[WoW] Server Splits

[Nakilos]

People on my realms forums are shitting a brick over this, and it hasn't even happened yet.

I don't see any real downside to splitting highly populated servers, because here is my TBC predictions in the first month:

1) Anything non instanced is going to be unplayable and highly competed for due to the ocean of level 60s looking for something to do competing for the same content.
2) Queues will increase by 1.5 to 2 times what they seem to be in primetime now (an average of 300-400) from all the returners/rerollers/mangina paladins and draenai shamans starting up.

A server split could help alleviate that. The only downside is splitting up some communities, which to be honest, its like if you moved as a little kid. You make new friends at your new school and in your new neighborhood, its not the worst thing in the world.

I do think its a good idea if they restrict transfers to not allow transfers off for the significantly lower population (read: horde), of course in that case if the imbalance is crazy high you just end up creating 1 balanced faction realm, and another lopsided population realm, only to a worse extent.

Maybe the introduction of Paladins and Blood Elves will boost the hordes numbers some. If that doesn't, I don't know what will.

[Abalieno]

The problem is that the overcrowding due to the expansion is TEMPORARY.

Server splits are PERMANENT.

Now. Blizzard cares if the server have issues, but they don't give a damn if there are few players and it's hard to group during the off peaks.

I would run a test:
Take 300 random accounts that have characters on a high populated server, then take 300 random accounts that have characters on a low populated server. Then compare the retention rate.

My suspect is that the retention is much higher for those who play on high populated servers, while Blizzard is completely ignoring the opposite problem of the overcrowding. That is the empty, lifeless world, in particular while leveling up. Exactly when other players around you are most important.

So what they'll do when the issues will start to fade? Rejoin the servers? No, of course. You'll be just fucked.

[Tolanin]

Originally Posted by Alamando

WTB betrayal quests.

Human -> Food Poisoning -> Undead
Gnome -> Experiment gone tragically wrong -> Tauren
Night Elf -> Too much "Emerald Dream" -> Troll
Dwarf -> Steroid abuse -> Orc

the possibility of tauren warlocks would finally be realized!

[Alamando]

Originally Posted by Tolanin

the possibility of tauren rogues would finally be realized!

I think this is what you meant to say.

[mek]

Originally Posted by Abalieno

The problem is that the overcrowding due to the expansion is TEMPORARY.

There is zero evidence of this. WoW's subs keep going up, up, up, and they would be wise to prepare for the overpopulation we will definitely be seeing in the next few months.

IF subs slow then they'll have to start closing realms. But WoW's total number of realms has multiplied since retail, and its growth shows no signs of slowing. When it does, THEN they can prepare for it; for now I want to see them dealing with queues instead of ignoring them hoping they're a "temporary" problem.

[James]

Yo they won't even let PvE characters pay to transfer to a PvP character due to some fucked up belief that somehow the levelling experience is massively different and harder on a PvP server. And you guys think they'll let Alliance/Horde betray?

[Alamando]

Originally Posted by James

Yo they won't even let PvE characters pay to transfer to a PvP character due to some fucked up belief that somehow the levelling experience is massively different and harder on a PvP server. And you guys think they'll let Alliance/Horde betray?

Yeah, we should only talk about realistic things.

Like Vanguard being successful.

Or TBC having a smooth launch.

[Nakilos]

So what they'll do when the issues will start to fade? Rejoin the servers? No, of course. You'll be just fucked.

EQ did it as their population declined and it likely had everything to do with economics - why keep open all these servers when we can smash em together, make it a bit easier for folks to group up and costs less to run half the servers? But in WoW, the game needs to start failing for that to happen, which honestly, probably won't be happening anytime real soon.

Sorry, I'd just not play WoW if they weren't doing anything about the blatantly obvious problems that are going to come up. I mean, first off its the first expansion of a highly popular game that is really long awaited. Tons of people will come back just for that. Secondly, seriously what are the MMO options lately? Anything releasing around this time to compete with TBC, well its quite frankly laughable to do it right now.

The split wouldn't be applied to all realms either as it was stated and they will consider other options before doing that, and its likely going to only apply to realms which are crazy overpopulated, not the ghost towns people play on for 3 months then half of the players move on to the next new realm/go back to their old ones. I mean, at least its on the table. If anything its surprising to see them being proactive about having a solution rather than just waiting for the game to get near unplayable again and act all shocked that it happened.

[Drauk]

Originally Posted by Zehn - Vhex

A bonus to honor and faction gain rates I imagine would be enough to get a large amount of people to switch, not to mention the allure of faster BG queue times.

Horde already gains honor much faster than Alliance, because of queue times.

[johndoe]

Originally Posted by James

Yo they won't even let PvE characters pay to transfer to a PvP character due to some fucked up belief that somehow the levelling experience is massively different and harder on a PvP server. And you guys think they'll let Alliance/Horde betray?

This always amazes me, i dunno why. Every time i go up against people from pvp servers, they are all in like tier 2-3. Or in the case of fighting a pug they are usually atleast tier 1+. Yet i join a pug with other random PVE servers and everyone is in green. The gear argument is pure bullshit i think.

Also, back off Tuco, i play on Nordrassil!