E3: WOW Battlegrounds Hands-On

Hands-On with the Battlegrounds PVP Expansion for World of WarCraft.

After months of internal testing, Blizzard decided to use E3 to showcase their upcoming PVP Battlegrounds expansion for World of WarCraft. For subscribers and enthusiasts alike, this completely original instance breathes new life into a game that had become increasingly formulaic as initial subscribers maxed out their characters, explored every nook and cranny, and completed every quest.

After considerable playing time, it becomes apparent that Blizzard has crafted an clever and exciting expansion that delivers a completely original experience for those who have stuck with the insanely popular MMORPG since its inception.

The first thing veterans will notice is that each Battlegrounds instance is unique, with one being purely PVP and capture the flag, and the other being goal oriented in terms of raids and items players can acquire.

While the CTF instance is limited to around 40 players, the smooth gameplay and streamlined level design more than makes up for that potential drawback. It never gets too confusing or chaotic, and the layout of the Battlegrounds lends itself to teamwork; an adequate goal for an online game that up until now had awarded single-minded behavior more than group work.

The real draw is the promising future Battlegrounds has in store for its dedicated players. Not only is the PVP creative and fun, but it rewards players with Honor Points, something that World of WarCraft subscribers have heard about since the game's inception.

Honor Points are awarded to players who defeat another combatant in PVP. The amount of points is dependent on the amount of damage inflicted, level variation and other combat factors. This clever formula is expanded if you raid in a group, where points are delegated by participation and previously stated factors.

By accumulating Honor Points, players will be able to purchase exclusive items found in newly created areas, in addition to competing for overall boasting rights in your particular region.

Battlegrounds PVP and the inclusion of the new Honor Points system adds a new facet to an already stable, groundbreaking online experience. And even better, Blizzard won't leave fans waiting long, with Battlegrounds PVP to be included on Patch 5. Smooth, fun and rewarding, Battlegrounds PVP proves to be worth the wait for patient WarCraft fans.

Will Federman
Contributor, Kikizo Games