My honest reaction to the Pandas

which is the better back enchant for us?

This is post-capped. Continuation thread here: http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/3424687553#1

I was one of the many who purchased a Blizzcon Virtual ticket.

I was with my roommate, watching the Opening Ceremony Friday night. When the trailer played, I was sure it was a joke. I figured that since the "Mists of Panderia" trademark thing had leaked, they decided to prank us and then say "Nope, jk, heres the real xpack."

Even the racials seemed to be trolling. But the "jk" never came. Blizzcon kept rolling forward full steam and it hit me: The Pandas were for real.

My first words to my roommate were "I think I might actually be done with WoW." My roommate, sometimes wiser than I, said "I dont know yet. What if it turns out so be a lot of fun?"

So, over the next two days, I sat with my friends and watched all the panels and interviews. I payed close attention to what was said and tried my best to be unbiased. And, it happened slowly, my opinion changed.

Blizzard has given the Panderan a rich culture and a specific way of thinking. A history that goes back beyond the sundering with their own struggles and accomplishments. They have an identity beyond "Look, its Pandas."

And the Horde and Alliance? With Deathwing finally defeated they are left with a world thats broken, land thats ruined, and a lot of stuff thats on fire. Supplies are strained if not running out and tempers are flaring. Then, unmasked by the Cataclysm, they find an entire land unspoiled by disaster and ripe for exploiting.

I mean, Garrosh and Varian have pretty much been poking eachother repeatedly with sharp sticks. Imagine what both would do to gain the upper hand (and bigger stick)?

Then theres the Sha, physical manifestations of bad juju... and after three expansions of doom, gloom, and death, the broken and hurting members of both factions have plenty of bad juju.

All of this information given to us by the people who know and love this world. People who spoke of it with such enthusiasm. They, who have one of the most enduring franchises in video games, believe in what they are putting forward.

Kneejerk reactions and first impressions are fine but they warrant further inspection. And it was this inspection that led not only the story, history, and implications to change my mind but the passion and fervor with which they were given.

I have turned from wanting to quit to wanting to try it out. Am I saying its all going to be wonder, sunshine, and unicorns pooping rainbows? No. What i am saying is that it -could- be. And Blizzard has done a lot over the last seven years to earn my trust.

They asked "Come with us, come see what were doing here." So, Ill give it a shot. I mean, my roommate said it: "What -if- it turns out to be a lot of fun?"