In the 20 years of World of Warcraft updates, Blizzard often tried to increase the difficulty in the second minor version of each expansion in order to appeal to the so-called elite players, but this practice often led to the loss of regular players. For example, dungeons such as Storm Fortress, Viper Temple, Blackstone Foundry, Tomb of Sargeras, etc., have skyrocketed in difficulty in the second minor version, leaving many players off.
The Ulduar dungeon may have been designed to provide an epic gaming experience, but the sheer difficulty and lengthy process frustrated many players. Blizzard has increased the level and value of equipment while ignoring the actual needs and game experience of players, resulting in a sharp decline in the number of players in Ulduar from the beginning of its opening. Although attempts were made to lower the difficulty level in subsequent team quests to entice players to return, this strategy did not seem to win back the hearts and minds of players.
The operation strategy of the nostalgic costume has also been questioned by players. The Wrath of the Lich King (WLK) Nostalgia version, which has been put a lot of effort and anticipation, does not offer permanent servers, which is undoubtedly disappointing for many loyal players. The failure of this strategy even affected subsequent versions of Earth's Fission (CTM), causing its status in the minds of players to plummet.
Despite this, there are still some players who have extremely high opinions about the Ulduar dungeon, but this blind pursuit does not hide its general unpopularity among the player base. If Blizzard really wants to attract and retain players, it should start from the actual needs of players and design game content that is both challenging and accessible to a wide range of players.
In the latest Age of the Dragons, the designers have realized that the difficulty is too high and said that a game mode more suitable for casual players will be introduced. For the nostalgic service operated by NetEase with greater permission, it may be necessary to consider taking action in advance to reduce the difficulty appropriately so that players can enjoy a more relaxed and enjoyable gaming experience.