#356 - For Azeroth!: “It’s a Lot”

Lex can no longer trust the developers as chaos continues to unfold for add-ons. The trio discusses WoW for consoles; and Sean relishes in the snarkiness.

News

WoW on the Next Xbox

Windows Central released an article with some confirmed and some speculated details of the next Xbox console.

• The next Xbox is reported to have a PC experience not dissimilar to the SteamOS interface.
• The system is expected to run Game Store Fronts such as Steam, Epic Games Store, the Riot Client, and notably Battle.net
• The article points to quotes from senior officials as well as undisclosed insider sources.
• Phill Spencer speaking of the Xbox Ally to see the direction of the next console.
• Sarah Bond hinting at 1st party hardware made in partnership with AMD
• Internet pundits reignited the conversation that WoW is being reworked for consoles.

Addressing Addons

Team 2 posted a message about Midnight’s Impact of Combat Addons.

• The initial version of the new API logic was the most restrictive iteration and the team had a (uncommunicated?) expectation that feedback would guide where they loosen restrictions.
• The team has been providing detailed technical updates directly to addon devs
• The post includes a section about customization.
• Addons should not be able to automate combat decisions for the player.
• Addons should retain their ability to customize how information is presented to the player.
• Team 2’s post speaks briefly about a focus on accessibility.
• Text-to-Speech support or other audio alerts
• Examples of the ability to announce when combat begins and ends, to announce your health and resources at regular intervals, to play sounds when you gain or lose a secondary resource (e.g., combo points), to announce your target’s name and health, and more.
• Healing and Raid Frames
• New display for 
• Major defensives (or similar ability)
• Role specific debuffs (ie: tank swaps) 
• Additional buffs displayed on raid frames beyond the previous limitation
• 3 different layouts with 2 being inspired by popular addons.
• Border visualization and colour highlights for Curses, Diseases, Magic, or Poison effects. 
• Additional Authors announce a pause in support of popular addons.
• Latest Updates provided to addon authors include changes listed under Alpha Phase 6

Links

• How Midnight’s Upcoming Game Changes Will Impact Combat Addons

Midnight Alpha Phase 5

A little earlier than in weeks past, the next phase of the Alpha is here!

• Level 90
• Story and Quests: 
• Level 90 Campaign - Chapter 1
• Arcantina Visitor Quests
• Weekly Quests (must complete the main campaign or use the skip)
• All previous content is once again available
• Housing
• Budgets for room placement and decor have been returned to levels closer to week 3
• Dyes are re-enabled
• Delves: 
• Parhelion Plaza
• The Darkway
• Torment’s Rise (Nemesis delve)
• Prey
• World Boss available
• Thorm’belan
• Found in the Encroaching Bloom of Harandar
• Level 90 Activities: 
• Saltheril’s Soiree
• Abundance
• Legends of the Haranir
• Stormarion Citadel
• Amani Abyss
• Professions
• Sparks are available for testing
• Class Sets added
• Balance Druid, Feral Druid, Guardian Druid, Brewmaster Monk, Protection Paladin, Affliction Warlock, Demonology Warlock, Destruction Warlock, Fury Warrior, and Protection Warrior.
• Class changes

Links

• In Development: Phase Five of the Midnight Alpha — World of Warcraft — Blizzard News
• Midnight Alpha Test Development Notes - #16 by Linxy

Outro

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