Blizzard is set to introduce an innovative feature to World of Warcraft with patch 11.1.7, called Rotation Assist. This feature will guide players by highlighting the optimal next ability to use during combat, taking into account the player's class, specialization, and the current combat scenario. Additionally, Rotation Assist offers a "one-button" mode where players can press a single button to automatically cast the recommended spell, although this option comes with a slight penalty, adding a small amount of time to the global cooldown, which results in slower spell casting and reduced damage output compared to manual play.
In a detailed video interview, game director Ion Hazzikostas, along with Team Liquid raid leader Maximum and content creator Dratnos, discussed the motivations behind this feature. Hazzikostas pointed out that the new system draws inspiration from the popular add-on Hekili, which provides similar recommendations but without the one-button functionality. He emphasized the importance of add-ons in WoW's ecosystem but expressed concern over their increasing necessity, particularly for competitive play. "If you ask people 'How can I get better?' The first answer shouldn’t be, ‘Well, download this add-on,'" Hazzikostas noted, indicating a desire to shift away from the mandatory use of add-ons.
Blizzard aims to enhance the game's native UI and systems to reduce reliance on add-ons. Hazzikostas acknowledged that some raid encounter designs may have inadvertently encouraged the use of add-ons, and moving forward, the team plans to improve class and encounter designs to make add-ons less essential. While not planning to ban add-ons outright, Blizzard intends to eventually limit some of their real-time combat functionalities to ensure a more level playing field and to encourage a more engaging and varied gameplay experience.
The conversation also touched on the broader implications of add-ons in WoW, with Hazzikostas reflecting on their evolution over the game's 20-year history. He mentioned historical instances where add-ons like Decursive in the early days of Molten Core provided significant gameplay advantages, prompting the team to restrict certain functionalities and improve in-game systems. The goal is to ensure that the default game experience is robust enough that add-ons become a choice rather than a necessity.
Regarding the adaptability of Rotation Assist, Hazzikostas explained that while it cannot account for every possible talent permutation, it is designed to be versatile and responsive to different combat situations, adjusting recommendations based on available resources and the number of targets. The feature aims to raise the skill floor and make the game more accessible, particularly for players learning new specializations or focusing on other aspects of gameplay.
Blizzard is also considering implementing in-house solutions for other functionalities currently handled by add-ons, such as damage meters and encounter timers, to further enhance the core game experience. However, Hazzikostas assured that the team will continue to support add-ons for customization and non-competitive functionalities like RP tools, world information helpers, and accessibility aids.
As Blizzard embarks on this long-term journey to refine WoW's design and reduce the dependency on add-ons, they invite community feedback to guide their efforts. The changes are intended to foster a more approachable and enjoyable experience for all players, while still preserving the game's depth and complexity for those who seek it.
