Last week, J. Allen Brack revealed that Blizzard had plans to update World of Warcraft’s graphics more extensively in the future, in order to keep the game looking comparable to new releases. (Don’t worry, WoW addicts, they won’t change the art style and pull an Ultima Online on you.)
Now, Brack has clarified his announcement a little and shared with the press that the plan is to put out small graphical tweaks in future expansions and big patches. (Burning Crusade had a few tweaks, and Wrath of the Lich King will have some including the oft-requested shader, so it’s no huge surprise.)
This obviously won’t put WoW on equal footing with future MMO releases, but Blizzard’s hoping it will keep the game looking competitive, something which both past MMO juggernauts Ultima Online and EverQuest failed to do, ultimately leading to their demise; UO for being too ambitious with a graphics overhaul, EQ for not really trying until it was way too late.
No word yet on whether or not bigger updates such as the shader will be optional, so those playing WoW on low-end PCs will have to cross their fingers and pray to whatever deity they believe in.
