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The Best of WoW Insider: April 2010
April was another busy month here. An increasing number of players finished Icecrown Citadel, and Cataclysm news sped from a trickle to ... well, I'm not sure I'd describe it as a gush, but we saw the earliest planned class changes and a series of announcements on altered mechanics. Oh, and we also briefly turned the site into Twilight Insider for April Fool's, and Blizzard debuted the famous "sparkle pony." News Eyonix leaving Blizzard A sad day for many of us who had waited religiously for his posts. Rage normalization in Cataclysm Hot on the heels of Rossi's argument that rage was broken (see past the cut), Blizzard announced an upcoming effort to "normalize rage" again for Cataclysm. I glossed the previous effort to normalize rage (in the beginning of The Burning Crusade) as follows: Blizzard: We're normalizing rage. Warriors: What does that mean? Blizzard: It means that normally, you won't have any. Warriors: ... oh. No no no no no no no no! Lil' XT was plagued by a bug that vastly increased the range at which you could hear his emotes and vocalizations. Blizzard wound up having to disable them before more players threw themselves off cliffs in an effort to escape. Blizzard bans 320,000 Warcraft 3 and Diablo 2 players Blizzard started "cleaning house" (as Gregg termed it) on Battle.net in preparation for the release of Starcraft 2.
The best of WoW Insider: March 2010
With more players reaching the Lich King and "finishing" the expansion (although I wouldn't have suggested saying that to anyone toiling on the Icecrown Citadel drakes), the community turned a little more of its attention to the future. The community's appetite for all things Cataclysm was in no way sated by the trickle of expansion information in this period, and more and more of our writers began to speculate on possible changes. News Cataclysm stat and system changes revealed The first sign of things to come. Operation Gnomeregan: Transcript and details and Operation Echo Isles: Transcripts and details The Operation: Gnomeregan and Zalazane's Fall events were datamined long before they ever went live, and Gregg did the legwork to figure out what was going on. Goon Squad downs Tirion Fordring Really, Goon Squad? Really? Though, as Sacco observes, there's a term for this you might as well start getting used to hearing -- "emergent gameplay." WoW Insider's guide to WoW resources We decided to put together as comprehensive a listing of fan sites and WoW blogs as we could manage. World of Warcraft Patch 3.3.3 release notes Patch 3.3.3 went live, and with it, the "greed only" policy on frost orbs that Mat had written about the previous month. PUG players everywhere breathed a sigh of relief. Cataclysm earthquake mobs visible in Stormwind "Shaker" mobs were visible on several servers, a precursor to the earthquakes yet to come. Paragon scores world-first heroic Lich King It took almost two months for a guild to get the heroic 25-man Lich King down.
The Best of WoW Insider: February 2010
January was a busy month for us, but February was still busier. Players were getting deeper into Icecrown CItadel, the Lich King encounter became available, and controversy swirled over who really got the world first. News Ensidia scores world-first 25-man Lich King kill As expected, Ensidia got the world-first 25-man Lich King kill -- and then a 72-hour ban for the use of saronite bombs. Turns out the bombs were bugging the encounter and rendering the val'kyr spawns a non-issue by causing the outer portion of the Frozen Throne's platform to reassemble. "It is a longstanding tradition for end bosses to be exploited in the most hilariously awful of ways," Alex shrugs. Debunking another hacked authenticator story An article surfaces on The Consumerist claiming that a hacker removed an authenticator from an account. Robin doubts this assertion can be taken at face value. Man-in-the-middle attacks circumventing authenticators Account security woes continued with yet another trick by hackers to bypass the layers of security surrounding a WoW account. How to tell if a GM is whispering you Robin's war against the scammers continues with an instructive piece on how to avoid one of the newer phishing scams that sent players to bogus websites over a fake GM's whisper. Winter Olympics 2010: Ghostcrawler promised me a moose The "Ghostcrawler promised me a (X)" meme kicked into high gear after an attendee at the Stephen Colbert rally in Vancouver made his presence felt. WoW players (and Blizzard) were amused.
The Best of WoW Insider: January 2010
As with last year, our editors have asked us to put together a list of what we considered the year's best stories. As of now, there are 12 days until the end of the year, so we thought it'd be fun to do another end-of-year countdown showcasing a different month each day. We hope you'll enjoy a selection of WoW Insider's best and most insightful, funny, and thoughtful stories from 2010. We also took the liberty of including articles that best captured the zeitgeist of Wrath of the Lich King in its waning arc. January 2010 wasn't a quiet month for us. Players were just about a month into Icecrown Citadel, and the still-new dungeon finder was keeping even non-raiders thoroughly occupied. Patch 3.3 had been enthusiastically received ("Great patch or greatest patch?" as we asked at the time), but we were seeing the first glimmer of social changes wrought by the dungeon finder and continuing problems with account security. News Man forced to choose between his wife and his orc Really, this is the sort of philosophical conundrum that might have occupied Aristotle in an earlier age. Blizzard giving serious consideration to mandatory authenticators The number of hacked characters seemed to peak in late 2009/early 2010, and Blizzard had a few ways to deal with it -- including giving players the option of not actually restoring a hacked character. Alex wrote a counterpoint article with a few observations concerning the sheer scale of the problem. Beware of WoW Armory phishing scams Robin had spent much of the previous year battling scammers and had no intention of stopping. Bobby Kotick didn't think Blizzard was worth 7 million in 1996 Oh, how swiftly things change. Though, as commenters pointed out, he may not really have been wrong at the time. Help! My account has been hacked We received so many complaints about hacking, phishing, and scamming that Robin wrote a straightforward article on how to handle it if you were among the unfortunate victims. In 8 months, Blizzard wound up automating the process.
The best of WoW Insider: September 23-30, 2008
As you can see, Warcraft's heroes look a little different lately -- both Varian Wrynn (the missing king of Stormwind, who hasn't been seen since the game started) is looking heroic and back on the throne, and Sylvanas Windrunner, queen of the Forsaken players, has a new hot look as well. Varimathas ("You think you can match the might of a Dreadlord?") is the victim of a bug, though -- he's just a placeholder graphic for now. For more beta changes and strangness, hit up WoW Insider -- we're on the home stretch to the WoW expansion, and we've got everything you need to know. News Spoiler: Angrathar, the Wrath GateDon't click that link if you don't want the story ruined, but s. is about to hit the f. in Northrend. if you know what we mean. Ask a Beta Tester: Multi-passenger mounts and EnchantingOur beta tester (one of them) answers your questions about what's going on in the Wrath of the Lich King beta. New items for old HonorBlizzard's about to wipe all Honor and marks off the map, so here's what they're offering to let you buy before everything goes bye-bye. Shaman changes in Wrath beta build 8982Class tweaks are coming faster than ever near the end of the beta, and our class columnists are keeping you updated on what's going on. Boss models updated in Wrath betaFinally, Sylvanas looks like the badass Blood Elf Banshee Queen she's supposed to be. Features First Impressions: 5-man healing in the betaWhat it's like to keep a group up in Northrend. Skill Mastery: Mind SearA look at an Area of Effect ability coming to Shadow Priests, Breakfast Topic: The last week of BrewfestThe in-game holiday of drunken Dwarves is almost over -- did you get your Brew of the Month membership yet? WoW Insider's preview of PopCap Games' Bejeweled addonHere's a first look at PopCap's official Bejeweled addon -- one addictive game inside another. Will Wrath really be ready by November 13th?Blizzard, a company known for polish, is still not done with some of Wrath. Will the game come out unfinished?
The best of WoW Insider: September 16-23, 2008
Yes, motorbikes have made it into Azeroth -- in the upcoming Wrath of the Lich King expansion, engineers will be able to make Harleys, and anyone who can get their hands on one will be able to drive it (though getting your hands on one might not be so easy). But that's not the only big news floating around sister site WoW Insider this week -- check the links below for news about Brewfest, Azeroth's favorite drinking (and ram riding) holiday. News Coren Direbrew now drops cross-faction Brewfest mounts, teleportation deviceBrewfest is underway in Azeroth, and Coren Direbrew is the Dwarf you want to insult for epics. Planning for the Brewmaster title in advanceHere's the low-down on what you need to do to get the achievement ready for the Brewfest holiday. Motorcycles finally implemented in the Wrath betaAzeroth, get ready for biker gangs -- the expansion's new BoE Engineering mount is roaring into town. WoW Insider Interview: Blizzard speaks about Authenticator securityBlizzard answers our questions about how the account Authenticator works. Paladin changes in beta build 8962What's up with plate-wearing healers in the latest Wrath beta build. Features Ask a Lore Nerd: Portals, Pandaren and Jaina ProudmooreOur resident lore obsessor talks about portals, Jaina Proudmoore and her rocky relationship with Arthas, and everyone's favorite Panda race. WoW, Casually: Get thee to BrewfestOur casual players' column takes a look at the latest holiday and all the drinking there is to do. Is "Leading the Cavalry" possible?There's a new mount achievement coming soon to the game, but is it even possible to get 75 mounts on one character? Ask a Beta Tester: Mounts, threatmeters and tabardsIf you've got a question about the Wrath of the Lich King beta, odds are that AABT has an answer. Guildwatch: It's not me, it must be youDrama, downed, and recruiting news from as many guilds as we could round up in our weekly guild column.
The best of WoW Insider: June 10-17, 2008
You can almost hear David Bowie singing around the realm of Azeroth lately: ch-ch-ch-ch-changes are in the air. Blizzard decided to do PvE to PvP transfers for the first time this week, Season 4 is coming soon in the Arenas, and lots of changes are coming to old Azeroth (including the Dalabubble, above). But don't let change worry you -- Joystiq's sister site WoW Insider has you covered, through all the changes coming in Wrath of the Lich King. You can turn and face the strain -- we got your back. News WoW player more ashamed than porn addictAddiction is out there, and people suffering from it need to get help. Combat stats and spellpower consolidated on AlphaA huge change to the way talents and gear will work hits the expansion's Alpha servers. Seven graphical WoW generators, and one for your carSeven different ways to put your World of Warcraft character into graphical form. Starting from scratch with two weeks to Season 4The new arena season was announced this week, and even if you weren't prepared, we've got you covered. Reading between the lines: are more PvE to PvP transfers possible?Blizzard broke their precedent for the first time this week to save a dying server -- will they do it again? Features Ask WoW Insider: /roll abuse?The number one way to cause drama in the game? Be unfair with loot. Tank Talk: The better (and lesser) angels of our natureOur raid Tanking column talks about that little DPS devil on your tanking shoulder. Ask a Lore Nerd: The evil-o-meterLots of players know some things about lore, but the Lore Nerd knows all. Changes to old Azeroth coming in the next expansionWhat's changing in the old world when Wrath of the Lich King releases? A lot. 'Tis the Season 4 making moneyZach Yonzon tells you exactly how to cash in on the news that Season 4 is coming soon.
The best of WoW Insider: May 13-20. 2008
It's all about guilds this week -- not only did we have one of the biggest breakups in recent memory (D&T met their end, as you can see below), but on Joystiq's sister site WoW Insider, many of our most popular posts had to do with guild management, in both good and bad situations. If you run a guild or if you're just part of one, it's worth the click on these to get the inside story on running (and crashing) guilds in Azeroth, from now until Wrath of the Lich King and beyond. News The /gquit MacroDon't just /gquit -- /gquit in style. Wrath of the Lich King Friends and Family Alpha patch notes leakedSpells and talents past 70 are available -- you just can't play them yet. Is Karazhan no longer for entry-level raiders?Moroes and Attumen is, but the rest of Kara might be too tough for those folks in blue gear. Death and Taxes guild disbandsThey used to get world first kills regularly, but now they're rerolling. Keys to a successful altWays to make sure that other character you've got is as successful as your main. Features Officers' Quarters: Jerk message of the day"Go f&$# yourselves, San Diego." Guildwatch: "Makes it sound like Teapot Dome up in here"Of corrupt guilds and the guildleaders who ruin them. Hybrid Theory: Death Knight distressWill the coming of another tanking class unseat the hybrids that are already there? Ready Check: Death and raid guildsHow can your guild make it past the expansion leap? Breakfast Topic: Biggest AH saleWhat's the biggest cash-in you ever did at the ingame Auction House?
The best of WoW Insider: May 6-13, 2008
It was a hell of a week in the World of Warcraft. Not only did we get a flood of information about the upcoming Wrath of the Lich King expansion, but Blizzard announced that they are in fact having another BlizzCon this year -- and as you can see from the picture above, last year's was just plain awesome. For info about BlizzCon and everything else WoW, count on Joystiq's sister site WoW Insider. News The Death Knight class revealedBlizzard drops the goods on the game's first Hero Class. More Death Knight news and clarificationsClearing up players' questions and concerns about what the Death Knight is for. Is it really OK for Arthas to be 10-mannable?The game's baddest bad guy (mortal, anyway) is going to be able to be taken down by 10 players. Are we really that powerful? More Wrath of the Lich King impressions and informationLots more news about the new zones in Northrend and what we'll find up there. Blizzard cracks down on Arena win tradingCheaters never win... trade. At least not anymore. Features Around Azeroth: Grand Theft AzerothOur daily screenshot column mixes up Liberty City and the World of Warcraft with wacky results. Arcane Brilliance: Level 70 checklistThings to do for Mages at the highest level in the game. Scattered Shots: Why certain pet families are popularWhy do some Hunters choose bears and others go for boars? Find out here. Spiritual Guidance: 30 If statements that priests should adhere toYou might be a priest if... most of your Showbiz pizza tickets came from Whack-a-mole. Guildwatch: Going too farYou don't have to be in a guild full of drama to love our scandalous weekly column about how mean people are to each other in game, but it helps.
The best of WoW Insider: April 8-15, 2008
World of Warcraft isn't only the biggest game in the world -- it's also loved by hot and nerdy starlets everywhere. And when you need info about WoW and its Wrath of the Lich King expansion, whether you're Mila Kunis or that fat guy from the South Park episode, there's just one place to go: Joystiq's sister site WoW Insider. Here's a few great links from our site from the past week. News Breaking: Wrath is in alphaWe scooped the dev status of the game's next expansion. Forum Post of the Day: Player tries to scam GM, gets shut downAnd we get a look at just how much information Blizzard has on what you do in game. What we know about Death KnightsEverything that's been released so far about the new class coming in Wrath of the Lich King. Craig Sherman of Gaia Online: WoW is "not a success"How can you have a 10 million player game and still not have success? Ask Craig. Why Mount Hyjal and Black Temple attunements still matterBlizzard has made it easy on raiders progressing upwards, so why should we care about old quests? Features Breakfast Topic: What are you doing with all that gold?Our daily discussion feature wants to know why you've got all that cash. Guildwatch: Drama at the fishing tournamentYep, even the weekly Stranglethorn fishing tourney has its share of drama. Blood Sport: Arena season 4 in early June?Our Arena column attempts to divine the next season opener date. He Said, She Said: Tauren femalesIn a new gender-based debate column, our two columnists talk about the aesthetic beauty (or lack thereof) of some of the player races. Reader UI of the Week: Zerfall of EonarOne of our readers shares his UI and addon setup with us.
The best of WoW Insider: March 26-31, 2008
Seeing as patch 2.4 is out and complete, and there are no new content patches in sight for World of Warcraft (we don't even know a release date for Wrath of the Lich King yet), WoW Insider has been asked by our corporate overlords to change over to HKO Insider, exclusively covering news and views about another très populaire MMO, Hello Kitty Online. Our writers aren't real thrilled about it, but it's true -- we'll now be covering Pochacco instead of Paladins.Here's a look back at the past (and last) week of WoW Insider. WoW was fun while it lasted, now onward to to Flower Kingdom! News Patch 2.4: The unofficial patch notesCovering all the changes that we didn't know about before the patch dropped. Sunwell Phase 2 daily quest walkthroughsEverything you need to know about working through the second phase of the latest world event. Exclusive Interview: Nihilum, the Sunwell, and the future of high-end raidingOne of the game's biggest guilds speaks to WoW Insider about what's next for raiders. Magister's Terrace and the meatshield: Drops to look forWhat's good for tanks in the Terrace. Size matters: Tauren shrinkageEvery patch comes with bugs, and patch 2.4 is no exception at all. Features Your addons vs. Patch 2.4How to wrangle your WTF folder after the patch's release. Guildwatch: She fulfilled my everyone fantasyOur weekly look at guild drama and guild news from around the realms has a tale of sordid debauchery. Insider Trader: Guide to farming clothNeed some textiles fast? Our professions column has you covered. Get it? "Covered"? Forum Post of the Day: The death of PvP guilds"Fair and balanced gameplay? The horror..." He said, She said: Does Blizzard support homosexual stereotyping?Our new column about gender in game chats about whether the Blood Elves are supposed to be effeminate, and if so, why.
