World of Warcraft was the highlight at BlizzCon 2023. Included: a brand new cinematic that fans can’t get enough of. Anduin’s new look in particular raises questions. MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus was able to talk live with the developers about it.
None other than Chris Metzen himself announced the next 3 expansions for WoW. This caused thunderous applause in the hall, followed by a murmur of awe when the new cinematic was shown.
This can be seen in the cinematic: The former warchief Thrall meets Anduin Wrynn, who has changed significantly during his time in the Maw. Instead of a blonde mane, he has a short military haircut and a shaggy beard. The “Child King” has finally grown up.
The new look has been causing controversy ever since. After the opening ceremony, I met with Senior Narrative Designer Anne Stickney and Associate Art Director Tina Wang for an interview.
The conversation was primarily about the story of 11.0 and the design of the new world. But Anne Stickney gives me a very long and profound answer to what was actually a short question about why Anduin looks so different now.
World of Warcraft: The War Within – Cinematic Trailer
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“He has to deal with some kind of PTSD.”
The answer to the question of why Anduin looks so different now goes quite deep into the subject matter and the background of The War Within itself:
[Anduin] went through a difficult time. You have to understand that in just a few years he went from being a boy who believes in peace and diplomacy to the point where he loses his father in an instant. Suddenly he is the king of an empire and doesn’t know what to do.
When Shadowlands started, he was barely finding his way around. And what happened to him was two steps away from making him “full Arthas.” This is hard on a person, especially one who is dedicated to the light and the idea of peace and diplomacy. Who works with people to shape ideas of sacrifice, healing and warmth.
Being twisted into something that is the complete opposite of that, being forced to do what he did to the people he loves and calls friends, has affected him in ways we haven’t even begun to consider have scratched the surface.
So when he decided to go into the Maw at the end of Shadowlands, Anduin didn’t just want some breathing room. He actually had to deal with a form of PTSD. He no longer feels worthy of the light. If you grow up devoted to this concept and it is ripped out from under you, how do you regain clarity about who you are?
So…yes, he needs a bath. Yes, he probably needs a little care. Anduin is in there somewhere. The War Within is not just about Azeroth, but also about the battle you wage with yourself.
Anne Stickney goes on to say that this fight not only comes into play in Anduin, but also in Alleria, which struggles a lot with its dark side. The conflict between who she is and the Void is another part we will explore in The War Within.
Still, like me, she hopes that Anduin will eventually get his flowing blonde hair back. But we won’t find out until The War Within or even later – and it may be expensive:
WoW: The entire Worldsoul saga will cost you just under 810 euros