Patch 3.3 PTR: Quest tracking feature
by Gregg Reece 
Nov 6th 2009 at 1:00PM
The new quest tracker was released as part of Thursday's PTR build. This is different than the one that they included last time they made an attempt in this area. Previously, they used various types of icons to tell you what type of quest was in that area. This time, they've gone with a simpler approach. Instead of using different types of icons, you simply get a numbered circle that matches up with the same number in a quest window attached to your map. If the quest objective is scattered across a larger area a little glowing overlay is put up covering that area. It also puts a question mark on the map marking your turn in location.
We've put together a smaller gallery showing these features for you all to enjoy.
We've put together a smaller gallery showing these features for you all to enjoy.
Patch 3.3 is the last major patch of Wrath of the Lich King. With the new Icecrown Citadel 5-man dungeons and 10/25-man raid arriving soon, patch 3.3 will deal the final blow to the Arthas. WoW.com's Guide to Patch 3.3 will keep you updated with all the latest patch news.Filed under: Patches, News items, Quests
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
GravityCatt Nov 6th 2009 1:04PM
That should be a serious help to any new players that havnt really gotten into third party addons.
Mithraeus Nov 6th 2009 1:05PM
Goodbye, QuestHelper... it's gone by so fast. [sniffle]
Lilithsblood Nov 6th 2009 1:07PM
Yeah really, Questhelper is cool and all, if not a good bit mindless, but this is just... whats the word...
Nifty!
Looks very nice, easy, not confusing, and since its integrated you know it will be correct no matter what hehe.
Dazaras Nov 6th 2009 1:59PM
What is mindless about questhelper? The ant-trails are stupid and the arrow thing runs you into walls, with both disabled, this is pretty much what you have.
Boz Nov 6th 2009 2:12PM
I wouldn't say goodbye to Questhelper/Monkeyquest/Carbonite/etc. too soon; Blizzard has announced quest tracking before and been unable to deliver:
http://www.wow.com/2009/06/23/patch-3-2-will-show-quest-objectives-on-the-world-map/
What we got instead was improved mob tooltips and a better quest interface, but not highlighted objectives on the map. That being said - while I owe much to Questhelper - I would not be sad to see it go if the Blizzard tool uses fewer system resources. Therefore I cheer on Blizzard, but hold back my hopes until I see the final product.
juusu Nov 6th 2009 2:23PM
I agree with you Boz. If it takes up less resources, doesn't break randomly, and I don't have to update it every patch (sometimes hotfix) -- I'm all for it. Now its likely I can run another add-on along side this quest tracker without straining resources.
jealouspirate Nov 6th 2009 1:06PM
Great feature!
It makes perfect sense that Blizzard would add this functionality. Looks like I'll be uninstalling Questhelper.
Task Nov 6th 2009 1:13PM
I used to use Questhelper, then jumped ship to use Carbonite (presently using), but with this feature popping up I may have to drop Carbonite as soon 3.3 comes.
maeby Nov 6th 2009 1:13PM
i agree with everyone else, this is definitely a welcome feature. I look forward to uninstalling questhelper and freeing up the insanely large 60-70mb it now takes up
bushkanaka86 Nov 6th 2009 1:25PM
Yeah....now if they can only come up with an Auctioneer feature for the game....that takes up most of my addon memory.
AxnJackson11 Nov 6th 2009 5:06PM
lol 60-70mb, just delete the questhelper.lua and next time you log in, it will only be at 8-10mb.
starphaser Nov 6th 2009 1:14PM
after seeing that everyone uses questhelper, blizzard decided implement this. nice!
Ophelos Nov 6th 2009 1:58PM
should have said most people. Since i never used Questhelper or Carb.
I use a combo of Cartographer and mobmap for all my questing needs. An i think i'll be using these two instead of this new quest tracker.
Spiraea Nov 6th 2009 1:21PM
I know it sucks for the addon developers of Carbonite and Questhelper.. but NOT having to have those addons.. it's a great thing. This is so simple and streamlined
jbodar Nov 6th 2009 6:38PM
This looks pretty weak compared to Carbonite. You can pry that addon from my cold, dead hands. I'll be turning this feature off and praying that the addon doesn't break.
This will however be a boon to those with less beefy systems, and more power to 'em. Carbonite (and QH) are pretty resource-hungry.
Beli Nov 6th 2009 1:21PM
I wonder if Blizzard is going to recognize the guys who wrote QuestHelper in any way... seeing as they pretty much took everything the addon does and made it standard.
talkingmike Nov 6th 2009 1:30PM
You *are* aware of how technology "innovations" work, right?
Good artists copy, great artists steal?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW0DUg63lqU
Artificial Nov 6th 2009 1:54PM
Why would they acknowledge Quest Helper instead of, say, Guild Wars, which has had this kind of quest tracking since long before Quest Helper came along? The only thing QH does that GW doesn't is compute optimal paths for completing multiple quests, and it doesn't look like Blizzard's does this, either, so I'd say it's pretty safe to say they didn't steal a single good idea from QH.
nobody Nov 6th 2009 2:28PM
Over the last 5 years, they have integrated MANY popular addons into the default UI.
You know how you can hold shift to compare an item to what you're wearing? Used to be an addon.
Equipment manager? Used to be an AddOn. Itemrack or Outfitter. Albeit, those addons are still better :p
Being able to change your track from the minimap button? Used to be an AddOn.
Instant quest text? I'm pretty sure that was an addon way back when.
zappo Nov 6th 2009 4:20PM
Often these sorts of improvements just pave the way for less overhead and guesswork by addon authors, that doesn't mean that they're kaput. Omen certainly hasn't gone away. Ironically I never even used outfitter until I TRIED to use the in game gear manager, realized it could save me time (but sucked), so I started using outfitter.