So instead of sharding, Blizzard is implementing something called “Layering.”
Rather than having everyone disappearing around you and sharding based on zone changes, the entire continent will essentially be a layer (or shard), and there will be multiple layers per realm at any given time. This allows the realm to hold more than the old 3,000 limit, but could potentially allow for 6,000, 9,000+ realm pops. If you’re on a layer you will see all of those 3,000 players at all times and they won’t phase away from you, but when you logout and log back in there’s a solid chance you won’t even be assigned that previous layer so you’ll see 3,000 new players.
Unfortunately the layers are assigned randomly upon log-in, and if you want to play on the same layer as a friend or someone, you need to invite them to your party and they will phase into your layer.
One streamer stated they asked a dev:
“What if my guild on Alliance wants to raid the opposing Horde guild on their realm as they’re on their way to BRS?”
The dev replied with:
“Unfortunately there is a chance that you will not see them because they will be on a different layer than you.”
They promised that layering will be 100% gone sometime before Phase 2 begins, but what is your take on this? I understand sharding/layering is probably essential to at least have the game in a playable state upon release but it also seems like it’s already pissing a lot of people off.
Unfortunately he talked about it for awhile so I can’t clip it but go to StaysafeTV and look at his vod and click through it until you see his screen showing him on a white gryffon at Stormwind gates, he discusses it all around that time.
I for one look forward to logging in an out until I get the right layer where the SS/TM pvp is happening, and will just relog when being corpse camped until I get the gankerless layer.
Go to 48:30 in this VOD and listen from there, he explains it all and then later in the vod references back to it when he got a host from another streamer and he goes over it again.
The answer is whats good for server population. I will suffer through Layering sharding or whatever you want to call it in order to have a strong population.
I’m saying it’s the exact same thing. You said you saw people disappear around you right? Where do you think they go when they disappear dude lol, they transition.
You can call it whatever you want, it is literally sharding.