Blizzard continues to shut down layering across various realms in World of Warcraft: Classic, with another batch having deactivated the intentionally temporary measure to bring all characters on to a single layer. This means that only a handful of servers still do have layers, something that will soon be shown directly on the server selection screen; according to the studio, population markers (high/medium/low) will be shown only for non-layered servers, while those with layers still on will simply read as “Layered.” The goal for the team is still to turn all layers off before phase 2 of the game’s content rolls out.
If you’re less interested in layering and more interested in an in-depth analysis of what makes WoW Classic specifically appealing to a group of fans beyond the self-imposed gatekeepers and internet shouty people, you might enjoy Dan Olson’s lengthy video about what appeals in Classic that’s distinct from the retail game, what that says about the differences in design philosophy, and what special things it really does offer. To quote one of his own thesis statements: “If there is nothing to do, if nothing is meaningful, then you’re free to self-direct.” It’s a long watch at 40 minutes, but it’s well worth the watch just the same.
