maintain this pattern by making the new, Alliance race also have six class options. Some people have taken this theory further, guessing that Blizzard seeks there to be the same number of races that can play each class in each faction, and so suggesting that the new Alliance race will have hunters, paladins, mages and warlocks which the Alliance will, come the expansion, have fewer of than the Horde.


 * Stat Balance: A slight varient of the above is to suggest that Blizzard seeks to balance the number of races that excel in a particular status value across the factions. This character stats are important many arenas, specifically PvP, increasing the likelihood of Blizzard desiring to keep the status fair. Currently, the Horde has a deficiency of intellect based races, while the Alliance has a defecit of stamina and strength based races. As Blizzard has added an intellect based race (Blood Elves) to the Horde, it stands to reason that they will add a race with high stamina and strength to the Alliance.


 * Continent Balance: The addition of new race's city is a useful way of improving transport links and facilities for players on the continent. Similarly, the addition of a new race is likely to cause an influx of new players, trying out that race, on that continent, which could lead to server lag and crashes. In order to make the most out of the addition of new races and not to cause significant problems to server stability, it seems likely that Blizzard will place any new races on different continents and in places where they improve current facilities and flightpaths. This has lead some to speculate that, mirroring the central location of the Undercity in Lordaeron, the new Alliance race will be based in the Hyjal zone.


 * Population Balance: As it has a massive implications in PvP, high end PvE and player economy, the population of a faction is of massive importance. Thus, it appears likely that Blizzard will go to great lengths to avoid causing imbalance or to redress existing imbalances. Currently, the high population of the Alliance on most servers is believed to be due to the "prettyness" of two of the most populous Alliance races - Night Elves and Humans. As Blizzard has implimented Blood Elves as a "pretty" race on the Horde side, it seems likely that Blizzard intends to redress this in the manner we expect.

The Situation Method
This is another lore method. It incorporates the immediate environment and needs of a faction and race, and uses this to judge whether or not an allegience between a specific race and another is viable. It allows speculators to take into account ideas such as alliances of convenience and temporary pacts - in contrast to the deep commitments and pledges that the Historical Method highlights. It allowed fans to comprehend the Foresaken - Horde pact.

The Pattern Method
This method assumes that Blizzard, particularly it's major developers such as Metzen, enjoy producing storyline developments that create patterns or compliment or contrast other races in a symbolic or socially (within our society) relevant way. From Metzen's previous plot developments (Night Elves being the noblest and oldest of elven cultures instead of an evil race of traitors as "dark" elves normally are, Orcs and Tauren being shamanic and honourable instead of monsters etc.), Metzen shows a fondness for overturning fantasy stereotypes.

Not only this, by the fact that Metzen and his people have confirmed that they have already planned the warcraft storyline into chapters - it appears quite likely that the developments in the plot will go some way towards "painting a picture" - in some way making a unified storyline or pleasant commentary on life or a fantasy principle. In WoW, this pattern seems to be and offering of contrasts - northern Kalimdor represents Nature, and Lordaeron represents Corruption. Southern Azeroth represents Civilisation, Southern Kalimdor represents Barbarity. The north represents stasis against chaos, the south represents advancement against tribalism.