Beta Coming to an End

We have good news and bad news. I'm a bad news first kind of guy, so here it is. Beta is ending tomorrow and they are wiping all beta characters. :( The good news is that this means we will soon be playing for real. :D Here's the whole message that was posted on the official site: In preparation for the upcoming retail launch of World of Warcraft, we will be taking the North American open beta servers offline on Thursday, November 18. While this will mark the end of the open beta test, there will still be some work left for us to do. To provide the best experience possible at launch, we will be making numerous final optimizations to our hardware based on the data we've acquired during the open beta test. During our closed and open beta test phases, thousands of improvements were made to World of Warcraft. Those changes were made through game-client patches and updates to the game's server and database infrastructure. As we moved closer to retail, we continued to make changes and optimize all of the code that makes up World of Warcraft until we reached the point where we felt we could create a gold master -- the version of the game that's currently being pressed onto the discs which will be available for purchase at retail. Likewise, these processes must also take place on the server side to ensure that no out-of-date code, which could corrupt the retail version of the game, still exists. Before the retail version of the code can be installed, the current hardware must be wiped clean. This also includes the information on current accounts and characters that are being played on our test servers. So that all World of Warcraft players will be able to make a fresh start on our community site at launch, the same procedure will be taking place for the North American beta forums when the open beta test ends. We realize that you've grown attached to your characters, and we're sorry that the end of the open beta test will require you to part ways with them. However, with the retail launch of World of Warcraft on November 23 comes the opportunity to begin a new adventure in Azeroth on fresh, untouched servers. Along with that, you'll have the knowledge that you played an instrumental role in the creation of a game of epic proportions that players will enjoy for many years to come. We greatly appreciate all the time you've spent with us testing World of Warcraft, and we look forward to seeing you in-game! Please note that this does not affect the ongoing European closed beta test. Further details regarding our plans for the closed and final beta tests in Europe will be announced on the European community sites next week.

Comments

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ack
# Nov 21 2004 at 1:03 AM Rating: Decent
withdrawals.......ack!!!
Had a blast!
# Nov 19 2004 at 10:20 PM Rating: Decent
I was enthralled with the beta. The lag was bad that one weekend, but all in all, I was just very pleased with the game itself. Great lore, good quests, awesome graphics. My jaw hit the floor the first time I took a gryphon ride from Crossroads to Thunder Bluff.

But the best part is no "zoning," except for some minimal splash screens when you go into instanced areas.

I was able to play for two weeks and I give this game two very big thumbs up.
Endings
# Nov 19 2004 at 9:28 PM Rating: Decent
I would just like to thank Blizzard for letting me into play on a game that is going to rock!

the only negative type comment i have is at the end of the Beta instead of putting extremely high charactor types in around habitated areas and just wiping people out i think they should have done something differant.Something like put a charactor up that is killing people but if the right combination of a group were to fight them they would win the fight.Then maybe as a reward they have some "stuff" to give the winners as a gift for whenn they start the game for real.
Just a thought as i know we were all privaliged in being able to play before a lot of other people but extra stuff too some lucky beta testers would be a nice gesture i think .Either way hope to see everyone in full game play be safe everyone
#Anonymous, Posted: Nov 19 2004 at 9:20 PM, Rating: Sub-Default, (Expand Post) HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAH !!!!
*sigh*
# Nov 18 2004 at 9:32 AM Rating: Decent
*sigh*

Well look on the bright side:

There wont be people 30 levels higher than you to start.

We'll probably actually have server NAMES to play with/on

Lag will probably be gone as well.

Whats not to like about that? (that's also why I didnt power level while playing... I kinda expected this might happen) :)

All in all it was a GREAT beta, and now I'll have an MMO that I actually LOVE playing in.

Yay Blizzard!!! (of course the downside of this is that I have to wait until the 23rd to play after tonight :P)
RE: *sigh*
# Nov 18 2004 at 8:41 PM Rating: Decent
Well, at least we know whether (sp) or not we are gonna have a wipe on our beta toons. see you in retail
*sigh*
# Nov 18 2004 at 9:29 AM Rating: Decent
Well at least if you look on the bright sides:

1) you have a decent chance of catching up with the PVP raiders now. :)

2) We'll actually have server names instead of "test X"

3) Im sure it'll lag a whole lot less. :)

4) Its not Everquest, any which way you look at it

Edited, Thu Nov 18 09:33:13 2004
Just a few days
# Nov 18 2004 at 8:13 AM Rating: Decent
47 posts
Thats all, just a few days to collect our thoughts and plan our game strategy..

What classes and characters you loved to play and what to look forward to in higher levels with no fear of a wipe of your characters

Our /dance(ing) will be back before you know it :)

I loved beta and was happy of the time I got to play and test before retail...

Edited, Thu Nov 18 08:14:34 2004
yay
# Nov 18 2004 at 6:20 AM Rating: Decent
Ok time to cancle my EQ account and say goodbye to my guildies.
/dance
# Nov 18 2004 at 1:35 AM Rating: Decent
****
4,520 posts
So happy im finaly gonna be able to play it for real, I am going to miss the dance emotes though =(
Dang
# Nov 17 2004 at 11:12 PM Rating: Excellent
dang. i guess i've got to go back and play EQ for a week or so :)
*SAD*
# Nov 17 2004 at 10:01 PM Rating: Decent
............ I guess thats okay then........ I'm leaning a little more towards the bad side though...
RE: *SAD*
# Nov 18 2004 at 1:37 PM Rating: Decent
THey are not gonna have /dance common on retail?
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