Countdown To Classic

Episode #109 - The Making of Molten Core, The Games Battling Classic For Your Attention: An E3 Breakdown, World Buffs, & Stream Sniping Part

Episode #108 - The Making of BRD, Stream Sniping, WSG + AB in the beta, WoW + Politics, & Trollgodx Part Two

The beta rolls on and brings with it a couple of fresh talking points for the show and its listeners to tackle this week with Josh. Warsong Gulch has been open for a couple of weeks now in the beta and Arathi Basin just opened days ago, and with those come the bloodthirsty PvP testers looking to see how things perform on the battlegrounds. After that we break down stream sniping, after some comments made by streamer Sodapoppin ignited the forums this past week on the issue. Then, we welcome back...

Episode #107 - Duel Comp 'Bans', More Beta Impressions, Hit Caps/Warrior Theorycrafting & Priest PvE

Countdown To Classic has a bit of everything for you today as we touch on beta news and talking points as well as a couple of class conversations. Josh talks with the listeners on whether or not Blizzard should invoke the ban hammer for trolling streamed events, and covers off on more beta impressions as we dive deeper into what Classic has to offer. Next, Josh talks to a number of hardcore Warrior theorycrafters in relation to the latest blue post from Blizzard about hit caps and the solved and...

Episode #106 - Stress Test, Grinding & The AH With Frostadamus, Game Of Thrones/WoW Parallels + Balancing WoW With School

Stress test #1 of World of Warcraft Classic is in the books and the Countdown To Classic listeners are here to regale you with their tales of the experience. After hearing all about C'Thun & Hogger messing with people (that is if they even got in at all!), the show then brings you a one on one chat between Josh and a beloved Classic content creator, Frostadamus. Frost chats all about himself, grinding/farming, the economy, and the AH in a great intimate chat. Following that, the show goes of...

Episode #105 - Beta Impressions, Layering Technically Explained, & Kevin Jordan on WoW, MMO's & Blizzard

It's time to break down the first playable version of World of Warcraft Classic that we've been given as the closed beta dropped this past week. Josh speaks with Defcamp & Polydox in a call recorded after two days spent with the beta, and then takes another call from Ayle after six days with the game, as the callers cover off on bugs, PvP and whether or not the game is fun and running well. After that, Josh hears from IT professional Linkson, who stops by to give further clarification on exa...

Episode #104 - Release Date!! Discussing Beta, Layering, Cross-realm BG's + Kevin Jordan on Rogues + Retail Reception of Classic WoW

CAN YOU SAY RELEASE DATE BABY??!!? Blizzard finally delivers the news that everyone had been eager to hear with a release date for World of Warcraft Classic, and brings a number of other huge news items along with it. Josh gets a handful of dedicated listeners on the line to breakdown the news while it was piping hot and fresh, and the group discusses sharding's lesser known cousin 'layering', closed beta, and cross-realm battlegrounds amongst other topics that came to light. After that, former ...

Episode #103 - Paladin PvE, RP-PVP'ers State Their Case, & Podcasting WoW

It's a Triple P kind of day over at Countdown To Classic as we discuss Paladins, Podcasting, and Playing Roles (that's kind of cheating, I know). Listen as as three very experienced and knowledgeable players, Theloras, Smiter, and Sonosuke, talk listeners through the minutiae of Paladin PvE across all three specs, in what was a very extensive and enjoyable chat. After that we hear from a group of passionate RP-PvP'ers who want their voices heard all the way in Irvine, CA about why Blizzard shoul...

Episode #102 - EQ & Rift's Scott Hartsman Talks EQ vs. WoW + The Future of MMORPG's, Progressive Itemization News Discussed, & Kevin Jordan

Countdown To Classic calls in the big guns as the show welcomes a very special guest, and an MMORPG heavy hitter in Scott Hartsman. Scott shares stories about competing against WoW as the technical director for Everquest and Everquest 2, as well as trying to trying to break away from the pack during his time as CEO of Trion Worlds with Rift. He also gives some great thoughts on WoW Classic and the potential future of the MMORPG genre as a whole. The great chat keeps coming as the episode also hi...

Episode #101 - Alpha Announced, Kevin Jordan On Warlocks, Tales of the Past Creator Speaks & Quest Knowledge

Big news this past week as we were told by big blue that internal alpha testing had begun over at Irvine! Josh breaks down this news and what it means for us moving forward with the listeners. Then we hear from former vanilla WoW class designer Kevin Jordan on Warlocks for another amazing segment of Ask Kevin. After that, the show features an in depth interview with Martin Falch, creator of the immensely popular machinima series from back in the day, 'Tales of the Past' to discuss the ins and ou...

Episode #100 - The Journey From Nostalrius To Classic, Kevin Jordan On Paladins, Josh Chooses A Region, & Hardcore Guild 'Onslaught'

Countdown To Classic turns in its 100th episode, and hits that century mark in style by bringing you a bunch of great calls with the listeners of the show. First, Josh undertakes the most ambitious call in history as he gets 10 people on the line to discuss the emotional journey of the past three years, from the shutdown of Nostalrius to the announcement of WoW: Classic to where we are today. After that, former vanilla WoW class designer Kevin Jordan is back again to discuss the design philosoph...

Episode #99 - Luke Lafreniere Talks Nost, Kevin Jordan Talks Hunters, PvP News & Hunter PvP

Countdown is back with two, count 'em, two very special guests this week as the show keeps going with another packed episode full of WoW Classic goodness. First up, Josh is humbled to be joined by Luke Lafreniere of Linus Tech Tips fame, to discuss his love of vanilla WoW and his time with Nostalrius. After that, we hear yet again from vanilla WoW class designer Kevin Jordan all about the history and decisions behind designing Hunters. Then we hear from the listeners, as a crew calls in about th...

Episode #98 - Kevin Jordan On Shaman, Beta Guesstimations, Spell Batching News, Speed Leveling Contender + Memory Lane Etc.

The show brings back vanilla WoW Class Designer Kevin Jordan once again to cover off on Shaman, Josh gets on the wowey sauce and discusses beta possibilities with the listeners. We also hear from the show's resident PvP expert OhGee about Blizzard's decision to implement spell batching in WoW: Classic, and then Josh talks to a real contender in the world first 60 race. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - 3:30 - Kevin Jordan Talks Shaman With Melderon Calling Countdown #2 - 35:50 - Beta Gues...

Episode #97 - Mute Speaks, Kevin Jordan on Druids, Loot Trading, RP-PVP, & AV

Countdown To Classic has it all for you today. Join in on a very special episode as Mute from World of Roguecraft re-emerges on the scene to talk to Josh all about those famous videos and whether or not he'll be playing WoW: Classic. Josh then speaks with vanilla WoW Class Designer Kevin Jordan about the history and design choices behind Druids, in this week's installment of the show's ongoing 'Ask Kevin' series. The show then turns to the news from last week, discussing the huge loot trading ba...

Episode #96 - PvP News, WoW Class Designer Talks Mages, & The Unwritten Rules Of Vanilla WoW

Another week, another blue post. Who would have thought it would be raining WoW Classic news?!? Josh kicks off a jam packed episode by speaking to the listeners about the news regarding Blizzard's decision to run with the 1.12 version of Alterac Valley. Then, in part two of the show's 'Ask Kevin' series, we hear from vanilla class designer Kevin Jordan about the design choices behind Mages in vanilla WoW. Finally, we finish up with a fun, potentially divisive call about the 'unwritten rules' of ...

Episode #95 - Classic News, Ex-WoW Dev Talks Warriors + AQ40

It's. All. Happening. It's a huge episode today as this one has it all. Classic news, former WoW devs, raid chatter - we've got every Classic itch you've ever had scratched in this one! Firstly, Josh puts up the bat signal to listeners Taladril, Sonosuke, & Axtel, who call in for the what is hopefully the deepest analysis of the Classic news that you've heard to this point. After that, Josh re-enlists the aid of former vanilla WoW class designer Kevin Jordan, in explaining the thoughts of th...

Episode #94 - A History Of World Firsts With Death & Taxes, Flight Paths, Druids + Sunken Temple Lore

Where did everyone from famous vanilla guild go? Why haven't we heard from them with the release of Classic getting closer and closer? Today, Josh sits down for a long overdue interview with Nineteen27, who was there in the trenches as a member of Death & Taxes all those years ago. Listen in as Nineteen27 regales us with an oral history of the ups and downs of vanilla world firsts and what it was like being, and playing with, some of the best of the best. After that, we hear about flight pat...

Episode #93 - The Music Of World of Warcraft + The Economy + Undercity

Countdown To Classic celebrates its first birthday in style, as Josh takes what is his favourite call to date on the show with musician and content creator, Chimly, analysing the music of vanilla World of Warcraft. Come celebrate the show's birthday with a banger of a soundtrack as Chimly goes deep on why the game's music is arguably the greatest in the history of video games. After that, Josh takes another listener call touching on the economy and the auction house, before finishing up with a b...

Episode #92 - Molten Core, Mounts & Maraudon

Did you love Molten Core? Do you crave to take down Ragnaros once again? Listen in as Josh speaks with three elite vanilla raiders, from back in the day and on the private server scene, as they discuss everything and anything Molten Core. The guys touch on great loot commentary, obscure boss strats, and Thunderfury chat and more during an extensive chat about this beloved vanilla World of Warcraft raid. Josh then takes a great call all about mounts, and finishes up with the lore of Maraudon. Hig...

Episode #91 - Scarlet Monastery, Enhancement Shaman, Four Horsemen, Anger Management + Memory Lane

Listen in on a fun group chat all about one of the more beloved instances in vanilla WoW - Scarlet Monastery. Join Josh, Defcamp, Melderon and Orcbit as they reunite and talk all about why High Inquisitor Sally Whitemane and her loveable band of religious zealots are so much fun to go and visit time after time. The episode also touches on Enhancement Shaman and The Four Horsemen, before finishing up with fan favourite segments Anger Management and Memory Lane. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown...

Episode #90 - PvP Issues With OhGee, Playing With WoW Celebs, War In WoW Part 3, Role Playing, Learning Languages Through WoW & Old Gods Lor

Calls, calls, calls!!! Countdown To Classic brings you a bonanza of listener interaction as Josh takes a handful of great calls from the dedicated listeners of the show covering a wide variety of topics. Then we finish up with the epic finale to the Old Gods lore that we started up last week. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - PvP Issues With OhGee - 2:00 Calling Countdown #2 - Faded Vanilla Memories/Playing With WoW Celebs With Colbyjack7 - 58:25 Calling Countdown #3 - Was There War in Wo...

Episode #89 - Australians & WoW, Activision Blizzard's Business, Playing With Physical Impairments, & Old Gods Lore Part 1

Countdown To Classic isn’t messing around in 2019 as we stuff this episode full of chatter, with three great calls covering a great variety of topics. Prepare for Australia Day by listening to a pack of rabid Aussies talk about how the game is played down under, then we turn to a business call with a few economist gamers, as we break down exactly how Activision Blizzard works from a corporate standpoint and what’s been going on with them and their stock price lately, and finally we hear from a c...

Episode #88 - Lowbie Ganking, The Trial Of A Ninja Looter, Multiboxing, Raid Leading & Professions

It’s 2019 and Countdown To Classic triumphantly returns from holidays with a huge episode to open up the new year! We’ve got it all including interviewing a guild that owns Redridge, putting three lawyers up against a listener in the witness box to get to the bottom of a ninja looting incident, speaking with a hardcore multiboxer, hearing more about raid leading and which encounters can break up a progression guild, as well as hitting the forums to hear all about professions. Highlights Below: Q...

Episode #87 - Elemental Mages, Everquest Similarities/Differences, Diablo Crossover, Jaina Proudmoore Lore, Feast Of Winter Veil + Snowballs

It's Christmas time and Countdown To Classic has stuffed your stocking full to the brim with some good old fashioned WoW Classic content! Listen in as this episode has a bit of everything to celebrate a range of interests this holiday season. Josh sits down and talks about the fun of Elemental Mages, the similarities and differences between Everquest and WoW and what drew that crowd over, the Diablo mobile situation and why Diablo players love WoW and vice versa. Then it's time for a talk about ...

Episode #86 - Nostalgia, WoW Addiction/Mental Health In Gaming, + Spell Batching

Today, Josh takes on a number of big topics in a huge, special episode of Countdown To Classic, whilst also announcing a special Christmas giveaway! Firstly, we talk to Gamasutra and The Verge contributor, Katherine Cross, all about whether or not we should dampen expectations of Classic due to nostalgic reasoning. Next, Josh turns to a number of calls on the important topics of gaming addiction and depression/mental health, as we hear from addiction professional, and listener of the show, Jamie...

Episode #85 - Paladin PvP With Drakova + Databases/Itemisation + Scholomance Lore

Praise the light! Countdown To Classic is ready to talk everything Paladin PvP as Drakova comes in for an extensive chat about why you're using your Paladin wrong, and how you can improve! After that, Josh sits down with a bunch of listeners to chat about the databases at Blizzard, and whether or not the concept of progressive itemisation in Classic can truly R.I.P. Then the show wins up with a trip through the lore of Scholomance, as well as some tidbits about the beloved instance, which includ...

Episode #84 - Warriors, Content Creators, Dishonourable Kills + Memory Lane

Countdown To Classic finally takes the plunge on arguably the most popular class in vanilla World of Warcraft with a deep dive on everything and anything Warriors in a featured group call. After that, the show discusses Content Creators, Josh returns to the forums to discuss dishonourable kills, and we finish off with another dose of Memory Lane. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - Warriors - 1:45 Calling Countdown #2 - Content Creators - 1:42:45 Forum & Fauna: Dishonourable Kills - 2:0...

Episode #83 - Dueling Tournaments, Heavy Metal + WoW, Was There 'War' In WoW, Dramacraft + The Hinterlands Lore

Countdown To Classic gives thanks for everyone tuning in to this episode! It's a Thanksgiving special and we've crammed the proverbial turkey full of content, as we have listener calls, heaps of lore, and the debut of a new segment in Dramacraft! Listen in as Josh runs through more of what makes Classic, Classic. Highlights Below: Calling Countdown #1 - Dueling Tournaments With Guzu - 1:50 Calling Countdown #2 - Metal + WoW With Jason + Defcamp - 20:53 Calling Countdown #3 - Answers: Was There '...

Episode #82 - The Classic Community Speaks On Sharding, Loot Trading, Content Timetables & The Demo

Josh is back from a wild trip to Blizzcon and has rallied the troops to voice their opinions on everything that we heard from Anaheim! Listen in to an episode packed full of voices as Countdown To Classic takes two separate group calls and another one on one call regarding the big issues that have arisen, sharding, loot trading, content timetables and overall thoughts on the demo. Blizzard asked for our input and Countdown To Classic is here to help provide it! Highlights Below: Calling Countdow...

Episode #81 - Blizzcon Stories + WoW Podcast Panel

In Part One of Josh’s huge Blizzcon recap we hear Josh’s running diary of his time in Anaheim as well as a replay of the WoW podcast panel he was part of for the World Of Podcasts panel. Tune in to hear a day by day casual account of what went on when Countdown To Classic went to Blizzcon. In next week’s part two, when he’s back home in Australia, Josh will go through a detailed analysis of the demo and the panels. Highlights Below: Blizzcon Recap - 3:15 Calling Countdown - 1:10:55 World of Warc...

Episode #80 - Blizzcon

Josh checks in from the start of Blizzcon Day #1 and chats with the fans. Pick up awesome Countdown To Classic show rewards @ Patreon: patreon.com/countdowntoclassic Or support the show with a tip @ Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/Y8Y3D2TT Or simply show your support by leaving the show a review at iTunes or by telling a friend! Also listen @ Spotify here (Spotify takes a couple of hours to upload after posting, check back later if not there): https://open.spotify.com/show/38mHWjscNorJr7OFeNu8X5?si=c6J...