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Free US transfers now open
Once again, it's time to balance the server load a bit. Free character transfers are available on select North American realms, starting a few hours ago at 12:00 PM PST and going for one week, until Tuesday, March 4 at 12:00 PM PST. Here's the server list: Group A (PvP) From: Illidan, Mal'Ganis, Sargeras, Stormreaver, Tichondrius To: Vashj Group B (PvP) From: Arthas, Burning Blade, Mannoroth, Mug'thol, Warsong To: Zuluhed Group C (PvE) From: Area 52, Arygos, Ghostlands, Hellscream, Zul'jin To: Velen As usual, the transfers may close early if the population levels get to where Blizz wants them, so transfer early if you intend to. And again as usual, the realms chosen are based on Blizz's extensive internal stats, so at least in theory, the realms that you're transferring from are the most overpopulated, and the realms you're transferring to are the most underpopulated. Will you be taking advantage of these transfers? If you're on Vashj, Zuluhed, or Velen, do you welcome the newcomers?
Paid transfer and name change cooldowns reduced
European CM Thundgot announced today that the cooldown periods for both paid character transfer and paid character name changes have been reduced from three months to one month, effective immediately. The transfer cooldown was originally six months when the feature was introduced in June 2006, but was reduced to three in October 2006. In the intervening time, they've looked at server logs and so forth and come to the conclusion that moving it to one month would not have catastrophic consequences.This change appears to be effective on the US realms as well, so wherever you are, you can hop servers and adopt new aliases every month if you want to pay for it. Also, Thundy clarifies that as long as your last transfer/name change was at least 30 days ago, you are immediately eligible for transfer/name change now. He also said that "moving forward" the price for paid transfer is going to be 20€/£15, but given his phrasing and the fact that I'm on the North American realms, I can't tell if that pricing is new or not. Do any of you know? Edit: Not new; thanks.
Many free moves for North America
Earlier this evening, Drysc announced a bevy of free character transfers for the North American realms, in four groups. The transfers began today at 3:00 PM PST, and will run until Thursday, January 17 at 3:00 PM PST -- that's one week, for those who shun addition. As always, transfer ASAP if you know you want to switch servers, because they do occasionally shut down early due to desired population levels being reached. And now, the available moves: Group A: From: Illidan, Sargeras, Kel'Thuzad, Mannoroth To: Anatheron Group B: From: Jubei'Thos, Frostmourne, Barthilas To: Thaurissan Group C: From: Aman'Thul, Khaz'goroth, Dath'Remar, Nagrand To: Caelestrasz Group D: From: Emerald Dream, Destromath, Tichondrius, Stormreaver To: The Underbog If you want to take advantage of these moves, go to the Character Move page. Will you be migrating to a new Azeroth? If you are on one of the affected servers, do you think the transfers will produce a positive effect? Are you not on this list, and think you need a transfer? Blizz claims the realms are selected based on population statistics, but since they still inexplicably refuse to provide the public with their stats, we have no way of actually knowing that.
Breakfast topic: Will you be transferring?
Yesterday we received the word that Blizzard was opening free transfers from certain overpopulated realms to certain underpopulated realms. No doubt Blizzard is hoping to re-distribute realm population to make some of the player-less "ghost" realms more playable while alleviating login queues on the largest realms -- but we'll see how well this works after transfers are completed. For those of you on realms that have transfers available, however, are you planning on transferring? And for those of you who aren't on realms allowing transfers, would you plan on transferring if you could? After all, maybe the grass really is greener on the other side...
Fire Emblem transfer glitch to be fixed
One neat feature in the Wii's Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn is that you can import a save file from the game's GameCube prequel, Path of Radiance. This will give some of your characters stat boosts, not to mention a few other nice perks. For anyone who just rolled through PoR on easy mode in order to beat the game quickly and pump their characters full of bonus experience, however, Radiant Dawn will laugh at you and then slap you in the face for good measure. See, easy mode files don't transfer over to Radiant Dawn because (as you'll know if you've played the game), the word "easy" isn't in its vocabulary. Even if you try to transfer a normal or hard mode file while having any easy mode PoR files saved somewhere else on your card, Radiant Dawn will have none of that. Christian from The Tanooki decided to contact Nintendo on the issue, and it seems that Nintendo will have a fix ready by mid-December. In order to get your disc repaired (or possibly get a completely new disc), you have to contact Nintendo about the issue, give them your name, address, and phone number, and then send your disc to them when prompted. So, what lesson have we learned from all this? Well, that Fire Emblem is for badasses only, of course.
When guild banks go wrong
Hortus has answered some important questions about what happens to the guild bank when something happens to the guildleader or the guild, and the answers will be of interest to anyone planning to put deposits in a guild bank after they get released with 2.3.First of all, guildleaders apparently can't transfer or delete their characters (news to me), so there's no way they can exit the game that way without giving up the bank. A guildleader that transfers leadership of the guild also transfers leadership of the bank (makes sense). If a guildleader gets banned from the game, a GM will have to be contacted to get the bank back (so you GLs out there, don't get banned). But here's the kicker: if the guild gets disbanded, the GL will receive all the banked items in their mailbox.I guess that's not too surprising-- if a GL had access to the bank in the first place, they can still ninja it anyway. So the lesson here is: don't put anything in the bank that you're not willing to lose to your guildleader on a bad day. It's a little strange that they put the /gdisband power in the same hands that they mail all the items to when the guild shuts down (maybe they should require a guild banker position, just to keep the GL away from the money?), but then again, if you trust your GL with your life during a raid, shouldn't you trust him or her with your hard-earned cash?
TiVo offers lifetime service transfers to the HD... if you've got $199
Really want to get that new TiVo HD DVR, but annoyed that TiVo stopped offering a lifetime service plan for it or start going month to month? Well guess what, once again TiVo is sorting you out with a transfer of your lifetime service to the TiVo HD -- for $199 -- if you make your purchase and let them know before November 8th. That's right, all you have to do is qualify your current unit, get your new DVR, then give the boys over at TiVo-central a call to let them know which credit card to swipe. Sure, it seems like you're dropping yet another two-hundred big ones on "lifetime service" when you would think they'd just carry it over for free (or a small fee), but no one ever said life was fair.
Paid character transfers shut down
As someone who recently did a character transfer of my own, I have to admit I was nervous about the transfer considering some of the horror stories that I'd heard about long transfers, multiple charges despite cards being rejected, and more. However, it would appear that Blizzard has decided to take the entire process of Paid Character Transfers offline while they see what they can do about fixing it. Per Pavonum on the Customer Service Forums:As some of you have already noticed, the Paid Character Transfer service has been temporarily shut down so that further efforts may be made to ensure that its correct functionality is restored; our developers are currently working to repair the underlying coding issues that have contributed to the present complications for many players. While it is not known at this time when further updates shall become available, you may rest assured that we shall make you aware with all due haste at that time; for now, we are greatly appreciative of your continued patience. Thanks, folks. :) Obviously this isn't going to do much for those who have already had problems of getting multiple charges or characters caught in limbo between realms. But I am very glad to see that Blizzard is taking the system offline and checking to see what they can do to fix these problems moving forward from this point. Personally, I'd be willing to wait for however long they need to make sure the overcharge bug is 100% fixed. [via the Customer Service Forums]
Free character transfers for Oceanic realms
It's been a little while since we had some free character transfers, probably because of the realm population cap increase that came with the BC infrastructure upgrade. Starting tomorrow, residents of two Oceanic realms will be eligible to transfer to some less populated ones: We will be offering free character transfers from the following Oceanic realms to other, lower populated realms to assist in alleviating population growth. These transfers will become available on Thursday, June 21 at 12:01 PM PDT, and run until Thursday, June 28 at 12:01 PM PDT. In the event that a realm meets our transfer goals before the scheduled end date, the transfers to that realm will be disabled. We highly recommend that if you are planning to transfer that you do so at your earliest convenience.Once the transfers open you can begin your transfer by visiting the Character Move page located here: https://www.worldofwarcraft.com/account/character-move.htmlSource DestinationAman'Thul -> NagrandJubei'thos -> ThaurissanAre you on any of the involved realms? Will you be transferring, and if you're on Nagrand or Thaurissan, would you in fact advise others to transfer to your realms?
Hip-IP's Mobigater Pro routes Skype calls to your mobile
Routing calls every which way has been going on forever (well, almost), and Hip-IP's Mobigater Pro doesn't differ a whole lot from other Skype-to-cellphone channelers that we've seen in the past. Essentially, the device seamlessly "transfers your Skype calls to your mobile phone without the use of SkypeOut credits," as it connects to your mobile via an internal SIM card. As predicted, it interfaces with your PC via plain ole USB, and users can not only ensure that they never miss an incoming Skype call, but they can phone up other Skype users around the globe just by using minutes from their mobile plan. The device can even redirect calls to five different handsets, but considering the £185.99 ($373) pricetag required for such a luxury, only the heaviest of yappers need apply. Click on through for a shot of the rear.[Via Wired]
Revenge of the European transfer
There haven't been any free character transfers in a while, but here's one, having started today. European players can transfer from any of Crushridge, Outland, or Warsong to any of Agamagann, Dragonmaw, Spinebreaker, or Vek'nilash. This is the most choice I've seen in any character migration, which is neat. As always, you're advised to get on these ASAP, since they could close early. Here's the blue post:Note: any free migration may be changed or closed at any time. Please keep this thread on the topic of the below migrations. Posts concerning other migrations (requests, old migrations, PCT, etc) will not be responded to here. To use the free migration, please follow this link: http://www.wow-europe.com/en/support/charactermoverealms.html FAQ: http://www.wow-europe.com/en/info/faq/charactermove.html The below migrations will be activated today (Wednesday April 4th). They're scheduled to close at the start of the maintenance on Wednesday April 11th. However, again, please note that this may change at any time. (Edit: to explain; while the main purpose of the migration is to fill up some of the lower populated realms we of course don't want them filled to the point of having queues, hence the possibility of migration being closed prematurely.) From any of these realms: Crushridge, Outland, Warsong To any of these realms: Agamaggan, Dragonmaw, Spinebreaker, Vek'nilash
Miis, Virtual Console games transfered to replacement Wii
When we sent a malfunctioning Wii back to Nintendo, the company returned a crisp, new Wii with all of our Mii data copied over. Additionally, Nintendo transfered our Virtual Console points to the new system, and we could re-download previous VC purchases for free. (We also had to re-download the other, always-free channels.)While the VC transfer isn't news -- CVG noted it late last year -- more than a few Joystiq staffers were surprised. Nintendo deserves some credit for the smooth process, but we expected this to happen; we'd be angry if the company ate the Wii Points with the hardware exchange. The Mii transfer was a bigger bonus, preserving our 2040-rated tennis pro and our beloved Big Poppa.This exchange is just one customer service replacement without incident. (The glitchy Wii was a personal system, so we went though the regular customer support channels instead of calling PR contacts.) What are your stories?See also: Ring of Death: An Xbox 360 story -- Part 1Ring of Death: An Xbox 360 story -- Part 2
VM2Go - manage Parallels machines, run them from an iPod and more
One of the signs that you've 'made it' as a 3rd party (besides, of course, having great sales) is when other 3rd parties develop tools and apps that work with your app. In this vein, VM2Go from BriteMac (which we covered when it was in beta) is apparently the first 3rd party utility that allows you to manage your Parallels virtual machines, move them to an iPod, USB thumb drive or external hard drive and even run them from these devices. Various other tricks up VM2Go's sleeve include backing up VMs to DVD and a clean deletion of VMs and any associated desktop aliases that point to them. VM2Go offers a trial download that runs 20 times, though we can't figure out a purchase price as of this writing since their eSellerate store is currently down.
Free transfers open for select EU realms
Today free transfers closed for several EU realms and opened for several more EU realms. Today's transfers are planned to remain open until next Wednesday, the 14th, but the transfer list can be changed at any time, so if you want to take advantage of this, better sooner than later. Currently, players on Grim Batol, Outland, and Warsong may transfer off to Spinebreaker. Want to get started? Read the transfer FAQ first (remember -- this is a one-way trip!) and then head over to the character transfer page.
More transfers for North America
Transfers from some impacted North American servers to four brand-new realms began at noon PST today, and will run "until 11PM, Friday, January 19 or until such a time that the destination realms have received adequate transfers to them." From Eyonix: In the event that a realm meets our transfer goals before the scheduled end date the transfers to that realm will be disabled. We highly recommend that if you are planning to transfer that you do so at your earliest convenience. You can begin a free character move here: https://www.worldofwarcraft.com/account/character-move.html Destination: - Arathor, PvE - Pacific Skywall Silvermoon Moonrunner Suramar Bronzebeard Destination: - Trollbane, PvE - Eastern Eldre'Thalas Zul'jin Elune Khadgar Doomhammer Destination: - Madoran, PvE - Central Malygos Aggramar Khaz Modan Hellscream Alexstrasza Destination: - Farstriders, RP - Central Earthen Ring Kirin Tor Cenarion Circle Blackwater Raiders I do have a character on Doomhammer, so I might transfer just for the hell of it. New servers are fun. However, one sour note for the transfer bonanza: Cloudbeard of the guild Tide writes that a lot of people, including most of his guild, are stuck in the free transfer queue, and Blizz hasn't said much beyond that they're "working on a resolution." So maybe look out; but on the other hand, Eyonix urges you to transfer ASAP. What have your transfer experiences been like?
Impending free transfers to ease queues
As I'm sure many of you have noticed, server queues are back in a fairly big way. My own realm (Shadow Council) has been experiencing 500-ish person queues at peak times since a bit before Christmas. I know that's not huge, but we never used to have any queues at all. I've heard similar reports from many other realms, most of them worse than mine. It seems that Blizzard is aware of the problem, and planning on implementing some good ol' free character transfers from impacted realms. In the words of Tseric: In the past week, we have seen something of a surge and we are already in the works to provide Free Character Transfers for a number of realms to deal with spiking of queues. Obviously, we will deal with the most severe realms first, so if you do not see your particular realm on the first list, it does not indicate that you will receive no assistance for this in the future. Keep watch on the General stickies for announcements relating to Free Transfers within the next couple of days. Edit: Blizz have now announced specific transfers. The transfers will begin at 12 PM on Thursday, January 4, and run to 11 PM on Tuesday, January 8. Those of you on lleria, Anvilmar, Blackhand, Burning Blade, Daggerspine, Destromath, Draka, Durotan, Duskwood, Eonar, Executus, Garona, Greymane, Icecrown, Illidan, Kel'Thuzad, Mal'Ganis, Skullcrusher, Spinebreaker, or Warsong will be able transfer to Nazjatar, Baelgun, Alterac Mountains, or Arygos (as usual, you don't get to choose; it depends on your specific realm). I'm assuming these are new realms, since I don't see them on the realm status page.Further Edit: Battlegroups have been announced. Nazjatar and Baelgun are in Shadowburn, and Alterac Mountains and Arygos are in Nightfall.
Dragster - drag and drop file management and transfer with a twist
Ambrosia Software, those crazy kids with the Snapz Pro X and WireTap Pro, have unveiled the latest trick up their sleeve in the form of Dragster, an interesting approach to drag and drop file management and transfer. This utility, as you can see, lives in the Dock and is more or less like a drag and drop command center, allowing you to specify a number of locations you frequently need to move or send files to, such as remove servers, specific folders and more. These locations pop up when you drag items over Dragster's dock icon, allowing you to take care of your business right then and there, instead of rooting around in the Finder or tediously connecting and reconnecting servers. One feature I find a bit more interesting than its Dock icon abilities is the Contextual Menu that offers the same functionality. To me, this seems a bit easier to use and more efficient than dragging icons all around the display.Either way, try it out for yourself. A demo is available, while a license costs $19. Dragster, as most other new applications these days, is a Universal Binary.
Influx of new subscribers briefly paralyzes Softbank
Americans, some of whom still have the nasty aftertaste in their mouths of the nightmarish number portability rollout here, must be feeling for their Japanese counterparts today. After flipping the switch this month to allow folks to take their numbers with them, it seems Softbank Mobile was the big winner -- sort of. In the process of accepting thousands of incoming applicants, their computer system buckled under the load, leaving the carrier all but paralyzed over the weekend and unable to accept sign-ups or cancellations. Fortunately, it looks like their IT folks were on the ball and everything's back to normal now (we hope).
Datel Xport vs. XSATA?
Reader Hot Zizzy spotted the Datel Xport 360 at Best Buy for $39:99. Here's the feature list: Transfer data between your Xbox 360 hard drive, memory cards and PC quickly and easily Bonus Xbox memory card adapter lets you transfer original Xbox game saves to your Xbox 360 High-speed USB 2.0 transfer rate won't keep you waiting for data to transfer Docking station plugs into your PC for fast, flawless data transfers Simply drag and drop files while you're connected to your PC Is this the same device as the Datel XSATA (pictured at right) under a different name? They are both the same price. Note that the description is also nearly identical to the Datel Transfer Kit, making things even more confusing when comes to this company usually interesting products.
Regretting that three-year contact? Trade it away
We've all done it. The temptation of that latest-and-greatest smartphone being offered by (Verizon / Sprint / T-Mobile / Cingular) is just too great; we cave, signing our life away for one, two, or (gulp) three years in exchange for a killer price. Problem is, if you're anything like us -- as scary a thought as that might be -- the next gotta-have-it phone is going to drop well before your contract is up. Of course, most carriers offer the possibility of transferring your contract to another unsuspecting victim, but tracking that lucky individual down is the tricky part. A start-up going by "Celltradeusa" looks to help facilitate that search, charging $20 to pair up folks looking for a deal with other folks looking to slide out from under their contract. Going through the motions of getting the new owner's paperwork filled out (credit approval, etc.) is still left to the buyer and seller to work out themselves, but they've at least taken the guesswork out of finding one another in the first place.[Via SmartMoney]
