Connected Realms Update- 9/24 - From Blizzard

[Vlentana]

http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic ... 765?page=1

From Nathaera:

Update: In order to implement our first Connected Realms, Boulderfist and Bloodscalp will be taken down for an extended maintenance beginning Wednesday, September 25, at 3:00 a.m. PDT until approximately 11:00 a.m. PDT. During this time these realms will be unavailable for play. Additional realm connections are planned for the near future, and we’ll be posting a full list at WorldofWarcraft.com as soon as we’ve finalized the details.

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We wanted to update everyone on the next steps for the implementation of Connected Realms. We plan to begin the rollout of this feature with just a couple of realms, and have determined that the first realms that will be connected will be Boulderfist and Bloodscalp—we’ll provide another update once we’ve finalized the date. Beyond that, we are in the process of determining a complete realm-connection schedule, and will be releasing more details as we progress.

For more information on Connected Realms, please read the preview blog post here.

This is good news.

[Sukurachi]

I can hardly wait.
When I heard about the connected realms it pushed me to finally take the plunge and I will level one of each class available to my race.

[Vlentana]

Ok, new update from the 25th (sorry this is late)
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/9948294765

From Nathaera:

Update: We have completed maintenance to join Boulderfist and Bloodscalp into the first pair of Connected Realms. These realms should now be live once again, and we sincerely appreciate your patience during this maintenance period.

We would like to take the time to make players aware of a couple of known issues that we are currently investigating. The first of these is that players who do not have their macros cached locally may need to re-create those macros. Additionally, we have received reports of the guild message of the day not being displayed for some characters. At this time we’re unaware of how widespread these issues may be, and will investigate and resolve these issues before connecting any additional realms.

It looks like they'll need to iron out these couple of issues before they want to push the Connected Realms any further. Good for Blizzard. This is why I still think they are a solid developer. Making sure things work right before going any further from their first test.

[Sukurachi]

interesting.. 13 realms set for "connection" this coming Monday.

I was expecting all low-pop realms, but there are a few medium-pop ones.

and one of the mergers involves three realms: 2 mediums and 1 low pop.

I think they are mostly PvP realms for this go around... I may have missed some while looking through the list. was more interested in seeing populations than types.

Balnazzar + Warsong

Gurubashi + Aegwynn

Dalvengyr + Dark Iron

Garithos + Chromaggus

Onyxia + Burning Blade

and the threesome is

Maiev + Bloodscalp + Boulderfist

[SetsunaChan]

Figured I'd post this here.

http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/113933 ... 10_25_2013

Next Realm Connections
We plan to progress with two additional batches with the first batch connecting on Monday, October 28.
These realms will be down for maintenance from 6:00 a.m. PDT through approximately 11:00 a.m. PDT and will be complete once made live.

Batch 1
•Blackwing Lair and Detheroc/Dethecus
•Anub’arak and Chromaggus/Garithos
•Drak’Tharon and Firetree/Rivendare
•Blood Furnace and Mannaroth
•Nesingwary and Vek’nilash

Once determined, dates and times for the next batch will be provided in the General Forum and in-game breaking news.

Batch 2
•Haomarush and Detheroc/Dethecus/Blackwing Lair
•Stonemaul and Bloodscalp/Maiev/Boulderfist/Dunemaul
•Tortheldrin and Frostmane
•Winterhoof and Kilrogg
•Gul’dan and Skullcrusher
•Lightning’s Blade and Burning Blade

[Smyelmdar]

Looking good. I hope the european realms will see this feature soon.

[Sukurachi]

And there seem to be some PvE and RP realms now listed, yes?

I'm really curious to see which realm The Scryers will be connected to.

[Nahale]

.

[Sukurachi]

So is anyone here on any of those newly connected realms?

Have you noticed any difference?

And "Oh my God!" ... 5 connected realms.. imagine the possibilities for alts?????

[GormanGhaste]

... 5 connected realms.. imagine the possibilities for alts?????

Ooo, I hadn't thought about that. I never did have space on my main server for a worgen, so if we get connected with another realm, that's the first thing I'm going to do.

[Sukurachi]

... 5 connected realms.. imagine the possibilities for alts?????

Ooo, I hadn't thought about that. I never did have space on my main server for a worgen, so if we get connected with another realm, that's the first thing I'm going to do.

My previously under-control (with medication from a friendly alchemist in Undercity) Altitis is suddenly flaring up again. I sense the upcoming appearance of a Warrior, a Monk, maybe a Shaman and Druid.... or four....

[GormanGhaste]

Haha, my altitis is in full bloom! Don't find end-game this patch very compelling, so have turned to leveling my baby alts.

[Slickrock]

It is fun that the byproduct of Blizz refusing to admit that they are merging servers is an explosion of altitis or perhaps that is their plan...

[Sukurachi]

well, technically, it's not merging servers. if they were simply merging them we wouldn't be able to feed our alt addictions.

I'm glad they're taking this route rather than actual mergers. no problems with duplicate names, more room for alts, and who isn't thoroughly enjoying logging in to the great question: "Will all of my toons stilll exist today????"

Mystery, the spice of life.

[Slickrock]

Well, it really is merging them if you look at the back-end of things, but the plus side is that it allows for that many more alts, assuming your server actually gets merged.

[Sukurachi]

I just wish it would do away with stupid cross-realm zones. I HATE flying into a zone with two toons and it taking up to 10-15 seconds for them to FIND each other.

Unless this IS changed? Can anyone on connected realms vouch for this? are the annoying cross-realm zones a thing of the past?

[Makoes]

Still missing one of my characters...hmmmm

[Vephriel]

Still missing one of my characters...hmmmm

Same, though it is the weekend so I'm going to see if they get my ticket on Monday.

[GormanGhaste]

Still missing my highest level Nesingwary toon as well. Surprised they are going ahead with all the new connected realms on Monday with all the existing problems on Nesingwary.

[Sukurachi]

How are people on now-connected realms doing?

Have most issues been dealt with?

I notice that there hasn't been much mention of more realms being connected on Blizzard's website.