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Two-Headed Ogres Added To World Of Warcraft

An anonymous reader writes "It's official: Blizzard Entertainment is proud to announce that two-headed ogres, each head controlled by a different player, are now a playable race in World of Warcraft, their upcoming PC massively multiplayer online role-playing game. Giving two separate players simultaneous control of a single body, this new race introduces a unique cooperative gaming experience never before attempted. Current beta testers should expect to see these innovative new game mechanics added in the coming weeks."

48 comments

  1. ugh. by Drunken_Jackass · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Enough already.

    --
    There are 01 types of people in this world. Those that understand binary, and me.
  2. 3-headed Knight by spooky_nerd · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm holding out for the 3-headed Knight option.

    1. Re:3-headed Knight by Chross · · Score: 1

      I hope they come out with some sort of half-panda/half-man character that typically enjoys a good drink.

    2. Re:3-headed Knight by irokitt · · Score: 1

      Perhaps with a shield bearing elderberry insignia.

      --
      If my answers frighten you, stop asking scary questions.
  3. King Ghidrah by AtariAmarok · · Score: 3, Insightful

    How about King Ghidrah, with different player for each head ?

    --
    Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
  4. At least they didn't lose the source code by Rappy · · Score: 2, Funny

    I still can't believe that they lost all of their source code for Starcraft and had to start from scratch!

    1. Re:At least they didn't lose the source code by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      it pisses me off that this one, and the pandarians for wc3 last year aren't real. they just seem to be really interesting and in this case misguided ideas.

    2. Re:At least they didn't lose the source code by Rallion · · Score: 2, Informative

      Pandarens are kinda real. Played the expansion?

  5. suggestion... by i+chose+quality · · Score: 1

    so when do we see a larry MMORPG?

    one player could operate larry's head and one... well, you know. ;-)

    --
    the computer is online
    i am not at it
    what a waste of ressources
  6. I prefer the First of Octember. by *weasel · · Score: 2, Insightful


    It's less annoying than April Fools.

    --
    // "Can't clowns and pirates just -try- to get along?"
  7. In other news... by tuxedobob · · Score: 1

    someone didn't bother to mention the fact it's an April Fool's joke in the story blurb?

  8. April Foo--!! by Hot+Soup+LD · · Score: 2, Funny

    (house explodes)

    --
    Hot Soup - Lethal Doses
    1. Re:April Foo--!! by JasonMaggini · · Score: 1

      Noooo! That means we'll have to be subjected to a Slashdot clip show!

    2. Re:April Foo--!! by Baikala · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It may be an April Fool's yoke, but a really good one. Why? because it's believable

      No one would pay a subscription for using a character that is permanently attached to another randomly chosen user, of course, but it doesn't sound completely impossible to sell.

      Wouldn't it be a good idea if two "ogre" players could perform some kind of ritual to merge together into a Double Headed Ogre? If there are some stats or strategic gains why not. The added HP alone could worth the inconveniences.

      --
      16,777,216 comments ought to be enough for any forum!
    3. Re:April Foo--!! by Hot+Soup+LD · · Score: 4, Insightful

      All joking aside, I think it's a very clever and zany idea. If in the odd chance you got two friendly power-gamers in the same Ogre body, they could be a real force to be reckoned with. A huge tank-mage that is almost always the last 'man' standing.

      It's not much different than most games where two people pilot a vehicle (like a PlanetSide tank, one in the drivers seat, one in the gunner), except you'd be bound for the whole existence of the character.

      Some people would love the challenge. Much like back when EverQuest had evil races who were hated by most NPC's. They adapted, and focused on their advantages.

      If this ever were to be in the game, I guarantee you would see them in play, sometimes quite successfully. I would have a lot of respect for the duo that got a high level Two-Headed Ogre. ;)

      There is absolutely nothing wrong with innovative game thinking. I didn't buy Warcraft III because jack had changed between it and its half-decade earlier predecessor. But I would almost guarantee I'd buy WoW if it had this class (much like I bought Horizons for the dragons).

      --
      Hot Soup - Lethal Doses
  9. Your lack of effort is disturbing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    -1, Weaksauce

  10. Good advice for anyone by tbmaddux · · Score: 4, Funny
    From original article:
    Thus, it is important to discuss these external communications internally first to avoid appearing schizophrenic.
    --
    Can't you see that everyone is buying station wagons?
  11. Obligatory Monty Python Response. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Halt! Who art thou?"
    "He is brave Sir Robin, brave Sir Robin, who ..."
    "Shut up. Oh, nobody really. just passing through."
    "What do you want?"
    "To fight and ..."
    "Shut up. Nothing really. just to pass through, good Sir knight."
    "I'm afraid not. This is my bit of the forest. Find your own bit."
    "I am a Knight of King Arthur's Round Table. I seek the Holy Grail - Stand aside and let me pass."
    "You are a Knight of the Round Table?
    "I am."
    "Shit."
    "In that case I shall have to kill you."
    "Shall I?"
    "Oh, I don't think so."
    "I'm not sure."
    "What do I think?"
    "I think kill him."

  12. pvp by Tobias+Luetke · · Score: 5, Funny

    Do i get to pk my better half ?

    no i'm talking about wow, im serious !

    1. Re:pvp by DS-1107 · · Score: 1
      no, you can't :~(

      As you both have the same HP, or rather you have two HPs merged into 1, making you hard to butcher, but alas still if one die both die.

  13. Screenshots! by Torgo's+Pizza · · Score: 1

    Here are some early screenshots of the new monster.

  14. Still a great idea by Palshife · · Score: 1

    Well hey, what the hell? This is still a great idea. Just because it's hilariously strange, it's doable. I think it would work tremendously.

    --
    Attention deficit disorder is a complicated issue, spanning several major... HEY LET'S GO RIDE BIKES!
    1. Re:Still a great idea by Dreadlord · · Score: 4, Informative

      Agreed, the idea is pretty cool, I hope it'll be in the game.

      A couple of years back, Blizzard announced that it'll add a new race to Warcraft III, the Panda race, it was an April fool.

      however, last year Blizzard added the Pandaren Brewmaster to Warcraft III's expansion, The Frozen Throne.

      --
      The IT section color scheme sucks.
    2. Re:Still a great idea by Rallion · · Score: 4, Interesting

      They also announced the Diablo II cow level on April 1. And everybody thought it was so funny, because it was an old joke from the first Diablo. And then it was true. Right out of the box. And then they all got to laugh at everybody else for not believing them.

  15. Re:wtf is wrong with everyone by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    April Fool's jokes on the Internet got old as soon as the idea started. They're too obvious and not well thought out anymore. It seems most of these writers haven't heard of subtlety. Generally everyone's jokes are bad. What's even worse are the people who fall for them.

  16. Two headed ogres? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Two headed ogres?! Yeah right, nice try. Everyone knows ogres aren't real! Nice try guys, but I already know that today is April Fools Day!

    1. Re:Two headed ogres? by macdaddy357 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Two heads isn't enough to have an orgy! That's just normal sex. It takes three or more. By the way, they even spelled it rong.

      --
      How ya like dat?
  17. I'm more interested in today's other Blizzard news by Pluvius · · Score: 1

    I can't wait to play a giant robot Goblin Tinker hero in the next Frozen Throne patch.

    Rob

  18. Innovation in a MMORPG? Bah by Ritorix · · Score: 1

    God forbid. Blizzard would never go out on a limb like that.

  19. Well, I'd play it... AF or not. by sheared · · Score: 1

    That, surprisingly, sounds like a wonderful idea. The only problem I see is what would happen when you're online and the other person isn't? Would half of you be asleep?

    1. Re:Well, I'd play it... AF or not. by sheared · · Score: 1

      Never mind - I see that it would in fact be asleep.

  20. Blizzard History by Creepy · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I don't trust Blizzard - they probably _WILL_ put them in as a playable race.

    Diablo's Secret Cow Level started as an April Fools joke too :)

    1. Re:Blizzard History by wickedj · · Score: 0, Redundant

      And, the Pandarens did make it into the Frozen Throne expansion for Warcraft 3.

  21. Re:I'm more interested in today's other Blizzard n by fireduck · · Score: 2, Interesting

    today's press release concerning the 0.999~ = 1 debate was also a bit humorous. (although that only really applies to those who frequent the war room)

  22. Re: by jimmyl930 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    It would be awesome if you could request another character to be with and/or have AI control if the other player isn't available.

  23. Interesting - If its not an april fool's joke by ssand · · Score: 1

    I think this would be very cool in terms of fighting. And I suppose if your second half was offline they would be gone.
    This could be potentially more dangerous for players because of griefers. They could Really mess up someone's game play. Another problem I see is if one half is never online, then the two headed experience someone wants may not be worth while.

  24. At least this isn't UT... by el-spectre · · Score: 1

    That'd make head shots a bitch.

    --
    "Faith: Belief without evidence in what is told by one who speaks without knowledge, of things without parallel." - A.B.
  25. Intriguing possibilities by PlatyPaul · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Arguably, this might be just what MMORPGs need... something that enforces sociability and cooperation with a person who they don't get to choose. It's possible that two people creating an ogre character end up with personalities that mesh well, but in any other case the users would be forced to come up with a system of compromises and rules for how things will be done.

    One particular book, Forever Peace by Joe Haldeman proposes the idea that humans which are forced into interacting with each other continuously will ultimately gain an empathy with humanity as a whole that will result in peacefulness and civility.

    Yes, the book I mentioned is Sci-Fi, though the idea isn't too far off from reality. At a recent meeting of PUMUG, we had a demo of a recently released group-programming tool that was essentially just a text editor for more than 1 person. Most of the folks at the meeting had the program up and running, so we shared a common text file for editing. The chaos of ~10 people was incredible, though a sense of order was eventually established with the understand that each person got a particular line or set of lines to write on (with no outside interference) and that people would refrain from huge text pastes or deletes. There were the occasional annoyances, but most people that stuck it through were civil about it and managed quite an interesting conversation that entirely distracted from the meeting.

    So yes, it is April 1st, but this is one story that I would hope might be real. If it were, I might very well play an ogre myself. Feel free to look for me... the name'll probably be something like Grantor\/\/1zzz3|2D, and I'll be going insane. Cheers.

    --
    Misery loves company. Online misery loves unsuspecting random strangers.
    1. Re:Intriguing possibilities by Grym · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I agree. Whether or not this is an April 1st joke, I think that this idea is great! From Blizzard's perspective, it makes even more sense, because I can think of quite a few people who would buy the game simply to check out such an innovative feature.

      It'd be fantastic if come tommorrow the joke was on all the nay-sayers.

      -Grym

    2. Re:Intriguing possibilities by Jaeph · · Score: 1

      "Arguably, this might be just what MMORPGs need... something that enforces sociability and cooperation with a person who they don't get to choose."

      Why? I can't choose my co-workers or my family; now you don't want me to choose my gaming buddies? Geez.

      -Jeff

      --
      Please learn the difference between a dissenting opinion and a troll before you moderate.
  26. Re:Intriguing possibilities MOD PARENT UP by wondercool · · Score: 1

    This is a very intriguing idea.

  27. I would play this. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Has anyone seen any other online game where you have to cooperate this much? I think it is feasible, and not only that, I also think it is balanceable. Basically, it would simply be a matter of balancing when only one player plays, to make sure that noones try to be this only to have more hit points. For the movement, it could be "surimposed" If both press foward, it goes foward, if one presses forward, it goes foward. If one press foward the other left, it does both. If both press opposite direction, it cancel out.

    It could be a mess to tie the control thogeter on the devs. side. But it would really create a new experience! Diverse experiences is what these games need to keep old players who want to try new things. I would hope it would be possible to choose who you will play with or go random. Maybe have rituals to transplant your spirit into another body too(changing partner). Etc.

  28. Re:wtf is wrong with everyone by Fred+Or+Alive · · Score: 1

    I'll have you know that Her Majesty's Government is extremely humorous, I mean just look at this University top up fees business that they're suggesting. How silly. ...

    Oh bugger, that's a real law? Thank god I'll be out of university by the time it comes into force.

    --
    10 PRINT "LOOK AROUND YOU ";
    20 GOTO 10
  29. wow by cocktail · · Score: 1

    Awesome idea, hope i'll get a notorious powergamer, for the better half.

  30. Hmmmmmmz.... slashdotter 'cmon... *sigh* by the_DaRKaNGLe · · Score: 1

    w00t w00t, april fool..........

    --




    A problem cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created it.
  31. Ditto by tid242 · · Score: 1
    There is absolutely nothing wrong with innovative game thinking. I didn't buy Warcraft III because jack had changed between it and its half-decade earlier predecessor. But I would almost guarantee I'd buy WoW if it had this class (much like I bought Horizons for the dragons).

    I'll second that, i've sort of been watching WoW with about a 25% interest level, after seeing the 2-headed Ogre my interest is at about a 90% and i will definately be purchasing this game (not to mention the monthly subscription).

    The idea doesn't seem far-fetched to me in the slightest, i would term it "innovative" as opposed to "unrealistic." I also suspect that, even if it is an apr01 prank, there will be enough support that Blizzard will strongly consider adding it nonetheless...

    Personally i'm tired of playing the same old game in a different body (make a dude, wander around killing shit and talking to other dudes, then making another dude because my first dude is too high level to do anything anymore, ad nauseum...) actually sharing a body/character with another player is the sort of interesting, rewarding, and challenging experiences i've been waiting for with online gaming...

    -tid242

    --

    With a few exceptions, secrecy is deeply incompatible with democracy and with science. --Carl Sagan

  32. Rooting for the ogres by Varsis · · Score: 1

    Up until about last October, I had successfully avoided being dragged into any MMORPGS. Unfortunately, being a die-hard Final Fantasy fan, FFXI just couldn't be passed up. Now I know that this was probably just a joke, but if it was real, it might be enough to drag me into picking up a SECOND online rpg. Maybe if enough people express interest in the joke race, it might become more than a joke?