World of Warcraft’scash shop is full of pets, mounts, and other cosmetic items players can purchase with real money for in-game use. Sometimes, the assets from the cash shop contain hints as to whereWorld of Warcraftis heading–and with its most recent holiday sale package, the Dragon Pack, many players are connecting dots to speculate what the game’s 9th expansion pack could be.
WoW’sDragon Pack contains five mountsand two pets themed after the popular scaly creatures. The bundle is about a third of the price of their original cost, and contains one brand-new faerie dragon minion as well.
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ManyWorld of Warcraftplayers are pondering the draconic theme of the pack. Though popular, dragons do not play a significant role in the story ofShadowlands. Some have taken it as a hintWorld of Warcraftcould be going to the Dragon Isles in the near future. The Dragon Isles are a mysterious island chain mentioned in the annals of manyWoWlore, including unused assets, quests, and even therecent and controversialExploring Azeroth: Kalimdorlore book. Little is known about them, save that it was originally planned to be a raid zone inBurning Crusade, and they involve dragons and Old Gods.
The cash shop has carried subtle hints to the future ofWarcraftin the past, which has led players to this conclusion. The Sylvarian Dreamer and Vulpine Familiar mounts were both released beforeShadowlands, only to be found as creatures within the afterlife of Ardenweald. Other recent cash shop items, like the blood elf-themed Sunwarmed Furline, also suggest a much-needed revamp of the 15-year-old Silvermoon and Quel’thalas–a region geographically close to where the Dragon Isles were originally planned to be–further strengthened by the updated assets visible in arecentShadowlandsstory cinematic featuring Sylvanas Windrunner.
Dragons are some ofWorld of Warcraftfans’ favorite creatures. The story of the Dragon Isles would also be intrinsic to Azeroth’s history. One of the biggest complaints ofShadowlandsis how detached it is from what makesWarcraftwhat it is. IfWoWwere to return to form with the Dragon Isles, especially with a revamp of Quel’thalas–home to themost played race inWorld of Warcraft–fans would be ecstatic.
Players shouldn’t get too excited yet, though. ThoughShadowlandsfinishes its story with the upcomingEternity’s Endpatch, it has not made an announcement about the next expansion pack. Critical players would also remind their fellow fans not to allow hype, rumors, or cash shop cosmetics to distract them fromBlizzard’s poor handling of the recent scandalsit has been a part of over the last year. Until it makes lasting, meaningful changes within the company, even a highly-desired Dragon Isles expansion may not be enough to repair the damage Blizzard has done to itself in recent years.
World of Warcraft: Shadowlandsis available on PC.Eternity’s Endis currently in development.
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