Update: Mark Kern published a video about Vanilla servers.

Legion - Gold Cap Raised to 10 Million Gold

Official Reply to Vanilla Servers and Nostalrius
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
We wanted to let you know that we’ve been closely following the Nostalrius discussion and we appreciate your constructive thoughts and suggestions.

Our silence on this subject definitely doesn’t reflect our level of engagement and passion around this topic. We hear you. Many of us across Blizzard and the WoW Dev team have been passionate players ever since classic WoW. In fact, I personally work at Blizzard because of my love for classic WoW.

We have been discussing classic servers for years - it’s a topic every BlizzCon - and especially over the past few weeks. From active internal team discussions to after-hours meetings with leadership, this subject has been highly debated. Some of our current thoughts:

Why not just let Nostalrius continue the way it was? The honest answer is, failure to protect against intellectual property infringement would damage Blizzard’s rights. This applies to anything that uses WoW’s IP, including unofficial servers. And while we’ve looked into the possibility – there is not a clear legal path to protect Blizzard’s IP and grant an operating license to a pirate server.

We explored options for developing classic servers and none could be executed without great difficulty. If we could push a button and all of this would be created, we would. However, there are tremendous operational challenges to integrating classic servers, not to mention the ongoing support of multiple live versions for every aspect of WoW.

So what can we do to capture that nostalgia of when WoW first launched? Over the years we have talked about a “pristine realm”. In essence that would turn off all leveling acceleration including character transfers, heirloom gear, character boosts, Recruit-A-Friend bonuses, WoW Token, and access to cross realm zones, as well as group finder. We aren’t sure whether this version of a clean slate is something that would appeal to the community and it’s still an open topic of discussion.

One other note - we’ve recently been in contact with some of the folks who operated Nostalrius. They obviously care deeply about the game, and we look forward to more conversations with them in the coming weeks.

You, the Blizzard community, are the most dedicated, passionate players out there. We thank you for your constructive thoughts and suggestions. We are listening.

J. Allen Brack
This article was originally published in forum thread: Official Reply to Vanilla Servers and Nostalrius started by chaud View original post
Comments 1145 Comments
  1. Jaman's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by MrPaladinGuy View Post
    It might actually happen.
    If you mean a 'vanilla' server: nothing in what he wrote says that. The way he is describing a 'pristine' server would work is not the same.
  1. mmoc0dd62f9c84's Avatar
    I would like to see legacy servers like seasons in Diablo 3. Start a vanilla server with content that were available at 1.0, then progressively release the content over a period of 2-3 years like Vanilla actually did, bear in mind TBC launched way too soon so it could be extended for even more than that. Then either the server gets transformed into a TBC server or everything gets reset again and a new season starts. I did not play much until late TBC and Wrath, but I did play on Nostalrius and my experience of vanilla just from that server is far better than what current WoW has to offer. A lot of people keep saying it's all nostalgia, I knew a whole lot of people on Nostalrius who just like me, had never played vanilla before but was curious about it.
  1. mmocfd0f55852f's Avatar
    I think a lot of people don't have any experience in working in IT, it's just not a business case that turns out well for them in any way or form.

    Don't get me wrong, I would love to be able to pick a version of WoW and play on a server that has all content excluding pre patches. But it will be a monumental task to get it running and working, let alone working properly if it attracts tons of people in the start, but ending up dead later. Plus, it requires a separate support branch, and probably just an overall expansion on all teams (depending on how they split their stacks).

    It's a shame, but I get it. The pristine server could be fun, although I would really like some sort of "expansion experience" added (i.e. 1-60 full Vanilla, 60-70 full TBC, etc), but I reckon that'd be nigh impossible.
  1. Flurryfang's Avatar
    I think it was a good answer. Blizzard has once again pinpointed their stance on legacy servers, and it is very obvious that they have changed some of their opnion based upon this entire situation. Servers with special features are beginning to look like a possibility, while before it was never gonna happend. I think it is a mature answer, from a company which have to keep looking forward if they want to keep existing.

    I dont really get all the hate this post gets. Sure, they have still killed an illigal private server, but atleast they are giving good reason. That they have even taken their time to create some communication with the Nost people is even beyond what was expected. They are hopefully gonna have a talk about what really made Nost appealing and ,maybe, just maybe, we are going to see what that collaboration will bring, before the end of Legion.

    Im glad that blizzard gave their reply on this Nost-storm. They could have just let it be, but im glad they atleast solified their stance.
  1. Marakesh's Avatar
    Given how super easy and linear current casual pve is, what difference does it make to remove all that stuff on these "pure" realms. The first problem isn't that it only takes a few hours to get to max, its how dull it is. A longer 1-100 would just be more tedious. It doesn't make WoD play any better. It won't make Legion's mix of panda dailies and WoD play any better. Haven't heard one thing about difficulty from the alpha, just that its daily quests with some more choice. Who cares?

    This is just Blizz being smart with PR. A clear no or not getting any answer would have been more helpful to our cause. I say fire up Nost 2 and let's move on.
  1. mmoc15e8c1cd29's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by DarkAmbient View Post
    What I see essentially are pro-legacy people saying "man I'd love to play on a legacy server", and a bunch of other people being unreasonably aggrieved by that. I don't know why it bothers them so much.
    Than you missed the raging sessions of certain streamers. The "F*ck you Bli$$ard and go dying" Thread. The people that don't no the difference between legal and ilegal und saying that closing a pirate server is anti customer and is kind of a human right for classic servers to be there. I could go on with that
  1. Raedine's Avatar
    The pristine realm concept is early, indeed, but unless it changes a -lot- about the current game, I would still not be convinced.

    In my subjective opinion, the aforementioned changes would be a big step towards what community expects from the game. But looking at the current state of gameplay, I am afraid those changes would not suffice. Looking at the talent 'trees' disappoints, so do the restrictions we are given, such as class-armour-penalty for not wearing your class' armour type. Everything feels effortless... speaking of which, oh yes, we have garrisons! Flight points were added to every minor village or camp. (which you don't even need since you get to fly all over the world) What is next, class halls? Oh "I can't wait".

    I could go on... but what I meant to say was, we loved the freedom we used to have. We, as players, do not like to be increasingly restricted in what used to be loose...

    Maybe if that returns, I would resubscribe to such jewel of a game.
    But until then, privates are my substitute.
  1. mmocc7e289592f's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Drpizka View Post
    The fact that they released a comment on that, means that they are thinking about it. They actually investigated if it was plausible.
    What is this for a stupid comment.

    Are u nostalrius players really this thick?

    Ofcourse blizzard has investigated if this idea was financially feasable , and every1 with half a brain can see why its a terrible move to make legacy servers.

    Now thx for the reply and move on making legion a nice expansion, the nostalgia kids will move with their lives in a few months and we can al forget what happened with nostalrius
  1. QuiksLE's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by DarkAmbient View Post
    What I see essentially are pro-legacy people saying "man I'd love to play on a legacy server", and a bunch of other people being unreasonably aggrieved by that. I don't know why it bothers them so much.
    So you are picking the responses that you like and base your opinion on that?

    That saddly is not the right way..
  1. Allenseiei's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Raedine View Post
    The pristine realm concept is early, indeed, but unless it changes a -lot- about the current game, I would still not be convinced.

    In my subjective opinion, the aforementioned changes would be a big step towards what community expects from the game. But looking at the current state of gameplay, I am afraid those changes would not suffice. Looking at the talent 'trees' disappoints, so do the restrictions we are given, such as class-armour-penalty for not wearing your class' armour type. Everything feels effortless... speaking of which, oh yes, we have garrisons! Flight points were added to every minor village or camp. (which you don't even need since you get to fly all over the world) What is next, class halls? Oh "I can't wait".

    I could go on... but what I meant to say was, we loved the freedom we used to have. We, as players, do not like to be increasingly restricted in what used to be loose...

    Maybe if that returns, I would resubscribe to such jewel of a game.
    But until then, privates are my substitute.
    I hope vanilla isn't your idea of "freedom".
  1. QuiksLE's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by mumufu View Post
    Than you missed the raging sessions of certain stream. The "F*ck you Bli$$ard and go dying" Thread. The people that don't no the difference between legal and ilegal und saying that closing a pirate server is anti customer and is kind of human right for classic servers to be there. I could go on with that
    ^^this

    /10
  1. VitesseEOD's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by DarkAmbient View Post
    I don't know why the anti legacy realm people are so hostile and abrasive.
    The hostility and abrasion is on both sides, opposing opinions eh, who would've thought it?!
  1. Crimsonak's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Flurryfang View Post
    I think it was a good answer.
    It barely even qualifies as an answer.
    Their explanation as to why they won't is because "its difficult" with literally no attempt to explain either why it's difficult or why that's too difficult.

    It's the type of answer a child would give you if you ask why they made a mess, and they respond "I dunno."
  1. mmoc43ed297527's Avatar
    Playing Vanilla wow is like playing Todays wow in slowmotion and blind folded!
  1. VitesseEOD's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by DarkAmbient View Post
    What I see essentially are pro-legacy people saying "man I'd love to play on a legacy server", and a bunch of other people being unreasonably aggrieved by that. I don't know why it bothers them so much.

    ... that's because the resource required to run Vanilla legally would directly detract from/impair the development of future content, surely you can understand that? Blizzard arent going to hire a whole new team to work on something with such a finite user base and shelf life
  1. Niwes's Avatar
    all i see in bracks post is a bunch of blah blah for the masses. a try to cater to everbody without makin anybody angry. a lughable obvious marketing shit talk. nothing interessting to see there.

    - literally he says nothing.
    - blizzard never explains WHAT should cost that much money.
    - nostralius did. its laughable for blizz to do.
    - they always talk about patching vanilla, 2nd codebase blah blah. nobody needs patches.
    - pull it out like it is, with all ups and downs incl bugs, imbalance etc. - its a simple classic server

    the simple truth is: if 1/3 of the retail players would switch to a classic server they damage their own retail product marketing. its literally a proof how shit retail is. and thats what they fear. why ? because you cant make MORE money with old stuff than with new stuff. so its always a money loss to compete with your own product. and at blizz its all about money. and thats just the ONLY reason for all their descissions. simple as that.
  1. Kolvarg's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by mumufu View Post
    Than you missed the raging sessions of certain stream. The "F*ck you Bli$$ard and go dying" Thread. The people that don't no the difference between legal and ilegal und saying that closing a pirate server is anti customer and is kind of human right for classic servers to be there. I could go on with that
    People have misconceptions about things and overestimate their opinion and easily fall into confirmation-bias. Big whoop.

    That happens on both sides and on pretty much every subject, and the people that do that do not represent everyone who share their opinion/taste.

    Take the bickering aside and the specifics of illegal vs legal, moral vs immoral, and what you get is people telling others they shouldn't enjoy what they do enjoy (from both sides).
  1. chaud's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Riversong View Post
    Btw the poll just below the blue post can be voted on multiple timesz so its not an accurate figure of who wants what fyi.
    If you vote again and read the poll, you can clearly see it says "Thank you, we have already counted your vote. ".
  1. Obszczymucha's Avatar
    I would fire this guy if I was in charge there. A rephrased "you think you wan't it, but you don't".

    This just shows how little Blizzard cares about their fanbase. This guy should have apologized for what he said earlier in the first place, but now he speaks out again?? I want to hear from someone respectable like Mike Morhaime, not this noname with no PR / soft skills.

    BLIZZARD! Please don't feed us with all that nonsense we heard for years and start taking us seriously!!

    No, I will not play on pristine servers.
    Yes, I'd pay 15$ for a CHOICE to play on Vanilla, TBC, WotLK, Cata, MoP, WoD, Legion. For obvious reasons I wouldn't play on the last four, but I'd gladly play on all three first.

    Blizzard, if you don't wanna do this, then hire people who will do it for you!!
  1. Drpizka's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by kaboriza View Post
    What is this for a stupid comment.

    Are u nostalrius players really this thick?

    Ofcourse blizzard has investigated if this idea was financially feasable , and every1 with half a brain can see why its a terrible move to make legacy servers.

    Now thx for the reply and move on making legion a nice expansion, the nostalgia kids will move with their lives in a few months and we can al forget what happened with nostalrius
    who is stupid, can be easily seen by the fact that you can't read.

    Who the hell talked about legacy server, stupid?

    A pristine server is current release server with few or none QoL features, stupid.

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