They are actively adjusting based on the feedback that has been given for layering. They implemented an internal cooldown so that the system can not be abused to avoid things like PvP and so forth. This system will likely be adjusted as the beta period continues. Layering is not perfect, but its what we are getting. At least Blizz is improving on it.
There’s something to be said about having a shared common experience in an MMO, where the world is simply the world. If you’re somewhere and someone else is there, you’re both there.
Its no different than saying somebody on the various other servers are there when you are there too. The only difference with layering is that you can actually interact with them.
If it ruins your experience that much, wait a couple weeks until it’s gone. It’s not like it’ll put you behind any noticeable amount considering we have the rest of our lives to play Classic.
In mid 2006, [Blizzard Entertainment] began the Paid Character Transfer Service, which is sometimes referred to as PCT. The Paid Character Transfer feature allows you to move characters to other realms as well as between two accounts where you are the original registered owner, subject to certain restrictions. The cost of each paid character transfer is $25
That is still Vanilla. You could change worlds. Layering just makes it temporarily free without having to lose out on the experience. Also figure it is worth adding. Guilds will pretty much get you locked to a specific layer. More likely others will shift into your layer than to others if you are in a guild.
Well, they were free realm transfers, not paid ones like we have now, and they had a 3 month cooldown, and they were only ever from overpopulated realms to less populated realms.
However, that’s not quite the same thing and you know it. Changing layers isn’t like changing realms. Different realms had different communities, economies, players, guilds, etc.
Changing layers creates another instance of the world on the same realm.
You certainly couldn’t realm transfer in combat to get another resource node, avoid PvP, avoid competition for quest mobs, etc.
I’m starting to think your “it’s not about personal convenience” has something to it when it comes to layering… Why? Let me explain:
Blizzard has basically told the community:
"guys, look. We, the tech guys, still have a little PTSD leftover from the launch of 2004, and we also really don’t like to see some people sad when they end up on dead realms. (<3)
Yes, there are some that like their big, extremely scarcely populated Azeroth, but we really don’t think that should be a thing in the game, at least in the beginning. "
“Here, take this tech tool we have available, and let us help you avoid these potential low pop servers after the first few weeks or months where we believe the people who we think will drop off bigly (tourists) will leave some underpopulated if we make more than just a couple of realms at the start.”
This decision is purely a tech decision. It’s not made to make the actual GAME as enjoyable (as it would be if it were left the same) for PLAYERS when you play the first few weeks and months because it’s not the same game. This “layering” tool is there to “fix” an issue Blizzard perceives that may or may not even happen in the way they think it will.
You as a player looking to play Classic, unless you rather have Blizzards worries addressed first over your own enjoyment in the game, first and foremost should be worried about your OWN TIME when you play the game come 27th August!!
It’s not YOUR JOB to fix anything in the game, it’s Blizzards, and right now they are backpeddaling hard on delivering you the authentic Classic experience they advertised all along just so they can fix their perceived POTENTIAL issue that might not even affect you as a player ever in the game!! Think about it.
And even if low pop realms early on really do happen… according to J Allen Brack, WoW Classic is gonna be a success to them no matter how many people play it, because it’s purpose is to be a “faithful recreation of Vanilla” first and foremost, so that the people who have never played it, or have, can access it and play THAT game, not any other (like Classic with layering is gonna be)!
But now they said to their tech team: "guys, fix the POTENTIAL problem of low pop servers after the first weeks/months (extremely pessimistic btw, and no other game treats ppl like tourists) "
So they went ahead and did that so well it’s gonna break the game.
These guys have too much skill, i’m not even kidding. Eloraell explained really well just how precisely the tech team has hit each point of tech concern in an earlier post. It’s really impressive.
Here is the thing though: the person, the game designer who is supposed to be solely worried about THE GAME EXPERIENCE doesn’t seem to be very worried about that game experience if he let’s this way too powerful tool go INTO the game (not even let the tool work outside of it, like queues…).
He is the first person as a game designer who should tell the tech guys to calm down with their wörk, and figure out a way together with them that makes sure the tool that goes in (if they REALLY need one…which don’t think but whatever), doesn’t actually change the game to the extent layering will because it’s extremely powerful due to even working within the game itself.
Why are you, as a player looking to play Classic as advertised, treating it like it’s YOUR JOB to put up with a tech tool that changes the game you expect to play significantly, just so Blizzard can “fix” their server issues at the cost of EVERYONE’s experience? What about your experience as a player!?
Blizzard said you get to play Classic from Day 1, and have an experience the old game would allow you to have… except it won’t, and you just take it anyway, paying for a worse experience and thanking Blizzard for it, even if what this tool is supposed to avoid shortterm (low pop realms) might not affect you at all because you aren’t on a low pop realm, like most people won’t be if Classic gets the oldtimers alone back. WTF?
Not every server is even gonna be underpopulated even in the worst case, you know…
You literally, if you support this game changing tool, ask Blizzard for a different game than they said they’d give you on the 27th August, and then you even thank them that you can play this changed game even if it’s not the same experience that you should be able to have if they kept their word.
That player attitude really isn’t self serving… that is true. But you’re goofing over everyone else who actually wants to play the real game aka Classic, and you’re even goofing over Blizzard, by not making them stick to the original plan of providing Classic, the preserved game of Vanilla. The one people are gonna want to play on launch and beyond. The one game they advertised from the announcement of Classic at Blizzcon.
What do you think is gonna happen when people find out it’s a different game at 27th August? Just look around already… people are starting to find out now, and that’s NOTHING compared to what’s ahead of us.
I don’t want to sound rude but I just worked a 10 hour shift and drove two hours, I’m either going to need a summary or you’ll have to wait for me to read it when I get up this afternoon.