With the release of World of Warcraft‘s Undermine(d) patch, goblin players are finally getting their chance to enter the fabled city of Undermine. While it has been a major part of the game’s lore for a long time, no one has really been able to explore it until now. But thanks to Undermine(d), World of Warcraft players are now spending hours traversing its winding roads, combating its many cartels, and going on a wild goblin-focused adventure. And because it seems to be a success, Blizzard cannot stop there.
Throughout the years, there have been many races introduced to World of Warcraft that either lack their capital city or live within a city that is in desperate need of a revamp. Blood elves have been clamoring for Blizzard to fix Silvermoon, Worgen players have yet to return to Gilneas properly, and many Night Elf players long for a return to Darnassus. But, while all of those cities could make great additions to Azeroth, it feels like the perfect time for gnome players to finally gain access to their capital of Gnomeregan. Not only does that seem fair after the introduction of Undermine, but it may also be the longest overdue for a revamp.
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A Revamped Gnomeregan is Long Overdue
Gnomeregan Has Been Within WoW Forever
The capital city of Gnomeregan has been a part of World of Warcraft ever since its earliest days. In classic, the city had been overtaken by brutish troggs attracted by gnomish machinery. While the gnomes did their best to defend it, they were ultimately forced to flee the city after flooding it with radiation in hopes it could take out their adversaries. The survivors sought refuge in the dwarf capital of Ironforge, and while some wished to retake their city one day, High Tinkerer Mekkatorque chose to support the Alliance in their war instead.
In-game, Gnomeregan served as a mid-level dungeon that tasked players with reclaiming the city from the radiated invaders and their allies. While they succeeded, the city would simply remain a dungeon. Before Cataclysm rolled around, players were able to partake in an event known as Operation: Gnomeregan, which saw them reclaim the area around the city as well as push further into it. Once the expansion launched, the city still remained a dungeon, except it had been revamped with new stories and quest lines. And since then, it has also had a small storyline in Battle for Azeroth, yet players still cannot explore it.
Gnomeregan Naturally Feels Like the Next Step
Since launch, players from both the Horde and Alliance have gone in to liberate Gnomeregan countless times. Because of that, it seems like they should have taken the city officially by now. Yet, gnomes are still seeking refuge within Ironforge or living just outside the city in New Tinkertown. They have yet to set up shop in their capital, no matter how many expansions have launched since. But, with the introduction of Undermine, it feels like Gnomeregan is the natural next step.
Goblins and gnomes share a lot of similarities in that they are both the tinkerer races for their factions. If goblins are finally able to explore their capital city, then it feels like gnomes should be given that same chance. Not only has the story of its capture been told thousands of times, but the Horde should not be the only ones that get to add a machine-filled city to their line-up. Plus, its revamp could be the perfect incentive for players to either make a gnome or explore the old world a bit more.
As of now, there is no news on whether Gnomeregan will ever get turned into an actual capital city for players to explore. It has served as a dungeon for the game’s entire lifespan, so there is a strong chance that it will remain that way for the foreseeable future. However, it really should be given the chance to shine. Its time is long overdue, and now that Undermine has finally been introduced, it seems only right for Gnomeregan to follow.
- Released
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November 23, 2004
- ESRB
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T for Teen: Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol, Violence (online interactions not rated)