Posted by Amatera on Monday, July 20th, 2009 - 48 Comments
Tags: Alliance, blizzard, Boubouille, cataclysm, chris metzen, expansion, gilneas, goblins, hallow's end, Horde, maelstrom, new races, pandaren, undermine, worgen
It is often that we find hints of new or as-yet-unreleased content by carefully and dutifully digging through the files of new patches. Few are better at this than Boubouille of MMO-Champion, a site nearly unparalleled at breaking this brand of news for our favorite game.
But I’m not so sure about one of their latest. Boubouille has managed to scrounge up several graphics of Hallow’s End masks that depict both Goblins and Worgen. Traditionally, these masks have only been made from playable races, and the next expansion is predicted to focus primarily on the Maelstrom, which would theoretically feature zones such as the Goblin home city of Undermine and the isolated kingdom of Gilneas (which may or may not have fallen victim to a Worgen invasion — after all, it is suspiciously close to Shadowfang Keep!).
Little has been confirmed by Blizzard themselves, but the evidence certainly tips in favor of these races being prominent players in forthcoming events, if not completely playable.
So what’s holding me back? Not excitement, that’s for sure. Worgen would be a great addition, and it’d be nice for the Horde to have their very own little people. But the fact of the matter is that both Goblins and Worgen (read: werewolves) are creatures traditionally associated with Halloween, which may explain the inclusion of their masks for the holiday.
Despite my skepticism, there is one key point that intrigues me: there is a female Worgen mask. Of course, this is only fair and in keeping with the tradition of offering a mask of both genders for players to wear, but I’m not aware of any female Worgen currently existing in the game (at least none that take on an appearance apart from the generic model). Looking at the image provided by MMO-Champion, you can see softer, almond-shaped eyes and a smaller nose, perhaps implying that they might account for playable options in the future.
Ultimately, everything at this point is simply an educated guess, but Blizz’s own loremaster, Chris Metzen, has stated that they are “doing some awesome stuff for Gilneas.” Worgen are apparently naturally evil, battle-worn creatures, but it wouldn’t be beyond reason to see them do a turn for the Alliance. After all, the story of Warcraft is all about people or races being redeemed or damned through their actions. Darkspear Trolls shied away from the cannibalism prevalent amongst their people, the Forsaken have made strides to separate themselves from the Scourge, and who can forget the once benevolent High Elves transforming into magic-addicted wretches after the corruption of the Sunwell?
Who’s to say there isn’t some small contingent of Worgen trying to earn their place in the world by rising above their race’s natural anger and ferocity?
The discovery of these masks certainly gives us food for thought, if no concrete answers. Teasing us this far ahead of the expansion is awfully cruel of Blizzard, but if they are in the files now, might that imply that we’ll see a release before the next time Hallow’s End rolls around?
I’m eager to know how everyone else feels about this development. Is Blizzard just playfully baiting their fans (as they have for so long with the Pandaren), or is this serious evidence of things to come? If playable, do you think that Goblins and Worgen are locks for the Horde and Alliance respectively? Which would you like to play as, and would you be willing to switch factions just to do so? And why does that female Goblin mask look exactly like Fiona from Shrek?
Related Posts: Hallow’s End 2009: Why No Goblin or Worgen Masks?, A Mask for All Occasions, Leaked: WoW Cataclysm will Feature Worgen and Goblin, Show Your WoW Love with RL Halloween Costumes, Wishful Thinking: Neutral Faction,
By Keltoroq on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Well, BLizzard is known for teasing all of us the players. Personally i love this teasing ….It creates a build up and gets us excited to the new content.
Not a big fan of new races as i am of new classes. I hope we get another hero class…
Lets just wait and see.
And please continue to tease us Blizzard..
By Mark on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 11:19 am
These are Halloween masks, nothing more. A goblin mask because they are so common, and a worgen for that vampiree vibe.
After Blizzcon, we’ll have a better feel for what the expansion might include.
By Drenton on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Many might argue that having new races is a big waste of time. But I disagree, I think new races is a brilliant addition to this game.
I’m sick of all this PVP patches and high level content, starting in a new area and having new racial abilities is where I find 70% of the fun in the game!
By Phanttas on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Im not sure how much I’d want to play worgens or goblins. I’d prefer panderens =P, but I feel its probably just for hallows end anyway. I’m gonna keep my opinion open though, because of the goblin city possibly in the next expansion.
I thought the mask looked like Fiona from Shrek before I’d even seen you’d written it, so ye I agree.
Great post
BTW- anyone else think the female worgen looks more like a wolvar?
By Dyvim_Tvar on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 11:43 am
If Blizzard decides to add new races, I’d like to see them change things up a bit. Instead of adding one race to each side, why not add both races to both sides? Doing so doesn’t break the lore, as you can easily come up with stories of splinter groups joining either the Alliance or the Horde. New races can be fun… new starting areas… new racial abilities… the only downside I can see is some possible confusion in PvP… but I’m not sure that’s bad.
By Octaviax on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I dont care for what the sceptics think, personally, this is the confirmation we as player have been looking for.
In the past months, various blues and interviews have teased us about opening Gilneas and adding Kul’ Tiras and such. Opening Azeroth completely has also come up. Even Chris Metzen has sai in an interview “We have forgotten about Gilneas….but we have some very very very interesting plans for Gilneas” Again, as written above, a Worgen invasion is plausible.
Also, in recent news, Cataclysm was trademarked. Im sure by now we’ve figured out that it heavily points towards the Maelstom as next expansion, and yes, that means Undermine - Goblins ahoy. Now, why would some goblins join with the Horde. Lohng ties, personal preference, or maybe the razing of Undermine by Naga.
We’ll find out a Blizzcon
By Crys on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
I would love to see a nymph-like race… something similar to druids.. but different implemented into the game…
I do like the worgen concept tho…. interesting
goblins… um.. not so much
By Raethos on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
I love this. If I were Blizzard (which I wish I was), I’d make goblins Horde to balance with Gnomes, but the kick is they can then do some badass redemption thing with Alliance Worgen. This would also help with the idea, way back in BC, to add a monsterous race to the Allies, because Draenei failed at that.
By 5oren on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Would be nice with some new race options. Can’t wait to see what will be revieled at Blizzcon.
I could see myself switch to alliance if the worgen would be a part of them. But overall i’d rather see blizzard improve the graphics throughout the old zones and update the current races so they’ll look smoother:)
Cheers!
By madarra on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
what if in the new expansion the alliance reconquers gnomregan for the gnomes and the horde echo isle for the trolls . so we could se new home citys
By Daniel Davies on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
I would like to chime in that it was not MMO-champion who found this… It was submitted to MMO-champion by a Scrolls of Lore(http://www.scrollsoflore.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4801) user, and originally posted on SoL by Handclaw.
I just like the correct people to get the credit they deserve, If you look through the pages of the post on SoL you see comments such as “I submitted this but it was deleted by MMO-champion.” and in reply “No doubt they are going to claim it as their own again.”
By adam on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
I’d freaking loove worgen!
*Dribbles*
Pleeeeeeeeeeeese let them be horde
By Felaryn on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
I can’t believe I didn’t think of Gilneas as part of the new expansion! If they put the new races in, It’s most likely that a faction of goblins are going to the Horde to balance out size difference if nothing else. As for Worgen, the Gilneas theory seems most logical, which would easily lead to some worgen who retained their sanity somehow to be reaccepted by the Alliance. If these new races were brought in with the expansion, I would definitely make a Worgen, but it would be female most likely, because male Worgen look terrible.
–Felaryn
By Talcoya on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
what i would guess is that they are added new classes to support new hero classes. worgen for alliance and goblin for horde. kinda going back to vanilla when they had pally shammy seperated. or they will allow you to choose who knows
By Tom on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
There is actually a new hero class coming. I have a magazine wich interviewed someone of Blizzard, (dont remember who it was) And this person said they are trying to make a monk hero class. (associated with priests) The whole concept of Hero classes likes Blizzard, so they are keeping it up.
Greetz,
Tom
By Alayea on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
If they were to be playable races in the next expansion, I could see the worgen being Alliance. But goblins? They’ve always been neutral, both in game and lore. It just doesn’t make sense to me.
By PatrickD on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
As much as I’d love to see worgen as a playable race, I think it’s quite a leap to go from the inclusion of Halloween masks to declaring it as a playable race. It’s a good thing Blizzard didn’t put in jack-o-lantern masks or people would be telling us that we can play as vegetables.
By Renjï on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
I’ve always thought goblins should be a playable race, they are the yang to the gnomes. Wondered also if Bliz would come up with a new faction, a neutral one w/ goblins, pandarians, nagas?!?, and dare I say it? MURLOCS
By Highwayman on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
@Dyvim…as far as Worgen and whatever possibly being new races and confusing in PvP…two things spring to mind…of course you would’nt be able to target your own players to attack since the name coloration is different and if they WILL be new races, i seem to have read on WoW’s own website that they’re adding in different skins for Ally and Horde T’d gear..perhaps they’ll do the same with any new PvP gear as it looks from the names on WoWhead.com’s list of new gear from the upcoming patch…..just a thought
By Zaraken on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
If next expansion involves new races then these two would easily satisfy me, both be in my top 5 picks for new races(Drakonids, Ethereals and Nagas other 3). If we were going to get them the timing considering content would be right.
Wouldn’t mind rolling a worgen rogue or a warrior goblin.
By Dan on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Man I hope these aren’t actual playable classes…..I hate the gnomes as it is, if the horde get their own short stack then whos side will i turn to? Can I join the Lich Kings team please? Let me kill whoever I want whenever I want.
By phil on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
lol i’m not to worried bout the* next game* since we are only a few months into wotlk but ..about the goblin main city..lol i feel sorry for thouse who have grinded the rep to get exalted with the bloodsail..haha there going to have a fun time getting into the goblin main city but mabye the bloodsail will have there own *offshore* city who knows
By Qes on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
I kind of like the idea of playing a worgen character. Who knows since they cracked down on the worgen hunter pet thing so fast, might be true. I also agree that goblins should remain neutral, but then again they might give you the option (after doing starter quests and leaving the home city), to join whichever faction you like. Also in reply to the Monk class comment, I hope they do include a monk class in the game. Maybe with some elemental enchant talent trees to enchant your fists and legs with. Like wind water earth fire air. Would be great to see that!
By Kyle on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
HORDE IS GOBLINS! FTW IF WE DON’T GET GOBLINS!
By aadjed on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
I’d have to agree with Alayea. If the goblin became faction related either Horde or Alliance would loose too many places in Azeroth. BB, Gadgetzan, Ratchet. All these places r too tangles in both lore and questlines for both factions. Worgen would be cool tho.
By Rikaku on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
I don’t agree, goblins were part of the Horde until the second war; so no. They were not always neutral.
Plus who said it would be steamwheedle cartel goblins who became playable? What if it’s some renegade group of goblins?
By Xian on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at 1:56 am
If any new playable races are implemented, I say make it High Elves. Their lore is fascinating and it would be nice to have a change of pace from Night Elves/Blood Elves.
Besides, who wouldn’t want to be a High Elf?
By 5oren on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at 4:06 am
Well, the goblins made and and rides the zeppelins for the horde.
@ Xian; i thought all the high elves turned to blood elfs after the scourge steamrolled them.
By eXid on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at 5:21 am
If the next xpansion would be the maelstrom ,then a new race is going to be a underwater one…
By Sean on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at 6:44 am
Would prefer if goblins weren’t playable. (I prefer them neutral, why would they side with the horde? Or the alliance? Both have enslaved them previously, now they only deal with either faction if profit is involved.)
By Haiodin on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at 7:59 am
Well i think new characters would be awesome especially the worgen(praying them for horde) but the goblins make no sense to me because they are a neutral faction which would mean whichever side they join the other faction would lose those flightpath and also i would believe that there would be no neutral AH unless however the worgens and goblins create there own seperate faction allowing to play with both sides allys and hordes which would i think would give blizzard unlimited ideas to what they could do with them
By cocopuff on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at 8:05 am
i dont think [laying a worgen would be that fun i mean not perminatly they should something like what they did with scourge event before the WOTLK release the myth in RL is that you only turn into a werewolf maybe thats what blizz should work on allso according to the myth wearing a silver medalion will suposibly stop the tranformationn maybe blizz can put like a medalion vendor or those dont wanto go beast as for a playing a goblin i guess that it would be ok dont really see the neccesity
By Blight on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at 8:26 am
@Dyvim_Tvar - yeah, I agree, it would almost be plausible to have Worgen and Goblins available as a playable race for both Factions.
As far as Azeroth Goblins, well, considering the Maelstrom has been pretty cut off from the world, there’s really no telling how the Goblins in Undercity are aligned. Goblins are generally corrupt and money hungry, something that goes well with the Horde faction. at least, I can see the Goblin and Forsaken getting along famously.
As far as the holiday coincidence goes, Goblins are involved with a lot of holiday events. The Feast of Winter Veil for instance is sponsored by Smokywood Pastures. So, it’s easy to see Goblins as part of a holiday event, and Worgen, werewolves, is easy to see for a Halloween type event.
Hallow’s End is a pretty laid out event already though. I don’t see Blizzard finding the need to really enhance the event much as it’s already a big event with lots to do.
So, I guess I’m pretty 50/50 on this one, there is some plausibility that they are the new playable races, and I’d really love to be a Worgen, but it’s also plausible that it’s just part of a new quest line for Hallow’s End.
By Ledg on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at 9:44 am
Maybe Worgen could be a new race to both factions and only has 1 class.
By Moophobia on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at 10:05 am
I’ve always wanted to play as a goblin. Hopefully, some day Blizz will satisfy my craving. However, I’d be very sad if goblins were apart of the evil alliance. I only play the honorable horde, who has had their history rewritten by the alliance aggressors!
By Shnoo on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at 10:22 am
Well guys before you alliance peeps gets all hyped about worgen.. let me remind you that Gilneas has time and time again secluded itself from the Alliance of Lordaeron, if i were the alliance i wouldn’t let them in.. besides.. how would blizzard work out armor on them? Now don’t flame me on this,
Also, whilst Goblins are a neutral faction throughout Azeroth/Draenor in a lot of the WoW books i’ve read include the goblins being more open to the Horde, (green ppl ftw!).
Another possibility could like stated above be that both are playable on both factions, I mean take the new faction change coming.. what if blizzard made it so those two factions didn’t change race when they changed their alignment? I think that would be sick …
By Shnoo on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at 10:32 am
@Moophobia
Frikkin Varian and his QQ about how Garona killed his father even though she had been tortured and nearly killed… and now Varian is all like “QQ Varimathras wtfpwnt Bolvar..” Then he’s all like “Well i know you guys didn’t plan this but i’m still holding you responsible for their deaths so screw killing the Lich King we can send in 10 ppl and do him ez mode!” Sigh.. please can we has Garrosh and Varian kill each other? I’d rather not have to brutally maim some alliance guy while we fight Arthas.. besides.. Thrall would wtf pwn Varian.. Thrall is like Optimus Prime.. he’s a good guy until he opens up his can of whoop-ass and two shots the bad guy
By Carrion on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at 10:53 am
I must just say this: I have no interest at all in playing a goblin. The horde is fine without any small races. And I hate Gnomes.
By Pellex on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at 11:19 am
I have [i]always[/i] wished goblins were a playable race! Their accents crack me up. Fingers crossed on this one! (I hope they’re Horde, too, as that’s where I spend most of my play time.)
By cocopuff on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at 11:43 am
@shnoo
if garona was a real friend of his father she would gladly give her life for the good of SW bolvaar was liek a brother to vvarian he took care of his son and his kingdom while he was kidnaped by onyxia and was trying to figure out who he was he lost his friend anduin lothar he lost his life long friend arthas and now he loses another close friend bolvar to teh forsaken suposbly part of the horde no one wishes the blood of arthas more then varian but he refuses teaming with someone who caused him and his kingdom so much pain so much problems doomhammer a friend of durotan thralls father was the one who killed lothar chamion of the alliance and he didnt he even drink the demonic blood the corrupted orcs destroyed his home city of stormwind with all of varians experince in the ring garosh would be no match for varian thrall allso has lots of in ring experince varian has a nick name “lo’gosh” thrall nick name was some dudes pet thrall is more like magatron then optimus prime when has thrall felt true anger even if by some mirracle chance thrall does defeat varian it would just prove thrall is just as bad ash is ancestors if he would split a boy from his father if he doesnt anduin wrynn would rise up and defeat him like so many hereos of the alliance did when they lost their idol before him
By cocopuff on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at 12:02 pm
alliance allready has 2 migits they dont need a third one if they do add a goblin race i hope its for horde thats whear those vile beings belong they have problems with mining thier own busness
By cocopuff on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at 12:04 pm
FOR STORMWIND!!!!!!
FOR LORDEARON!!!!!!
FOR THE ALLIANCE!!!!!!!!
By Danbo on Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 at 3:34 pm
i like the idea of the goblin and worgen, i think the horde should have a small race and the alliance have a furry one, and i frickin love the idea of the Undermine / Gilneas coming into a players view after so long
By Nebyula on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 at 2:09 am
I like the idea of playing as a worgen. However I cant see them on Horde, as Horde already has a animal-like race. The most balancing thing would to be worgen be Alliance and goblins be Horde.
Unfortunately, I cannot stand Alliance, they are too arrogant, too judgemental, and too stubborn. Walking down Alliance cities make me sick.
I’m very meh about goblins, and it doesn’t make sense to me to have a generally neutral race suddenly break away and pick a side. If they had a quest chain (ie Death Knights) that allowed you to pick a faction, I’d be all for that.
Besides, I always viewed goblins as leaning towards Horde.
WTB a playable naga race anyways. Make it work, Blizzard.
By Mr.Vincent on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 at 1:32 pm
I don’t understand how Blizzard adding Hallows End masks= New Race. Also, I don’t even think WoW 4.0 will even be revealed at this years Blizzcon. They’re taking forever releasing this current upcoming patch and we still have Icecrown Citadel to go at the least. You really think they’re already focusing on WoW 4.0? If Blizzard releases a statement saying Goblins and Worgen will be playable they will also probably tell us that those two new races only class choice is bard and that they will start out at level 90 with full tier 78.
@Nebyula I don’t think Blizz could ever make playable naga work. Would it really make sense if a group of naga just went “Cyas Azshara, gonna goes joinz teh Hordez nowz!!11!”
By Qes on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
This might be a bit off topic but I’d love to see a new class instead. Monk class would be great! Punch and kick your way to victory! Maybe have an elements tree to infuse your fists and legs with fire water earth air. Would be cool.
By DrAwesome on Thursday, July 23rd, 2009 at 4:56 pm
ok the worgen should be taller like the taurnen maybe a little shorter
the worger should look more human-like like rexxar from ToP3 but furrier and classes no mattber what should start smaller like hunters pets and get bigger as they lvl that make for a better exp on my part
FOR LORDEARON!!!!!!
FOR THE ALLIANCE
By Danta on Thursday, July 30th, 2009 at 3:21 am
This is a wellknown data, which contains the zones which can be optionally add to the game: http://www.mmo-champion.com/index.php?topic=1547.0
As you can see there are a few more 1-10 zone, where a new race can start.
For The Alliance!