by JR Cook - 11 years ago     show comments

With Patch 5.4 less than a week away now, Lead Encounter Designer Ion Hazzikostas takes you through the new Siege of Orgrimmar raid instance, adding his insights from a design perspective into each of the 14 encounters. While there’s no specific practical tips that will help you conquer any of the encounters on day one, they add a nice dose of perspective.

Perhaps the most interesting information “tidbit” is the insight into the Iron Juggernaut encounter, and how the iconic giant metal scorpion came about.

Ion Hazzikostas– This boss was the product of a particularly rowdy brainstorming session. We started with the idea of a siege tank. We ended up with a mecha-scorpion with a laser-mounted tail, flamethrower mouth, a drill and a sawblade for arms, and many, many cannons. We owe the artist who brought this monstrosity to life a drink or three.

It makes sense: something as ridiculous but totally freaking awesome like the Iron Juggernaut isn’t the kind of thing that comes out of a structured, measured, conservative sit down discussion, and I like the imagery of a “particularly rowdy” meeting. Did people start throwing down over conflicting opinions?

Read the full preview here.