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World of Warcraft EU Beta Begins

Voodoo Extreme is reporting that after a delay due to storms, the World of Warcraft EU Beta has begun. From the article: "The first phase of the Final Beta Test will also allow the testing of the World of Warcraft localized server infrastructure under heavy loads. As soon as system stability allows, the second phase of the testing process will begin and more players will be added into the Final Beta Test. We will make every effort to accommodate all requests for beta accounts but there is always the possibility that we will be unable to meet demand, and we therefore strongly encourage motivated players to register an account as quickly as possible once the second phase of the Final Beta Test begins."

14 comments

  1. Europe is in for a treat! by white1827 · · Score: 1

    WoW is a juggernaut of fun!

  2. GAME by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Because I live in the UK I had to pre-order from GAME to get into the beta test. The bastards didn't send me my beta test CD for ages so I canceled the order. A few days later the cd arrived. HAH

  3. Satisfying requests... by dmayle · · Score: 1

    We will make every effort to accommodate all requests for beta accounts

    They say that they'll make efforts to give everyone beta accounts, but how do I sign up in the first place?

    1. Re:Satisfying requests... by code-e255 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Your best bet is to regularly check www.wow-europe.com. If they've got some sign-up in place, that's where you'll hear about it.

      I'm guessing the second phase of the beta won't start for another week or so.

  4. Re:In Market news... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Somehow I don't understand why French bashing is funny.
    You seems to take every opportunity to drop the same lame attempt to a joke.

    Perhaps you should meet french people, you will find that they're not that different from americans. You can hate or love some of them but you will learn to judge people by knowing them not by repeating stupid things ...

  5. Beta test? I don't get it... by Seumas · · Score: 2, Insightful

    As an avid WoW player, I have to say that I don't understand the point of an EU WoW Beta. The game has been out in the US for a couple of months. It's finished. It's done. It's boxed, installed and played by tens of thousands of people.

    So other than changing language libraries and setting up some new servers in Europe, what is there to beta test?! And since they already have experience with the US servers being rolled out, it's not like they don't have a strong idea of what hardware is needed in Europe for the release to go well.

    1. Re:Beta test? I don't get it... by Natlaw · · Score: 3, Insightful

      So other than changing language libraries and setting up some new servers in Europe, what is there to beta test?! As evidenced by the WoW-server problems in the US, 'setting up some servers' is apperently a non-trivial problem (for Blizzard). That's besides getting the german/french clients out for public testing, getting the forums running, working in the GM's, etc. Blizzard says the want to deliver a smooth service, so they're taking the time to set it up. Of course, I want them to hurry up as well >

    2. Re:Beta test? I don't get it... by Stroman+Rebar · · Score: 1
      You really answered your own question. They have to test out all the new language libraries (multiple), test the brand new servers in "real world" conditions (something that I wish they would have done more of before US release) and generally make sure everything is working correctly before they start charging a monthly fee.

      Now, if they can just fix a few of the glaring bugs along the way, like NOT having the boat dump you in the ocean when you transition between zones. "Oh good, my hearthstone is charged up. I'm going to try to get to Darnassus again."

    3. Re:Beta test? I don't get it... by wfolta · · Score: 1

      They are not only testing the new servers/languages, they also have an extensive list of class balance and bug fixes as well. Test it first in a new market, where you won't have all the "you nerfed my lvl 50 char!" comments.

  6. so far WoW rocks! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Blizzard has managed to polish the MMO genre with WoW, it's nothing revolutionary from what I've seen, except that it appears they are most intersted in you having fun, not in placing incessant time syncs or vicious death penalties in your path (if you require these things you can always play EQ2).

    Examples:
    - crafting: I can making things useful to me relatviely right away - there's a button to "create all" of a recipe if you are practicing - you don't fail (that I've seen) if you have the necessary recipe, you can take a matching resource talent
    - pets: get your pet from the wild, he'll level with you, grow in loyalty if treated well, can be rezzed, can be put in the kennel so to speak to work on a different pet
    - random loot: have a decent chance at finding stuff you can use or that has actual value - no camping required
    - quest item multi-loot - kill the big bad guy with your group? Everyone gets a shot to get his key or whatever, so you don't have to kill him multiple times to get keys for everyone
    - cool PvP: There's horde and alliance, PvP is consensual - if someone attacks an enemies trainers, guards etc they are now PvP enabled, and you can choose to engage and then you are PvP enabled (for at least 5 minutes), fight it out, defend your realm! But only when you feel like it
    - auction system - got something to sell, put it in the ebay like auction
    - mail system - send another (allied) character a package - with money, an item, or COD with an item (so if they accept the package, you get money) - you can twink if you want to this way as long as your other character is of the same faction (Horder or Alliance)

    I could go on but here's what really sets this game apart for me so far:

    WoW has a huge XP bar, however while playing WoW I rarely actually look at it because I'm enjoying the level I am currently playing at, and not really worried about levels down the road.

  7. Re:In Market news... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    OK, OK, I know this is a troll, but seriously, that was the gayest comment I've read in my life.

  8. hmmm by fearanddread · · Score: 1

    Maybe I can get in on the European beta since the game is sold out everywhere in the U.S. Anyone know where to get a copy?

    1. Re:hmmm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not really sold out anymore. Picked mine up at the local CompUSA, and a bunch of copies were still left.

      Worst case scenario, order online.