Hoping for more titles, from both achievements and rep
by Mike Schramm 
Aug 21st 2008 at 8:30PM
Reader Bo sent us an interesting idea. Like many players, has done the Bloodsail grind -- he's killed many, many goblins in Booty Bay, and ascended to the highest ranks of the Bloodsail pirates, letting him have a Bloodsail Admiral's Hat, and the parrot that comes with it. And now, as of Wrath of the Lich King, there's even an achievement for doing the quest for the hat. But that's not enough for Bo and his fellow pirates -- they're lobbying hard on the forums for Blizzard to grant a title as well.As cool as a title like "The Dread Pirate" would be, we're not sure whether Blizzard really needs to pass out any more rewards for the Bloodsails (you want something besides a hat and an achievement?). But it will be interesting to see just how titles and other little rewards come into play with achievements. We know that more titles are coming into the game, and since it's super easy to change those titles, you'd think Blizzard was going to give out plenty. "The Dread Pirate" or "Admiral" is not beyond the realm of possibility, to be sure.
I'm still rooting for something like "Boar-killer" or something even sillier -- special titles for folks who have completed all the quests in BRD once upon a time, or a special note for people who have made the switch from Aldor to Scryer. Bloodsail reputation might not be the right place to start putting rewards, but considering all this stuff Blizzard has us tracking, here's hoping we'll see a few obscure titles find their way above players' heads.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Virtual selves, Odds and ends, Blizzard, Expansions, Achievements
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
elprogramer Aug 21st 2008 8:40PM
Bloodsail reputation is definitely the place to be putting rewards. There is a world of difference between the factions of Azeroth and the Outlands (in terms of importance, rewards, development).
People who grind their way to exalted should be rewarded in a visible, tangible way. It makes the game more fun, IMO.
The Bloodsails are one faction (along with the Syndicate and Ravenholdt) that have a huge amount of potential, but offer absolutely no incentive for the userbase to invest time into, other than novelty or curiosity.
Saiforune Aug 21st 2008 10:30PM
Everyone who talks about getting to exalted with bloodsail is RETARDED!
The +rep for bloodsail STOPS at honored. You can get past it JUST BARELY by spawn camping one npc in the barrens for +15 rep every 5 or so minutes upon respawn. EVEN THEN the rep stops at 5999 honored.
God everyone is an idoit.
L2P if you're gonna talk about rep grinds.
Bartleby42 Aug 22nd 2008 1:36AM
No one mentioned exalted with Bloodsail before you. Way to knee jerk.
Bootsanator Aug 21st 2008 8:50PM
How about adding a title for the people who have the Bloodsail Admiral's Hat and are exalted with the Steamwheedle cartel?
Tridus Aug 21st 2008 8:53PM
Giving out too many titles turns it into Lord of the Rings Online, where there's so many titles they become completely meaningless.
RogueJedi86 Aug 21st 2008 10:23PM
The titles still have meaning, they're just more fun and less elitist. Just how game-breaking would it be to have a "Wolf-Slayer" title? It's not like Blizz is going to suddenly put out 5 million titles and have no room for any more titles. Adding 100 more titles for casuals to get wouldn't diminish the feat of having some titles. I may be a "Wolf-Slayer", but I'm not a "Scarab Lord" or "Hand of Adal", or even "Hand of the Shattered Sun".
Some titles could even be useful. If you get Master Engineering, add a "Master Engineer" title to you, so people can easily find the kind of engineer they want. If you don't want to be found, don't display your title. SWG did that.
Basically, if they added a lot more titles, many titles could still be hard to get and be a status symbol. For a game that prides itself on casual appeal, it's damn hard for casual players to get something minor like a title.
Procris Aug 22nd 2008 2:29AM
Totally agree. Titles are meant to be special. If everyone has it or theres too many, its meaning less and no longer special. Blizzard needs to be careful on how they implement them in the future.
Pez Aug 22nd 2008 3:22AM
... because seeing everyone and their mother with "Champion of the Naru" and "of the Shattered Sun" is really, really special and unique ....
Chilblain Aug 21st 2008 8:59PM
City of Heroes would reward you with a badge for completing stuff like killing X number of ___. You could then select the badge name and that would be your title.
Pez Aug 21st 2008 9:47PM
They're awarding titles for doing seasonal content, like the fire festival & lunar festival ... which is cool ... in no way am I saying I don't think that's great.
And yeah ... you already get a hat & a feat of strength ... but doing seasonal content gets you vanity toys too ... as well as a title.
I don't think it's the ONLY other title that should be added. I do however, think it should be one of the first to be included in future additions.
Maybe a revered reward ?
Mattimus Aug 21st 2008 10:57PM
City of Heroes handed out special titles with just about every badge, which is about the same as this. That would be kind of cool, if they could come up with a lot of different cool titles.
As long as the PVP rank titles remain forever in the realm of old school, I'm happy.
jurandr Aug 21st 2008 11:06PM
I would like the "Beater of Peons" tag that guy in the netherwing ledge has.
mini Aug 21st 2008 11:11PM
I would love it if they added a title for every rep you get exalted with.
that said >.< i wouldnt be able to go back in time to show off my mages hard grinded out darnassus rep at 46 title lol but o well have fun kitties
Zuldim Aug 21st 2008 11:39PM
Speaking as a bloodsail admiral myself... Yes please.
Cowy Aug 22nd 2008 1:15AM
I'd like to see titles for people who have played a very long time. Maybe a title called "Elder" or something.:P
BillDoor Aug 22nd 2008 12:13AM
Just did this fun grind the other day with a group of friends. A title would be pretty cool.
Oh, and to #2... during the grind, I got revered with Bloodsail. After that, I could've camped the lone mob to get to exalted if I wanted to, but instead chose to just turn in cloth to get back to neutral with the cartel, sacrificing the bloodsail rep. I got what I wanted, the hat.
Mark Aug 22nd 2008 1:09PM
If they added "The Dread Pirate" as a title, I would totally grind the rep.
Eric Aug 22nd 2008 3:00AM
...a 'Defender of the Timbermaw' title would be cool. Obviously we have the trinket but as it only spawns a level 60 minion there isn't too much use for it at 70 (or 80!). I should get something for spending a month grinding Furbolgs in Felwood....right? :-)
Solnova Aug 22nd 2008 6:29AM
this is confirmed in the new beta patch. "Battlemaster" for gaining all of the achievements in all of the BG's, "Explorer" for exploring every subzone of every zone in the game...those are the two I've found, presumably more to come.
AZShizzle Aug 22nd 2008 7:29AM
Hey, if I can be First Mate Azshizzle, I'll do it.