#353 - For Azeroth!: "Accessibility Denied"

Lex can no longer trust the developers as chaos continues to unfold for add-ons. The trio discusses WoW for consoles; and Sean relishes in the snarkiness. News WoW on the Next Xbox Windows Central released an article with some confirmed and some speculated details of the next Xbox console. The next Xbox is reported to have a PC experience not dissimilar to the SteamOS interface.The system is expected to run Game Store Fronts such as Steam, Epic Games Store, the Riot Client, and notably Battle.netThe article points to quotes from senior officials as well as undisclosed insider sources.Phill Spencer speaking of the Xbox Ally to see the direction of the next console.Sarah Bond hinting at 1st party hardware made in partnership with AMDInternet pundits reignited the conversation that WoW is being reworked for consoles. Addressing Addons Team 2 posted a message about Midnight’s Impact of Combat Addons. The initial version of the new API logic was the most restrictive iteration and the team had a (uncommunicated?) expectation that feedback would guide where they loosen restrictions.The team has been providing detailed technical updates directly to addon devsThe post includes a section about customization.Addons should not be able to automate combat decisions for the player.Addons should retain their ability to customize how information is presented to the player.Team 2’s post speaks briefly about a focus on accessibility.Text-to-Speech support or other audio alertsExamples of the ability to announce when combat begins and ends, to announce your health and resources at regular intervals, to play sounds when you gain or lose a secondary resource (e.g., combo points), to announce your target’s name and health, and more.Healing and Raid FramesNew display for Major defensives (or similar ability)Role specific debuffs (ie: tank swaps) Additional buffs displayed on raid frames beyond the previous limitation3 different layouts with 2 being inspired by popular addons.Border visualization and colour highlights for Curses, Diseases, Magic, or Poison effects. Additional Authors announce a pause in support of popular addons.Latest Updates provided to addon authors include changes listed under Alpha Phase 6 Links How Midnight’s Upcoming Game Changes Will Impact Combat Addons Midnight Alpha Phase 5 A little earlier than in weeks past, the next phase of the Alpha is here! Level 90Story and Quests: Level 90 Campaign - Chapter 1Arcantina Visitor QuestsWeekly Quests (must complete the main campaign or use the skip)All previous content is once again availableHousingBudgets for room placement and decor have been returned to levels closer to week 3Dyes are re-enabledDelves: Parhelion PlazaThe DarkwayTorment’s Rise (Nemesis delve)PreyWorld Boss availableThorm’belanFound in the Encroaching Bloom of HarandarLevel 90 Activities: Saltheril’s SoireeAbundanceLegends of the HaranirStormarion CitadelAmani AbyssProfessionsSparks are available for testingClass Sets addedBalance Druid, Feral Druid, Guardian Druid, Brewmaster Monk, Protection Paladin, Affliction Warlock, Demonology Warlock, Destruction Warlock, Fury Warrior, and Protection Warrior.Class changes Links In Development: Phase Five of the Midnight Alpha — World of Warcraft — Blizzard NewsMidnight Alpha Test Development Notes - #16 by Linxy Outro Be part of the conversation and join us on Discord bit.ly/fazdiscord Thank you so much for supporting the show!

Sean love affair with Lemix is more fickle the fel-flame. Lex laments some aspects of Delves. The crew weighs in on the must-have features for the integrated UI in Midnight. News Legion Remix: Rise of the Nightfallen The 2nd wave of content for Lemix is now live in NA and EU, after a long extended maintenance. Return to KarazhanNightholdSuramar CampaignLegion Remix Helper Links Legion Remix: Rise of the Nightfallen Now Live!World of Warcraft on Instagram: "The story continues in Legion Remix Phase 2! Relive the Suramar Campaign, return to Karazhan, and defeat Gul’dan at Nighthold!"https://www.curseforge.com/wow/addons/legion-remix-helper Turbo Boost is Now Live! The 2nd part of Turbo Boost is Mythic+ drop rates from Mythic+ dungeons and Manaforge Omega are greatly increased for Warband until Equipped gear. Valorstones may now be transferred across Warbands.Two vendors this time.First quest for 3 Puzzling Cartel Chips.Players will be able to earn a maximum of 9 Puzzling Cartel Chips per character.Weapons, trinkets, and cantrip items. Links https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24242856 Midnight Delves In the upcoming expansion Delves are being integrated into the leveling experience and continue to be an endgame pillar. We’re taking some time to talk about Delves so far on the alpha. What did we think about Delves last tier?Experience in alpha with Delves so farWhat would make delves a joyous experience for us? Story Title Phase 4 of Midnight Alpha allows players to level up to Level 90, and includes the following content: Zone: Voidstorm Dungeons:  Voidscar ArenaNexus Point XenasMagister's Terrace Delves:  Shadowguard PointSunkiller Sanctum PvP:  Slayer's Rise PvP zoneSlayer's Rise 40v40 battleground Classes: Apex Talents Links In Development: Phase Four of the Midnight Alpha - General Discussion - World of Warcraft Forums iTunes // Bonus Roll Production Directory Thanks Special thanks to all our patrons. FAZ will always be free, but if you enjoy the content we produce, consider pledging to our Patreon at Patreon.com/FAZ Subscribe to For Azeroth!  UI Feature Shortcomings We are beyond the halfway point Raid Frames Sean: Raid frames ability to adjust tracking, position and size of debuffs CD Manager Sean #1: Tracking for Racials and TrinketsLex: Alert for resource thresholds (below or above a certain amount of a resource)Sean #2: CDM still needs some way to track debuffs with white/blacklisting   Nameplates Sean: Health bar color change based on aggroSean #2: Nameplates need a way to color mobs based on type (casters, lieutenants, etc).Sean #3: White/blacklist for buffs/debuffs tracked   Encounter Warnings Lex: Sound CustomizationSean: Ability to turn on/off warnings based on rolePlatynator: [addon] Introducing Platynator, a new customisable nameplate addon : r/WowUI Outro Be part of the conversation and join us on Discord bit.ly/fazdiscord Thank you so much for supporting the show!

Sean, now corrupted by the Legion, dives into Lemix; Lex is too good for the rest of us and is all Alpha all the time; and Manny is stuck editing as Sean leads this episode of For Azeroth!

The conversation about Add-ons reaches a new frenzy as details about new API restrictions come to light. Legion Remix crashes onto servers but maybe eclipse by Blizzards other offerings. This and more on the latest episode of For Azeroth!

Is there darkness over the horizon for healers? Alpha Phase 1 has made monumental shift with the tool-kits of all classes and specializations. Manny talks with Voulk, a healer writer, theorycrafter, and man behind the curtain over at Questionably Epic. Join the QE Discord: https://discord.gg/jBSGHDm5G8 Follow Voulk on Twitter: https://x.com/qe_wow

Lex, Sean, and Manny get hands on time with the Alpha. We have built our first house, devoured the latest spec of Demon Hunter, started our stand against Xal'atath, and are ready to give our initial impressions. Make sure you sign up for alpha/beta: https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/midnight#blz-optin-1

The Alpha is almost here. Lex, Sean, and the other one go through the focused-phase testing, the announcements of the Deep Dive into Midnight and how you can submit your questions for the upcoming Q&A.

The Midnight Alpha is on the horizon and Beta is a bonus of some levels of pre-ordering. What are things to remember while testing? MrGM himself sits down with Manny to talk about finding the fun and the secrets while charting a path on test servers.

Much is changing for those that have sacrificed everything with Devourer, Annihilator, Scarred, and more. Manny sits down with content creator and Demon Hunter specialist Jedith to discuss the possibilities and the realities of the specialization. Check out Jedith's YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@Jedithtv Catch Jedith's streams here: https://www.twitch.tv/jedith

Lex, Sean, and Manny are back at it. They read into the current information on housing and discuss Legion Remix, as well as some scattershot balancing on live servers.