|
How do the World of Warcraft
gameplay servers relate to Battle.net and/or the Diablo Realms?
The World of Warcraft servers utilize an entirely new network
architecture that has been designed from the ground up
specifically for this style of gameplay. We created this
next-generation architecture by incorporating our knowledge of
multiplayer gaming with our numerous Battle.net and Diablo
experiences.
Where are servers located?
World of Warcraft servers are located around the globe in order
to support our worldwide gaming community.
How many players will you support?
Players are divided into several Realms, with each Realm
comprising a complete version of the game world.
How many Realms will there be when World of Warcraft is
released?
We will have as many Realms online as necessary. As the
population within the game grows, we will add more Realms to the
initial base. Others will be held in reserve and will be set up
the moment they are needed.
Will there be a limit to the number of players on a Realm?
Based on our experiences in the beta test, we now have
established an optimal number of players per Realm. This number
is in the thousands, but manageable enough to foster a sense of
community and to prevent overcrowding.
Can players select what Realm they play on?
Yes. However, you must choose a Realm that is located within
your geographical region. For example, North American players
must select a North American server, and European players must
select European servers. Some exceptions will exist. Australian
and New Zealand players, for example, will connect to servers on
the U.S. West Coast. The regionally specific servers are there
to improve game performance and provide the best online
experience possible.
Are player names unique on each Realm?
Yes. In order to promote individuality, World of Warcraft
features an advanced naming system allowing players to create a
unique name for their characters on each Realm.
Are there player-vs.-player (PvP) servers where players can
fight other players from anywhere in the world?
Yes. In fact, all servers allow some sort of player-vs.-player
combat in varying degrees. There are normal servers, where
player-vs.-player combat is mostly consensual; you do not have
to engage in PvP gameplay if you do not want to, but it does
exist for consenting individuals. Then there are devoted
player-vs.-player servers where the excitement of PvP combat is
always possible and players can be plunged into PvP battle
without warning. Visit our online guide on Realms type for more
information.
Are there Realms specifically for role-playing?
Yes. We want to ensure that role-players have the best
experience possible in World of Warcraft. To that end, we also
offer role-playing servers with special rules that promote
role-playing and staying in-character. See our Realms type page
for more details.
Can players have characters on more than one server without
paying additional fees?
You are billed by account, not by character. There is one
monthly fee to play World of Warcraft and it allows you to
create multiple characters on multiple servers.
Will players be able to host small (8 players max), temporary
servers on their own machine?
We do not allow players to run their own servers for World of
Warcraft. A massively multiplayer online role-playing game
demands a high level of server security and a well-connected
community to flourish and evolve. We are focusing all of our
networking efforts on creating such an environment....
|