WotLK cinematic trailer

[Villayna]

http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=9023689276

I haven't seen it yet..it's downloading incredibly slow, but figured I'd share the lack of bandwidth with y'all.

edit: ooh..watched the streaming version while downloading it.. it rocks!

[Izrail]

Thanks Mort!

It's cool but seems more of a teaser than a trailer.

[Grev]

Kind of disappointed, but I was more looking forward to some focus on the Horde and Alliance side of things. Then again the expansion is themed around the Wrath of the Lich King, so I shouldn't be too disappointed.

I just wanted to see some orcs swinging massive axes at night elves knee-deep in snow.

edit: I truly hope the skeletal flying mount isn't DK only.

[Chikt]

I truly hope the skeletal flying mount isn't DK only.

Two separate versions of it according to MMO-Champion so it wouldn't surprise me. But I still say it looks like a mutated undead chicken.

Also, the WAR Cinematic Trailer > WotLK Cinematic Trailer. That was really kinda... well, weak compared to the older trailers.

[Villayna]

did you guys watch it with sound? the story is awesome.

edit: the warhammer one is longer and it shows off the variety of the classes available, but in the end it's your standard A kills B kills C kills D story..boring.

[Thalarios]

I really liked it, fantastic animation as always.

[Chikt]

did you guys watch it with sound? the story is awesome.

Oh yeah, the voiceover is FANTASTIC. It's amusing how Arthas has become everything his father ever wanted... in a twisted, ironic kind of way.

[Amoola]

I love awesome ass looking visuals and the feeling of a chill running up and down my spine. Just like this one, should have, and did.
Seriously I had to remind myself that the still shot I was looking at in a article that linked to the trailer was in no way real and that it was CG.

Also loved the deer in the headlights look my oldest had as he watched it with me. Yeah, this expantion should prove entertaining to me and my audience, especially if they keep the visuals up. ;)

[Xiphus]

WAR's cinematic shows you the atmosphere of war, to tell you that it's all about war, and you are going to be in a war. WoW's cinematic, on the other hand, tells a story about Arthas, and how he became what his father expected....in a twisted kind of way, and the opposite of what his father expected simultaneously. Arthas does not show wisdom, he definitely shows no restraint either.

[Evanthe]

I liked the WAR trailer, but I agree with Villayna.

This trailer was awesome.

[Grev]

did you guys watch it with sound? the story is awesome.
Yeah, the story is awesome. The voice over was awesome. The cliche choir music was awesome. But the cinematic itself would be more appropiate if it were promoting a new RTS rather than an MMORPG.

It should have at least included some sneak peeks at the Death Knight in action, since that is basically their biggest selling point for the expansion. And since they've promised siege weapons and destructible buildings that could have been included as well.

I'm not doubting the quality of the cinematic. It was awesome and I've watched it about five times this morning. However, if the entire point of this trailer is to promote the new game I think they could have at least incorporated some of the game into it rather than just build up the main bad guy. Arthas really needs no hype, honestly.

The Burning Crusade trailer managed to not only build up Illidan, but reveal the new races and keep the old races relevant. I guess that's what I was expecting out of this one, but like I said, it has the best story and visual of anything they've produced thus far.

[Lisbet]

did you guys watch it with sound? the story is awesome.

This expansion is -not about- the horde or the alliance.

WoW is about the flimsy peace between the Horde and Alliance and how we must figure out a way to either co-exsist or kill each other.

BC was about going back to the route of the problem, learning the histories of the orcs, the draenei, and how to solve those problems. At the end of BC (sunwell) the Draenei and Naru (with the help of the horde and alliance) essentially save the blood elves from themselves and their addictions. The horde and alliance have to work together for real this time, and fight back and destroy the burning legion.. the reason the orcs are in azeroth, the Draenei exsist at all, the blood elves are sick, the humans lost nearly everything.. and why the night elves aren't allowed to use magic anymore.


Everything about WoTLK is about Arthas Menethil. We were figuring out how to get along, and learning how to defeat our old demons (pun intended) so we could finally agree that we needed to work together to not only save our world, but countless others. Well Arthas has been banging around up in the north amassing great armies of the dead... and whiles some part of the original Arthas may still exist(fathers voice over) The Lichking is out to rule over the world. That undead army? They don't discriminate. Orc, or Nightelf.. they're just going to kill you.

That is why they didn't feature the horde or alliance in the trailer... because its not about us, its about him.

[Xiphus]

Yeah, the story is awesome. The voice over was awesome. The cliche choir music was awesome. But the cinematic itself would be more appropiate if it were promoting a new RTS rather than an MMORPG.

It should have at least included some sneak peeks at the Death Knight in action, since that is basically their biggest selling point for the expansion. And since they've promised siege weapons and destructible buildings that could have been included as well.

I'm not doubting the quality of the cinematic. It was awesome and I've watched it about five times this morning. However, if the entire point of this trailer is to promote the new game I think they could have at least incorporated some of the game into it rather than just build up the main bad guy. Arthas really needs no hype, honestly.

The Burning Crusade trailer managed to not only build up Illidan, but reveal the new races and keep the old races relevant. I guess that's what I was expecting out of this one, but like I said, it has the best story and visual of anything they've produced thus far.

But the game's called 'The Wrath of the Lich King'. The title itself implies that Arthas is going to be the superstar of the show, so they must show him doing what he does best: Commanding an entire army of undead.

[Heidenreich]

That undead army? They don't discriminate. Orc, or Nightelf.. they're just going to kill you.


Hey now, I don't discriminate either! Orc, Tauren, Troll, Blood Elf, or Undead...I kill them all equally. Now if only Arthas and I could be boyz. :(

[Grev]

But the game's called 'The Wrath of the Lich King'. The title itself implies that Arthas is going to be the superstar of the show, so they must show him doing what he does best: Commanding an entire army of undead.
Yes, the game is titled Wrath of the Lich, the keyword being game because the last time I checked we have been waiting all year to play a video game. My whole point is that the cinematic is created to promote the video game, so I was expecting some features of that video game to be implemented along with the story.

They chose not to go that route and got away with it because nearly every Warcraft fan has a hard-on for Arthas anyway, not excluding myself.

I understand the focal point of this story revolves around Arthas, so I can appreciate what they're doing with this trailer. At the end of the day they are still promoting a video game and as a player of that game I wouldn't have minded seeing a Death Knight wreaking some havoc or Garroth Hellscream rallying some Warsong orcs for battle.

[Lisbet]

I understand the focal point of this story revolves around Arthas, so I can appreciate what they're doing with this trailer. At the end of the day they are still promoting a video game and as a player of that game I wouldn't have minded seeing a Death Knight wreaking some havoc or Garroth Hellscream rallying some Warsong orcs for battle.

But see.. that is the point of the trailer..

Its not about deathknights gone soft or Garroth Hellscream taking up his fathers mantle. Its not about The Alliance, its not about The Horde. Its about how all this time, while we've been fighting each other and the burning legion, he's been amassing an army so great that its going to destroy us all. HIM, not us.

[Grev]

But see.. that is the point of the trailer..

Its not about deathknights gone soft or Garroth Hellscream taking up his fathers mantle. Its not about The Alliance, its not about The Horde. Its about how all this time, while we've been fighting each other and the burning legion, he's been amassing an army so great that its going to destroy us all. HIM, not us.
We're not playing him though, we're playing us, our characters. The whole point of an MMORPG is immersion, so a cinematic from a player's perspective would have been preferable, in my opinion.

Either way, I thought it was well done for telling the story and I'm honestly not trying to shit up this thread. Just trying to clarify where I'm coming from so people don't think I'm just coming in here to bash the cinematic which kicks ass on all kind of levels.

As a roleplayer and lore geek I love it. As a player I was expecting a little more.

[Visca]

This expansion is -not about- the horde or the alliance.

WoW is about the flimsy peace between the Horde and Alliance and how we must figure out a way to either co-exsist or kill each other.

BC was about going back to the route of the problem, learning the histories of the orcs, the draenei, and how to solve those problems. At the end of BC (sunwell) the Draenei and Naru (with the help of the horde and alliance) essentially save the blood elves from themselves and their addictions. The horde and alliance have to work together for real this time, and fight back and destroy the burning legion.. the reason the orcs are in azeroth, the Draenei exsist at all, the blood elves are sick, the humans lost nearly everything.. and why the night elves aren't allowed to use magic anymore.


Everything about WoTLK is about Arthas Menethil. We were figuring out how to get along, and learning how to defeat our old demons (pun intended) so we could finally agree that we needed to work together to not only save our world, but countless others. Well Arthas has been banging around up in the north amassing great armies of the dead... and whiles some part of the original Arthas may still exist(fathers voice over) The Lichking is out to rule over the world. That undead army? They don't discriminate. Orc, or Nightelf.. they're just going to kill you.

That is why they didn't feature the horde or alliance in the trailer... because its not about us, its about him.

Right. My problem with this expansion is pretty much that. I'm not a fan of Arthas, in my opinion he's overrated. His story just seemed too rushed for me in WC3 and I don't get why everyone has adored him really.

Illidan? He's insane for many reasons; being locked up for 10,000 years in darkness would do that. He slowly went insane over time, I can follow that. Kael'thas? Corrupted due to the addictions, lost sight of what he set out to do originally. Again, I can follow that.

Arthas, to me at least, is Bleh. Though I know the responses to this "Don't like it? Then go away", I'll be trying it out for sure, even if the main villain does nothing for me. Hopefully things will turn out better than I'm thinking... hopefully I'm just being cynical.

I preferred the multileveled story lines... that is much more intriguing to me, but this is a different direction... and we'll see if it works (Or I'll see if it works for me is more accurate, I suppose.) Maybe things won't be so bad...

The trailer was cool though. And I'm a sucker for Dragons XD

[Pelerin]

Yeah, the story is awesome. The voice over was awesome. The cliche choir music was awesome. But the cinematic itself would be more appropiate if it were promoting a new RTS rather than an MMORPG.

It should have at least included some sneak peeks at the Death Knight in action, since that is basically their biggest selling point for the expansion. And since they've promised siege weapons and destructible buildings that could have been included as well.

I'm not doubting the quality of the cinematic. It was awesome and I've watched it about five times this morning. However, if the entire point of this trailer is to promote the new game I think they could have at least incorporated some of the game into it rather than just build up the main bad guy. Arthas really needs no hype, honestly.

The Burning Crusade trailer managed to not only build up Illidan, but reveal the new races and keep the old races relevant. I guess that's what I was expecting out of this one, but like I said, it has the best story and visual of anything they've produced thus far.


The point of this isn't as gameplay trailer for the game... hence the "cinematic" prefix. Have you never seen a game (i.e. Red Alert 3) that does both types of trailer? EA didn't show a single vehicle, unit, etc in the latest video... they were conveying story.

This was for the story, to set the mood. I'm sure there will be a gameplay/features trailer coming in the month or so leading up to the game's release (Blizzcon?).

Besides... haven't you already seen the scores of beta footage video out there? What do you want, a CGI-rendered version of the nooks and crannies of the game? That's asinine; countless games for PS3 have gone that route (see any of the CoD games), only to disappoint people when the in-game doesn't match the pre-render.

[Pelerin]

Hey now, I don't discriminate either! Orc, Tauren, Troll, Blood Elf, or Undead...I kill them all equally. Now if only Arthas and I could be boyz. :(

Off topic...

Seriously, with the name? I hope that's your RL last name and not "in honor" of that lame, stiff bum that was in the WWE a few years back.

[Grev]

The thing with Arthas that bugs me is that Ner'zhul is often overlooked. Unless I am slacking on my lore, he is officially the Lich King as well.

It seems kind of biased that Ner'zhul is just as vital to the story as Arthas, but gets no real shine because he's not rooted in the Alliance history like Arthas.

[Pelerin]

The thing with Arthas that bugs me is that Ner'zhul is often overlooked. Unless I am slacking on my lore, he is officially the Lich King as well.

It seems kind of biased that Ner'zhul is just as vital to the story as Arthas, but gets no real shine because he's not rooted in the Alliance history like Arthas.

There is no Ner'zhul or Arthas anymore. When the death knight formerly known as Arthas Menethil put on the armor, they became one as the Lich King.

After all, the game isn't called Wrath of the Pissy Blond Kid.

[Amoola]

The thing with Arthas that bugs me is that Ner'zhul is often overlooked. Unless I am slacking on my lore, he is officially the Lich King as well.

It seems kind of biased that Ner'zhul is just as vital to the story as Arthas, but gets no real shine because he's not rooted in the Alliance history like Arthas.


With the basis of the expansion I think that it is too early to say that the whole Ner'zhul angle is going to be swept under the rug.

We have seen footage of game play. We have the new trailer/cinematic. And it is all looking pretty cool. But we know nothing of the in game build up to going toe to toe with Arthas.
Ner'zhul is not only part of Arthas's story but is part of the Orc's story. That would be one hell of a task to erase. I'm going to play the wait and see card. To many people get caught up in what they want to see that hasn't been shown or shown well enough. We still have time for things to come out. We can't have everything at once.

The developers need sleep too. ;)

[Amoola]

After all, the game isn't called Wrath of the Pissy Blond Kid.

*chuckles*

Or as Swift summed it up for one of the kids.

"Arthas's army of not so nice guys."

[Grev]

There is no Ner'zhul or Arthas anymore. When the death knight formerly known as Arthas Menethil put on the armor, they became one as the Lich King.

After all, the game isn't called Wrath of the Pissy Blond Kid.
That's how the lore goes, but it's obvious that's how Blizzard intends to market it. We just watched a cinematic voiced by King Terenas detailing the tragic irony of his son, how could the game not be centered around Arthas, rather than the Lich King?


With the basis of the expansion I think that it is too early to say that the whole Ner'zhul angle is going to be swept under the rug.

We have seen footage of game play. We have the new trailer/cinematic. And it is all looking pretty cool. But we know nothing of the in game build up to going toe to toe with Arthas.
Ner'zhul is not only part of Arthas's story but is part of the Orc's story.
I know Ner'zhul won't be swept under the rug completely. I'm sure the Alliance lore will be driven by Arthas and the Horde will be driven by Ner'zhul, but you can't mistake that the overall lore of the game will be richer for the Alliance, and Arthas will undoubtedly be the main attraction. The Lich King is commonly referred to as Arthas by the majority of the player base, if that tells us anything.

It really wouldn't surprise me if Arthas is redeemed at the end of the expansion, with Ner'zhul being killed for good.

[Lisbet]

Well I'm for one not complaining that Alliance gets some lore.

BC was for orcs. We got "Here are some Draenei, they are cool. Beat up Ilidan"
Horde got "Family of thrall and his real name, how the orcs were able to be shamans and see undead, why this happened to them, they are so cool.. btw here's more more lore on teron gorfiend the first deathknight and awesomness and funtimes and ORCS ORCS EVERYWHERE"


So what if this is a little alliance heavy.. Yes Ner'zul is the lichking, but he took our prince and made him bad and killed our people and then turned them onto US.

not to mention Dwarf lore and stuff.


Don't worry guys, you'll get troll lore and tauren lore (Finally).

[Villayna]

It really wouldn't surprise me if Arthas is redeemed at the end of the expansion, with Ner'zhul being killed for good.

<.< >.>

He's probably right. Damn you.

[Amoola]

See that is the thing. We hear the players calling the lich king Arthas. And from what a lot of us have seen when it comes to the player base...... well I have three letters for that P. U. G.

Nuff said.

From what I have been hearing from Blizzard on the other hand they have *not* been calling the lich king Arthas. When they are talking about that part of the story yes they talk about Arthas. But in all the interveiws I have heard them only refer to him as the lich king. We aren't going to be fighting Arthas. We are going to be fighting the lich king. The melding of Ner'zhul and Arthas. The dude just has Arthas's body that is all.

There is no Arthas, there is only Zuul! Oops! Sorry meant to say the lich king. :)

[Yichimet]

Lisbet is right--we Horde really can't be jealous that Alliance are getting some cool stuff lore-wise this time around. We got a LOT of goodies in BC that the Alliance didn't get.

[Pelerin]

There is no Arthas, there is only Zuul! Oops! Sorry meant to say the lich king. :)

/sueforcopyrightinfringement

:p

[Amoola]

Whaaaaaat? *bats eyelashes*

[Chikt]

Don't worry guys, you'll get troll lore and tauren lore (Finally).

There's a lack of Troll Lore?

/sarcasm

But seriously, Tauren Lore? I mean, besides the Taunka. All I'm really gathering from them is that they going to simply be a faction in Northrend. But then apparently each faction has their own accompanying instance, so hopefully, MAYBE, we will just get that Tauren instance that has been so long coming. Even if it's based on a long lost cousin of Tauren.

Then again, I also saw the loading screen for the new battleground and it appears to be Tauren v Human themed in a Titan area...

I'd like to know more specifically where the Tauren lore is though if I'm wrong assuming it's to do with the Taunka.

[Pyrisath]

WTFAWESOMESTUFFZ. Where is WOTLK? Need moar.

You all who compare this cinematic to a non-blizzard one! STOP. That is like comparing caramel chocolate to just chocolate. Just because you don't like caramel in your chocolate doesn't mean it isn't awesome.

[Okhu]

There is no Arthas, there is only Ner'Zuul! :)

Fixed



When WoW First came out I don't think we got any cool... "Discover such and such is actually Onyxia" type deal....so when BC came out...BAM Orcs get to watch Thrall discover his roots and what not...... so...when Wrath comes out... BAM.. for both this time. (Since TECHNICALLY Lich King = Arthas and Nerzhul ).... you can't really expect them to have someone from Ner-bears half spouting gibberish... I mean... Arthas's father is a pretty iconic character..... if you see where I'm going from this.

[Amoola]

LOL! Ok I'll give you that fix. . :)

And yeah good points on both cinematic and lore fronts.

[Raziel]

Took "our" Prince and killed "our" people? You mean, the Prince of the former residents of Lordaeron... those nifty Forsaken? ;)

haha oh wow.
Lore-owned.


/sueforcopyrightinfringement

Bwuahahahaha...




btw here's more more lore on teron gorfiend the first deathknight and awesomness and funtimes and ORCS ORCS EVERYWHERE"

Teron Gorefiend's Body had a human name once, but they call him Teron Gorefiend, his Orcish Name.

Ner'zhul's Body's name is Arthas, but they call him Arthas, his human name.

Shinanigans.

[Okhu]

Teron Gorefiend's Body had a human name once, but they call him Teron Gorefiend, his Orcish Name.

Ner'zhul's Body's name is Arthas, but they call him Arthas, his human name.

Shinanigans.



Did Raziel just drop the hammer on someone...?

[Imara]

Ok so... I admit it...

Having played Warcraft 3 when it came out and, thus, having watched Arthas' betrayal of his father I watched that cinematic trailer and...

I cried.

Because I am a silly RP geek. XD (For the record I also pause every time I run through the throne room in the Ruins of Lordaeron to listen to the whispers of the dialogue from when he killed his father. ;) )

[Raziel]

Sometimes I do that.


Discover such and such is actually Onyxia

I thought the whole "Oooh shi-- IT'S REND BLACKHAND!" was pretty big, and so did Thrall and Eitrigg.


Ok so... I admit it...

Having played Warcraft 3 when it came out and, thus, having watched Arthas' betrayal of his father I watched that cinematic trailer and...

I cried.

I got Misty with Grom's death, which is odd considering me, but I had an emotional investment considering I played WC2XP

[Agnarr]

Wrath of the Pissy Blond Kid.

New expansion guild! Who's with me?

[Lisbet]

Took "our" Prince and killed "our" people? You mean, the Prince of the former residents of Lordaeron... those nifty Forsaken? ;)

I can tell you right now that there are more then a few Lordaeron...ians... who didn't get turned into forsaken.

Yanno, like the ones studying at Dalaran..


or the ones visiting friends in the south..

Or hell, the ones who stayed alive and joined the cult of the damned!


NOT EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF LORDAERON DIED AND BECAME UNDEAD. The destruction of Lordaeron and the turning of Arthas effected more then just the dead guys who suddenly got their memories back. You can't try and stuff Undead lore down my throat like I'm oblivious to it. My first 60 was an Undead mage. I know the story.



Oh and.. They call him Teron Gorfiend -- his orc name, because the body they used was a nameless soldier. I'm sure if they knew who it was that Gul'dan used to create the deathknight Teron the alliance would call him by his human name.


SO THERE *rasp*




My point: I get that "Draenor" is the orc's homeworld and thus horde got a bit more lore then alliance would. The point behind it was that I don't wanna hear people complain if Alliance gets this better or that better, when in BC horde had LOADS of stuff tailored just for them. Draenor belongs to the orcs.. and Azeroth belongs to the Alliance. The blood elves, the former undead lordaeron.. all alliance members at one time. Only the Trolls and the tauren get to claim otherwise, and they kept to themselves.

[Swerto]

I don't get why people dislike this? It's showing the more "Arthas" side of things, the last trailer showed the DK side of things >_>

[Lisbet]

There's a lack of Troll Lore?

/sarcasm

But seriously, Tauren Lore? I mean, besides the Taunka. All I'm really gathering from them is that they going to simply be a faction in Northrend. But then apparently each faction has their own accompanying instance, so hopefully, MAYBE, we will just get that Tauren instance that has been so long coming. Even if it's based on a long lost cousin of Tauren.

Then again, I also saw the loading screen for the new battleground and it appears to be Tauren v Human themed in a Titan area...

I'd like to know more specifically where the Tauren lore is though if I'm wrong assuming it's to do with the Taunka.

I am actually really hopeful for Tauren lore. Some "Hei guis, we're yer cousins and we can tell you all about your past!" stuff would really rock. Tauren need some love!

[Amoola]

I honestly think that Blizzard has had a lot of chances to give the Tauren some lore. I mean come on! We we chased all over by centaurs and would have been hunted to extinction if it hadn't been for Thrall showing up and pulling for the under dog. But beyond that what stories to we have from it? We have what three creation myths/stories and with the last big patch some Grimtotem filler.

What happened during that time we were being chased about running for our lives? Do the Tauren not have any heros who bought us time? Maybe held be the centaurs long enough to keep us from going extinct? Maybe went down in glorious battle to live on in stories told around the camp fires of our people? Maybe?

I will give you that we are going to find a lost cousin we though had gone extinct. But, I am not holding my breath on getting any nifty lore beyond that. Sorry, not happening. Hell Trolls (as far as I have seen) are about on par with Tauren when it comes to lore and I'm not holding my breath on anything monumentally wicked coming their way either. Go figure I have to try and not drive my self nuts with imagining what fills in those blanks for my two favorite classes.

[Myrean]

Someone let me know when they post a version with sound.*

*Yes, I know there's *supposed* to be sound in this one, but I can't hear it cause they're using some weird-ass codec.

[Taknar]

[e] Ah missus mah XKCD :(


Now someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as anyone other than the god's eye viewers know Ner'zhul was sucked into a portal he opened and never seen again... right? I mean, there should be no people on Azeroth or in Outlands that know that the burning legion found him and forced him into his position within the Ice Throne.

In terms of the OP, I also thought that the cinematic was a bit weak. It was very flashy, and story was cool but that could have all been done while also including waves of Alliance and Horde crashing up against the Scourge army. They could have kept things from the Lich King perspective, kept the story and most of the effects, and pleased many more people (at least I think).

[Pelerin]

Now someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as anyone other than the god's eye viewers know Ner'zhul was sucked into a portal he opened and never seen again... right? I mean, there should be no people on Azeroth or in Outlands that know that the burning legion found him and forced him into his position within the Ice Throne.

Correct.

[Villayna]

zomg..you guys are posting faster than I can delete them.. cut it out!

If you aren't talking about the trailer, don't post it here.

If you want to get into an Alliance versus Horde pissing contest, take it to the official forums.

[Amoola]

Someone let me know when they post a version with sound.*

*Yes, I know there's *supposed* to be sound in this one, but I can't hear it cause they're using some weird-ass codec.

Have you tried a different browser? Worst case scenario I would keep an eye on youtube. I'm willing to bet that it is up there.

[NotMaithanet]

zomg..you guys are posting faster than I can delete them.. cut it out!

If you aren't talking about the trailer, don't post it here.

If you want to get into an Alliance versus Horde pissing contest, take it to the official forums.

Damnit, I only logged on to say what you'd beaten me to saying!

[Raziel]

I can tell you right now that there are more then a few Lordaeron...ians... who didn't get turned into forsaken.

The ones that completely Forsook Lordearon and went with Proudmoore, yes. But the whole part about Forsaking your nation doesn't really mean you can still claim allegience to it, especially when those who didn't forsake it became forsaken.

Would they refer to Arthas as their King?

Y
anno, like the ones studying at Dalaran..

Which was then destroyed by Archimonde. very few survivors that didn't become ghouls then.

Would they refer to Arthas as their King?


or the ones visiting friends in the south..

Which stayed there. All hail King Wrynn. Considerably a percentage so small
Would they refer to Arthas as their King?


Or hell, the ones who stayed alive and joined the cult of the damned!

But they wouldn't fucking mind, would they?


NOT EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF LORDAERON DIED AND BECAME UNDEAD. The destruction of Lordaeron and the turning of Arthas effected more then just the dead guys who suddenly got their memories back. You can't try and stuff Undead lore down my throat like I'm oblivious to it. My first 60 was an Undead mage. I know the story.

But would they refer to Arthas as their King?


Oh and.. They call him Teron Gorfiend -- his orc name, because the body they used was a nameless soldier. I'm sure if they knew who it was that Gul'dan used to create the deathknight Teron the alliance would call him by his human name.

It wasn't a nameless soldier, it was one of the original Knights of the Silver-Hand. All the death Knights were created from Necrolytic Possession of Paladins of the Silver-Hand. Still though, just because Blizzard doesn't one to give one of their more interesting heroes a backstory is no one's fault but there own. The oddity is still placed upon peculiar nomenclature.

[Pelerin]

I'd also like to add, for those disliking the lack of playable races/classes/etc, that what could be considered Blizzard's best cinematic ever didn't have those elements:

The Death of the King (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr7A19TPN_k)

And to add to Raz's points: obviously the Forsaken honor the memory of King Terenas; why else would they have taken the care to build a tomb for him at the entrance to their city? While there possibly isn't true emotion (see: many of the Forsaken-based quests), there is certainly a fondness that shows a large chunk of Lordaeron became Undead. I mean, it's not like the Dark Lady had a warm spot for the guy and ordered a crypt built.

[Raziel]

Now someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as anyone other than the god's eye viewers know Ner'zhul was sucked into a portal he opened and never seen again... right? I mean, there should be no people on Azeroth or in Outlands that know that the burning legion found him and forced him into his position within the Ice Throne.

Except the entire Forsaken sect which he once controlled and who's minds were melded into his will. I'm pretty sure they knew who he was, considering they followed him and were controlled by his bidding.

Also, the books lying around tell you who the Lich King is.
Also, his name is mentioned in quests.

[Qabian]

"Kil'jaeden was angered by Archimonde's defeat at Mount Hyjal, but he had greater concerns than vengeance. Sensing that his creation, the Lich King, was growing too powerful to control, Kil'jaeden ordered Illidan to destroy Ner'zhul and put an end to the undead Scourge once and for all."

Just sitting on a table in an empty house in Darnassus (http://www.wowwiki.com/The_Betrayer_Ascendant). As long as your character has an interest in history, it's valid for them to know these things apparently. Although it may also be valid for them to question who the hell is authoring all these books.

It was a fun little trailer. I don't really care about Arthas either, though, despite it being Day of the Lich King, hooray. I'm all ready for some Dalaran fun times.

[Raziel]

Whoo! High-Five Qabian!

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/RazielHex/121730295376.jpg

[Taknar]

Well, the Forsaken knowing the Lich King makes sense, but would the human population that were risen really be able to detect the Orc shamaniness of the Lich King? Also, that reading states that the legion created the Lich King anyone who knew how Archimonde got brought into the world could put two and two together. I wouldn't mind seeing the text that mentions Ner'zhul specifically connected with the Scourge. Is there a way to search WoWhead for that kind of thing?

[Visca]

"Kil'jaeden was angered by Archimonde's defeat at Mount Hyjal, but he had greater concerns than vengeance. Sensing that his creation, the Lich King, was growing too powerful to control, Kil'jaeden ordered Illidan to destroy Ner'zhul and put an end to the undead Scourge once and for all."

Just sitting on a table in an empty house in Darnassus (http://www.wowwiki.com/The_Betrayer_Ascendant). As long as your character has an interest in history, it's valid for them to know these things apparently. Although it may also be valid for them to question who the hell is authoring all these books.

It was a fun little trailer. I don't really care about Arthas either, though, despite it being Day of the Lich King, hooray. I'm all ready for some Dalaran fun times.

A good point, I wondered that through SM at one point "...are these things supposed to be here icly?!" Because they give off things one shouldn't know in game... wooo excuse to be a meta-gamer, eh?

Dalaran does sound like oh so much fun. Even if I hate the villian, this is something I am interested in. Much more so than Shatterath, even with the Scryers teir and lower city...

As for the lore assoicated with Arthas, as Raz and Pel are pointing out... yes it affects the humans, but the Forsaken too (if not more so!) So, even if they negelct the whole Ner'zhul part of the lich king, it still nicely represents the horde as well. This, I would consider a "Forsaken Expansion" more than anything. I love the Forsaken lore, just think their Villain wasn't done well enough... -grumbles-

But this is just me. Take it or leave it, I suppose.

[Raziel]

Found in Scholomance and the Scarlet Monastery (http://www.wowwiki.com/Kel&#37;27Thuzad_and_the_Forming_of_the_Scourge)

Found in Scholomance and the Scarlet Monastery (http://www.wowwiki.com/War_of_the_Spider_%28History_of_Warcraft%29)

[Taknar]

From first book:

To help the archmage accomplish his mission, Ner'zhul left Kel'Thuzad's humanity intact.

Thanks for tracking that down!

[Irontoe]

did you guys watch it with sound? the story is awesome.

edit: the warhammer one is longer and it shows off the variety of the classes available, but in the end it's your standard A kills B kills C kills D story..boring.

Did you SEE the Battle Squig???!?!?

[Qabian]

Did you SEE the Battle Squig???!?!?

Have to agree. Arthas lacks the pummeling of small minions until they turn into larger ones. Not enough snickering, or recurrence of catapulted orks.

But it certainly was frosty!

[Jeedup]

Blizzards cinematics have never been about showcasing game-related talents, but their lore-related situations. From WC2, WC3 and in WoW, they've always had a more 'storyteller' feel to it.

[Raziel]

But it certainly was frosty!

So was the Shadow Warrior and those two Imperial guardsman the Sorceress shattered WITH HER STAFF

[Sanrin]

ITS TRUE! However that trailer was awesome, I sort of liked it more then the other WoW ones to be honest. It had more of an ominous feel to it that the others didn't, and it set the mood for the next expansion beautifully.

[Qabian]

Blizzards cinematics have never been about showcasing game-related talents, but their lore-related situations. From WC2, WC3 and in WoW, they've always had a more 'storyteller' feel to it.

Yeah, and I thought the Zul'jin one, which wasn't as "cinematic" and also had pretty much no Alliance/Horde shenanigans, had a much better "story". This one evokes a "feeling", though. A sort of monotone, monochromatic, doom feeling, but a feeling evoked nonetheless!

Does it sound like I'm reaching here? *cough*

[Jeedup]

Yeah, and I thought the Zul'jin one, which also had pretty much no Alliance/Horde shenanigans, had a much better "story". This one evokes a "feeling", though. A sort of monotone, monochromatic, doom feeling, but a feeling evoked nonetheless!

Does it sound like I'm reaching here? *cough*

Oh god, I totally forgot about the 'Game models' cinematics too. Actually, I see those more as teaser-trailers, but still, cinematic quality.

And though, you're right, the Zul'Aman trailer didn't have much of a 'Alliance feel' to it, the OLD Alliance was present in a small part with the Elves of Silvermoon and the Alliance army teaming up to crack down on ol' Zul'Jin back in the Second War, and the fact that he was so pissed that the Horde that he had once shared blood with, now has allied themselves WITH those same Elves, but now under a different flag, was another story focus too.

You're right though, the LK cinematic is very mobid and gloomy in its feel, what it lacks in 'action' or any form of faced paced display, it takes up with that said morbidity (is that a word?) and gloom, with its, I guess, subtle under-lining story of not what has come before, like the other cinematics, but what IS to come.

[Okhu]

I think people need to stop nit-picking about stuff.

[Pyrisath]

I think people need to stop nit-picking about stuff.

Amen. If you like it, you like it. If you don't, don't try to convince others of your arguement.

[Jeedup]

I think people need to stop nit-picking about stuff.

I'm not nit-picking, more critiqueing, since I love Blizzard cinematics.

But then, I dont think you were talking to me. You didn't include cake.

Or crums.

[Okhu]

I'm not nit-picking, more critiqueing, since I love Blizzard cinematics.

But then, I dont think you were talking to me. You didn't include cake.

Or crums.

YOU ARE CORRECT SIR.

I was speaking more overall nit-picking.

People who think I'm talking about them might be doing it however.

[Sanrin]

Amen. If you like it, you like it. If you don't, don't try to convince others of your arguement.

So we're just supposed to praise things we like and things we don't we walk away from? Sorry, id rather participate in the criticizing of things because its more fun to discuss what would make it better then to accept something as already perfect.

[Taknar]

So we're just supposed to praise things we like and things we don't we walk away from? Sorry, id rather participate in the criticizing of things because its more fun to discuss what would make it better then to accept something as already perfect.

Yeah!

Besides, what else would we do? ;D

[Sanrin]

Its true! What the hell are forums for anyway!?

[Taknar]

I heard there was this secret spot on this site where you can go and read stories about people's characters...

[Sanrin]

Woah. Wait wait wait, these aren't just forum names?!

[Raziel]

So we're just supposed to praise things we like and things we don't we walk away from? Sorry, id rather participate in the criticizing of things because its more fun to discuss what would make it better then to accept something as already perfect.

SANRIN IS THE TROLL MOD!!!

[Muatah]

Very cool.

Which Dragon is it that has been buried underneath the northern ice?

[Raziel]

For now we can surmise that it is just a Frostwyrm from the Boneyard in the Northern Wastes.

[Anthek]

The dragon's name is Sindragosa. Where she appears in-game is unknown right now...

[Amoola]

Okhu: Thank you. Your words are so freaking true.

Jeed: *hugs* We know you weren't knit picking.

Sanrin: *facepalms* *walks away*

[edit]

Anthek: Thank you for the dragon name. :D

[Xiphus]

So, not only does Arthas have Sapphiron, he now has ANOTHER as his champion Frost Wyrm? That guy really does not know the concept of restraint!

[Anthek]

So, not only does Arthas have Sapphiron, he now has ANOTHER as his champion Frost Wyrm? That guy really does not know the concept of restraint!

Sapphiron's been around for a while, being the second to last boss of Naxxramas. Sindragosa has the title of "The Frost Queen," so I think she might be a couple tiers higher than him.

[Xiphus]

Or Sapphiron's been feeling lonely.

[Anthek]

He's all bones, not much to work with.

[Naheal]

So what if this is a little alliance heavy.. Yes Ner'zul is the lichking, but he took our prince and made him bad and killed our people and then turned them onto US.


Actually, it would be more strongly associated with Horde, Arthas being from Lorderon and the citizens of Lorderon now being the Forsaken. There would be connections (dwarves, for one) towards the Alliance, but you'd still be looking at the Alliance of Lorderon that we saw back in WC2.

[Keraph]

I play two versions of Keraph, one obviously on TN and one on Sentinels. One is the loveably evil warlord we all know, the other is a human, living version who escaped from Lordaeron, avoiding an untimely end. Both have good reason to go up to Northrend and cleave some faces. However, I think that there are more Forsaken players than survivor of Lordaeron players, so if you wanted to play a pure numbers game, Forsaken win. But the Forsaken ALWAYS win, so that's that.

However, I think it's easy to say that regardless of which faction or race you are, there are myriad reasons to go up and cleave said faces, so we don't need to establish who gets more publicity.

As long as we're clear on the Forsaken winning thing. I can't stress that enough.

[Jeedup]

Most likely that Frost Queen has been dead for some time, probably when the dragonkin was in their prime, so likely, almost as powerful as one of the head Aspects, if not close enough.

My money is also that somehow, shes a Black Dragon.

[Xiphus]

If her name ends with -gosa, chances are, she's a Blue. Like -strasa, which is reserved to female Reds, -gosa is used exclusively by Blues.

@Anthek: The company is good enough.

[Xurek Mangeclaw]

All I am going to say is that I liked it.

[Pelerin]

For those interested in Sindrigosa:

Pictures of her and the sub-zone named for her (http://www.mmo-champion.com/index.php?topic=13440.0)

[Lisbet]

I'd assume she was probably the first prime mate of Malygos, making her "The Frost Queen" because blue dragons are both the aspect of magic, and the breathers of frost.I'd assume she's either been dead for a very long time, or died at any point before Ner'zul moved in. Either way... having Saphiron (who is just badass) and now "The frost queen" is just awesomesause.

[Asmodeous]

Honestly that trailer was quite meh.

Hey it's Arthas walking across snow with his father's voice in the background talking about all he wanted for his son. Only to have his son have fallen. Becoming a great leader but also be the destruction of his kingdom in the process. Clever, very clever.

The first trailer was much better in my opinion with the paladin and priest walking through Northrend to have the priest die and the paladin become a death knight. Much more classic lore wise in my opinion because as Arthas said in that one you were following in my steps all along. Which gives that feeling like you are up in Northrend tracking down a great evil, the lich king (Or in Arthas' case Mal'ganis) only to pay any price to kill the great evil and in return become that evil.

So I personally hope they redo this trailer to some extent and make it less omg Arthas you aren't what I hoped you would become and more that this is where he fell from the light and it can happen to anyone else just as easily.

[Raziel]

I personally hope they redo this trailer


hahaha.. Don't hold your breath.

[Asmodeous]

hahaha.. Don't hold your breath.

Oh I never expect them to do anything you know good for the game, but I mean I would like it if they did.

[Raziel]

The thing with Blizzard, and I was thinking about this last night, is that the main thing with Blizzard and it's series is that they force Lore to Gamers, rather than force Gamers to Lore.

[Taknar]

The thing with Blizzard, and I was thinking about this last night, is that the main thing with Blizzard and it's series is that they force Lore to Gamers, rather than force Gamers to Lore.

Your statement sounds interesting, but I have no idea what you mean. Care to elaborate?

[e] Maybe in another thread since that sounds like it could be a large topic.

[Raziel]

I formulated this huge soliloquy in my mind when I just happened to come across the sheer thought of it. I don't remember any of it, but if I thought about it a bit more I could go into it. It was based on a hypothetical situation where I could go back and time and post on the forums all the future Lore mistakes Mezten was about to make with the draenei during all the crazy speculation of the new alliance race.

[Pyrisath]

Not sure if it has been mentioned yet or not, but watch the trailer, then watch the login screen.

Frost wyrm flies off, frost wyrm flies on and lands. Pretty tricky, Blizzy.

[Swerto]

They force lore to gamers - meaning they throw in lore and you have no say on it, even though it's fucked up and all.

They do not force gamers to lore - as in they don't care if you follow this lore or not, they don't care if you care. They'll just keep doing what they want, it's their story and you dont' have to be part of it.

[Jeedup]

They force lore to gamers - meaning they throw in lore and you have no say on it, even though it's fucked up and all.

They do not force gamers to lore - as in they don't care if you follow this lore or not, they don't care if you care. They'll just keep doing what they want, it's their story and you dont' have to be part of it.

Its their intellectual property, in reality, they can do whatever the fuck they want really, our 'opinions' really don't concern them much.

But in rare moments, Blizzard does care, or make realizations that its made some sort of goofy mistake.

[Sanrin]

Jeedup makes a fantastic point. In the end, the most you could ever do to make them change their minds is get everyone to cancel their subscriptions!

Or just write fan stories and hope they pick one up. I think they're hiring a writer anyway actually...

[Kiaransalius]

OK I didnt read any of this thread... but that cinematic gave me goose bumps... that was freaking awesome.