News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

With the next World of Warcraft expansion Battle for Azeroth just a day away from release, fans are taking to social media to express their unhappiness with the current story.

As Teldrassil burns, In-game Cinematic Project Director Terran Gregory is quick to quell the flames from the backlash.

Speaking to the Mirror, Gregory revealed the story surrounding the Hordes’ present warchief, Sylvanas Windrunner is “just getting started” and urged players to endure.

“If we're not evoking an emotion or a reaction then we're really not doing our job as storytellers,” he said.

(Image: Blizzard Entertainment)

The game developer was referring to Horde players who did not react well to the Sylvanas’s cinematic, which suggests that they’re very much the villains of the latest expansion.

“To have seen how passionate and just how alight the forums became and the engagement by the players as they drew their own conclusion about what this meant for the warcraft storyline.”

“Only to have that turned around in the old soldier cinematic and sort of give those players a sounding board by which 'you are not alone’.

“The story is just getting started and I would definitely endure the players to stick with us as we lay out these chapter points for them.”

Blizzard then released another cinematic days later that was not part of the Warbringer series but was essentially a prequel to the battle of Lordearon and focused on Horde fan favorite High Overlord Saurfang.

The video appears to have soothed many of the problems players had with the in-game story.

(Image: Blizzard Entertainment)

Being one of the most beloved characters within the Warcraft lore, it is not surprising that Blizzard used Jaina Proudmoore as the first in the Alliance cinematic series.

During her five minute animation Jaina is seen reflecting on the years that followed her father’s death and years of the Horde letting her down at every turn, culminating in the destruction of Theramore.

We will catch up with Jaina during the Siege of Loderaon and then with the expansions release with adventurers going to Kul Tiras.

But if the Alliance think they’re going to come out of the Battle for Azeroth unscathe then you might be in for a surprise as Gregory hinted it won’t just be Horde players who’ll be tested.

"This is one chapter point that's being released with 8.0 and a lot of pieces will be set up so that every players’ emotions will be polarised.

“Those will come in due time as the chapter points for Battle for Azeroth are released.

“We hope to take you on a wild ride.”

As soon as the alpha version of Battle for Azeroth landed on Blizzard servers data, data miners wasted no time in pulling the code apart in search for clues to the story and what to expect in the new expansion.

However, Gregory says Blizzard still have a few surprises up their sleeve that the miners won’t be able to see any major plot reveals until they’re released.

“I can't divulge what type of content is on its way but when we do it is always going to be what we feel is the most appropriate and that takes priority.

“The in-game cinematics, for instance, have yet to be seen by anyone as they're contained within the game encrypted and were not included in the beta.”

(Image: Blizzard Entertainment)

And when it comes to secrets, Gregory says he’s finally getting better at staying shtum.

“Every single day I’m tempted to say something like ‘oh if they only knew’, but it takes a lot of discipline and a long time to master the art of keeping a secret.

“But during the development process our passion and our excitement for the game just builds even more for the day we finally get to share it with all of you and see your reaction.

“So while I wouldn't say it's easy I'd say it's worth the effort.”

Battle For Azeroth is out August 14 but is available for pre-purchase digitally in a standard edition (£39.99 SRP) and Digital Deluxe (£59.99) edition.