I thought it was very interesting to hear the news today that Blizzard is adding in their WoW expansion pack, the ability for the Horde to create Paladin characters, and the Alliance to create Shaman characters.  For those not entirely up on WoW Arcana, those two classes were previously restricted only to the opposite sides.  I thought this was an interesting way of providing more difference in the experience on both sides, although really, I think that is executed far more through the content available to each side.

It is difficult to say why exactly Blizzard made this decision -- perhaps the difficulty of balancing high end content for the two different one-side classes, or perhaps just a way of getting a new class in the expansion for each side "for free".  But what I find interesting is the strong negative reaction that it seems to be generating among the fans.  I've heard claims that this is proof that WoW has finally "jumped the shark", or at a bare minimum, has capitulated to the whining masses on their forums.

I can't always see the wisdom in some of Blizzard's decisions, but so far they have yet to disappoint.  I'm looking forward to rolling up a Dranei Shaman, myself.  Would I have rather seen a new class?  Sure -- but tradeoffs have to be made in reality.  I will miss that little bit of difference between the sides, I admit.  But I don't expect my interest in WoW to falter any time soon.