When World of Warcraft developers were working on the new spider-themed Nerubian race for their new The War Within expansion, they brought in an arachnophobia expert to tell them what, exactly, makes spiders scary to some people. The result is the expansion's new arachnophobia mode, which turns almost all spiders into crabs at a click of a player's mouse. Players who ponied up for the game’s Epic Edition pre-order will get a chance to dive into the new WoW expansion for the first time today during early access and see the new mode for themselves.
At first glance, crabs might not appear much better—lots of legs, lots of clicking noises—but Blizzard's expert assured developers they are. Players agreed, said WoW associate art director Tina Wang in a group interview with PC Gamer.
"We received a lot of information that informed some testing that we did, such as the angle of the legs, the number of legs, the presence of fangs, things like that," she said. "When it comes to testing of the phobia, it's really significant. Even though crabs seem spider-like to the casual observer, when it comes to phobias, it makes a huge difference. That message was reinforced in our game's user testing as well: People are pro crabs."
The arachnophobia expert was one of many the team brought in for the new expansion. Others helped inform the game's underground environments, including one zone lit by a giant color-changing crystal.
"We have this really cool group, Blizz U," Wang said. "We get researchers or experts to come and chat with us about their area of expertise. So for instance, for War Within, one of the ones that we had initially was one about exploring caves. We recently had one about crystals. When it comes to different cultures, those are also ones that we also consult experts in various spaces to hear from them as well."
That research can go deeply in-depth for work on things like Overwatch characters, who are representative of actual cultures and therefore need to be exactly right, she said.
"On World of Warcraft, oftentimes we're taking bits of inspiration from places," she said. "So we're never trying to represent a culture very directly, but we do want to make sure that when we take inspiration we are doing that from an informed place."
So the team gets briefings on things like swords and armor through the ages. The results are changes in how the game's art is created, in some cases to be more realistic, in others to not scare the pants off people who deeply dislike spiders.
"There was a virtual forge tour that we took, because there are a lot of forges with the Earthen [race]. It's just artists getting to see that, and informing their work," Wang said.
Blizz U: Bringing in Experts
Blizz U, the internal group that Blizzard uses to bring in outside experts to inform the development of their games, is a testament to the company's commitment to creating immersive and engaging experiences. By tapping into diverse fields of expertise, Blizzard ensures that their games are not only entertaining but also grounded in reality, even when dealing with fantastical worlds and characters. This is especially important for World of Warcraft, a game that draws inspiration from real-world cultures and historical periods.
Beyond the Spider-Crab Controversy
The decision to replace spiders with crabs in the arachnophobia mode was just one example of how Blizz U has helped inform the development of The War Within. The group has also played a key role in designing the game's underground environments and ensuring that they are accurate and believable. For example, the team consulted with experts on cave exploration and crystals to ensure that these elements were portrayed realistically.
The Importance of Research
Blizzard's use of Blizz U is a great example of how research can be used to improve the quality of a game. By taking the time to consult with experts, Blizzard is able to ensure that its games are both entertaining and informative. This approach is particularly important in a game like World of Warcraft, which draws inspiration from a wide range of real-world cultures and historical periods.
The team’s willingness to engage with experts and incorporate their insights into the game's design is a key factor in its success. It highlights the importance of research in creating engaging and immersive gaming experiences.
The Future of Blizz U
As Blizzard continues to develop new games and expansions, Blizz U is likely to play an even more important role. The group's expertise will be essential in ensuring that these new projects are grounded in reality and offer players a truly immersive experience. Blizz U is more than just a group of experts – it’s a commitment to creating games that are both entertaining and informative.
From Spiders to Crabs: A Lesson in Game Design
The story of how Blizzard replaced spiders with crabs in The War Within's arachnophobia mode is a great example of how the company is using research to create more inclusive and accessible games. The team's willingness to listen to experts and incorporate their insights into the game's design is a testament to their commitment to creating high-quality experiences for all players.
The success of the arachnophobia mode is a testament to the power of research and collaboration. By working with experts and using their insights to inform the game's design, Blizzard was able to create a feature that is both fun and inclusive. This is a valuable lesson for all game developers – the importance of research and collaboration in creating engaging and immersive experiences.
