How many Classic servers at launch and what will be the server cap?

[Deficineiron]

Well let's sincerely hope not because if that ever happens then it cannot be called Classic. The ball is in their court.

aside from how much of a frankenstein job they do into the initial release - an equally big danger is how much they then incrementally nerf/trivialize it over time to try to bring in more and more 'accessibility-oriented' customers.

I bet they build the classic into the current engine with ALL features itegrated (from petbattles to LFR), then just turn most of them off for release and gradually turn them on 'because the players demand it.'

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did you guys count the digits or you just forgot to take your fingers off that '0' button?

6.000.000? are you joking? this is a 14 year old game, fully explored and totally outdated, there are no secrets this time, no mystery, no discoveries just old school grind and the target group is de facto limited to a small but loyal community

We were just discussing problems with a lot of zeros in numbers when you came in. My prediction is on record (largest wow iteration launch ever meaning most players playing on classic servers within x days or weeks of launch of any launch cycle ever, EU/NA>). Could you share yours with us?

[demonyaa]

Fair point. However, Take a look at the wow reddit most upvoted and commented thread. It's not the one about BFA, it's the one about classic wow (actually it's 5 times more upvoted and comment than it). And look at how many famous people are hyped about it, streamers, players...

Yes, the majority of the people won't keep playing classic wow, probably 75-80% of the playerbase will stop playing this version of the game after 1-2 months, but I still believe that at least a million people will play it in the long-term.

If even a private server like Nostalrius could have a community of hundreds of thousands of people, then imagine what it will be like on retail.

You forget that playing in that server was free.

I won't deny there is significant demand for Classic, however I don't think a free to play version is a good indicator of demand for a paid product.

[Deficineiron]

You forget that playing in that server was free.

I won't deny there is significant demand for Classic, however I don't think a free to play version is a good indicator of demand for a paid product.

finite possible data sets to compare.

ps community and server populations is a real data point, but limited extrapolation info? if any on what it means in terms of official server performance. Based on your theory, is it valid to expect current content ps to have many, many more players than retail does? My understanding is that this is not the case. Why is such a comparison not valid?

prior mmo legacy official projects - only 2 I know of, neither supports the 4 servers or 3000 subs crowd. did either have private servers emulating legacy prior to official legacy servers? what was active player ratio on both? only way I know to evaluate.

OSRS in particular does not support the lowball subs crowd, but for any example, there will be a host of individual nuances and circumstances to be used to dispute any conclusion.

A host of posters on this thread suggest classic wow will have less active subs than osrs, for example. I don't think they realize they are suggesting it, but the numbers they propose almost require that to be true.

the wild-card is A/B. my understanding is the eq and osrs projects did not initially try to remake legacy game for 'new generation' etc etc. a/b could very well do that to wow; in fact, I think it is a given. Totally different corporate situation - A/B (along with EA) is the largest stand-alone (to exlude microsoft) video GAME developer/publisher in the world. Think Bobby Kotick. Think 'I can beat the whole game just using a single key, from lvl 1 to the big baddie on the box (in lfr). that is how they make games.

[ossyc]

I know for a fact that they will open exactly 87 servers at launch (http://dilbert.com/strip/2008-05-08).

Do you have a problem with comprehension?

I used words like could, rough, estimate.....

Nowhere do I categorically state it as fact!

[FelPlague]

serious question - when was the last NA/EU server merger? how many servers have been merged since the Activision merger (no pun intended)?

classic will be re-built on current engine, so they can crz and shard and anything and everythign they want.

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ok, please dispute any number on that list (besides current subs, which I did make up though I suspect I am within 1.5m either way)

the other 3 numbers are from public statements by blizzard or by the A/B chairman (specifically the then-a/b chairman and vivendi ceo in early 2009)

2014, CRZ was invented in 2012
so even after CRZ was invented they still combined servers for 2 years.
But yeah with CRZ there is no reason to.

[Nnyco]

first month maybe five? after that probably one

[Deficineiron]

2014, CRZ was invented in 2012
so even after CRZ was invented they still combined servers for 2 years.
But yeah with CRZ there is no reason to.

I did some googling and cannot find anything from 2008 to 2014 about actual server mergers.

where these one-off mergers, or geographically-motivated (e.g. move of realms into new oceanic server datacenter)?

THe last time I looked at this topic (probably when crz came up) I don't recall that wow had every merged realms. if they had, I would assume it was a short list for specific reasons.

ok, i found dentarg/tarren mill, but the language seems to blame crz for the merge.

[FelPlague]

I did some googling and cannot find anything from 2008 to 2014 about actual server mergers.

where these one-off mergers, or geographically-motivated (e.g. move of realms into new oceanic server datacenter)?

THe last time I looked at this topic (probably when crz came up) I don't recall that wow had every merged realms. if they had, I would assume it was a short list for specific reasons.

ok, i found dentarg/tarren mill, but the language seems to blame crz for the merge.

http://wowwiki.wikia.com/wiki/Connected_Realms
the last connected servers
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/11393305

literally just googled "Last server merges"

and you serious? you never knew they merged servers and if so few?
Us realms

Aegwynn US, Bonechewer US, Daggerspine US, Gurubashi US, and Hakkar US
Agamaggan US, Archimonde US, Jaedenar US, and The Underbog US
Aggramar US and Fizzcrank US
Akama US, Dragonmaw US, and Mug'thol US
Alleria US and Khadgar US
Alexstrasza US and Terokkar US
Altar of Storms US, Anetheron US, Magtheridon US, and Ysondre US
Alterac Mountains US, Balnazzar US, Gorgonnash US, The Forgotten Coast US, and Warsong US
Andorhal US, Scilla US, Ursin US and Zuluhed US
Antonidas US and Uldum US
Anub'arak US, Chromaggus US, Crushridge US, Garithos US, Nathrezim US, and Smolderthorn US
Anvilmar US and Undermine US
Arygos US and Llane US
Auchindoun US, Cho'gall US, and Laughing Skull US
Azgalor US, Azshara US, Destromath US, and Thunderlord US
Azjol-Nerub US and Khaz Modan US
Azuremyst US and Staghelm US
Black Dragonflight US, Gul'dan US, and Skullcrusher US
Blackhand US and Galakrond US
Blackwater Raiders US and Shadow Council US
Blackwing Lair US, Dethecus US, Detheroc US (and Shadowmoon US), Lethon US, Haomarush US
Bladefist US and Kul Tiras US
Blade's Edge US and Thunderhorn US
Blood Furnace US, Mannaroth US, and Nazjatar US
Bloodscalp US, Boulderfist US, Dunemaul US, Maiev US, and Stonemaul US
Borean Tundra US and Shadowsong US
Bronzebeard US and Shandris US
Burning Blade US, Lightning's Blade US, and Onyxia US
Cairne US and Perenolde US
Coilfang US, Dark Iron US, Dalvengyr US, and Demon Soul US and Shattered Hand US
Dawnbringer US} and Madoran US
Darrowmere US and Windrunner US
Dath'Remar US and Khaz'goroth US
Deathwing US, Executus US, Kalecgos US, and Shattered Halls US
Dentarg US and Whisperwind US
Doomhammer US and Baelgun US
Draenor US and Echo Isles US
Draka US and Suramar US
Drak'Tharon US, Firetree US, Malorne US, Rivendare US, Spirestone US, and Stormscale US
Drak'thul US and Skywall US
Dreadmaul US and Thaurissan US
Drenden US and Arathor US
Duskwood US and Bloodhoof US
Eitrigg US and Shu'halo US
Eldre'Thalas US and Korialstrasz US
Eonar US and Velen US
Eredar US, Gorefiend US, Spinebreaker US, and Wildhammer US
Exodar US and Medivh US
Farstriders US, Silver Hand US, and Thorium Brotherhood US
Fenris US and Dragonblight US
Frostmane US, Ner'zhul US, and Tortheldrin US
Frostwolf US and Vashj US
Ghostlands US and Kael'thas US
Gilneas US and Elune US
Gnomeregan US and Moonrunner US
Grizzly Hills US and Lothar US
Gundrak US and Jubei'Thos US
Hellscream US and Zangarmarsh US
Hydraxis US, Terenas US, and Emerald Dream US
Icecrown US and Malygos US
Kargath US and Norgannon US
Kilrogg US and Winterhoof US
Kirin Tor US, Sentinels US, and Steamwheedle Cartel US
Malfurion US and Trollbane US
Misha US and Rexxar US
Mok'Nathal US and Silvermoon US
Nagrand US and Caelestrasz US
Nazgrel US and Nesingwary US/Vek'nilash US
Nordrassil US and Muradin US
Quel'dorei US and Sen'jin US
Ravenholdt US and Twisting Nether US
Runetotem US and Uther US
Scarlet Crusade US and Feathermoon US
Sisters of Elune US and Cenarion Circle US
The Scryers US and Argent Dawn US
Tanaris US and Greymane US
Uldaman US and Ravencrest US
The Venture Co US, Maelstrom US and Lightninghoof US
Ysera US and Durotan US


EU realms
English realms
(PvE) Wildhammer EU / Thunderhorn EU
(PvE) Kilrogg EU / Runetotem EU / Nagrand EU
(PvE) Aggramar EU / Hellscream EU
(PvE) Hellfire EU / Arathor EU
(PvP) Kor'gall EU / Bloodfeather EU / Executus EU / Burning Steppes EU / Shattered Hand EU
(PvE) Azjol-Nerub EU / Quel'Thalas EU
(PvE) Ghostlands EU / Dragonblight EU
(PvE) Darkspear EU / Terokkar EU
(PvE) Aszune EU / Shadowsong EU
(PvE) Alonsus EU / Anachronos EU / Kul Tiras EU
(PvP) Shattered Halls EU / Balnazzar EU / Ahn'Qiraj EU / Trollbane EU / Talnivarr EU / Chromaggus EU / Boulderfist EU / Daggerspine EU / Laughing Skull EU / Sunstrider EU
(PvP) Emeriss EU / Agamaggan EU / Hakkar EU / Crushridge EU / Bloodscalp EU
(PvP) Grim Batol EU / Aggra EU
(PvP) Karazhan EU / Lightning's Blade EU / Deathwing EU / The Maelstrom EU
(PvP) Auchindoun EU / Dunemaul EU / Jaedenar EU
(PvP) Dragonmaw EU / Spinebreaker EU / Haomarush EU / Vashj EU / Stormreaver EU
(PvP) Zenedar EU / Bladefist EU / Frostwhisper EU
(PvP) Xavius EU / Skullcrusher EU
(PvP) Darksorrow EU / Genjuros EU / Neptulon EU
(PvP) Drak'thul EU / Burning Blade EU
(RP) Moonglade EU / The Sha'tar EU
(RP PvP) Scarshield Legion EU / Ravenholdt EU / The Venture Co EU / Sporeggar EU
French realms
(PvE) Elune EU / Varimathras EU
(PvE) Marécage de Zangar EU / Dalaran EU
(PvE) Eitrigg EU / Krasus EU
(PvE) Suramar EU / Medivh EU
(PvP) Arak-arahm EU / Throk'Feroth EU / Rashgarroth EU
(PvP) Naxxramas EU / Arathi EU / Temple Noir EU / Illidan EU
(PvP) Garona EU / Ner'zhul EU
(PvP) Eldre'Thalas EU / Cho'gall EU / Sinstralis EU
(RP) Confrerie du Thorium EU / Les Clairvoyants EU
(RP PvP) La Croisade écarlate EU / Culte de la Rive noire EU / Conseil des Ombres EU
German realms
(PvE) Gilneas EU / Ulduar EU
(PvE) Garrosh EU / Shattrath EU / Nozdormu EU
(PvE) Nethersturm EU / Alexstrasza EU
(PvE) Un'Goro EU / Area 52 EU / Sen'jin EU
(PvP) Ambossar EU / Kargath EU
(PvP) Ysera EU / Malorne EU
(PvP) Malygos EU / Malfurion EU
(PvP) Nazjatar EU / Dalvengyr EU
(PvP) Arthas EU / Vek'lor EU / Blutkessel EU
(PvP) Dethecus EU / Terrordar EU / Mug'thol EU / Theradras EU
(PvP) Echsenkessel EU / Taerar EU / Mal'Ganis EU
(PvP) Anetheron EU / Festung der Stürme EU / Rajaxx EU / Gul'dan EU
(RP PvP) Die Arguswacht EU / Die Todeskrallen EU / Das Syndikat EU / Der Abyssische Rat EU
Spanish realms
(PvE) Exodar EU / Minahonda EU
(PvE) Colinas Pardas EU / Tyrande EU / (RP) Los Errantes EU
(PvP) Zul'jin EU / Sanguino EU / Shen'dralar EU / Uldum EU
Russian realms
(PvP) Подземье EU / Разувий EU


seriously you didnt know that wow had any?


Also Dentarg/whisperwind were connected on US and i know cause i left that server in march last year
and they are not just CRZ, they are merged as in same AH, same guilds etc.
i was on dentarg in a guild with mostly whisperwind people.

[Deficineiron]

http://wowwiki.wikia.com/wiki/Connected_Realms
the last connected servers
https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/11393305

literally just googled "Last server merges"

and you serious? you never knew they merged servers and if so few?
Us realms

Aegwynn US, Bonechewer US, Daggerspine US, Gurubashi US, and Hakkar US
Agamaggan US, Archimonde US, Jaedenar US, and The Underbog US
Aggramar US and Fizzcrank US
Akama US, Dragonmaw US, and Mug'thol US
Alleria US and Khadgar US
Alexstrasza US and Terokkar US
Altar of Storms US, Anetheron US, Magtheridon US, and Ysondre US
Alterac Mountains US, Balnazzar US, Gorgonnash US, The Forgotten Coast US, and Warsong US
Andorhal US, Scilla US, Ursin US and Zuluhed US
Antonidas US and Uldum US
Anub'arak US, Chromaggus US, Crushridge US, Garithos US, Nathrezim US, and Smolderthorn US
Anvilmar US and Undermine US
Arygos US and Llane US
Auchindoun US, Cho'gall US, and Laughing Skull US
Azgalor US, Azshara US, Destromath US, and Thunderlord US
Azjol-Nerub US and Khaz Modan US
Azuremyst US and Staghelm US
Black Dragonflight US, Gul'dan US, and Skullcrusher US
Blackhand US and Galakrond US
Blackwater Raiders US and Shadow Council US
Blackwing Lair US, Dethecus US, Detheroc US (and Shadowmoon US), Lethon US, Haomarush US
Bladefist US and Kul Tiras US
Blade's Edge US and Thunderhorn US
Blood Furnace US, Mannaroth US, and Nazjatar US
Bloodscalp US, Boulderfist US, Dunemaul US, Maiev US, and Stonemaul US
Borean Tundra US and Shadowsong US
Bronzebeard US and Shandris US
Burning Blade US, Lightning's Blade US, and Onyxia US
Cairne US and Perenolde US
Coilfang US, Dark Iron US, Dalvengyr US, and Demon Soul US and Shattered Hand US
Dawnbringer US} and Madoran US
Darrowmere US and Windrunner US
Dath'Remar US and Khaz'goroth US
Deathwing US, Executus US, Kalecgos US, and Shattered Halls US
Dentarg US and Whisperwind US
Doomhammer US and Baelgun US
Draenor US and Echo Isles US
Draka US and Suramar US
Drak'Tharon US, Firetree US, Malorne US, Rivendare US, Spirestone US, and Stormscale US
Drak'thul US and Skywall US
Dreadmaul US and Thaurissan US
Drenden US and Arathor US
Duskwood US and Bloodhoof US
Eitrigg US and Shu'halo US
Eldre'Thalas US and Korialstrasz US
Eonar US and Velen US
Eredar US, Gorefiend US, Spinebreaker US, and Wildhammer US
Exodar US and Medivh US
Farstriders US, Silver Hand US, and Thorium Brotherhood US
Fenris US and Dragonblight US
Frostmane US, Ner'zhul US, and Tortheldrin US
Frostwolf US and Vashj US
Ghostlands US and Kael'thas US
Gilneas US and Elune US
Gnomeregan US and Moonrunner US
Grizzly Hills US and Lothar US
Gundrak US and Jubei'Thos US
Hellscream US and Zangarmarsh US
Hydraxis US, Terenas US, and Emerald Dream US
Icecrown US and Malygos US
Kargath US and Norgannon US
Kilrogg US and Winterhoof US
Kirin Tor US, Sentinels US, and Steamwheedle Cartel US
Malfurion US and Trollbane US
Misha US and Rexxar US
Mok'Nathal US and Silvermoon US
Nagrand US and Caelestrasz US
Nazgrel US and Nesingwary US/Vek'nilash US
Nordrassil US and Muradin US
Quel'dorei US and Sen'jin US
Ravenholdt US and Twisting Nether US
Runetotem US and Uther US
Scarlet Crusade US and Feathermoon US
Sisters of Elune US and Cenarion Circle US
The Scryers US and Argent Dawn US
Tanaris US and Greymane US
Uldaman US and Ravencrest US
The Venture Co US, Maelstrom US and Lightninghoof US
Ysera US and Durotan US


EU realms
English realms
(PvE) Wildhammer EU / Thunderhorn EU
(PvE) Kilrogg EU / Runetotem EU / Nagrand EU
(PvE) Aggramar EU / Hellscream EU
(PvE) Hellfire EU / Arathor EU
(PvP) Kor'gall EU / Bloodfeather EU / Executus EU / Burning Steppes EU / Shattered Hand EU
(PvE) Azjol-Nerub EU / Quel'Thalas EU
(PvE) Ghostlands EU / Dragonblight EU
(PvE) Darkspear EU / Terokkar EU
(PvE) Aszune EU / Shadowsong EU
(PvE) Alonsus EU / Anachronos EU / Kul Tiras EU
(PvP) Shattered Halls EU / Balnazzar EU / Ahn'Qiraj EU / Trollbane EU / Talnivarr EU / Chromaggus EU / Boulderfist EU / Daggerspine EU / Laughing Skull EU / Sunstrider EU
(PvP) Emeriss EU / Agamaggan EU / Hakkar EU / Crushridge EU / Bloodscalp EU
(PvP) Grim Batol EU / Aggra EU
(PvP) Karazhan EU / Lightning's Blade EU / Deathwing EU / The Maelstrom EU
(PvP) Auchindoun EU / Dunemaul EU / Jaedenar EU
(PvP) Dragonmaw EU / Spinebreaker EU / Haomarush EU / Vashj EU / Stormreaver EU
(PvP) Zenedar EU / Bladefist EU / Frostwhisper EU
(PvP) Xavius EU / Skullcrusher EU
(PvP) Darksorrow EU / Genjuros EU / Neptulon EU
(PvP) Drak'thul EU / Burning Blade EU
(RP) Moonglade EU / The Sha'tar EU
(RP PvP) Scarshield Legion EU / Ravenholdt EU / The Venture Co EU / Sporeggar EU
French realms
(PvE) Elune EU / Varimathras EU
(PvE) Marécage de Zangar EU / Dalaran EU
(PvE) Eitrigg EU / Krasus EU
(PvE) Suramar EU / Medivh EU
(PvP) Arak-arahm EU / Throk'Feroth EU / Rashgarroth EU
(PvP) Naxxramas EU / Arathi EU / Temple Noir EU / Illidan EU
(PvP) Garona EU / Ner'zhul EU
(PvP) Eldre'Thalas EU / Cho'gall EU / Sinstralis EU
(RP) Confrerie du Thorium EU / Les Clairvoyants EU
(RP PvP) La Croisade écarlate EU / Culte de la Rive noire EU / Conseil des Ombres EU
German realms
(PvE) Gilneas EU / Ulduar EU
(PvE) Garrosh EU / Shattrath EU / Nozdormu EU
(PvE) Nethersturm EU / Alexstrasza EU
(PvE) Un'Goro EU / Area 52 EU / Sen'jin EU
(PvP) Ambossar EU / Kargath EU
(PvP) Ysera EU / Malorne EU
(PvP) Malygos EU / Malfurion EU
(PvP) Nazjatar EU / Dalvengyr EU
(PvP) Arthas EU / Vek'lor EU / Blutkessel EU
(PvP) Dethecus EU / Terrordar EU / Mug'thol EU / Theradras EU
(PvP) Echsenkessel EU / Taerar EU / Mal'Ganis EU
(PvP) Anetheron EU / Festung der Stürme EU / Rajaxx EU / Gul'dan EU
(RP PvP) Die Arguswacht EU / Die Todeskrallen EU / Das Syndikat EU / Der Abyssische Rat EU
Spanish realms
(PvE) Exodar EU / Minahonda EU
(PvE) Colinas Pardas EU / Tyrande EU / (RP) Los Errantes EU
(PvP) Zul'jin EU / Sanguino EU / Shen'dralar EU / Uldum EU
Russian realms
(PvP) Подземье EU / Разувий EU


seriously you didnt know that wow had any?


Also Dentarg/whisperwind were connected on US and i know cause i left that server in march last year
and they are not just CRZ, they are merged as in same AH, same guilds etc.
i was on dentarg in a guild with mostly whisperwind people.

i think I see the issue

1) I googled wow server merge and got a bunch of crz/connected realm stuff - apparently what you mean is connected realms are merges? This all post-dates my interest in the topic and retail I guess. Google is also funny sometimes bout the right keyword being best and something that looks very close giving nada.

2) were any of these mergers pre-crz, i.e. they combine servar A and Server 1 and now only serverA exists, server 1 is gone? (this actually has happened in Netease servers). I can say I am not aware of any mergers pre-panda, which is pre-crz.

[FelPlague]

i think I see the issue

1) I googled wow server merge and got a bunch of crz/connected realm stuff - apparently what you mean is connected realms are merges? This all post-dates my interest in the topic and retail I guess. Google is also funny sometimes bout the right keyword being best and something that looks very close giving nada.

2) were any of these mergers pre-crz, i.e. they combine servar A and Server 1 and now only serverA exists, server 1 is gone? (this actually has happened in Netease servers). I can say I am not aware of any mergers pre-panda, which is pre-crz.

1what i mean is connected realms are 2+ realms that all got made int one realm.
all were done 2013-2014 from what i can tell.

[Felmourn]

Couldn't say how many people per server, but I would like to see one server for each type, EU and US.
1. PvE
2. PvP
3. RP
4. RPPvP

[demonyaa]

Do you have a problem with comprehension?

I used words like could, rough, estimate.....

Nowhere do I categorically state it as fact!

It seems you are the one with a comprehension problem.

You made a question. I did not state that you presented a fact, I merely gave a tongue-in-cheek answer to your question.


Chill.

[Airwaves]

I'd say 4 at launch. 1 a year or two later. Very few people will stick around once the nostalgia wears off and they come to realise how terrible the game was back then compared to now.

[Hypasonic]

There are people in this thread who think there will be just 60k people playing classic in the first week? Did I read that wrong? I'm going to assume I did because its going to be x25 that amount atleast. Even if just 50% of the people who actively play on private vanilla servers played on classic it would still be more than 60k lol.

[Chaelexi]

I think it's a reasonable estimate.

3000 0000-6000 000 people at launch.

1000 000-2000 000 people in the long-term.

That's what I think we'll see

likely take a zero off both of those high numbers. 600k at launch and 200k after 6 months and consistent slide after that as content dries up. Unless they plan to add to current "classic" wow.

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Classic won't use the phasing tech, it most likely will be on the one shard, so the numbers will be astronomical.

I bet they will use sharding within the same server itself initially.

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They have said they will not use any kind of sharding or phasing. There won't even be cross realm - one realm....same players!

They said no cross realm, they have never said no sharding. Sharding is an effective method to handle starting zone load at launch. Think 1000 people in a starting zone will cause crashes on client side, lack of mobs to kill and a poor game experience. Enabling sharding for the first 3-4 zones, Humans it would be Duskwood, Redridge, Westfall and Elwynn, will limit this frustration and ease people into the launch. After 4 zones people will be spread out enough in levels that you will overload an area and be fine. And of course major cities will not be sharded.

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https://www.twitch.tv/videos/201749024 Watch from 12:30 - VANILLA IS VANILLA - you know what this means right?

Vanilla is Vanilla and Classic is a Vanilla LIKE experience, not Vanilla. This is also not a citation that there will not be sharding.

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Hey I at least provided reasoning as to my numbers and a little bit of (probably piss poor) research.

Nost population and number of active accounts and speculative amount of total private server players from a couple places combined with the fact that it looks like this will be accessible with a retail account and we do have fairly reasonable numbers for those historically.

But you are right this is total speculation, which it kinda has to be without speculation there is no discussion, so you wouldn't have the chance to feel special pointing out that we are speculating based on supposition and extrapolation.

Nost is a tough one to use as there is the fact that it was F2P. and this will skew any numbers as there are the players that only play there because it is free.....also there is those players that played there to screw blizzard cause they thought they were screwing the man.

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My problem with having a ton of servers at launch is once the population settles half them will be low pop and useless like live now but at least on live those low pop servers can cross realm stuff, so the low pop servers on classic will be horrible to play on. So if they do go for a ton of servers hopefully they allow server transfers or merge the low pop servers once the population settles.

This is the reason why larger server caps with sharding make sense as smaller number of servers will preserve their identity but allow the server and clients to handle to load properly. This also gets rid of the problem of needing to Cross realm entire servers as there will be an active population on these larger servers.

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i think I see the issue

1) I googled wow server merge and got a bunch of crz/connected realm stuff - apparently what you mean is connected realms are merges? This all post-dates my interest in the topic and retail I guess. Google is also funny sometimes bout the right keyword being best and something that looks very close giving nada.

2) were any of these mergers pre-crz, i.e. they combine servar A and Server 1 and now only serverA exists, server 1 is gone? (this actually has happened in Netease servers). I can say I am not aware of any mergers pre-panda, which is pre-crz.

Blizzard has never merged 2 servers into one where one of the servers are gone as it is a deathblow to an MMO as people with the same name someone loses their identity. Instead they made joined these server into a permanent CRZ zone.

[Deficineiron]

Nost is a tough one to use as there is the fact that it was F2P. and this will skew any numbers as there are the players that only play there because it is free.....also there is those players that played there to screw blizzard cause they thought they were screwing the man.

there is a counter-argument I have not seen refuted on the 'how to evaluate or discredit significance of nost population' issue

One would assume a free legion server would have a population dwarfing official server populations based on your suggestion that the main thing is it being free. We both know this isn't the case - there are plenty of legion servers out there. are there milllions of players on them?

This suggests to me that people that want to play legion are mostly willing to pay for it and have everything work right, rather than play a free but flawed version. I think it is an uphill argument to say that a completely different standard applies to classic private servers, where folks have to go dig up an archaic client to even play it.

this is a multi-variable problem of course, but I think my point is clear - if free is the main thing, as you suggest, then there should be legion private servers out there dwarfing the classic servers. The fact that this appears to not be the case calls for re-evaluation of the 'free' issue as the claimed key factor in classic server success.

Vanilla is Vanilla and Classic is a Vanilla LIKE experience, not Vanilla. This is also not a citation that there will not be sharding.

Folks should realize that you are using the 'classic game experience' phrase the way blizzard plans to use it. It seems clear a memo went around telling blues to use unquantifiable terms like 'feels classic' or 'classic game experience' when discussing what obviously isn't going to be a literal classic. Some of the blue choices are quite clear in saying it is the will of the people that will determine changes to classic - which of course is something with clear precedent in wow. Pandas were made a playable race 'because the players demanded it.' Now I never saw such a request - the most common requests I saw were 1) new models and 2) classic Av, but I am sure it was the players who forced blizzard to have a panda-theme expansion.

These decisions will really be made by the kind of discussions we see here, so... if folks want a true 1:1 Vanilla experience, then we want to see the discussion of that. If people think there should be changes here or there, then we'll want to see that too.

The community will truly be what shapes the direction of Classic as we move forward, together.

Ornyx may even be understating here, because so much is still up in the air. Even the discussions we've had as a Community team every day since we knew it was coming have been around the numerous QoL changes, class changes, content changes, and each of us has a different opinion on what Classic "should be" because to each of us Vanilla WoW was obviously different.

Actually that blue comment is much more direct than a lot of folks want to think about classic meaning anything they say the community preferred to change.

[Gavll]

If there's any kind of sharding tech involved then I'm not playing. I want only the people from my realm ever. Otherwise it's not immersive.

[Vorkreist]

They'll probably underestimate thereby giving people a chance to experience what it was really like when WoW first released.

The ultimate classic experience.

Its gonna happen either way. With no phasing, the launch will be a massive clusterfuck in the first days. A hundred chars humping the same 2-3 "dynamically" spawned quest rabbits.

[Chaelexi]

If there's any kind of sharding tech involved then I'm not playing. I want only the people from my realm ever. Otherwise it's not immersive.

Sharding is different than CRZ. Sharding splits the population of an overcrowded area in to multiple subservers. CRZ is when you see people who are not on your realm. One deals with over population the other deals with underpopulation.

[Deleted]

Sharding is different than CRZ. Sharding splits the population of an overcrowded area in to multiple subservers. CRZ is when you see people who are not on your realm. One deals with over population the other deals with underpopulation.

You have admitted to breaking the ToS by selling characters for real money. You are not welcome in this community.