BlizzCon Interview with IGN - The Future of Warcraft

wowhead.com:

In a video interview with IGN, General Manager John Hight and Executive Producer Holly Longdale discussed the future of Warcraft, from Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) style expansions to potential movies!

• Chris Metzen's return and the upcoming 20th anniversary sparked interest in making big bets on a new direction for World of Warcraft. He came up with the initial ideas for a more epic storyline spanning multiple expansions, but two just wouldn't be enough to tell it the whole story.

• They want everyone to be able to enjoy World of Warcraft and join in its journey, but part of a story spanning multiple expansions is putting them out faster, so that players won't miss out on those epic moments — what's coming is incredible.

• The team was already excited about on a journey into the center of Azeroth, while reservations about being stuck underground for a whole expansion were settled with ideas of giant open areas with vegetation and natural light. Zaralek Caverns already proved they could already make underground areas feel expansive while retaining flying.

• As we explore, players will uncover the machinations of Xal'atath, setting up a battle with the Void — leading into the next chapter (Midnight). The story is a culmination of all the things the Titans left behind, mysterious artifacts, voices and apparitions — the things players have really been wondering about for the last 20 years, what it's all about.

• The team felt they needed to make it clear to the players that they're serious about this story, they have a plan for the story, and they're committed to telling it, but they also want to reassure players that they can jump in at any time — if for whatever reason you skip The War Within, you could