One of the creative minds behind Undermine(d) has joined us to chat about the latest World of Warcraft expansion. Forget everything you thought you knew about Azeroth’s cities because this place is teeming with life and built for speed. Fancy learning how to zip around in new hot rods? Keep reading.
Imagine New York with a dash of steampunk chaos, where safety takes a backseat. That’s Undermine for you, the fresh zone rolled out this week in World of Warcraft. Leading the design for this zone with my incredible team was a thrill, and I can’t wait to spill the beans on this all-new goblin city and its amazing drivable rides.
### Deep Dive, Then D.R.I.V.E.
With this update, get ready for a twist in your World of Warcraft journey: introducing the D.R.I.V.E. feature—Dynamic and Revolutionary Improvement to Vehicular Experiences. We just loved coming up with that catchy acronym!
The new game feature lets you take to the streets with the G-99 Breakneck, which is basically WoW’s version of a hot rod. You’ll snag this ride early on by completing “Eyes from Above” in the main storyline, followed by “No More Walkin’ Here,” where you’ll go through a brief tutorial on controlling this beast.
The design of these vehicles is very much inspired by the goblins’ aesthetic in WoW, all about cobbled-together yet genius creations. The G-99 Breakneck stands out with its crazy features—like flames roaring from the engine—and fits right in with the lively streets of Undermine.
A feature we’re super excited about is the ability to drift—taking cues from classic racing games. Adding this mechanic to WoW was no mean feat but man, was it worth it! Our aim was to capture that sheer joy and freedom you feel when you first get behind the wheel of a car, opening up a whole new world of possibilities.
Not only does this car get you places, but it also has room for a buddy, so you can cruise around Undermine together. There are even races you can join, with tracks running both forwards and in reverse. For those who prefer calmer rides, worry not—you can tweak your setup for slower speeds as soon as you unlock the car, or you can always stick with your good old ground mounts.
### Take to the Streets
Your sweet ride needs a place to stretch its legs, right? Undermine’s cityscape is the perfect race track. Cars zooming past add energy to your surroundings, almost daring you to join the adventure. Whether you’re delivering hot towels or battling a ghost tiger that’s tormenting kids, you’ll truly become part of the city life.
It’s alive; with every turn, you’ll meet pirates, mobsters, cheeky folks out to trip you up, amazing chefs, and characters you won’t easily forget.
Undermine sits beneath a fabricated sky, buzzing with action—somewhere between a goblins’ trade hub and cultural epicenter. It’s a far cry from the typical WoW landscape, portraying a city that’s as lived-in as it is vibrant.
The area shouts potential, especially with hubs like Slam Central Station that can cart you around to wherever your dreams take you. Places like the cleverly titled Incontinental Hotel and the Gallagio punctuate this goblin city, each landmark more whimsically named than the last.
The lore of Undermine focuses on self-betterment, weaving into The War Within’s narrative. Characters like Orweyna take you through your first steps in the Ringing Deeps. As you reconnect with iconic characters like Renzik and Gazlowe, you’ll delve into their personal stories and what Undermine means to them.
While Gazlowe initially seeks a life beyond the city, he finds himself drawn back, igniting a revolution where players can challenge tyrants and liberate the city. It’s about people rising up to overcome oppression.
Get ready to explore Undermine—a place where fast cars and intrigue collide. Whether you drift just a little or leave skid marks all over, it’s the thrill of the ride that counts!
You can jump into the Undermine(d) update on World of Warcraft right now, available for PC via Battle.net. For more details, head over to WorldOfWarcraft.com.
