Blizzard = Exxon

ashatumar · 07-30-2006, 08:26 PM

The title was eye-catching, the direct comparison ends there.

I'm not saying it's a fact, I'm just saying it's a nasty series of events that's getting to me right where it hurts: game performance and business ethics.

People are xferring off of my server in droves, yet the server is consistently crashing during peak times. I can deal with this, it's part of the game, I understand so long as someone is fixing it.

Several servers were outfitted with new hardware, yet none of the older servers seem to be getting this upgrade and it's causing a perceived (it's the players choice) need to spend the $25 and move to another server. Didn't we used to get these population/lag transfers before free of charge?

The issues:

-Server performance continues to degrade across most legacy realms of ALL populations sizes
-A halt in server hardware upgrades
-New servers continuing to be made on newer hardward
-A pay service now in place to move to servers that are perceived to be "better off"

My only real question is this: Is it ethical to begin the pay-to-transfer model *before* making sure the existing servers are stable and functional?

Definition for the sake of argument: Access, per the CMs, access to the server indicates I can log into it -- this is what we're paying for.

Ameraves Loyalheart · 07-30-2006, 08:30 PM

Should have posted this in the "Has your guild transfered off of Battlegroup 3" thread. Pretty much all the same issues are in there.

bruza · 07-30-2006, 08:32 PM

Oh, I see what you did there.

Comparing a business to Exxon is like letting go of one of those ultimate flames on Ventrilo when someone says something of dubious nature.

"BURNN!"

Anyhow, yeah, but maybe they need the money, dude! MAYBE THEY NEED IT!!

Zaniel · 07-30-2006, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashatumar

My only real question is this: Is it ethical to begin the pay-to-transfer model *before* making sure the existing servers are stable and functional?

Definition for the sake of argument: Access, per the CMs, access to the server indicates I can log into it -- this is what we're paying for.

Oh course it's shoddy business practice, do you really need anyone here to answer your obviously rhetorical question? Question is, when is your annoyance level/moral outrage going to talk to your feet and your wallet. Either vote with your dollars or acknowledge that either consciously or subconsciously the fun still > the unfun.

It's the only thing that really makes a company listen and currently you and 6 million other people aren't sending a coherent message. Or to be precise you are, but not the one you're typing here on a FoH message board which I'm pretty sure the VP of marketing at Vivendi isn't reading.

Deathwing · 07-30-2006, 08:45 PM

So, Blizzard spills oil on countless animals and birds off the alaskan coast too?

Nakilos · 07-30-2006, 09:02 PM

Related to Tserics statement, what is interesting to me is its acceptable that I pay for access to a shit hole of a server that has regular problems, but someone paying the same fee doesn't have these problems on another realm.

So I guess its the players fault for not rolling on a server that got an early hardware transfer. Makes sense.

And I know we're supposed to all get moved to new hardware for the Burning Crusade, but its not like Blizzard has a track record about sticking to statements like that.

Dandain · 07-30-2006, 09:30 PM

It's mostly BS, sure we can protest with our pocketbooks, what about the customer is always right? We arn't asking for lag free play, we are asking for the ability to play the aspect of the game they designed, Fights that take quick reaction are impossible on these servers, what more do we need to say besides that? it should be fixed or the encounters nerfed. I think the fix is better.

Malakriss · 07-30-2006, 09:40 PM

The oldest, highest population servers should have been upgraded to new hardware first. Making new ones and giving random free transfers to the lucky pick of the month is utter bullshit. Only reason 95% of that upgraded hardware capability is being used is because of the people who paid to transfer over.

I wouldn't be surprised if some idiots did try a class action lawsuit, but Blizzard's got about a dozen loopholes and ways around any liability, plus they just don't give a fuck.

Tasso · 07-30-2006, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nakilos

rolling on a server that got an early hardware transfer.

You assume that there will be new hardware for all... That does not look like its going to happen. Instead of all servers in a cluster geting new hardware only the Top 4 servers seem to get broken out of the cluster, the rest stay on the old hardware (stress on the back end drops old servers are better or so they hope)

If you pay to play on the crappy server your on now you are getting what you paid for.. Access to a crappy server.

what is it? In 6 months 8 servers have moved to new hardware? at this rate you can expect the other 32 in about 2 years.

Until then. enjoy the 22min log on's. Your hiccuping servers, your loot lag and random disconnects and repair bills because your instance just repoped on you.

Digits · 07-30-2006, 10:04 PM

It's a filthy business practice that just doesn't fit coming from one of the most respected names in the industry. I lucked out on both of my servers and they are generally stable, but I wouldn't think a second thought to cancelling my accounts if lag spikes were piled on top of everything else.

Akileese · 07-30-2006, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malakriss

The oldest, highest population servers should have been upgraded to new hardware first. Making new ones and giving random free transfers to the lucky pick of the month is utter bullshit. Only reason 95% of that upgraded hardware capability is being used is because of the people who paid to transfer over.

I wouldn't be surprised if some idiots did try a class action lawsuit, but Blizzard's got about a dozen loopholes and ways around any liability, plus they just don't give a fuck.

I agree. If they upgraded Bleeding Hollow, it would still be one of the best servers are far as world pvp and what not. The problem is the hardware is still absolutely fucking shitty, and even at a 70% pop decrease, it still lags and crashes all the time (I got my alt back there and it's unplayable). I think it's shitty that they're now charging people 25 dollars for something that was free. In fact, it's absolutely despicable.

James · 07-30-2006, 11:22 PM

Man, here I was hoping Exxon struck off in a bold new direction and purchased Blizzard from Fucking Vivendi(tm). That shit would have been way hot.

Cadrid · 07-30-2006, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

Man, here I was hoping Exxon struck off in a bold new direction and purchased Blizzard from Fucking Vivendi(tm). That shit would have been way hot.

Could be worse. Blizzard could be run by FEMA.

Exmonk · 07-30-2006, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadrid

Could be worse. Blizzard could be run by FEMA.

Blizzard hates black people?

Xequecal · 07-30-2006, 11:49 PM

I've explained this a billion times. Blizzard can do nothing about their server problems. Fixing the server problems requires buying lots of expensive new hardware, and that's money they don't have. All of WoW's profits go towards paying off Vivendi's massive debts, and not much is left for Blizzard.

07-30-2006, 08:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
ashatumar R gis er d Us r Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 688 +3 Internets	Blizzard = Exxon The title was eye-catching, the direct comparison ends there. I'm not saying it's a fact, I'm just saying it's a nasty series of events that's getting to me right where it hurts: game performance and business ethics. People are xferring off of my server in droves, yet the server is consistently crashing during peak times. I can deal with this, it's part of the game, I understand so long as someone is fixing it. Several servers were outfitted with new hardware, yet none of the older servers seem to be getting this upgrade and it's causing a perceived (it's the players choice) need to spend the $25 and move to another server. Didn't we used to get these population/lag transfers before free of charge? The issues: -Server performance continues to degrade across most legacy realms of ALL populations sizes -A halt in server hardware upgrades -New servers continuing to be made on newer hardward -A pay service now in place to move to servers that are perceived to be "better off" *My only real question is this: Is it ethical to begin the pay-to-transfer model before* making sure the existing servers are stable and functional?** Definition for the sake of argument: Access, per the CMs, access to the server indicates I can log into it -- this is what we're paying for. Last edited by ashatumar; 08-01-2006 at 06:19 PM..

07-30-2006, 08:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
bruza Banned Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Daytona Beach, FL Posts: 550 +0 Internets	heh Oh, I see what you did there. Comparing a business to Exxon is like letting go of one of those ultimate flames on Ventrilo when someone says something of dubious nature. "BURNN!" Anyhow, yeah, but maybe they need the money, dude! MAYBE THEY NEED IT!! Last edited by bruza; 07-30-2006 at 08:34 PM..

07-30-2006, 08:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
Deathwing Sisko is the new Picard Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Blackwing Descent Posts: 1,939 +13 Internets	So, Blizzard spills oil on countless animals and birds off the alaskan coast too? __________________ Trolloc

07-30-2006, 09:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
Malakriss GOMTV Contest Winner Join Date: May 2002 Location: USA Posts: 3,845	The oldest, highest population servers should have been upgraded to new hardware first. Making new ones and giving random free transfers to the lucky pick of the month is utter bullshit. Only reason 95% of that upgraded hardware capability is being used is because of the people who paid to transfer over. I wouldn't be surprised if some idiots did try a class action lawsuit, but Blizzard's got about a dozen loopholes and ways around any liability, plus they just don't give a fuck. __________________

07-30-2006, 10:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
Digits The good news is that you're still alive. The bad news is that that's the good news. Also, you have no legs. Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: 'Merica, land of the free. Posts: 1,268 +1 Internets	It's a filthy business practice that just doesn't fit coming from one of the most respected names in the industry. I lucked out on both of my servers and they are generally stable, but I wouldn't think a second thought to cancelling my accounts if lag spikes were piled on top of everything else. __________________ Hatcher No one cares where

07-30-2006, 08:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ameraves Loyalheart Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 1,184	Should have posted this in the "Has your guild transfered off of Battlegroup 3" thread. Pretty much all the same issues are in there.

07-30-2006, 09:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
Nakilos Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,591 -1 Internets	Related to Tserics statement, what is interesting to me is its acceptable that I pay for access to a shit hole of a server that has regular problems, but someone paying the same fee doesn't have these problems on another realm. So I guess its the players fault for not rolling on a server that got an early hardware transfer. Makes sense. And I know we're supposed to all get moved to new hardware for the Burning Crusade, but its not like Blizzard has a track record about sticking to statements like that.

07-30-2006, 09:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
Dandain Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 337 -3 Internets	It's mostly BS, sure we can protest with our pocketbooks, what about the customer is always right? We arn't asking for lag free play, we are asking for the ability to play the aspect of the game they designed, Fights that take quick reaction are impossible on these servers, what more do we need to say besides that? it should be fixed or the encounters nerfed. I think the fix is better.

07-30-2006, 11:22 PM	#12 (permalink)
James You are just another normal! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9,385	Man, here I was hoping Exxon struck off in a bold new direction and purchased Blizzard from Fucking Vivendi(tm). That shit would have been way hot. __________________ Like a ship without an anchor, like a slave without a chain, just the thought of those sweet ladies sends a shiver through my veins. And I will go on shining, shining like brand new. I'll never look behind me, my troubles will be few. Goodbye stranger, it's been nice. Hope you find your paradise. Tried to see your point of view, hope your dreams will all come true. Goodbye Mary, goodbye Jane, will we ever meet again? Feel no sorrow, feel no shame. Come tomorrow, feel no pain.

07-30-2006, 11:49 PM	#15 (permalink)
Xequecal Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 1,744 -27 Internets	I've explained this a billion times. Blizzard can do nothing about their server problems. Fixing the server problems requires buying lots of expensive new hardware, and that's money they don't have. All of WoW's profits go towards paying off Vivendi's massive debts, and not much is left for Blizzard.

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