Two posts about the recent change to fishing have inspired an unexpected amount of passion over at WoW Insider. The humble fishing rod has been taken up as a symbol by angry players who are citing a laundry list of changes to illustrate a trend of streamlining/simplifying that they really don't like. Others are pointing out that just because you don't have to equip a fishing rod, it doesn't diminish your ability to do so, whether you want the +skill bonus from a special rod, to attach a lure or for role-playing.
Is the change a sign of an increasingly less complex and immersive game? Or is a fishing rod just a fishing rod?
I'm not sure I'd rage but, yes, I think it's a bit ridiculous to take out the need for a fishing rod when you're, you know, FISHING.
ReplyDeleteCall me old fashioned.
No rage from me there. Actually I have completely abandoned my fishing pole on all characters that do not have a good one that offers something else, like underwater breathing. One extra bag space thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteIt is easier just to not equip one than to forget to put your weapon on again.
If you play a bear and ever tanked with your fishing pole on please raise your hand.
~raises hand~
Who wants to see a bear get into the water and guddle up a trout?
Delete*Raises hand.*
*raises hand
DeletePersonally, I kind of like the model for the fishing without a rod animation. There's something rather charming about the idea of your character grabbing a nearby stick, tying a piece of string to it and chucking it away when they're done. :)
ReplyDeleteI do have more reservations about some of the other immersive (also known as grindy and inconvenient) things that have been removed, and as a list I think its a bit worrying as a trend. Still, I lack the strong feelings over fishing rods that some players clearly have.
I'm inclined to think it's the trend, rather than the rod, that's causing the anxiety. And not without good reason, I might add.
DeleteIt seems fishing isn't the only thing that got this treatment:
ReplyDeletehttp://wow.joystiq.com/2012/09/11/gathering-no-longer-needs-tools/
Yes, I saw that too. I think its a bit harder to buy mining without a pick than fishing with random a random stick (Ruck assures me that he has, in fact, fished with a random stick with a string tied to it in real life). Skinning knife... halfway between the two, imo. I hear they've added a tool for herbalism so flower pickers can get the +10 as well.
DeleteI will miss my fishing rod.
ReplyDeleteYou're a druid, Navie - aquatic form should let you hunt fish like a killer whale. :P
Delete