World of WarCraft: Cataclysm game designers Dave Kosak and Roman Marotte were featured in Q&A regarding the Southen Barrens.
Southern Barrens is one of the areas of Kalimdor hardest-hit by the Cataclysm. The zone is geared towards Alliance and Horde characters from level 30-35 with a storyline themed "an eye for an eye".
- "The Barrens is one of the areas of Kalimdor hardest-hit by the Cataclysm. It has literally been ripped in two! The Northern Barrens retains much of the feel of the original zone and fulfills a similar gameplay purpose: it's primarily a training ground for low-level Horde characters. That gave us enormous freedom to create a whole new gameplay experience for the Southern Barrens. In the wake of the Cataclysm, the Alliance has been aggressively expanding into the heart of the continent from the east coast. As players enter the zone, they'll find that the Horde is really up against the ropes. The escalating conflict between the two rival factions is front and center here, providing a backdrop for much of the area's quests."
- "We tried to give players the feeling of participating in large PvP-style conflicts, even if they're playing solo. Alliance and Horde members will struggle to capture and defend key points of the battlefield against waves of enemy troops. New technology will allow players to experience the story in ways they never could have prior to Cataclysm. For example, the Horde assault on the fortress at Bael Modan, and its aftermath, should really pull players into the action by showing dramatic changes in the world."
Links
WoW-Europe.com - World of WarCraft: Cataclysm Preview
