Datamined World of Warcraft cinematic shines a light on Sylvanas Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Datamined World of Warcraft cinematic shines a light on Sylvanas SPOILERS! News by Wesley Yin-Poole Deputy Editorial Director Updated on 5 Jan 2021 5 comments A datamined World of Warcraft cinematic has shone a light on Sylvanas - and teased a significant storyline development for the controversial villain. THERE MAY BE SPOILERS AHEAD. As Wowhead reports, the cinematic shows Sylvanas troubled by a difficult choice that hints at a potential redemption for the veteran Warcraft baddie. The cinematic kicks off with the Jailer ordering Sylvanas to turn the captive Anduin to the dark side, while reforging what appears to be Shalamayne, Varian Wrynn's weapon. Sylvanas approaches Anduin and gives him a choice: willingly join the bad guys' cause, or be forced to. Anduin, who points out this isn't much of a choice at all, realises "it's the choice you never had". "Despite all your grand designs, there's still some shred of your mortality haunting you. As if the Banshee Queen hasn't entirely eclipsed the Ranger-General," Anduin says. Then: "Now I understand why you brought me here. Why you tried so hard to persuade me. Because if you can get me to let go of hope, you finally can too." Mirroring Warcraft's famous Arthas wielding Frostmourne pose, Sylvanas points her sword at Anduin. But she is wavering. "I've not come this far to falter now," she says. "Then why do you hesitate?" Anduin replies. "Make your choice, Sylvanas Windrunner." That's where the cinematic ends. Could Sylvanas be on a redemption arc? Or will she force Anduin to the cause? What happens next is currently a hot topic within the World of Warcraft community, which has for some time now questioned developer Blizzard's decision-making when it comes to Sylvanas' storyline and character development. Cast your mind back to 2018, when in World of Warcraft Sylvanas was on a genocidal rampage that caused a schism in the Horde. Some fans were miffed Blizzard was turning yet another Horde leader into Warcraft's big baddie. We later chatted to Blizzard about its masterplan for the character, with creative director Alex Afrasiabi telling us: "there's a lot more to Sylvanas' story that hasn't been told yet." Two years later and we still don't know what Sylvanas' endgame is. Shadowlands kicked off with players chasing her through the veil into the afterlife. Sylvanas has a number of war crimes under her belt. Can any redemption - if it happens - be believable? Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 4 Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Lady Dimitrescu will be a tad smaller in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries DLC Level the playing field. 1 Overwatch 2 suffers another DDoS attack and character roster bugs Mei Mei. 13 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090: a new level in graphics performance The Digital Foundry video review - and how the new GPU champion delivers for 4K 120fps gaming. Feature Evercore Heroes wants to wind people up the right way "There's less rage at them, because they didn't end your fun." Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 4 Genshin Impact Path of Gleaming Jade dates, login event rewards Including other anniversary rewards and how to claim them. Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store