New Druid Art Coming Soon* Updated 6/4

#0 - May 26, 2009, 6:02 p.m.
Blizzard Post
Color Associations (Friday, June 5):

Check out our break down of tauren skin tones and night elf hair colors as they are associated with each new form color here: http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=17631614423&sid=1

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Night Elf Cat Form (Thursday, June 4):

Today we bring you a final look at the new art for druids coming in the next major content patch. You can check out the full preview, along with a first look at the textures available for night elf cats: http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/underdev/druid-forms.html

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Tauren Cat Form (Tuesday, June 2):

In the third installment of our continuing preview of the new druid art for cat and bear forms, we're taking a look at the textures available for tauren cats. Check them out: http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/underdev/druid-forms.html

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Night Elf Bear Form (Wednesday, May 27):

On Tuesday we kicked off our preview of the new druid art by featuring bear form for tauren. We're continuing this preview today with a look at the new textures for night elf bear form. Check them out: http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/underdev/druid-forms.html

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Tauren Bear Form (Tuesday, May 26):

New art for two druid forms, cat and bear, are coming in the next major content patch. As this has been a much-anticipated update for druids, we'd like to give you a first look at the fresh designs. We'll be offering up the new art for night elf and tauren druid forms in four installments. To kick things off today, let's start with a preview of the new textures available for tauren bear form. Take a glimpse at the new feature and art: http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/underdev/druid-forms.html
#50 - May 26, 2009, 6:28 p.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:
Hopefully we can change it up between the different skins too, and aren't locked into chosing one and staying with it. Sure, the models aren't radically different, which I never really expected, but they do look very good overall.

I also couldn't help but notice that it continues the trend of bears in WoW having problems closing their mouths. ;)


You'll be able to visit the barber to change your hair color (skin tone for Tauren) and that will change the look of your bear and cat form based on the color choice. You'll be able to change as often as you like as long as you pay the barber's fee.

Also, in the screenshots the bears are roaring, but when just sitting normally, their mouths will close in a toothy grin so to speak.
#123 - May 26, 2009, 6:44 p.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:


I believe the 'four installments' equates to tauren bear form, tauren cat form, night elf bear form, night elf cat form.

Not bear, cat, tree, moonkin.

I could be wrong, but that's what I took away from it.


This is correct.

Tree and Moonkin forms are still something we'd like to do, but it's something for a bit further in the future. We are aware these are things that people would like to see additional customization for.

We also would like to allow gear to affect the visual look of the forms, but this too is something that is going to need additional work in order to get it to work properly and look good.

You'll see the further distinctions between the forms (bear and cat for tauren and night elf) as we go along in the previews.
#139 - May 26, 2009, 6:47 p.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:
How about a bear form that doesn't have it's mouth gaping open all the time?


Please read what I already stated in a previous post in this thread. You will notice a more toothy grin to go with the usual intimidating roar.
#208 - May 26, 2009, 7 p.m.
Blizzard Post
For those concerned about changing hair color, keep in mind the following as stated on the preview page:

Q u o t e:
Given that there are more hair colors and skin tones than unique form looks, some colors and tones will overlap with these new textures. The hair and skin colors chosen will, in most cases, correspond with the color seen in the look of each form. Some similar colors that may share a particular cat texture will not necessarily share the same bear texture.


#242 - May 26, 2009, 7:10 p.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:


Please, please, please just say it once and for all that these are new models. I don't understand why so many people think it's the same old model just because the designs are similar.

Please, please...cure the blind people.


The models have been updated and the poly count is also increased on them. So this isn't just a simple re-skin.
#564 - May 26, 2009, 9:09 p.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:
If you spend your time in bear form sitting, you're doing it wrong.


No one has said anything about it only closing while sitting. :) I think there have been some incorrect inferences.

Just to clarify, when I said, "sitting around" that was in reference to idling, hanging out and being bearlike.
#1881 - June 5, 2009, 8:40 p.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:
Can we please see these animated? I'm reserving judgment about them until then as it is extremely difficult to judge a model based on static screenshots.

We do not plan to release any animations of the new form art, but the test realms will be coming soon enough so everyone can play around with them. :)