World of Warcraft

World of Warcraft
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment Platforms: Windows, Mac OS X Released in US: November 23, 2004 Released in EU: February 11, 2005 Released in AU: November 23, 2004 Released in BR: December 6, 2011 Released in CN: June 7, 2005 This game has unused areas. This game has unused graphics. This game has unused models. This game has unused items. This game has unused sounds. This game has unused text. This game has regional differences. This game has a prototype article This game has a prerelease article This game has a notes page

This page is showing its age. Please update this page to fit our current standards! Here are some things you can do: Many things in this article may be out of date, and many new things should be added - it was created and worked on mostly during the Warlords of Draenor expansion.

This game is still under active development. Be aware that any unused content you find may become used or removed in the future. Please only add things to the article that are unlikely to ever be used, or went unused for some time. If they do get used, please remove them from the page and specify in the edit summary!

World of Warcraft is the game that irrevocably changed the MMORPG genre... for better, or for worse.

Sub-Pages

Prototype Info

Prerelease Info

Notes

Unused Items So many it's slightly ridiculous.

Unused Models & Graphics There's some Totally Rad stuff in here.

Unused Maps & Areas Maps or notable out-of-bounds features.

Unused Audio Audio that goes unheard.

Unused Titles

The Wrath of the Lich King expansion introduced the achievement system, and with it, Realm First Feats of Strength. These are special achievements granted only to the first player on the server who achieves requirements such as hitting the level cap. While on the beta they granted titles a player could display according to the achievement they obtained, the titles were removed after an outcry from players. However, they still remain in the game data, in "CharTitles.dbc".

The Level 80 Paladin title, Crusader <Name>, would later become recycled as a reward for the Argent Tournament achievement Exalted Argent Champion.

Realm First Level 80			Realm First Profession			Realm First Reputation
Associated Achievement	Title		Associated Achievement	Title		Associated Achievement	Title
Level 80	<Name> The Supreme		Grand Master Alchemist	Grand Master Alchemist <Name>		Northern Vanguard	<Name>, Hero of Northrend
Level 80 Death Knight	<Name> of the Ebon Blade		Grand Master Blacksmith	Grand Master Blacksmith <Name>
Level 80 Druid	<Name> of the Emerald Dream		Grand Master Cook	Iron Chef <Name>
Level 80 Hunter	Stalker <Name>		Grand Master Enchanter	Grand Master Enchanter <Name>
Level 80 Mage	Archmage <Name>		Grand Master Engineer	Grand Master Engineer <Name>
Level 80 Priest	Prophet <Name>		Grand Master Angler	Grand Master Angler <Name>
Level 80 Rogue	Assassin <Name>		Grand Master Herbalist	Grand Master Herbalist <Name>
Level 80 Shaman	<Name> of the Ten Storms		Grand Master Scribe	Grand Master Scribe <Name>
Level 80 Warlock	<Name> the Malefic		Grand Master Jewelcrafter	Grand Master Jewelcrafter <Name>
Level 80 Warrior	Warbringer <Name>		Grand Master Leatherworker	Grand Master Leatherworker <Name>
Level 80 Blood Elf	<Name> of Quel'Thalas		Grand Master Miner	Grand Master Miner <Name>
Level 80 Draenei	<Name> of Argus		Grand Master Skinner	Grand Master Skinner <Name>
Level 80 Dwarf	<Name> of Khaz Modan		Grand Master Tailor	Grand Master Tailor <Name>
Level 80 Gnome	<Name> of Gnomeregan		Grand Master Medic	Doctor <Name>
Level 80 Human	<Name> the Lion Hearted
Level 80 Night Elf	<Name>, of Elune
Level 80 Orc	<Name>, Hero of Orgrimmar
Level 80 Tauren	Plainsrunner <Name>
Level 80 Troll	<Name> of the Darkspear
Level 80 Forsaken	<Name> the Forsaken

(Source: Reznik)

Unused Item Suffixes

Armor and weapons sometimes have suffixes that attach extra stats or modify existing stats; several of the suffixes go unused.

You can use a macro in Classic to see them on items.

Suffix	Increase	Notes
<Item> of Proficiency	+# Weapon Skill	Every weapon type has an entry up to a maximum of 7 weapon skill. Weapon skill was replaced with expertise in The Burning Crusade, which was ultimately later removed in Warlords of Draenor.
<Item> of Quality	+# Damage	Increases up to a maximum of 7 damage.
<Item> of Toughness	+# Armor	Increases armor up to a maximum of 56.
<Item> of Retaliation	10% On Get Hit: Shadow Bolt (# Damage)	Increases the damage of the shadow bolt from 10 up to 70.
<Item> of Twain	10% On Get Hit: Shadow Bolt (20 Damage), +2 Beast Slaying, +1 Defense	Has only a single suffix ID, hinting that it was used for testing. 'Twain' likely refers to programmer Twain Martin.
<Item> of the Test	+# Intellect, +# Stamina, +# Armor, +# Agility, +# Spirit	The amount of the stat increase depends on the level of the gear. Testing modifier.
<Item> of Paladin Testing	+# Strength, +# Stamina, +#Intellect, +# Spell Power	The amount of the stat increase depends on the level of the gear. Testing modifier.

Unused Factions

There's an extremely large amount of factions in the game the player can't gain reputation with or even see on the faction list. These exist for functionality reasons. For example, most murlocs are part of the Murloc faction, and most pale orcs are part of The Pale faction. However, some of them have unused faction descriptions... and then there are some factions that are truly unused.

Faction	Faction Description	Notes
Silvermoon Remnant	N/A	Removed in Patch 1.6.1.
DEPRECATED Wildhammer Clan, DEPRECATED	Though not a part of the Alliance, the dwarves of Aerie Peak have opened their doors to it and hold the Horde as enemies.	Removed in Patch 2.0.3. Prior to The Burning Crusade, the faction.dbc did not have faction descriptions. Why they would mark it as deprecated as well as include a faction description is anyone's guess.
Revantusk Trolls	N/A	Removed in Patch 1.11.0.
Ravasaur Trainers	N/A	Removed sometime prior to Patch 2.3.0.
Test Faction (not a real faction)	This faction only exists to test the editing of faction names and descriptions...
Craig's Squirrels	A test faction.
New test rep for Alex	N/A
Orgrimmar (Alex Test)	N/A
Sha	The evil spirits of the land.	While you can't gain reputation with this faction, it has an unused faction description.
Mogu	The ancient progenitors of this land, the Mogu hate any and all pretenders, including the upstart Pandaren.	While you can't gain reputation with this faction, it has an unused faction description.
Nomi	5.0 Cooking - This is a hidden faction used to level up Nomi.	You can and do gain reputation with this faction, but you can neither see it on your list nor the faction's description.
Akama's Trust	Akama is distrustful of Warlocks after witnessing Illidan's fall to his own corruption, followed by the invasion of the Black Temple by Warlocks after the Cataclysm.	You can and do gain reputation with this faction, but you can neither see it on your list nor the faction's description.
Red Phantom	You've been corrupted by the power of Ordos, and have turned against your friends and foes in mindless rage.	While you can't gain reputation with this faction, it has an unused faction description.
Frostfire Ogres	Frostfire ogres are not interesting, but they do like to argue.	While you can't gain reputation with this faction, it has an unused faction description.
Adherents of Rukhmar	Worshippers of the dread god Rukhmar, these vile filth seek to stain the world with the blood of their foes.	While you can't gain reputation with this faction, it has an unused faction description.
The Iron Horde	A tenuous alliance of many of the orc clans of Draenor under the leadership of Grommash Hellscream.	While you can't gain reputation with this faction, it has an unused faction description.
The Sargeri	Twisted in the service of the Shadow Council, these draenei have sacrificed much in pursuit of power.	While you can't gain reputation with this faction, it has an unused faction description.
Operation: Aardvark	N/A
Highmaul	Highmaul ogres like togas and gladiator fights.	While you can't gain reputation with this faction, it has an unused faction description. There's another reputation-less faction with the same description named 'Highmaul Gladiators'.

Unused Text

MapDifficulty.dbc

MapDifficulty.dbc lists strings displayed when you're unable to enter an instance. It contains the following unused text:

• Heroic Difficulty requires the Sunforged Key[PH].
• THIS MESSAGE IS FROM THE MAP EDITOR

The first message is meant for map 598 (Sunwell Fix Unused) and the second message is meant for map 1431 (The Coliseum).

ItemNameDescription.dbc

ItemNameDescription.dbc lists item "grades" such as Thunderforged, Mythic, Cooking Ingredient, Season 11, Trading Post Part, and so on. It contains the following unused text:

• Now with extra description
• This Color Hurts My Eyes

Map.dbc

Map.dbc lists not only the names of every map in the game, but also Battleground descriptions for the Horde and Alliance.

For Azshara Crater, an unused battleground:

• Crush the Alliance!
• Defend yourself from the onslaught of the Horde!

For MistsCTF3, a map which doesn't seem to have any files associated with it:

• This new map has yet to be created. Horde guys, go beat up those Alliance jerks.
• This new map has yet to be created. Alliance guys, go beat up those Horde jerks.

For an older version of Battle for Gilneas, which took place in the city:

• Located in the heart of Gilnean peninsula, the capital city is of vital strategic importance to the Horde's operations the Eastern Kingdoms. Long seen by the Forsaken as a natural expansion to their dominion, Sylvanas Windrunner's armies are ready to defend their most recent conquest at all costs.
• Driven from their homelands by the Forsaken, Gilneans continue to view this city as their nation's rightful capital. After regrouping in Alliance territories, the people of Gilneas have rallied around King Greymane's call to arms and are ready to retake Gilneas City with the support of their new allies.

The Coliseum, the PvP deathmatch scenario, has a battleground description as well... despite not being a battleground. It's possible that it might be set as a battleground purely for technical reasons. Its entry is the same thing for both races:

• KILL EVERYONE

Other

Several .dbc files contain leftover messages from expansions past. For example, ServerMessages.dbc contains strings such as:

• Mists of Pandaria has launched! Visit Orgrimmar to begin your adventure!
• Mists of Pandaria has launched! Visit Stormwind to begin your adventure!

...And WorldStateUi contains strings referencing removed events such as the Battle for Undercity and Elemental Unrest:

• Varimathras and Grand Apothecary Putress have taken over the Undercity!
• Place sandbags in designated locations to prevent flooding.

Other

Filenames

• Before the game's release, Kalidar was the original name that Blizzard had used for the island in which the great tree Teldrassil was grown. This was later retconned by having the Night Elf call the island itself Teldrassil. However, filenames in the game still refer to Teldrassil as 'Kalidar'; for example, the fauna and trees of Teldrassil are not only located in the 'Kalidar' folder, but also have names such as 'KalidarNest0' or 'KalidarTreeStump0'. Interestingly, Kalidar was also the name of a Battlegrounds testing map from the original game's alpha.
• Black Morass has an internal name of CavernsOfTime. From alpha build 0.9.0 to Burning Crusade, CavernsOfTime existed as a single unused map containing both Black Morass and a copy of Hillsbrad; this heavily implies that they had both Old Hillsbrad and Black Morass planned before the game's release. With the release of Burning Crusade, Old Hillsbrad was updated, snipped out of CavernsOfTime, and made into a separate map, while Black Morass stayed nearly the same.
• During the storyline of Stonetalon Mountains, there is a separate phase for when The Bomb is dropped on Thal'darah Grove. This phase is referred to as 'DesolaceBomb' internally, which hints that the story might have been intended to spillover more into Desolace.
• The Everbloom is referred to as 'Overgrown Outpost' in some of the game's files.
• The Pit of Saron dungeon has the internal name 'Quarry of Tears' in the game's files.
• The Well of Eternity dungeon is referred to in the game's files as 'War of the Ancients'.
• The Assault on Zan'vess scenario is referred to as 'Tyrivess' in several of the game's files.
• The main Pandaria map is amusingly referred to as 'HawaiiMainLand' in the game's files.
• The Broken Isles map is referred to as 'Troll Raid' in the game's files, making reference to the community meme of how many Troll themed dungeons and raids there are.
• The Southshore vs Tarren mill brawl is referred to as 'Troll Raid 2' in the game's files.

Oddities

• Eversong, Ghostlands, Azuremyst Isle and Bloodmyst Isle are actually all on the same map as Outland... they're just separated from each other by miles of uncrossable empty space. This can be demonstrated in-game by being in Outland and joining a group with someone in a Burning Crusade starting zone. Zoom out enough on the map, and you will see their marker in the far upper right or left corner. The singular map that these areas are located on is named Expansion01 internally.
• The Black Morass has empty ADT tiles with water in the far upper right corner. These are leftovers from where Old Hillsbrad used to rest.

OrcIntro

Present in the Cameras directory are 6 unused files called OrcIntro0X (where X is a number 1-6). The Cameras directory is used for cinematic camera movements that are saved as .m2 models such as most of the racial intros and a few miscellaneous cameras, this directory has been obsolete since Warlords of Draenor when Blizzard switched to the SceneScript system instead of making new models for each new cinematic camera. Trying to load the OrcIntro cinematics reveals that all of them except for OrcIntro06 do not correctly map to the terrain leading to many of them zooming into a wall/panning around under the ground. OrcIntro06 however does load somewhat correctly, and shows the camera flying in from the Valley of Trials entrance. Recently discovered in the alpha versions of WoW starting from 0.5.5 and being removed at release were 6 sound files related to OrcIntro located in CinematicVoices, these 6 files have very interesting names:

Orc1_DarkPortalShot.mp3
Orc2_StormwindShot.mp3
Orc3_ThrallShot.mp3
Orc4_DurotarShot.mp3
Orc5_OrgrimmarGateShot.mp3
Orc6_ValleyShot.mp3

These unused sound file names gives us an idea of what these OrcIntro cameras were supposed to show, it seems like Blizzard wanted to show a more historical introduction that focuses on different events in the Orcs history, which they would have done by presumably having a camera change happen at each of these locations . Each of these sound files contains the same narration as the final however it is cut up into separate files. This type of intro cinematic went unused, probably because having to swap to different cameras in different locations caused a jarring loading screen, which made them change it into a simple fly by camera shot of the starting zones that we have today.

Regional Differences

To do: Replace the Forsaken screenshots with better ones or straight-up rip the models. Get more screenshots of censored content. Get screenshots of censored content from the modern / Classic versions.

World of Warcraft was released worldwide to instant acclaim. However, around the time of the first expansion, The Burning Crusade, some new anti-violence laws were being passed in China, some of which would affect the game. The9, the Chinese maintainers of the game, decided to modify some game assets in order to get the game to pass the new laws.

Worldwide client	Chinese client

One of the more noteworthy changes included sealing up or removing all the bony bits of the Forsaken (undead) player models, making them look far less decayed. This change also replaced the eye sockets with the usual eyes in all customizations without eyes, and replaced any broken or removed jaws with normal ones. These "mottled" Forsaken, as well as a "fresh" option with no decay, were added to all versions of the game as a character customization option as of Patch 9.2.0 of the Shadowlands expansion.

Some other changes to happen over time are:

• Almost all instances of skeletons, skulls, and loose meat have been replaced by… grains or straw men.

• Some loose meat was simply turned green, however.

• Skeleton enemies have been replaced by generic Forsaken models and other zombies have been tidied up.
• The Karazhan Crypts, despite being unused, also received censorship.
• Several instances of large skulls had their textures modified to resemble shaped stones.
• The skeletons that appear when a player resurrects was replaced by a filled grave and tombstone.

(Source: Vahdis via Reddit)

Amusingly, all these changes can be enabled in any region's game client by opening the game's Config.wtf file (typically found in "World of Warcraft/WTF/") in a text editor and adding the line SET overrideArchive "1" to the bottom, or by typing /console SET overrideArchive "1" during play and restarting the game client. Doing this enables all of the changes mentioned above for those who want a slightly less bloody, bony game. Reportedly, it also works on the Classic client despite the fact the original "vanilla" release of the game was uncensored in China.