Countdown To Classic - A World Of Warcraft Classic Podcast

The final episode of Countdown To Classic is upon us - and the show has every intention of going out large! Josh pulls out all the stops as we go through a two part, epic conclusion to the series, from chats about the making of vanilla to current PvP issues in game. Gaming legend, and World of Warcraft's original lead designer, Rob Pardo stops by for an in depth chat about his recollection of the early days of WoW, as well as talking TBC, Starcraft, Diablo, Classic, MMORPG's in general, and his current project at Bonfire Studios. After that we hear from a bunch of show favourites, as Josh breaks out his rolodex (...in 2020?) and calls MVP guests to discuss PvP as well as speedrunning raids. Look out for part two very soon!!! Highlights Below: Where is Josh going from here? - 00:30 Calling Countdown #1 - Former WoW Lead Designer Rob Pardo - 5:40 Calling Countdown #2 - PvP issues and BG meta w/ Nano, North, & OhGee (Recorded mid-December) - 2:00:35 Calling Countdown #3 - AV/PvP issues w/ North (Recorded J

It's the penultimate episode of Countdown To Classic, and the show continues to bring in the big guns of MMORPG gaming, as well as a bunch of the WoW Classic community for a chat. Today, we kick off with a chat about battlegrounds with show favourite Marky Mark, and the 'new meta' that Classic players are experiencing through the Alterac Valley, and to a lesser extent, Warsong Gulch grind. After that, Josh is joined for an epic chat with MMORPG legendary designer Raph Koster, the current CEO of Playable Worlds, and former lead designer and creative director of Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies, respectively.  Listen in to one of the best chats the show has featured, as Raph talks everything from Richard Garriott's castle, to his thoughts on micro-transactions and their place in gaming, to his current work with Playable Worlds. Following that, Josh publishes a bunch of calls that he has held on to far too long, with apologies to the callers, as we heard about a diverse range of WoW Classic topics from DHK's

It's time. Let's talk TBC Classic. The listeners have been patient as the show took a break post-Blizzcon but is back with a vengeance as we finally break down a topic that many of you have waited almost two years to discuss - The Burning Crusade and how it may go as a 'Classic' title. Listen in on several die-hard Countdown fans, and TBC veterans, talk about their memories from the TBC days and how the community may approach the game if it were dropped as an expansion later down the track. Also, hot on the heels of Phase 2 arriving 10 days ago, we talk a little about how that blood stained experience has been. The episode also features the WoW Classic fan panel at Blizzcon that Josh was lucky enough to moderate, as well as Josh's interesting re-telling of the 2019 Blizzcon experience. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - TBC Classic w/ Ayle, Gammax, NostalgiaDad, & Rand - 13:00 Calling Countdown #2 - Phase 2 w/ Alenya & Tys - 2:13:30 World of Podcasts WoW Classic Panel - Blizzcon 2019 w/ Athalu

Blizzcon is right around the corner, so it's time to talk about what could be coming our way this year in what may be a bit of a make or break moment for the house that orcs built. Listen in as we talk Diablo, Overwatch and Warcraft 3, along with a little Classic chat later on about private servers and gold selling, as well as a long discussion with former Lord of the Rings Online lead designer Ben Schneider, aka Dr. Octothorpe, about the making of yet another memorable MMORPG. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - Talking Diablo w/ Ayle + Koro - 5:10 Calling Countdown #2 - Talking Warcraft 3 Reforged w/ Fredmunroe - 44:35 Calling Countdown #3 - Talking Overwatch w/ Gleb - 57:20 Calling Countdown #4 - GM'ing a Private Server & Gold Selling w/ Raziya - 1:12:30 Calling Countdown #5 - Making LOTRO w/ Ben Schneider - 1:49:20   Join the Countdown To Classic Discord here: https://discord.gg/2xJAwNf Please consider supporting Countdown To Classic on Patreon @ patreon.com/countdowntoclassic Or grab some awe

It's a mixed bag of WoW Classic goodness this week! Listen in on great conversations with the players of WoW Classic about PvP, Shadow Priest PvP, economic principles, and also hear the conclusion to the show's epic three part chat with MMORPG legend, Mark Jacobs. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - PvP Callouts w/ Sowleye - 1:35 Calling Countdown #2 - Shadow Priest PvP w/ Ooze - 24:30 Calling Countdown #3 - IRL Economic Principles in WoW w/ Koro, DannyTheWeaver & Umi - 59:10 Calling Countdown #4 - Camelot Unchained & WoW Classic w/ Mark Jacobs, Dom & Wik - 1:59:45     Also listen @ Spotify here (Spotify takes a couple of hours to upload after posting, check back later if not there): https://open.spotify.com/show/38mHWjscNorJr7OFeNu8X5?si=c6JKxJeSRCeLQPSIlKJL8w Or @ Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/countdown-to-classic/id1352967778 Or @ Stitcher: http://stitcher.com/s?fid=174762&refid=stpr Join the Countdown To Classic Discord here: https://discord.gg/2xJAwNf Find

News is upon us as Blizzard lets us know that the first content drop post launch is coming a little sooner than planned as things are being shaken up a bit for the phases of WoW Classic. Listen in as we discuss getting Dire Maul, the implications of the news, and crackpot theories about what it might mean moving forward. After that, the show kicks on with general PvP observations thus far, more from MMORPG legend Mark Jacobs about the making of DAoC, and finally we touch on the possibility of 'seasonal servers' to help draw out the life cycle of WoW Classic. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - Dire Maul/Phase Theories/Blizz Speculation w/ Ayle & Sonosuke - 4:05 Calling Countdown #2 - PvP Observations Thus Far, Alliance/Horde - w/ Bawlsosteel, Botchygrunt, Fahq, Hodgpodj, & Witness - 51:20 Calling Countdown #3 - Mark Jacobs on The Making of DAoC w/ Dom & Wik - 1:31:05 Calling Countdown #4 - Seasonal Classic Servers w/ Rockmaster - 2:39:25   Also listen @ Spotify here (Spotify takes a couple

Huge episode of the podcast this week as we touch on a lot of new Classic talk, chat with an MMORPG titan, we recap a bit of last week's episode with a new angle, as well as an update on Josh's time with the game! Discussing blue posts re: warrior HS/Offhand issues, a potential new Spelladin meta for Paladins, Mark Jacobs talks about his time designing Warhammer Online, and we hear an opposing view point to last week's opening call as well as touching off on some light AH/mat economic theories.  Strap in for a big one and pay particular attention to the featured call with Mark Jacobs, he is an amazing interviewee! Highlights Below: Josh's WoW Experience This Week - 3:35 Calling Countdown #1 - Warrior Bug/News w/ Vilius & Saku - 16:40 Calling Countdown #2 - The Ret Spelladin Meta w/ Judgement, Mourtagh & Theloras - 45:25 Calling Countdown #3 - Mark Jacobs on making Warhammer Online & MMORPG's (Part One) w/ Dom - 1:18:45 Calling Countdown #4 - Replying To Last Week & Mat Economics w/ Koro &

Let's get physical! ...I mean, topical!! There's news and opinions everywhere over the last week as the players play around with exactly what they can do with Classic.  We discuss the 'spirit of vanilla' and what basis Blizzard may or may not have to ban people for certain in game actions. The show sinks its teeth into the meaty topics of dungeon layering, the bans resulting from its use, demoralizing shout issues, aura caps, the Devilsaur Mafia, ninja looting, need vs greed, and more. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - Dungeon Layering & Bans w/ Lionsoul & Squito - 4:20 Calling Countdown #2 - Warrior 'Nerfs' & Aura Caps w/ Guyev - 40:55 Calling Countdown #3 - Your Economy Is Not Breaking + The Devilsaur Mafia w/ TianSG - 1:06:05 Calling Countdown #4 - How To Deal With A Ninja + Need vs. Greed w/ Celebrity, Itachi, & Lionsoul - 1:54:15 Calling Countdown #5 - Layering Spawning Observations w/ Jigantor - 2:24:35   Also listen @ Spotify here (Spotify takes a couple of hours to upload aft

I'm on vacation but there is no rest for the wicked, so sit back and enjoy the end of summer with some poolside WoW Classic chatter. The show sneaks in a topical fiscal discussion regarding fresh economies and what's happening across many servers worldwide right now, while also briefly touching on the recent blue post regarding layering abuse and the gathering of mats. After that, we hear all about the evolution of raids through WoW's life cycle (and what vanilla had to offer), and balancing WoW with a minor league baseball career. Finally, the show brings it on home with a fascinating chat with former Star Wars: The Old Republic lead designer, Damion Schubert, about the making of what was another huge MMORPG, and the design philosophies that went into that game while competing with WoW, as Countdown to continues to highlight the design process of the games that have helped forge the genre over the years. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - Fresh WoW Economics w/ Sayya - 3:10 Calling Countdown #2 - Rai

The early impressions of WoW Classic are slowly starting to form and we've already seen a shifting of the meta, as the show touches on the news of Week 1 of World of Warcraft Classic. Dungeon cleaving, world firsts, layering issues and much, much more, tune in as the community sounds off on some early observations of how we'll be playing the game moving forward. Plus we get some celebs drop by as we hear from the world #2 to 60, Leshraque, as well as Luke Lafreniere stopping by again with the family in tow! Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - Dungeon Cleaving & World Firsts w/ Ayle & JackTBlade - 4:05 Calling Countdown #2 - Dinging 60 w/ Alenya & Leshraque - 31:35 Calling Countdown #3 - Early Layering Issues w/ Alenya & Leshraque - 55:35 Calling Countdown #4 - Retail WoW Impressions of Classic w/ Axtel & Drednort - 1:11:30 Calling Countdown #5 - Hunter PvP w/ Raziya - 1:29:00 Calling Countdown #6 - WoW In The Family w/ Luke, Richard, Rob, & Stephanie Lafreniere - 1:43:15     Al

World of Warcraft Classic has launched!! And with all of us diving into Azeroth at the same time, the launch experience has been one that won't be forgotten anytime soon, as the servers have been smashed by a tidal wave of players wanting to get started with Classic. This week's episode of the show touches on what players went through from a variety of perspectives, and touches on a variety of in game and out of game issues.  Find out more below and listen along while you level! Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - The Classic Launch Experience w/ Caboose42, Jamie, & Taladril - 3:25 Calling Countdown #2 - Classic Grind Hazards w/ Seraphina - 33:10 Calling Countdown #3 - Shadow Priest PvE w/ Ooze - 39:15 Calling Countdown #4 - The Case For & Against Protection & Retribution Paladins w/ Lestorr & Sonosuke - 1:11:45 Calling Countdown #5 - Blizzard Memories w/ Kevin Jordan & John Staats - 1:46:05 Calling Countdown #6 - Classic Respawns Explained w/ Sera - 2:26:25 Calling Countdown #7 - A

It's the final countdown..... But not the last episode of the show! It's a tour de force today as the show goes nuts for the moment we've all been waiting so long for - launch! The news doesn't stop as we cover the AMA, preparing for the madness that will be launch, the race to kill Ragnaros, and finish off our 'why your class rocks...and sucks' series with Shaman, Paladins, and Priests. Finally, the episode ends with an important update and set of thank yous, as well a thank you from the fans, and an absolute must hear special audio rip from a video that I released last week.  WARNING: THE FINAL MINUTES MAY SET HYPE LEVELS TO 11. Calling Countdown #1 - WoW Dev AMA Breakdown w/ Lokth & Rhivix - 4:45 Calling Countdown #2 - Preparing For Launch w/ Ante, Ayle, Bawlsosteel, Lokth, & Partypooper- 40:35 Calling Countdown #3 - The Race To Rag w/ Rhivix - 1:15:40 Calling Countdown #4 - Shaman w/ Ayle, Melderon & Orcbit - 1:32:00 Calling Countdown #5 - Paladins w/ Theloras & Sonosuke - 2:00:10 Callin

Less than two weeks to go. So much to talk about.  So little time. Countdown is back with even more classy talk this week, as we cover the pros and cons of Warlocks & Rogues.  We also break down the server list, whether or not #nochanges can go too far, Kevin Jordan stops by again to give his take on some of the latest news, and speed levelling legend Joana returns to discuss the Race To 60 along with fellow speed leveller Alenya. And finally, the show gets about as classy as it will ever get in discussing the practicality of using adult diapers during speed runs.  And it's about damn time. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - Breaking Down The Servers (Pre-Name Day) w/ Nemesis, Riggz, Saturnalia, Soniti, & TianSG - 3:40 Calling Countdown #2 - Warlocks w/ Darealmarkymark & TianSG - 34:30 Calling Countdown #3 - Rogues w/ Bawlsosteel & Sonosuke - 1:08:50 Calling Countdown #4 - Can #NoChanges Go Too Far? w/ OhGee & North - 1:42:10 Calling Countdown #5 - Kevin Jordan On The Issues - 2:15

It's August, 2019. Classic is close. Are you still struggling with the huge decision of what class to play in Classic? Flipping coins around the house deciding between options?? Well, Countdown To Classic is here for you, as the show enlists some of its favourite guests from the previous 115 episodes to enlighten you on why the class you may be leaning towards rocks.....and sucks.  We cover the good and the bad behind Druids, Warriors, Mages, and Hunters, with the other classes to come next week. Along with those great chats, the show opens up by covering the upcoming stress test, the choices that go into picking your server, and how many servers Blizzard might be rolling out. The show is also blessed to have the person who is the subject of the first WoW Classic meme along for a chat, as the one, the only, Thex drops by to talk about what's in a name for name reservation day. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - The Final Stress Test w/ Galgamere & Taladril - 3:50 Calling Countdown #2 - Reserving N

It's the last episode of Countdown To Classic before release month dawns on us, and so the show is taking one last chance to enjoy the calm before the storm of content coming in August and onwards. Today, we kick off with some awesome in game advice, but then bring it down a notch as we get zen with a bunch of 'external' topics about World of Warcraft Classic. So sit back, relax, and let Countdown soothe you.....just before we turn it up to 11. Calling Countdown #1 - The Art Of Ranking In Phase 2 w/ Sowleye - 3:00 Calling Countdown #2 - Guild Reunions w/ Bissy87, Blez, Jormundir & Sonosuke - 48:10 Calling Countdown #3 - Asking Your Partner To Play w/ Rhian & Roo - 1:20:20 Calling Countdown #4 - The Psychology Behind The Classes - w/ Soap - 1:43:35 Calling Countdown #5 - MMO Gamer Personality Test - w/ Taladril - 2:07:30 Calling Countdown #6 - Chatting w/ PlatinumWoW - 2:25:45 Calling Countdown #7 - Supplementing With Forums w/ Sawyer - 2:39:30     Also listen @ Spotify here (Spotify takes a couple

It's raining notable names over at Countdown To Classic as Josh sits down for a bunch of epic one on one chats. First, we hear from Madseason, of the immensely popular Madseasonshow YouTube channel, as he sits down for a tavern chat covering a variety of WoW Classic topics as we get a bit of a deeper insight into his thoughts on Classic and what makes him and his character tick. Next, MMORPG icon, Brad McQuaid, stops by for a lengthy chat covering his thoughts on the state of MMORPG's, game design philosophies, and some meaty chat another highly anticipated MMORPG that he's currently working on in Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen. After that, Athalus, the founder of WoW Radio, checks in to talk about the wild ride of setting up the first ever World of Warcraft talk show, discovering & working with TotalBiscuit, and leaves with a fun announcement about his plans for Classic. And finally, we talk with SneakyB4rd, who's not a celebrity outside of the show, but it's his second time on the podcast so he's a celebr

Beta is done and so it's time to give some final thoughts on what was a critical window of time for WoW Classic's development process. The show extensively covers the winners and losers of the beta, which includes a twist that would make M. Night Shymalan cringe! After that the show goes on to break down the sneakily huge blue post regarding crit suppression with the theorycrafters, vanilla dungeon designer John Staat's is back for part two of his epic recap of the making of Karazhan, and then we hear all about what's happening with Countdown To Classic guild options. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - Winners & Losers of Beta w/ Ayle & Nano - 3:50 Calling Countdown #2 - Crit Suppression News w/ Melderon, Steppenwolf, & Vilius - 1:11:55 Calling Countdown #3 - The Making of Karazhan (Part Two) w/ John Staats, Norfair, NostalgiaDad, & OkieSooner - 1:56:50 Calling Countdown #4 - Countdown Guilds w/ Jamie & Saturnalia - 2:42:50   Buy ‘The WoW Diary’ by John Staats on Amazon @ https://w

Less than seven weeks to launch and there's more to talk about on the show than ever! Listen to Josh discuss a wide range of topics with the listeners, who continue to call in for a fun chat. Today, Hunter extraordinaire Zeroed stops by to chat about all of the Hunter issues that have reared their ugly head in the beta, causing concern for everyone wanting to roll their beloved ranged class in Classic.  Vanilla dungeon designer John Staats stops by again for part one of an epic two part conversation about the making of Karazhan, which while not being playable in vanilla, was very much a part of the vanilla design process. Next, we unite former nemeses in a call about vanilla raid history, as members of famed guilds Nihilum and Death & Taxes stop by to bury the hatchet and fondly reminisce about their feats back in the day.  After that, we go over some detailed theorycrafting about warriors, warlocks and priests amongst others, and then finish up speaking with the host of the fantastic podcast 'Convert To

Did somebody call in about Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker?!? Countdown To Classic is back again as we inch another week closer to launch day, and we've got more topical issues and game related chatter for you. Callers from far and wide hit the show up to discuss the minutiae behind using Thunderfury, a pro-world buffs reply, and Twitch sensation Dr. Lupo stops by to talk about his history with WoW and give his thoughts on how well WoW Classic and streaming will mix. Then we hear from a couple of European players who have concerns over the recent news from Blizzard about EU servers, and finally, vanilla dungeon designer John Staats is back again to discuss the making of Wailing Caverns. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - The Ins & Outs of Swinging Thunderfury w/ Zorn - 3:00 Calling Countdown #2 - Leave World Buffs Alone w/ Fahq - 25:15 Calling Countdown #3 - Vanilla Memories & Streaming Classic w/ Dr. Lupo - 51:00 Calling Countdown #4 - EU Server Mayhem w/ Arun & Ghob - 1:31:0

With the beta now being 6 weeks old, those who have been fortunate enough to spend time with it have begun to notice a few things which warrant a conversation about their implementation in WoW Classic.  Today, the listeners touch on some of those points. We first hear all about melee leeway and get some further commentary on the layering examples that we've seen pop up thus far.  This is followed by a correction from an IT expert on the technical side of layering as touched on in earlier episodes. From there, we hear all about how the AV weekend went, and then about a couple of server firsts in the third stress test from a pair of speed runners. And, finally, we hear once again from vanilla WoW dungeon designer John Staats, all about the making of Scholomance. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - Melee Leeway Commentary w/ Ayle & North (Feat. Lokth) - 2:50 Calling Countdown #2 - AoE Leeway Update + Layering Commentary w/ Ayle & North - 33:10 (layering chat starts at 38:10) Calling Countdown #3 -