As we are nearing phase 6 and potentially TBC, many people are wondering what is going to happen to their progress, how transfers will be implemented, and how the servers population for both Classic and TBC will be affected. There is also talk about having fresh classic servers for those that want to re-do the whole experience all over again. As seen on the private servers, this is a possibility that I myself would be interested in. However, I started the game late and have not amassed or achieved anything great. Many other people would not be so interested in this, as they have farmed all the reputation on their characters and acquired gear that is difficult to obtain. While I have watched a few videos and gone through a couple of forum threads on fresh servers, I have noticed that they tend to introduce an idea that generally splits the community, as it usually only covers the needs or wishes of the OP or one type of community. However, I think there is a solution that could potentially please the majority of Classic player base. It might be difficult to execute and will require a bit of effort from Blizz, but I think it would be a great way to ensure that the server population stays healthy and people keep playing the game they love.
Assuming that TBC goes ahead, after we are done with phase 6 and TBC launches, Blizz should allow free transfers/copies of characters from Classic servers to TBC. After the transfers are completed, they should monitor the population for 3-6 months on Classic servers. Once there is enough data, they should combine and reduce Classic servers based on the population still playing the game, to ensure that the servers are not dead. Name these servers ‘Classic – Museum’ servers. All the current character progression remains on these servers untouched. Nothing is deleted. People that are not interested in playing TBC or starting fresh remain here with their current progress indefinitely.
Blizzard should also launch fresh Classic servers alongside Classic Museum and TBC servers. No character transfers are allowed to these servers. The economy starts fresh. Fresh Classic Servers start from phase 2. Each phase goes for 3 months, with the exception of phase 6 that goes for 6 months. At the end of the 18 months cycle, players are given an option to transfer either 1 character from this server for free to the Classic Museum server (with a gold cap of let’s say 10,000 gold) or all characters to a fresh TBC server. These servers are then shut down and new fresh servers launch with the exact same schedule. This way people can try maining different characters or roles, as well as try achieving things like rank 14 or Scarab lord if they failed to get previously.
At the same time, the TBC servers are expected to last for about 18 months or 2 years. At the end of that period, if Blizz decides to go Wrath, allow free copies/transfers to WOTLK servers from TBC. After the transfers, monitor the population for 3-6 months on TBC servers. Combine and reduce TBC servers based on the population still playing the game. Name these servers ‘TBC – Museum’ servers. All the current character progression remains on these. Nothing is deleted. People that are not interested in playing Classic, WOTLK or starting fresh remain here with their current progress indefinitely.
So the goal would be to eventually have museum servers for Classic, TBC and WOTLK, as well as have fresh servers starting every 18 months for each expansion. Players returning to the game and wanting to start fresh can choose what expansion they want to begin in or progress their character to the next step. Players that want to play on the characters that they have years of their time invested into, can keep coming back to Museum servers and leveling alts there. As mentioned previously, this might be difficult to execute but I feel like this option will be welcomed by most of the different communities. The biggest risk with this option is spreading the population too thin between all servers, resulting in dead servers. However, there are people out there that are playing on private TBC or WOTLK servers right now. It is likely that if Blizzard decides to adopt this style of legacy server progression, they could potentially capture those players and bring them over to official servers, resulting in more subscriptions and a healthier/larger population on each type of the servers. I would like to hear your thoughts on this idea. Do you think it’s possible from the technical point of view? Provided this keeps the subscription base higher, do you think Blizzard would ever suggest doing anything like this for their customers?
