Can we get 8 Non-layered Servers at Launch?

[Gwendall-cenarion-circle (Gwendall)]

I’m not even against layering. The problem is layer hopping. Layers should be permanent. At the very least they need to make some serious restrictions on switching layers.

I would be ok with a 1hr layer cooldown. That would make layering far less exploitable.

[May-stormscale (May)]

The timing of layering being removed isn’t a single variable, as I said, it will depend on how populations spread out AND/OR players leaving meaning the density will decrease 1 way or another.

And, just imagine, if numbers are rising? And those multi layered ultra servers do not lose players, but gain them?

This system simply doesn’t fit. It has no place in a MMORPG like vanilla/classic.

It does more harm than it helps in almost all circumstances BUT if people mass exodus the game in a few weeks.

Considering the feedback to date, even from people that didn’t like the idea of classic to begin with, it indicates a lot of things but a mass exodus.

People love Classic and – surprise – complain about layering.

[Chopchopexe-bonechewer]

As do I, I haven’t heard passion like theirs working on this project in a long while.

They already defined the scope of the project though and made it public. They also have millions of eyes watching them (us here talking about it, lol), so any detraction from it will be met with criticism and they’d like to keep the good vibes rolling since their publicity for WoW hasn’t been this high in years (my opinion, but probably some Google Trends data out there)

[Chopchopexe-bonechewer]

The timing of layering being removed isn’t a single variable, as I said, it will depend on how populations spread out AND/OR players leaving meaning the density will decrease 1 way or another.

And, just imagine, if numbers are rising? And those multi layered ultra servers do not lose players, but gain them?

This system simply doesn’t fit. It has no place in a MMORPG like vanilla/classic.

It does more harm than it helps in almost all circumstances BUT if people mass exodus the game in a few weeks.

Considering the feedback to date, even from people that didn’t like the idea of classic to begin with, indicates anything but a mass exodus.

People love Classic.

The system does in fact work because layering is meant to solve only initial-launch pain-points. They have said this is the goal of even having layering and do not intend for it to be a long-term implementation.

Once populations spread out over the MANY zones, instanced-content and other things to do other than the initial 1-20 experience, there will no longer be a need for layering and we can then commence with the single-layer servers.

More (people) in an area does not mean a better experience and I appreciate the Classic team recognizing that instead of ignoring the obvious problems at launch that Classic will face.

[Palliedude-grizzly-hills]

Well I think with how things went down from Legions on, and lost so many players. They need to make sure players will be happy with Classic, its blizzs last shot.

[May-stormscale (May)]

The system does in fact work because layering is meant to solve only initial-launch pain-points. They have said this is the goal of even having layering and do not intend for it to be a long-term implementation.

Once populations spread out over the MANY zones, instanced-content and other things to do other than the initial 1-20 experience, there will no longer be a need for layering and we can then commence with the single-layer servers.

More (people) in an area does not mean a better experience and I appreciate the Classic team recognizing that instead of ignoring the obvious problems at launch that Classic will face.

You’re talking about sharding right now.
Layering is multiple servers on one server.

[Chopchopexe-bonechewer]

Exactly, people will be thrilled to have Vanilla WoW and I think that at the end of the day, folks will be glad to take an official version of it, warts and all.

[Mogar-stormrage (Mogar)]

You’re talking about sharding right now.
Layering is multiple servers on one server.

Layering is not multiple servers. It’s all 1 server.

[Chopchopexe-bonechewer]

Beat me to it This is exactly how it has been described.

[Palliedude-grizzly-hills]

Right and they know we don’t want, xrealms and all that plus heavy layering or whats the use. If they did I be crying that classic is not classic and they be crying because they lost my 15 a month and many other player subs.

Edited: they may be the Boss, but we pay the bills if that makes sense, one implement from BFA etc… and its lights out.

[Sidearm-exodar (Sidearm)]

Yes I think the team is very passionate for this project. I am so happy Classic is on the way.

Along that line, to many players it is a goal in of itself to have a single cohesive realm wirh no sharding or layering. A goal worth a very high weight when responsibly considering trade-offs with other considerations such as queue times.

[May-stormscale (May)]

It’s all one server with the population of a multitude of one server.
And the multitude of that one server population is separated by huge shards (called layers) that replicate a number of a normal server and try to keep you there as “best as possible” while you can interact with the other layers on the mega servers, while each of the single layers could be a single independent realm to begin with.

So yes, in theory you have multiple servers on one server. Each layer representing roughly one server in population size.

[Chopchopexe-bonechewer]

by huge phases (called layers)

Phases are not layering or even sharding. Phasing is a completely different technology and has to do with different versions of an area (think before and after the Wrath Gate), some folks are in the before and some in the after.

[May-stormscale (May)]

changed it to shards, even tho the nomenclature really doesn’t matter to me.

[Chopchopexe-bonechewer]

Semantics and definitions are important when discussing technical elements and spreads confusion and misinformation when people don’t read between the lines

[Krega-echo-isles]

Something I’ve been wondering for a while. If you can’t see toons from the other layers, how is all this grouping to switch layers working? Guild mates? Adding someone from your friends list? If I’m not in a guild and don’t have any friends (heh), will I see these effects less frequently?

[Abigaiil-tichondrius (Abigaiil)]

If you can’t see toons from the other layers, how is all this grouping to switch layers working? Guild mates? Adding someone from your friends list? If I’m not in a guild and don’t have any friends (heh), will I see these effects less frequently?

1. Guild mates
2. Friends
3. World chat

[Merwin-aegwynn]

I suppose ignorance is bliss in this case. I haven’t noticed any ill effects from layering in the Beta.

[Chopchopexe-bonechewer]

Abigaiil points out how you may end up interacting with folks not on your layer.

They are also having it so your cohorts (friends, guildies, old group members) will “stick” to a layer and you will notice these effects even less as time goes on.

[Palliedude-grizzly-hills]

Plus beta does not have the player base a live game would, could that cause layering to work different?