WoW’s rough 2.0 transmog overhaul is mostly fixed, and I’m left wondering why Blizzard didn’t just take the easy win

This is Terminally Online, PC Gamer’s column dedicated to MMOs. Every two weeks, I will share my thoughts on the genre, interview fellow MMO enthusiasts, explore game mechanics, and occasionally feature guest writers discussing their favorite MMOs.

Recently, there has been controversy in the World of Warcraft community regarding changes to the transmog system. ‘Transmog’ is MMO slang for customizing characters’ appearances, and Blizzard has made significant changes in the game’s latest update.

Previously, players could create outfits that would change the appearance of their gear, requiring them to revisit an NPC if they acquired new items. However, the new system allows players to create outfits that remain consistent regardless of new gear, with limited slots that can be unlocked with in-game currency. This eliminates the need to constantly adjust appearances after acquiring new gear.

Despite the cost reduction in the new system, players were upset about the changes. The previous system may have been more expensive in the short term, but the new system ultimately saves players money in the long run, especially for max-level characters and while levelling up. However, some players were still unhappy with the changes.

Different clothes, different folks

The main problem was that the new system didn’t consider the fact that players have different preferences for changing outfits—it assumed that players would stick with one outfit for a long time. However, some players like to change clothes frequently, and as a result, they were spending more gold than before.

It’s not smart to make a game feature more costly for its most dedicated players. It’s like creating a loyalty program that raises the price of coffee as you collect more stamps.

However, there are some advantages to the system: The “situations” feature is really great. You can set specific outfits to automatically change in certain scenarios without having to speak to an NPC. For example, you can switch to a swimsuit when your character enters the water or have different armor sets for different game modes. It’s a convenient feature.

I genuinely believe that this new feature in WoW is fantastic. It will surely lead to creative and exciting fashion ideas in the future. However, Blizzard’s decision to replace the old system with the new one was confusing. Couldn’t they have just added the new outfits and situations on top of the old system? It seems unfair that the new system penalizes players who enjoy using the transmog system the most. Although Blizzard did address the cost issues with the new system, this whole situation could have been avoided. Implementing both systems would have pleased everyone, rather than forcing players to choose between flexibility and affordability. In the end, it is what it is.