WOW Classic's Season Of Discovery doesn't player test new content, leading to more bugs - but more fun

The World of Warcraft Classic, a modern revival of the game's earlier version, has ventured into phase 3 of its Season of Discovery without deploying Player Test Realms, an approach that's quite a departure from the norm. This move, as discussed by PCGamer with the development team, signifies a break from pre-testing content with a select audience, implying that newer updates may encounter more issues initially. However, this strategy also cultivates a sense of unity and excitement, as all players explore the novelties simultaneously.
Clayton Stone, the Associate Production Director, highlighted this shift in strategy as a significant change, one that fosters unified moments of discovery for the entire player base. Traditionally, players on a PTR would disseminate findings, enabling others to preemptively tweak strategies and builds. In contrast, this approach preserves the allure of surprise and discovery.
Acknowledging that new content might present more glitches due to lack of prior large-scale testing, Stone mentioned proactive plans for immediate live updates post-launch to address such issues. Interestingly, this seems to resonate well with the community, displaying a willingness to embrace experimentation and occasional imperfections. 
This strategy resonates with opinions on how the essence of fun has been somewhat diluted in World of Warcraft over the years. The game had been reduced to a "solved puzzle," stripping away the element of mystery and exploration. By reintroducing a layer of unpredictability and shared discovery, the game rejuvenates a spirit of cooperative exploration among its players. This shared experience of navigating through uncharted content, even if it entails encountering bugs, fosters a mutual understanding and tolerance towards developmental hurdles.
Despite recent challenges faced by Activision Blizzard, including workforce reductions and legal settlements, the World of Warcraft franchise continues to evolve. With plans to expand content for both the Classic and main versions, including the introduction of World of Warcraft Cataclysm Classic, the journey of this iconic MMORPG marches on. This approach by World of Warcraft Classic may hint at a broader application, potentially influencing future updates across the whole franchise, promising an exciting era of exploration and camaraderie among its vast player base.