Arguably one of the most anticipated events in the MMO gaming scene is the upcoming release of World of Warcraft's Wrath of the Lich King expansion. As a preparation for this event, we've set up a three-part Everything You Need to Know article to give you an idea of what to expect. Part one, which will cover Northrend's geography, is available over at the full article.

The MMO Gamer recently had a chat with Jeffrey Kaplan, lead designer for Blizzard's World of Warcraft, and he brought up a rather interesting idea about the future of one of the video game's least visited dungeons: Naxxramas.

When asked about raids, and about how it seems the game is catering to a small, vocal minority, rather than the majority of casual players, Kaplan cited Karazhan as one of the most popular instances in the game, and mentioned the possibility of seeing Naxxramas as the Karazhan of Northrend in the future. Said Kaplan,

So what I want to do in Northrend is to take Naxxramas in all of its glory, scale it down to the 25 man raid size, and then take the difficulty and retune it - obviously we’d tune for level 80, it would no longer be tuned for level 60, since that would be a little silly and it wouldn’t be a lot of fun for people at that point—but I want to put rewards in there that are very exciting to level 80 players, but make it the entry-level raid, very accessible, tune the encounters so that there’s something for everybody to do, and let the majority get a chance to see that content that they hadn’t seen before.

The idea of resurrecting Naxxramas for the expansion seems like a great idea. Lore-wise, it gives us the perfect excuse to pick up a new and improved Ashbringer as well as make some death knight-related quests. Other than that, it lets us experience some old-world content in a new-world setting, which is logically possible since Naxx is more or less a floating necropolis in the sky.

In any case, if you want to read or listen to the full interview with Jeffrey Kaplan, feel free to check the read link below.

"That  'Wicked Day of Destiny' has finally arrived in the World of Warcraft universe, as Legions of The Scourge  finally descend on the Lands of Azeroth! The dark Necropoli have been seen throughout the world, appearing at the edge of the horizon, looming like harbingers of Doom, awaiting the word of their commander, Kel'Thuzad.

From the East, a blackness hides the dawn as the Lich King's minions prepare to invade Azeroth. The Scourge again comes forth - and this time, there are no Prophets to speak warnings, no courageous Knights to battle the Dark Legions - and no Hero to stand against the Abomination Who sits on the Frozen Throne.

You...are all that stands between Light and Darkness...Freedom and Bondage...Life and Death.

Although much of Azeroth is now under attack,  Members of the Argent Dawn are organizing the Resistance. It's power grows with every victory against the Scourge.  As more invasions are turned  back, the Argent Dawn will be able to bestow increasingly more powerful blessings upon the Defenders.  As long as mortal races focus on clearing the Scourge camps, the invasion can be halted - and even repelled. Those wishing to take up arms against the Invaders should speak with a representative of the Argent Dawn to learn what regions need help and how the defense is holding up.

Scourge agents are appearing in Stratholme, the Scholomance, Dire Maul, the Scarlet Monastery, Shadowfang Keep and the Razorfen Downs.  A necropolis has appeared outside Stormwind and Undercity, the assault on these capitals will soon begin. Skeletal shock troops stand by, awaiting the order to advance, commanded by Abominations and gruesome Undead Officers. City guards will need all available aid when the Scourge unleashes its Unholy Armies.

Meanwhile, the Argent Dawn stands by, setting up camps within the besieged cities, rallying the Defenders against the encroaching darkness.