World Of Warcraft’s ‘Hardcore Self-Found Mode’ for Classic begins February 29

destructoid.com:

Some people like World of Warcraft because of the interaction with other players. The promise of a massively multi-player online game is a community of folks to pal around with. But, some players wish they could just go on a big single-player adventure. The upcoming Hardcore Self-Found Mode aims to grant the latter WoW Classic players their wish on February 29.

For those who are unaware, Hardcore servers are ones where your character death is permanent. For Self-Found mode, you can’t escape the wider world (of Warcraft) entirely. It does, however, restrict any material assistance from other players. You will no longer be able to mail items, use the auction house, or trade items in any capacity. If you need to fill gem slots on your weapon, didn’t take jewelcrafting, you are at the mercy of drops from enemies.

Players in this mode will display a buff called “Self-Found Adventurer” in-game. If you decide the single life isn’t for you, you can remove the buff from your character. Take a trip to the in-game characters located in major faction capitals. They can remove the limitations, but once you’re out, there’s no going back.

The big question some people might have (including myself), is “why?” People like self-imposed challenges when they become experts at a game. For example; the Nuzlocke challenge in the Pokémon community is a way for players to make the games more difficult. The interesting thing here is that Blizzard saw how a segment of its Hardcore player base was approached the game. They took feedback, and decided to make it an official mode. It’s great way to prove your solo survival skills with all the proof built in.

Elsewhere in World of Warcraft, Blizzard is gearing up for a new expansion on the main retail game with The War Within. They’re also adding servers for Classic to reintroduce Deathwing’s emergence with Cataclysm. And now we play the waiting game for Mists of Pandaria.