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New servers spotted on Realm Status? Think again!
After receiving reports of new US realms, we feel it is our civic duty to inform you of the truth behind these mystery realms. Fairly regularly people see new servers on a realm status report. A name they have not heard, a realm they have not seen. And they announce, breathlessly, that there is a new server. The fact that no one can create a character on the "new server" does not appear relevant. The urge to see a new server is far too great to overcome a simple fact: Blizzard announces new servers. Forum posters do not. And these new servers, for the past year, have never actually become live servers on which we can play. They're testing, configuring, event servers, who knows? Blizzard won't say, that I've seen. But they're not Live and not intended for Live, and in a year they've never gone Live.There's no sense in getting our hopes up for something like that. Blizzard has said there will be no new servers until further notice. A friend on the forum who posts a link to Realm Status showing a previously unseen server is not a Blizzard announcement. This concludes our public service announcement for the day.
The plague of the reroll locusts
If you ever visit the WoW forums on a daily basis, you'll notice that a large portion of the posts are people asking, begging, wheedling and whining about their wish for new servers. These posts have gotten so bad that Blizzard has now classified "new server plz" posts as spam and threatened to ban posters from the forums. But even so, you can see "Are there new servers today?!?!?!?!", "New realms: Why they are needed" and "Perfect time to release new realms!" Blizzard has said that they don't plan to release any new realms until the current servers are overpopulated -- and with the large number of "dying" low-pop realms, this doesn't seem to be on the agenda anytime soon. But many of the rerollers say they don't care that newly released realms will become low-population -- they just want a "fresh start" so they can get server firsts. Devonw, who starts a number of the threads, has rerolled seven times on new servers, oddly enough with mostly night elf females. This has led to the popularization of the term "reroll locusts." The locusts demand a new server to start anew on, roll a character there, and in a few months when it becomes a low-population server, desert en masse to call for yet another new server, leaving the old server a barren wasteland. I've got to say that the attitude of many of the reroll locusts has turned me off from supporting their cause. They don't seem to care about any of the low-population realms desperately in need of players, but only about their own need for a new playing field. I do understand the fun of starting out on a brand-new realm, having tried it once myself in the past, but I think Blizzard really has to balance that against concern for the low-population realms, and they've decided in favor of the latter. What do you think should be done about new realms and low population realms? Do you support new servers, or do you wish the threads would just go away?
New realms for US and EU players
Yep, you heard me right. Today has brought news of four new US realms and one new English-language EU realm. US players have their pick of Misha (PvE, PST, Whirlwind), Ravenholdt (RP-PvP, ET, Whirlwind), Bladefist (PvE, PST, Whirlwind), and Maiv (PvP, PST, Whirlwind). European players hoping for a fresh start can look towards the new Burning Steppes realm (PvP, Nightfall). While there's no further details on the US front, CM Thundgot tells EU players that they should expect several new realms opening up when the expansion launches -- and thus they shouldn't hope for more new realms before then.
Two New US Realms Available
Two more US realms have opened today, adding to the two new realms last week. Both realms are in the EST timezone and include Undermine, a PvE realm in Battlegroup 10, and Anub'arak, a PvP realm in Battlegroup 11. Both of these realms will be closed to paid character transfer for six months, as opposed to the previous three months. (And if you're playing on a realm not yet open for transfers, the new six month limit applies to you as well.) So if you were looking for fresh adventures in Azeroth, this is a great chance.
New US Realms & Paid Character Transfer Update
In an announcement that will probably stop the "new realms plz!" requests for a good sixty seconds, two new US realms have opened this afternoon. Tanaris is available for the PvE-ers and Forgotten Coast for the PvP-ers. (And, before you ask, bot realms are in the EST time zone.) However, the most interesting thing about these two new realms is the fact that no transfers will be allowed to them for 6 months, rather than the previously standard 3 months. And what's better is that all future realms will follow the same 6 month rule. (Though whether this will be the case for all realms that aren't yet open for transfers is not clear.)
Four New Realms Today
Four more new realms opened today - for PvP players, there's Onyxia and Blackwing Lair, while PvE players can enjoy Gnomeregan and Anvilmar. So if you were feeling like a fresh start in Azeroth, here's your chance. The realms appear to be in the PST time zone, so if that's what you're looking for, this is your fix. There are ongoing complains on the forums about low population servers, but perhaps the combination of newer realms and pay for realm transfers this will aid in evening out population imbalances across all the servers. However, only time will tell!
Two New Realms Today!
New non-transfer realms Aerie Peak (PvE) and Lethon (PvP) opened up this afternoon. I find it interesting that we have two new realms after, just last week, Blizzard released a list of low population realms as recommended places for new players to start afresh. Of course, I'll be the first to say that new realms are great fun to roll on and play on - it's nice to start on a shiny new server, before there are farmers and twinks. But after a while the "new" will wear off and it will just be another server. Perhaps they're planning for future growth?
Two New PvP Realms
Two new PvP realms have been brought online today - Demon Soul and Jaedenar. These realms are on the new World of Warcraft site with all new hardware and are open for character creation. The reaction on the forums to this is surprisingly negative, as numerous players chime in with complaints on realm time zones (they appear to be EST servers), the realm type (still no new RP-PvP realms?), and the lack of Oceanic-flagged realms. I can't claim to understand the need for these new realms, but here's to hoping there's a master plan that we'll see eventually.
Two New US Realms
Two new US realms were opened today - Alter of Storms (PvP) and Uldaman (PvE). These are non-transfer realms and are open for character creation by all players, and they're both running at the new site, on all newer, better hardware platforms. Anyone planning on starting afresh on a shiny new server, with the hope of shorter queues and less lag, or are you happy where you are?
New Oceanic Realms Coming
Well, they aren't going to be opened immediately, but there are plans for two new Oceanic realms (one PvE and one PvP) to open mid-May. With only a few existing Oceanic servers, this will hopefully alleviate overcrowding. Of course, this does not much help existing Oceanic players who started out on non-Oceanic realms before there were any Oceanic realms - chances are they'll be waiting for pay-for character transfers if they want to swap.
New Servers: A Month Later
Remember the slew of new US servers that opened about a month ago? Well, a lot of players from other servers jumped on the opportunity to start anew - myself included. The chance to start on a fresh server has been a thrill. No queues, no lag, and no gold farmers. But the servers have already started growing up. Gold and characters are available for purchase on most and queues on my new server have already surpassed those on my old. After weeks of watching the queues increase, I'm starting to realize that this may not be just a passing thing - people aren't just coming to visit the servers just announced or tagged new, they're sticking around to play.So what does this mean for population balance? I haven't heard anything about queues or lag dropping on older servers - though perhaps people are too busy playing to post about it. Short of establishing draconian policies that force players to one server or another, it doesn't seem like there's much Blizzard can do to normalize server population aside from making new realms and transfer servers attractive options to players. But a month after a major wave of new transfers, new realms, and new hardware, are we seeing improvements - or are the problems just moving from one server to another?
Norgannon and Thrall Transfers Opening!
Finally, I'm sure some of you are saying. Initially announced on March 24th and delayed three times since, it appears that transfers to the new Norgannon and Thrall realms are finally going to happen. Begining Monday, April 17th, at 3:00 AM PDT, players from Shadowsong and Azjol-Nerub will be able to transfer to Norgannon while players from Alleria and Hellscream will be able to transfer to Thrall. Transfers will close on Thursday, April 20th, at 3:00 PM PDT, so get on it while there's a chance.
PvE to PvP Realm Transfers?
Because I do not play on any of the affected servers, the fact that Blizzard has opened up PvE to PvP realm transfers was not immediately obvious to me. Hyjal, Lightbringer, Shadowsong, Zul'jin, Alleria , Hellscream, and Whisperwind are all PvE servers, and have recently been given the opportunity to transfer to new PvP servers Black Dragonflight and Dalvengyr. This is interesting, primarily because Blizzard has, in the past, always kept realm transfers within their realm type. So these new transfers will allow seasoned players from old PvE servers a taste of the excitement of PvP without the difficulty that faces most players who wish to make such a switch - rerolling and releveling.
Update on Upcoming Character Transfers
Transfers to the new Norgannon and Thrall servers are still on hold until further notice, though CM Drysc posted on Saturday assuring us that preparations for the transfers continue, and that they have not been canceled. Drysc has also provided an update on transfers to new realms Black Dragonflight and Dalvengyr. Due to "gameplay-related concerns" the Khaz'goroth to Dalvengyr transfer has been dropped from the list, but the remaining transfers began this morning at 3:00 AM PST. These transfers end on Thursday, so if you're interested, get to it as soon as possible!
Two New Transfer Realms
Starting on Monday, April 10th, at 3:00 AM PST, players on Hyjal, Lightbringer, Shadowsong, Zul'jin, Alleria, Khaz'goroth, Hellscream, and Whisperwind will have the option to transfer to new PvP servers Black Dragonflight (Hyjal, Lightbringer, Shadowsong, and Zul'jin) and Dalvengyr (Alleria, Khaz'goroth, Hellscream, and Whisperwind). Transfers will close on Thursday, April 13th, so if you're interested in making the jump, do it as soon as possible.
New EU Realms Open!
Four new European realms have been opened at a new hosting site, where players can hopefully see improved performance. The press release suggests that eight servers are scheduled to open today, but it looks like only four have actually gone live. Check out Boulderfist (PvP), Eonar (PvE), Ravenholdt (RP PvP), and Vek'nilash (PvP) for a fresh start in Azeroth!
Server Downtime Thursday
Blizzard is rolling out new hardware for several US realms this Thursday, and the process of transferring the realms means - you guessed it, extensive downtime. The migration will begin on Thursday at 12:01 AM PST and may last as long as 24 hours. Those of you on effected realms will receive an extra day's credit to your account, which is, I suppose, better than nothing. Following the migration, Blizzard plans to open character transfers from existing realms to new realms (yet to be opened) to further help with performance and overcrowding issues. Realms transferring to new hardware are Archimonde, Dalaran, Khadgar, and Mal'Ganis. Other affected realms include Aggramar, Andorhal, Anetheron, Burning Blade, Burning Legion, Dentarg, Duskwood, Earthen Ring, Eonar, Eredar, Executus, Gilneas, Gorefiend, Haomarush, Kargath, Laughing Skull, Lightning's Blade, Llane, Malygos, Scilla, Shadow Moon, Steamwheedle Cartel, Thunderhorn, Thunderlord, Turalyon, Ysera, Ysondre, and Zuluhed. While these realms are not receiving a hardware upgrade, Tseric explains that current equipment configuration requires this.Update: The schedule has been pushed back to Thursday.
EU Server Transfers Announced
Thundgot has announced upcoming server transfers and new transfer-only realms to be introduced over the next month. These are still subject to change, but hopefully will give EU players an idea of what to expect.April 17th - 21st Shattered Hand and Ragnaros --> Frostmane (new realm) Bladefist and Daggerspine --> Outland (new realm) April 24th - 28th Warsong and Skullcrusher --> Stonemaul (new realm) Burning Legion and Stormscale --> Grim Batol (new realm) May 1st - 5th Dragonmaw and Spinebreaker --> (to be decided) Burning Blade and Stormreaver --> (to be decided) May 8th - 12th Zenedar and Ravencrest --> (to be decided) Dunemaul and Deathwing --> (to be decided)
New EU Servers This Week!
CM Thundgot brings news that we should expect seven new EU servers some time this week, though not before maintenance on Wednesday. These will all be open character creation (no transfers), so start planning your new guild now!Update: The servers below are expected to open on Wednesday, April the 5th in the afternoon or evening.English Eonar (PvE) Vek'nilash (PvP) Ravenholdt (RP PvP) French Arathi (PvP) German Die Nachtwache (RP) Vek'lor (PvP) Der abyssische Rat (RP PvP)
Four More New Realms!
You read that right. At 12:00 PM PST there will be four more new realms opening for those of you interested in making a new start in the world. So let's all give Ysera (PVE), Dentarg (PVP), Andorhal (PVP), and Executus (PVP) a warm welcome to the server list.Also worth noting that these, and all of the other recently opened realms, are running on gleaming new hardware. Hopefully this means improved performance and reduced lag.
