Blizzard Shuts Down Pirate WoW Server That Doesn't Use Expansion Packs

Blizzard is going to share the same fate of Weststood studio if they dont listen to Activision.

This is going to hurt blizzard's overwatch pre orders. I used play on the vanilla version of World of Warcraft before WoW turned into a meh show. Its a shame they got closed down by blizzard this is will not only hurt blizzard but is going to have an impact on those fans who preferred the vanilla version of World of Warcraft.

If anything blizzard could have at least made another separate server for those who wants to still play vanilla version of World of Warcraft. But this blizzard interests seems to be on the money. And not the fans

Considering what "pirate" usually means in relation to gaming, not sure "pirate server" is a good way to describe this, unless they actually stole code which is highly unlikely especially since they are releasing the source code. It's not a huge deal, just a thought.

See, THIS Is what groups like the EFF and things are fighting for.

Blizzard had a huge impact on people with vanilla WoW, it literally CHANGED people's lives, with some of them meeting their spouses on it and forging life-long friendships.

For some people vanilla WoW holds a special place in their memories and it's something tihat people like to be able to go back and visit and play again, just like many gamers will go back to their favorite games from time to time.

The fact that Blizzard doesn't support a legacy server or anything like that , allowing people to play the "original" game how it was at release before any expansions when there are plenty of people who want that as well as a real HISTORICAL part of gaming history that should be open there for people to be able to experience, it's something gamers need to stand up for.

The fact that Blizzard themselves refuses to have a single legacy server and in-turn shuts this thing down is basically not only Blizzard throwing money away (they could easily have a small monthly fee for server upkeep, etc) but denying people the ability to experience a game that had a huge impact on the industry and affected many people who played it back then.

Shame, Blizzard should support the basic game, at least with one server. I stopped playing WoW shortly after Burning Crusade released. Went back a couple of times for very short stints but it never hooked me again like Vanilla did.

I know Blizz has the right to do this, but they've also gone on record in saying they know better than what their customers want and have snubbed commentors in forums. They might have the right, but just because they do doesn't mean they are being competitive or respective of their fans' needs. And the fans should have some kind of right given its THEIR money that goes to support those expansions and servers. If they want a classic server, then Blizzard should consider it. The fact that they won't, and are willing to insult their fans in the process, just goes to show they are out of touch with their fanbase, and gamers in general. Why would you want to justify that practise by continuing to give them your money?

It doesn't affect me at all because I don't want a classic server, but it's this kind of attitude that led to the disappointment that is Destiny. Nipping that problem in the bud is worth acting upon.

@7tizz: WE were a few weeks aaway from Launching AQ. It was exciting!!! BWL, ZG and MC were farmed pretty hard. I think harder than Vanilla. LOTS of big guilds with tons of epics.

@7tizz: There is the theory Blizzard did this so that they can create their own classic servers. It's not that hard to believe because Blizzard has caved to fan pressure before. It's the only reason I haven't completely given up on Blizzard yet.

@7tizz: It was so good, every zone had hundreds of people, all grouping lots of world PVP and such a really friendly tight community. SO much better than current WoW, far less linear and it's actually an open world full of challenge, not a dumbed down hub game that WoW is today.

I play on this server.

**** Blizzard.

Cancelling my Overwatch pre order, not playing another Blizzard game again.

Unfortunate, the original game was so much better than the pile of crap WOW currently is

Pathetic. These servers were not hurting anyone.

It's a shame to see legacy servers for games go down. I don't know what I would have done if the devs for Star Wars Galaxies shut down the pre-CU SWGemu. Though that came about later in SWG's life and was still unfinished. Either way I loved that game pre-CU, after was fun too though.

"Nostalrius was up-and-running for roughly one year, in which it attracted 800,000 registered accounts and 150,000 active players. The Nostalrius Begins team has created a petition as a plea to Blizzard to support legacy servers in the World of Warcraft community. At the time of publishing, the petition had 33,856 signatures."

If the people who played it can't even be bothered to sign the petition...

Blizzard can wave goodbye to me as a customer. Those dudes offered a service many of Blizzards fans wanted for years, at a quality standard close to the to what the billion dollar giant provided.

@wafflekings: You answered when you typed "Activision".

It's sad and pathetic when companies like Blizzard do this. At least host your own official legacy servers Blizzard, maybe some of the players who renew their subscriptions for only 2 months for each expansion release (which, going by the numbers, are the majority of your playerbase) would continue paying you to play on those servers after they finish the expansion content... I know I would.

I played this server. I was just on today, actually. I only played for about a month. I have to say it was the most fun I've had in WoW in years. I know that sounds a little weird. The things I loved about it: 1) the community. This was the main thing. The community was amazing. 2) difficulty of leveling. It's hard. One of the reasons the community was so amazing; everyone helped each other. 3) immersiveness. I don't know if it's because the game is so slow or what, but it really pulls you into the world like retail WoW doesn't nowadays. 4) no cross-realm zones. You know that you will see people again. There's more friendly faces and more community (again). 5) no dungeon or raid finder. This promotes group accountability and encourages teamwork.

There's more I could say, but it is a sad day to see this great community go away. Many people are really bummed about it. I completely understand why Blizzard would do this, and it is their right, but it sucks.

So blizzard is afraid new players will get to see how much better the game was before they turned it into a steaming pile?

blizard should just set up servers that are for the older version

Saw this yesterday. Sucks for those involved, but at least the actual game is still around. Phantasy Star Online was shut down entirely and any "private servers" are run by greedy dicks...looking at your Schthack.