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To provide better communication with
our players, we would like to inform our community about the
various methods used to update World of Warcraft. The following
are the four major methods of updating the game:
Content patch - The content patch introduces major additions
and/or changes to the game, whether in terms of functionality,
content, economy, social interaction, or combat. For example, we
recently opened up the dungeon Maraudon, as well as adding the
priest spell Prayer of Fortitude as part of the same content
patch. Content patches require a maintenance period of several
hours and are accompanied by a download and patch notes.
Hotfix - A hotfix is a change made to the game deemed critical
enough that it cannot be held off until a regular content patch.
Hotfixes require only a server-side change with no download and
can be implemented with no downtime, or a short restart of the
realms. Because there is no download component to a hotfix,
there are no downloadable patch notes. Instead, we will announce
hotfix information through the forums, the in-game message of
the day, and in the Server Alert window on the login screen.
Emergency patch - An emergency patch is identical to a hotfix,
with the exception that an emergency patch requires a download
and will be accompanied by patch notes.
Localization patch - The game is currently translated into
multiple languages with plans to introduce more. While not
often, there are times when we must make changes to text within
the game to accommodate the various languages, and this takes
the form of a localization patch. Localization patches, when
they occur, take place across all language versions of the game
and are accompanied by a download and patch notes. Oftentimes,
bug fixes will also be included with a localization patch to
better utilize the downtime. These bug fixes will be documented
in the patch notes as well.
We hope that this information provides more insight to our
players regarding the update process, and in the future, we will
use this guideline in order to keep our players informed on the
World of Warcraft update process. ...
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