Originally Posted by Blizzard
(Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
Once more, the Bronze Dragonflight has discovered growing disturbances in the timeways, with several rapidly intersecting our own!
Beginning the week of September 26, Timewalk through a previous expansion each week for five consecutive weeks. This grand tour through World of Warcraft’s past will start with Cataclysm and end with Wrath of the Lich King.
Also, for a limited time, the Timewalking quest in Valdrakken from Kazra will offer an increased reward—a Heroic level Cache of Vault Treasures with items level 428-437. The reward upgrade is only available for this special Timewalking event. After Turbulent Timewalking has run its course, the reward returns to ilvl 415 Cache of Vault Treasures.
Don’t Let Time Pass You By
Here’s the expansion timeline for Turbulent Timeways:
Week of September 26: Cataclysm Timewalking
Gather your staunchest allies and head into the Firelands raid dungeon to take on the elemental lord Ragnaros and his cohorts—and take on six dungeons from Deathwing’s era— during Cataclysm Timewalking.
The Firelands is the molten domain forged by the titans to house Ragnaros and his wayward minions. Following Deathwing’s emergence into Azeroth, Ragnaros and his servants surged onto the slopes of Mount Hyjal before being driven back by the sacred mountain’s valiant defenders. Now Ragnaros is rallying his loyalists to defend the Firelands from Azeroth’s champions.
During Cataclysm Timewalking, you can assemble a raid group of between 1 and 30 players to step into the molten domain of Ragnaros. Don’t have a regular group? The Group Finder (I) can help. Create your own group in the Premade Groups section or search for like-minded adventurers.
Dungeons in Cataclysm Timewalking
The Stonecore
Within the Temple of Earth, locked in the heart of Deepholm, lies the Stonecore. It was inside these caverns that the Twilight’s Hammer toiled over Deathwing, hammering elementium plates to the Dragon Aspect’s body in an attempt to hold his tormented form together. With his renewal complete, Deathwing ascended into Azeroth, shattering the World Pillar and destabilizing the region of Deepholm.
Lost City of the Tol’vir
The Lost City of the Tol’vir is the stronghold of the Neferset, a faction of the cat-like tol’vir who swore fealty to Deathwing in exchange for a cure to the curse of flesh, which had turned their rocky hides to soft skin. With the affliction expunged, the tol’vir have rebelled against the benefactor, although they remain irrevocably twisted and hostile due to the dark pact they made.
The Vortex Pinnacle
The Vortex Pinnacle exists within the elemental plane of Skywall. Its elegant structures, crowned with bronze and gold, sit atop platforms bridged by pure air. Yet behind its exterior beauty, the pinnacle harbors Neferset tol’vir, as well as Al’Akir the Windlord’s merciless elemental legions. As long as the barrier between Skywall and Azeroth remains open, terror will rain down on Uldum from the skies.
Throne of the Tides
Deep within the Abyssal Maw’s fathomless expanses lies the Throne of the Tides. From here, the great elemental lord Neptulon the Tidehunter has surveyed and protected his aquatic domain for ages. He now faces his greatest challenge as a force of serpentine naga and malefic faceless ones threaten to depose him, leaving his realm and its secrets ripe for the plundering.
End Time
One of an infinite number of potential outcomes, this timeway depicts the desolate future of Azeroth should Deathwing fail to be stopped. Nozdormu has identified a powerful anomaly that exists in this moment and bars access to the past—and hope of retrieving the Demon Soul. The powerful creature from out of time lives alone amidst the time-twisted echoes of the past.
Blackrock Caverns
Rumors suggest that Deathwing himself carved out the subterranean labyrinth that allows the Twilight's Hammer to secretly transport elementals from the majestic Mount Hyjal to Blackrock Mountain. A vital hub of this shadow network is Blackrock Caverns, site of the cult's blistering forge and some of its most heinous experiments, including the transformation of cultists into twilight dragonkin.
Just the Facts
Your character and items will be scaled down to a power level fitting for the challenge at hand, but bosses will yield loot appropriate for your regular level. Timewalking dungeons also have a chance to drop items that usually drop when you run them on Heroic, and you’ll earn reputation with a faction that is interested in the dungeon. For example, when you Timewalk through The Stonecore, Slabhide could drop the Reins of the Vitreous Stone Drake mount for you.
While Timewalking is active, you will gain a 50% bonus to reputations earned from quests and creature kills for all reputations associated with the corresponding expansion.
Week of October 3: The Burning Crusade Timewalking
Illidan Awaits
Head to Outland to face Illidan and his cohorts once more in The Black Temple!
The Black Temple raid is available throughout the Burning Crusade Timewalking event. The difficulty is set to Normal and, like any Normal level raid, will not be available through Raid Finder. To take on this challenge, you’ll need to get your guild or a group of friends together, or head to Group Finder. The raid scales for your group size (between 10 — 30 players) and your level and gear will be scaled back to match the raid’s challenges.
Want to relive the time you first defeated Teron Gorefiend? Face the Reliquary of Souls once more? Witness the showdown between Maiev and Illidan before the final fight? Now’s your chance. Inside you can earn transmog sets, the pets you need for Raiding With Leashes III, a Music Roll: The Burning Legion, and gear drops. And for Demon Hunters, there’s the enticing possibility of obtaining the legendary Warglaives of Azzinoth.
Dungeons in The Burning Crusade Timewalking
All week, open Group Finder (default hotkey: i) and then select Dungeon Finder and Timewalking in the Type dropdown. When you hit ‘Find Group’, you’ll be matched up with other players and sent to one of the following Heroic dungeons:
Magister’s Terrace
After his defeat in Tempest Keep, Kael'thas Sunstrider publicly revealed his alliance with the ruthless Burning Legion. Intent upon summoning the demon lord Kil'jaeden, Kael'thas has returned to the Isle of Quel'Danas to make the final preparation for his master's arrival.
Mana-Tombs
The original exiles on Draenor found death to be an unsettling and unfortunate consequence of life, and so the draenei hid their dead away in the subterranean grave-city of Auchindoun, a labyrinthine marvel located beneath the forest of Terokkar.
The Blood Furnace
At the heart of Outland's barren Hellfire Peninsula stands Hellfire Citadel, a nearly impenetrable bastion that served as the Horde's base of operation throughout the First and Second Wars.
The Botanica
The mighty Tempest Keep was created by the enigmatic naaru: sentient beings of pure energy and the sworn enemies of the Burning Legion. In addition to serving as a base of operations for the naaru, the structure itself possesses the technology to teleport through alternate dimensions, traveling from one location to another in the blink of an eye.
The Shattered Halls
At the heart of Outland's barren Hellfire Peninsula stands Hellfire Citadel, a nearly impenetrable bastion that served as the Horde's base of operations throughout the First and Second Wars.
The Underbog
Coilfang Reservoir is the name for a naga-dominated compound that lurks under Zangarmarsh's deepest waters. The reservoir, punctured throughout by massive open pipes and pistons, seems big enough to house armies - and, yet, its purpose isn't strictly military.
Your character and items will be scaled down to a power level fitting for the challenge at hand, but bosses will yield loot appropriate for your natural level. Timewalking dungeons also have a chance to drop items that usually drop when you run them on Heroic, and you’ll earn reputation with a faction that is interested in the dungeon. For example, when you Timewalk through The Slave Pens, you’ll earn reputation with the Cenarion Expedition, which could open access to purchasing the Cenarion War Hippogryph mount.
While Timewalking is active, you will gain a 50% bonus to reputations earned from quests and creature kills for all reputations associated with the corresponding expansion.
Week of October 10: Legion Timewalking
Prime your minds for a fel-tangled chrono-spatial conundrum and more in this week’s Bonus Event.
Players will be able to adventure into six of Legion’s dungeons to reap new rewards all week during this week’s Bonus Event. Your character and items will be scaled down to a power level fitting for the challenge at hand, but bosses will yield loot appropriate for your regular level. Timewalking dungeons also have a chance to drop items that usually drop when you run them on Heroic difficulty, and you’ll earn reputation with a faction that is interested in the dungeon.
While Timewalking is active, you will gain a 50% bonus to reputations earned from quests and creature kills for all reputations associated with the corresponding expansion.
Simply open the Group Finder (default hotkey: I) and then select Dungeon Finder and Timewalking in the Type dropdown menu. Selecting Find Group will match you with other players and send you to one of the following Heroic dungeons:
Black Rook Hold
Carved from the greatest mountain of Val'sharah by ancient elven masons, Black Rook Hold stood as a bulwark against the Burning Legion during the War of the Ancients. The nigh-impregnable fortress is also the ancestral home of Lord Kur'talos Ravencrest, one-time mentor of Illidan himself. But since the latest Legion attack, a strange dark energy emanates from the Hold, and restless dead plague the surrounding lands.
Court of Stars
Even as Legion troops patrol the streets, casting a pall over the grand city of Suramar, the socialites of the Nightborne nobility continue to cling to custom and routine. On this clear night, the cry of revelers echoes through the chill air, as the largest mansion in the Noble District opens its doors for a grand gala. Rumor has it that Grand Magistrix Elisande herself may be making an appearance, in an effort to reassure several of her closest allies despite recent turmoil.
Darkheart Thicket
In the shadow of Shaladrassil, the Nightmare permeates every inch of the once-lush forest. Where the eldest and greatest druids once tended to the woods, meditating beneath the great world tree, corruption and madness now reign. Deep within the tangled thicket, the Nightmare Lord Xavius works to break the will of his greatest prize.
Eye of Azshara
Amidst outlying shoals off the coast of Azsuna, an ancient source of power lies beneath the waves. Long ago, the power of Queen Azshara extended throughout these lands, and the naga seeking the Tidestone of Golganneth still act at her behest. As clouds roll in and the air crackles with the energy of an approaching storm, Azshara's followers prepare to summon an incarnation of her Wrath to lay waste to the land.
Neltharion's Lair
The Earth Warder Neltharion, later known as Deathwing, once called this cavern home. Since his fall, the drogbar that once worshipped the great dragon built their capital within this ancient lair. Now, Dargrul, chieftain of the drogbar, rallies a massive army within these depths. Bolstered by the Hammer of Khaz'goroth, this army will surge from the mountainside if left unchecked, devastating Highmountain and threatening the security of all Azeroth.
Vault of the Wardens
This secret Warden facility was carved into the mountainside deep in Azsuna, and sealed with magical wards both to keep intruders out, and to ensure that the terrors locked within could never escape. Many of the most dangerous foes the Wardens have encountered were locked away within the Vault, but in the aftermath of Cordana's betrayal and the Legion's attack, those creatures now roam the halls freely.
To learn more about each dungeon’s bosses, tips, and view the available loot, check out the Adventure Guide (Shift-J), select the Dungeons tab, then choose Legion from the drop-down menu.
Legion Timewalking Rewards
You’ll also be able to visit the Timewalking vendor Aridormi in Dalaran (above the Broken Isles). She’ll be waiting to take your hard-earned Timewarped Badges in exchange for some tempting rewards:
A Mount—Favor of the Val'sharah Hippogryph
A Toy—Nightborne Guard's Vigilance
A Cosmetic Shield appearance—Replica Aegis of Aggramar
A Transmog Ensemble—Ensemble: Ravencrest's Battleplate
Reputation Tokens for all major Legion factions including: Argussian Reach, Army of the Light, Armies of Legionfall, Court of Farondis, Dreamweavers, Highmountain Tribe, The Nightfallen, The Wardens, and Valarjar.
Week of October 17: Mists of Pandaria Timewalking
Players will be able to venture into six of Mists of Pandaria’s storied dungeons to reap new rewards all week during this Bonus Event. Simply open the Group Finder (default hotkey: “I”) and then select Dungeon Finder and Timewalking in the “Type” dropdown menu. Selecting “Find Group” will match you with other players and send you to one of the following Heroic Dungeons.
Temple of the Jade Serpent
Stormstout Brewery
Shado-Pan Monastery
Mogu’shan Palace
Scholomance
Gate of the Setting Sun
Your character and items will be scaled down to a power level fitting for the challenge at hand, but bosses will yield loot appropriate for your natural level. Timewalking dungeons also have a chance to drop items that usually drop when you run them on Heroic, and you’ll earn reputation with a faction that is interested in the dungeon.
You’ll also be able to visit a new Timewalking vendor located on the Timeless Isle. Mistweaver Xia is waiting to take your hard-earned Timewarped Badges in exchange for some tempting rewards:
Updated equipment selections from Pandaria factions
Week of October 24: Wrath of the Lich King Timewalking
Yogg-Saron Awaits!
Ulduar Timewalking is now available and Yogg-Saron – the lucid dream, the monster in your nightmares, and the fiend of a thousand faces – awaits.
When: The Ulduar raid is available throughout the Wrath Timewalking event. Difficulty: The difficulty is set to Normal and, like any Normal level raid, will not be available through Raid Finder. Minimum Level: Players level 60 and above are eligible to participate.
During Wrath Timewalking, you can assemble a raid group of between 10 and 30 players, travel to Dalaran in Northrend, and speak with Vormu to access a Timewalking version of the Ulduar raid. The raid scales for your group size and your level and gear will be scaled to match the raid’s challenges.
Don’t have a regular group? The Group Finder (I) can help. Create your own group in the ‘Premade Groups’ section or search for like-minded adventurers.
Looking to withstand the fires of Igniss the Furnace Master? Withstand the terrific tantrum of XT-002 Deconstructor? Or is it your very mind you want to test against the master of nightmares, Yogg-Saron? Opportunity awaits! Inside you can earn transmog sets, the pets you need to earn the Raiding for Leashes IV achievement, and more.
Open Group Finder (default hotkey: i) and then select Dungeon Finder and Timewalking in the Type dropdown. When you hit ‘Find Group’, you’ll be matched up with other players and sent to one of the following Heroic dungeons:
Azjol Nerub
Azjol-Nerub was an empire of great strength when the Lich King arrived in Northrend. Despite ferocious resistance, however, Scourge forces managed to overtake the subterranean kingdom and slaughter its inhabitants, the nerubians. Scarred by years of war and abandonment, this vast domain is now occupied on two fronts.
Gundrak
Desperate to save their kingdom from collapse the trolls of Zul’Drak have turned on their ancient gods. The wild deities are now considered a source of untapped power, their potent blood providing the means to repel the Lich King’s minions, who have overtaken parts of the troll nation. Heroes have recently journeyed to the beleaguered region to strike at the savage Drakkari and their maddened prophets.
Halls of Lightning
Upon departing Azeroth, the titans entrusted loyal protectors with safeguarding Ulduar, an enigmatic city nestled in the mountains of the Storm Peaks. Designated supreme among his brethren was the guardian known as Loken, but with the power of the titan complex in his hands, he turned to darkness and plunged the region into chaos.
The Forge of Souls
For many years champions among the races of Azeroth have stood against the Lich King only to be slaughtered mercilessly and forced to serve in his army of undead horrors. In his ongoing struggle to stop the Lich King, Tirion Fordring of the Argent Crusade has joined forces with Darion Mograine of the knights of the Ebon Blade in order to assault Icecrown Citadel with a unified army called the Ashen Verdict.
The Nexus
In order to reestablish his dominance over magic, the blue Dragon Aspect, Malygos has launched a ruthless campaign to sever the link between mortals and the arcane energies coursing through Azeroth. To this end, his blue dragonflight is redirecting the ley lines of the world to the Nexus, Malygos’ towering lair.
Utgarde Keep
Utgarde Keep was long thought to be abandoned, a relic of a lost civilization among the central cliffs of the Howling Fjord. Yet in recent days something has roused the fortress’ slumbering residents, the vrykul.
To learn more about each dungeon’s bosses, tips, and view the available loot, check out the Adventure Guide (Shift-J), select the Dungeons tab, then choose Wrath of the Lich King from the drop-down menu.
Your character and items will be scaled down to a power level fitting for the challenge at hand, but bosses will yield loot appropriate for your natural level. Timewalking dungeons also have a chance to drop items that usually drop when you run them on Heroic, and you’ll earn reputation with a faction that is interested in the dungeon. For example, when you Timewalk through Utgarde Pinnacle, Skadi the Ruthless could drop the Blue Proto-Drake mount for you.
While Timewalking is active, you will gain a 50% bonus to reputations earned from quests and creature kills for all reputations associated with the corresponding expansion.
Mark your calendar, gather your allies, and prepare to take a Timewalking adventure!
Patch 10.2 Guardians of the Dream - Emerald Dream Zone Preview
Today, we are looking at the new outdoor zone coming to Patch 10.2 Guardians of the Dream.
This is just a portion of the Emerald Dream known as the Eye of Ysera. It is not the entire Emerald Dream.
The zone is about the size of Ohn'ahran Plains.
You enter on the southeast side of the zone. It can be accessed via a portal in the western Ohn'ahran Plains.
The new world boss, Aurostor the Hibernator, is in the zone's western part.
The raid is found in the Northern section, where Fyrakk and his minions have assaulted the Emerald Dream. Major parts of these areas are burning.
Originally Posted by Blizzard
(Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
Each week we’ll look ahead to what’s in store for World of Warcraft, share the latest news, and keep you in the know byte by byte.
The Final Surge for the September Trading Post is now active. It’s a good time to make a final push, fill the bar in your Traveler’s Log, and collect the Crusty Crawler’s Mount—before things get ghastly for October’s Trading Post.
Microsoft Activision Blizzard Deal Gets Preliminary Approval From UK's CMA
UK's Competition and Markets Authority has announced that the new sale of Activision's cloud gaming rights to Ubisoft substantially addresses previous concerns and opens the door to the deal being cleared.
Originally Posted by CMA
While the CMA has identified limited residual concerns with the new deal, Microsoft has put forward remedies which the CMA has provisionally concluded should address these issues.
The CMA is now consulting on the remedies before making a final decision.
The new deal
Earlier this year, the CMA blocked Microsoft from acquiring the whole of Activision due to concerns that the deal would harm competition in cloud gaming in the UK. After that deal was blocked, Microsoft submitted a restructured transaction in August for the CMA to review.
Under that new deal, Microsoft will not purchase the cloud gaming rights held by Activision, which will instead be sold to an independent third party, Ubisoft Entertainment SA (Ubisoft), before the deal is completed.
The prior sale of the cloud gaming rights will establish Ubisoft as a key supplier of content to cloud gaming services, replicating the role that Activision would have played in the market as an independent player.
In contrast to the original deal, Microsoft will no longer control cloud gaming rights for Activision’s content, so would not be in a position to limit access to Activision’s key content to its own cloud gaming service or to withhold those games from rivals. Unlike the remedies the CMA previously rejected, Ubisoft will be free to offer Activision’s games both directly to consumers and to all cloud gaming service providers however it chooses, including for buy-to-play or multigame subscription services, or any new model for providing content that might emerge as the market develops. The deal with Ubisoft also requires Microsoft to port Activision games to operating systems other than Windows and support game emulators when requested, addressing the other main shortcoming with the previous remedies package.
Today’s decision
The CMA considers that the restructured deal makes important changes that substantially address the concerns it set out in relation to the original transaction earlier this year.
In particular, the sale of Activision’s cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft will prevent this important content – including games such as Call of Duty, Overwatch, and World of Warcraft – from coming under the control of Microsoft in relation to cloud gaming. The CMA originally found that Microsoft already has a strong position in cloud gaming services and could have used its control over Activision content to stifle competition and reinforce this position. The new deal instead results in the cloud streaming rights for Activision’s games being transferred to an independent player, Ubisoft, maintaining open competition as the market for cloud gaming develops over the coming years.
While the restructured deal is materially different to the previous transaction and substantially addresses most concerns, the CMA has limited residual concerns that certain provisions in the sale of Activision’s cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft could be circumvented, terminated, or not enforced.
To address these concerns, Microsoft has offered remedies to ensure that the terms of the sale of Activision’s rights to Ubisoft are enforceable by the CMA. The CMA has provisionally concluded that this additional protection should resolve those residual concerns.
The CMA has now opened a consultation, until 6 October, on Microsoft’s proposed remedies.
Colin Raftery, senior director of mergers and Phase 1 decision maker, said:
“This is a new and substantially different deal, which keeps the cloud distribution of these important games in the hands of a strong independent supplier, Ubisoft, rather than under the control of Microsoft.”
“With additional protections to make sure that the deal is properly implemented, this will maintain the structure of the market, enabling open competition to continue to shape the development of cloud gaming in the years to come, and giving UK gamers the opportunity to access Activision’s games in many different ways, including through cloud-based multigame subscription services.”
Sarah Cardell, CEO of the CMA, said:
“The CMA’s position has been consistent throughout – this merger could only go ahead if competition, innovation, and choice in cloud gaming was preserved. In response to our original prohibition, Microsoft has now substantially restructured the deal, taking the necessary steps to address our original concerns.
“It would have been far better, though, if Microsoft had put forward this restructure during our original investigation. This case illustrates the costs, uncertainty and delay that parties can incur if a credible and effective remedy option exists but is not put on the table at the right time.”
Key Takeaways:
UK's CMA preliminarily approves the sale of Activision's cloud gaming rights to Ubisoft.
Under the new deal, Microsoft will not control the cloud gaming rights for Activision's content, in order to ensure fair competition from rivals.
Microsoft will be required to support game emulators and port Activision games to non-Windows platforms when requested.
The CMA considers this restructured deal as substantially addressing competition concerns.
A consultation period for Microsoft's proposed remedies is open until October 6th.
Following the news, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith shared on Twitter (X) that the company is happy with today's response from the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority).
Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick sent a message to employees, expressing his gratitude for their dedication and highlighting the significant milestone of the merger's preliminary approval by the UK's CMA.
Originally Posted by Bobby Kotick
Team,
I want to share an important update on our planned merger with Microsoft.
Today the UK regulatory authority, the CMA, issued a preliminary approval of our merger with Microsoft based on the solutions Microsoft presented in connection with its new merger application. This approval is critical to completing our merger.
The next step is for the CMA to gather third-party feedback, after which the CMA will reach a final decision.
As I said when we announced the deal, this transaction will help us accelerate our ambitions for the future of gaming and enable us to better serve our players. Microsoft recognizes the commitment to excellence and creative independence that has served us well for the last 30 years. I am confident that their resources, technology, and tools will provide us even greater opportunities to create even better games.
This is a significant milestone for the merger and a testament to our solutions-oriented work with regulators. I remain optimistic as we continue the journey toward completion and am very grateful to each of you for your dedication and focus throughout this process.
As the regulators continue their process, I will keep you updated on our progress towards our expected closing.
Originally Posted by Blizzard
(Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
Hi all,
Just a quick update before we head into the weekend:
While we initially saw some improvements following last nights work and restarts, things appear to have become progressively worse again and troubleshooting continues.
In terms of in-game messaging it is being considered, though keep in mind not everyone is affected and a generic message about potentially running into issues is already true at all times. Having warnings appear and disappear might simply create unrealistic expectations about when it is and isn’t “safe” to play.
As for rolling back or reviving dead characters we’ve tried our best to be as clear as possible from the very start that it’s not something we will consider, which remains the case.
I understand losing characters to any technical issue is disappointing, but for purpose of keeping this thread useful for the ongoing work to address the issue, please try to keep the discussion to currently experienced symptoms – and thank you to those already contributing with this info!
Stay safe for now and hopefully the underlying issue can be finally addressed soon!