One of the masterminds behind the next chapter in World of Warcraft, Undermine(d), joined us to unravel the latest expansion that transports players to a city like no other in Azeroth. This vibrant metropolis is teeming with life, offering streets designed for high-octane speed and adrenaline-fueled adventures. Dive into how you’ll navigate these avenues in sleek new hot rods, adding a fresh twist to your gameplay.
Picture a bustling New York City, melded with a steampunk aesthetic where rules and safety are more of a suggestion than a guideline. That’s precisely the vibe you get as you enter Undermine, the latest zone that recently went live in World of Warcraft. I had the joy of spearheading this zone’s design alongside a team of incredibly gifted individuals on the WoW team, and I’m thrilled to share insights into this unprecedented goblin city… and its wild, driveable vehicles.
### Deep Dive, Then D.R.I.V.E.
This groundbreaking update reinvents the World of Warcraft experience with the introduction of the D.R.I.V.E. feature—our Dynamic and Revolutionary Improvement to Vehicular Experiences. It’s a mouthful of an acronym, but we had fun with it and hope you will too!
With this addition, players can hit the ground running in a mechanically intriguing hot rod, the G-99 Breakneck. You unlock this beast early on by completing the “Eyes from Above” quest in the main campaign, then kicking off the “No More Walkin’ Here” quest to begin the Breakneck tutorial.
At the core of our vehicle design is an adherence to the goblin art style, a signature look that melds together chaos and creativity. The G-99 Breakneck boasts exaggerated features such as massive flames shooting from the scoop, perfectly complementing Undermine’s lively and frenetic streets.
One aspect we were keen to incorporate was the ability to drift, reminiscent of the classic racing games many of us grew up with. Bringing this to World of Warcraft wasn’t easy, but the challenge lit a fire under our team. We aimed to capture that liberating, exhilarating feeling—like getting behind the wheel for the first time, reveling in the freedom it brings.
This car isn’t just a solo ride; it doubles as a passenger mount, inviting your friends to hop in and explore Undermine together. Players can test their mettle in gripping races on both regular and reverse tracks. For those who might find the speed a bit much or are prone to motion sickness, we’ve embedded options to customize your experience, with the ability to choose a lower-speed engine right after unlocking the vehicle or opting to use regular ground mounts instead.
### Take to the Streets
A thrilling ride needs an equally thrilling place to cruise, and Undermine offers just that. As you see these cars zipping around, they create a dynamic backdrop to your adventures, inviting you to join the mayhem. Undertake tasks like delivering hot towels or confronting a ghostly tiger that’s scaring kids, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in the city’s tapestry.
Undermine is abuzz with activity. As you drift through its thoroughfares (above sewers where fighting rings occur!), you’ll stumble upon pirates, mobsters, would-be attackers, and some of the finest chefs you could ever encounter.
Beneath Undermine’s faux sky lies a vibrant cityscape filled with commerce and goblin culture. Unlike your typical World of Warcraft cities, this place is dense and lived-in, alive with residents engaged in their daily routines.
The zone embodies potential and ambition, with features like Slam Central Station taking you wherever your imagination dares. It’s a testament to goblin ingenuity, with cleverly named landmarks like the Incontinental Hotel and the Gallagio, embodying a society driven by progress and wit.
Undermine’s story centers on personal growth and improvement. It intertwines with the main storyline of The War Within, featuring characters like Orweyna guiding players through the early chapters. Along the way, you’ll encounter familiar faces like Renzik and Gazlowe, offering glimpses into the lives of Undermine’s denizens. While some characters, like Gazlowe, ventured away in search of different horizons, for others, the city remains beloved, with nowhere else feeling quite like home.
As the narrative unfolds, we witness Gazlowe’s transformation and a revolution that invites players to topple dictators and reclaim the streets. This narrative champions the power of the collective against oppressive forces.
Step into the electrifying world of Undermine—a city tinged with fast-paced action and shady deals. Whether it’s a few inches or a mile, the thrill of the drift is always the same.
You can experience all this and more now with the Undermine(d) update in World of Warcraft, available on PC via Battle.net. For further details, head over to WorldOfWarcraft.com.
