connected-realms
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Connected Realms update for March 13
The list of US realms slated for the Realm Connection service has now been updated with new information regarding upcoming dates for the service. Four new realms have been added to the pending list for realm connections, but as of yet, there's still no update to the realms that have been postponed. The following realms are scheduled to be connected on Thursday, March 27. Borean Tundra and Shadowsong Thorium Brotherhood and Farstriders/Silver Hand Sentinels and Kirin Tor/Steamwheedle Cartel Read on for the rest of the connections and dates.
Connected Realms update for March 7
The list of US realms slated for the Realm Connection service has now been updated with new information regarding upcoming dates for the service, as well as some minor rescheduling for one set of realms that was slated for connection this week. Realms that have been postponed indefinitely still do not have an update as to if or when they will be re-added to the connection schedule. The following realms are scheduled to be connected on Thursday, March 13 -- players on Drak'thul and Skywall may want to note that their connection scheduled for last week has been pushed forward to this date. Drak'thul and Skywall-rescheduled from 3/6 Dreadmaul and Thaurissan Exodar and Medivh Scarlet Crusade and Feathermoon Read on for the rest of the connections and dates.
EU Connected realms and free character migrations
The realms, they are connecting. CM Takralus on the EU forums posted this update on which realms have been completed and which ones are still scheduled to be connected. This updates the big master list of EU realms. The realms connected this time around were English, French and German language realms, with an emphasis on PvP and RP (and even RP/PVP). The connected realms are: English Realms - Bloodscalp and Emeriss/Agamaggan/Hakkar/Crushridge and Laughing Skull and Shattered Halls/Balnazzar/Ahn'Qiraj/Trollbane/ Talnivarr/Chromaggus/Boulderfist/Daggerspine (PvP) French Realms - Confrerie du Thorium and Les Clairvoyants (RP) German Realms - Mal'Ganis and Echsenkessel/Taerar (PvP), and Der Abyssische Rat and Die Arguswacht/Die Todeskrallen/Das Syndikat (RP/PvP) Takralus also announced the following realms are scheduled to be connected: English Realms - Sunstrider and Shattered Halls/Balnazzar/Ahn'Qiraj/Trollbane/ Talnivarr/Chromaggus/Boulderfist/Daggerspine/Laughing Skull (PvP), Darksorrow and Genjuros (PvP), Moonglade and The Sha'tar (RP) French Realms - Elune and Varimathras (PvE), Marécage de Zangar and Dalaran (PvE) In addition, there are also Free Character Migrations planned for the following realms: Silvermoon to Magtheridon and Azuremyst Kazzak, Outland and Stormscale to Auchindoun
Connected Realms update for February 28
The list of US realms slated for the Realm Connection service has now been updated with new information regarding upcoming dates for the service, as well as new information regarding several connections that have been delayed. Some slated connections have been postponed indefinitely, although they have not as of yet been removed from the list altogether. The following realms are scheduled to be connected on Thursday, March 6. Drak'thul and Skywall Eredar and Gorefiend/Wildhammer/Spinebreaker Ghostlands and Kael'thas Thunderlord and Azgalor/Azshara/Destromath Read on for the rest of the connections and dates.
Do connected realms render CRZ irrelevant?
When CRZ first appeared, I was excited. I thought it would re-invigorate places like Halaa, I thought it would bring world PvP back into the game. I thought the mixing of servers would strengthen my own server's community, to oust the invaders in "our" Halaa, in our Shrines, in our Goldshire. I thought Blizzard would sort out the spawns and the drop rates and the questing issues, and that we would see more and more players around, and be glad to understand the multiplayer nature of WoW. I even wrote an article about it where commenters were less than kind about my optimism. But it turns out, 18 months later, that I was wrong. I'm happy to say so, too, I was flat wrong, misguided, incorrect in my optimism and early happiness. Where CRZ have added world PvP back into zones, it seems to be pretty universal ganking without consequences. There's no point going to get my main to flatten that 90 who killed all the level 20s time and time again, because I'll probably end up on a different shard where he isn't. And while I'm leveling, the spawns are so slow that it's a case of waiting and frantically clicking to get the first tap on a quest mob or node. CRZ is not doing good. In fact it's doing quite the opposite, it's encouraging players to try to avoid it, to work around other players. If WoW was designed so you were happy to see other players, it'd be great. Alas, the opposite is true.
The Helping Hand Effect
Sometimes crawling the blue trackers and forums leads you to posts like this one. I like this post for many reasons - first off, because it combats the strange mercantilism we see over fake money in WoW sometimes, where people demand gold for each and every thing imaginable, but also and mostly because it's a simple act of kindness. "I know how to do this, and I will share my experience with you, and all you have to do is participate." Nightfuzzy the DK is doing here something that my first raid leader did for me and a bunch of us back in Molten Core - he's sharing what he knows with others. This is something that is the bedrock for any mmo - the willingness to play together with others, to work together to the completion of common goals. And it's the primary thing people are talking about when they decry the loss of 'server communities' and while I've never bought into the idea that matchmaking services in World of Warcraft are bad - indeed, in many ways I find matchmaking ideal, because many times I found those server communities to be rife with elitism, snobbery, a refusal to take certain classes because they didn't have X or Y ability, outright crudity and boorishness, and hours upon hours of delays - I do recognize that the opportunities for these helping hand moments are rarer now. I can't just sit in trade in a major city and take all tanking requests that come for a couple of hours just to help people out anymore. But clearly these opportunities still exist, and Nightfuzzy stepping up to the bat shows us that. There are other ways to do this, ways we can in day to day life be the positive in a given situation.
Connected Realms update for February 20
The list of US realms slated for the Realm Connection service has now been updated with new information regarding upcoming dates for the service, as well as status reports on realms that were slated for connection. Players on the Sisters of Elune and Cenarion Circle servers may want to make note that the connection for those two realms has been delayed -- Blizzard will provide updates on the status of that connection at a later point in time. The following realms are scheduled to be connected on Thursday, February 27. Alexstrasza and Terokkar Exodar and Medivh Frostwolf and Vashj Gorefiend and Spinebreaker/Wildhammer Gundrak and Jubei'Thos Mug'thol and Dragonmaw/Akama Read on for the rest of the connections and dates.
US Connected realms update for February 7
RP realms, your wait is nearly over. The list of US realms slated for the Realm Connection service has now been updated with new dates, and several of the RP realms mentioned earlier this month now have dates scheduled for connection. In addition to the updated dates, a fresh list of realms has been added, although no date is set as of yet for their connection. The following realms are slated for connection on Thursday, February 13: Azjol-Nerub and Khaz Modan Eldre'Thalas and Korialstrasz Farstriders and Silverhand Spinebreaker and Wildhammer Thunderlord and Azgalor/Azshara/Destromath Read on for the rest of the connections and dates.
US and EU connected realm and free character migration updates for February 6
Blizzard Community Manager Nethaera has posted the latest set of Connected Realm updates for US servers. There are currently three batches so do hit the break for more information. The first batch will be connected today, February 6, with the exception of Thunderlord and Azgalor/Azshara/Destromath: Hydraxis and Terenas Kirin Tor and Steamwheedle Cartel Shattered Halls and Executus/ Kalecgos Thunderlord and Azgalor/Azshara/Destromath- This connection is on hold and will be rescheduled for a future point in time. Uther and Runetotem The next set, scheduled for Thursday February 13 will be as follows: Alterac Mountains and Balnazzar/Gorgonash/The Forgotten Coast/ Warsong Azjol-Nerub and Khaz Modan Eldre'Thalas and Korialstrasz Farstriders and Silverhand Spinebreaker and Wildhammer Hit the break for the third, upcoming set.
US Connected realms update for January 31
The list of US realms slated for the Realm Connection service has now been updated with new dates, and a fairly lengthy list of new realms that will be slated for connection at some point in the future. The following realms are slated for connection on Thursday, February 6: Hydraxis and Terenas Kirin Tor and Steamwheedle Cartel Shattered Halls and Executus/ Kalecgos Thunderlord and Azgalor/Azshara/Destromath Uther and Runetotem Last week's revelation that RP realms have now begun to be added to the Realm Connections list continues, as the new list of realms without a date includes some fairly well-known RP servers. Read on after the break for the rest of the slated connections.
US Connected realms update, now with RP realms
A new update has been posted for Connected realms in the US -- earlier this week several realms were reported as having no date set as of yet for their connection. The date has now been set for Thursday, January 30 for the following realms: Alleria and Khadgar Anvilmar and Undermine Archimonde and Agamaggan/Jaedenar/The Underbog Cho'gall and Auchindoun/Laughing Skull Eitrigg and Shu'halo Mok'Nathal and Silvermoon In addition to this list, another batch of realms scheduled for connection has been provided for Thursday, February 6, as well as a third set of connections slated for some point after that. The most interesting thing about the list, however, is not the connection dates, but the realm types -- RP realms are now officially on the list. Players on low-population RP realms may want to check the lists out, because you just might have some new friends to say hello to soon.
The Daily Grind: Are single-server MMOs uncomfortably big?
If I had my way and technology were easy, every MMO would be a single-server experience akin to EVE Online's or Champions Online's. You might never come in contact with the majority of players or ever encounter a scenario when hundreds of players gathered together, but the unified economy would be a trader's paradise, and it'd be a boon for developers, too, being easier to balance and avoiding the late-game server-merge nightmares that most MMOs eventually suffer. Best of all, you'd never have to find out your new co-worker plays your favorite game too... on another server. But there is a considerable contingent of MMO players who still balk at the idea of an MMO melting pot and tools intended to bridge servers like LFG systems or World of Warcraft's connected realms and battlegroups. Sharded server structures create tight communities, the argument goes. People don't want to deal with folks from around the world who don't speak their language, and they don't want to fade into the background of a massive server with what they perceive as no personality and no community ties or loyalty. Do you agree with that sentiment -- are single-server MMOs just uncomfortably big? Do you prefer a classic, sharded experience? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
US Connected Realms update for January 21
Blizzard Community Representative Nethaera has updated the US-side Connected Realms post for January 21. It appears that all the connections slated for the 17th of January have completed successfully, and as we see below, the newly connected Agamaggan and Jaedenar will be joined with The Underbog this Thursday, January 23rd, along with these other connections: Alleria and Khadgar Altar of Storms and Anetheron/Magtheridon/Ysondre Misha and Rexxar Ner'zhul and Frostmane/Tortheldrin The Underbog and Agamaggan/Jaedenar The only notable item on this list is an absence -- Shu'halo and Eitrigg has been delayed yet again. It was posted on January 6 as upcoming, and therefore should have been connected in the subsequent January 17 batch, but was delayed and pushed to "upcoming" again. As we can see below, it's still in the "upcoming" section, for the third time. The next set of connections, which do not yet have a set date, are as follows:
US connected realms update for January 17
Blizzard Community Representative Nethaera has posted the next set of US realm connections, set to be put in place on January 17th between 5am Pacific until approximately 1pm. The list of realms to be connected is as follows: January 17th Antonidas and Uldum Blade's Edge and Thunderhorn Bonechewer and Aegwynn/Daggerspine/Gurubashi/Hakkar Destromath and Azgalor/Azshara Jaedenar and Agamaggan And there's another set of realms listed for future connection, with no date set at this point. This includes the delayed Shu'halo and Eitrigg connection: Alleria and Khadgar Altar of Storms and Anetheron/Magtheridon/Ysondre Misha and Rexxar Ner'zhul and Frostmane/Tortheldrin Shu'halo and Eitrigg (Delayed) The Underbog and Agamaggan/Jaedenar If your realm is not on this list, and has not already been connected, don't worry. Unless you're on a high population or a full realm, chances are Blizzard will get around to you. But, as Neth says in her post, don't necessarily trust public population sites' data without question. A full list of realms connected so far can be found on the official site.
EU Connected Realms and FCMs for January 15th
Blizzard EU Community Manager Takralus has updated the Connected Realms info with the mixed successes of the last set of connections, as well as informing the EU community of the next gaggle of realms being grouped together. For whatever reason, the connection of Bloodfeather with Kor'gall/Burning Steppes/Executus has been delayed until a later date, but the new connections coming in are as follows: (PvP) Balnazzar and Shattered Halls/Ahn'Qiraj/Trollbane/Talnivarr/Chromaggus/ Boulderfist/Daggerspine (RP PvP) Ravenholdt and Scarshield Legion/The Venture Co/Sporeggar (PvE) Shattrath and Garrosh/Nozdormu Takralus' post has a good Q&A in which she clarifies that all low and some medium-population realms will be connected in order to ensure that all realms have a healthy population when they're done. As she also mentions, the order in which realms are connected depends on several technical factors, so don't panic if, for whatever reason, your realms aren't appearing on the list. All in good time. What's more, there are several Free Character Migrations in place until January 21: Draenor and Silvermoon (PvE) to Magtheridon, Wildhammer and Kilrogg. Kazzak, Outland, Ragnaros, Stormscale, Sylvanas and Twisting Nether (all PvP) to The Maelstrom and Grim Batol. All of these FCMs are open to both factions.
US and EU Connected Realms update
Blizzard has announced new batches of connected realms for both US and EU servers. If your low or medium population realm isn't on this list yet, it will be soon as Blizzard has stated they plan on connecting all of these realms eventually. Starting with US realms, the next set of connections will happen on Thursday, January 9 during a maintenance from approximately 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. PST. Bladefist and Kul Tiras Nazgrel and Nesingwary/Vek'nilash Nazjatar and Blood Furnace/ Mannoroth Norgannon and Kargath Stormscale and Drak'Tharon/Firetree/Malorne/Rivendare/Spirestone Uldaman and Ravencrest The following set of US realms currently have no date set, but should be soon afterward: Antonidas and Uldum Blade's Edge and Thunderhorn Bonechewer and Aegwynn/Daggerspine/Gurubashi/Hakkar Destromath and Azgalor Jaedenar and Agamaggan Shu'halo and Eitrigg Hit the break for a list of upcoming EU realm connections.
World of Warcraft updates its realm connection timetable
Do you play on a lower population server in World of Warcraft? Fear not, as more server merges connected realms are incoming for everyone. The next batch of connections will be taking place on Thursday, January 9th. Maintenance for these realms starts at 9 a.m. EST and should run until 2 p.m. EST; as always, completion times are subject to change based upon unforeseen issues. Another group of realms is slated for connection but does not currently have a timetable, although one of the slated connections (Anvilmar and Undermine) is currently on hold due to undisclosed technical issues. The addition of new realms means more people to play alongside, so for lower-population servers these merges can't come fast enough. Check out the official post for the full list of realms being merged.
US connected realms update for December 19
Blizzard Community Manager Nethaera has posted a new update to the current connected realms post for the US. Crushridge's saga may be coming to an end, as it's now slated for the 23rd again, but as ever, the problems that have plagued this connection could return. Neth also notes that the Nazgrel connection will be in a batch sometime after the third of January batch has completed. So the connections are updated again, and here is the new listing: Monday, December 23rd Anetheron and Magtherdion/Ysondre Crushridge and Anub'arak/Chromaggus/Garithos/Nathrezim/Smolderthorn Darrowmere and Windrunner Demonsoul and Coilfang, Dark Iron, and Dalvengyr Draka and Suramar Velen and Eonar
EU Connected Realms update released
An update to the EU realm connections has been released with the successful completion of patch 5.4.2. Several new realms are now slated for connection, and although no official date has been released for the connections, they should begin next week according to the post. Players on the realms listed should expect a little downtime in the near future, and a bunch of new players to hit the scene shortly after for raiding, guilds, and a heftier auction house. While the list is somewhat short, it includes English, French, Spanish and German realms. Read on for the full list -- and if you have any questions regarding the Connected Realms process, Blizzard has an official blog post that explains the process in full.
US Connected Realms schedule updated with 15 new connections
Blizzard has updated the US realm connection schedule for the remainder of the year. In total, 15 more connections are slated to happen over the holiday season. If your realm is on this list, your capital cities are about to get a little more crowded. You can read Blizzard's original preview of connected realms to learn more about how the whole process works. This first batch of realms will be connected on Monday, December 16 during a scheduled maintenance from 6 a.m. PST to 11 a.m. PST: Andorhal and Scilla/Ursin Crushridge and Anub'arak/Chromaggus/Garithos/Nathrezim/Smolderthorn Icecrown and Malygos Quel'dorei and Sen'jin
