The Future of World of Warcraft?
by Elizabeth Harper 
Sep 22nd 2006 at 11:30PM
Where do you think World of Warcraft will be in the year 2015? Tobold brightens up our Friday by giving us this humorous look at what Azeroth might be like in another nine years -- with regular expansions raising the level cap and adding new continents, of course! However, on a more serious note, this article does make me rather curious to discover how Blizzard might keep things interesting for the long haul. (Though looking at the long-term popularity of their other games, perhaps it's not a matter of great concern...!)Filed under: Fan stuff, Odds and ends, Blizzard
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rev. Dan Sep 23rd 2006 7:35AM
If Blizzard doesn't significantly change their customer service policies and actually start treating their customers with at least a modicum of respect, then World of Warcraft will be in the crapper soon.
Blizzard suspended my account several weeks ago stating that it "may have been compromised." The only reason I can come up with that they might think that is that I logged in to download the patch and make a piece of Refined Deepwater Salt, while I'm in Asia on business.
I've asked them repeatedly to explain why they feel my account has/had been compromised, and they simply refuse to give me an answer beyond "please complete the Account Retrieval process.
The Account Retrieval process involves me spending the time to get a copy of my identification (driver's license or passport, locate a Notary to Notarize my ID, and then fax (internationally) the information back to them. I wasn't required to provide them Notarized identification when I used the same information to sign up to play WoW a year and a half ago, and one doesn't even need to provide credit card information to begin playing if one uses a prepaid card. Why are they being so heavy-handed and demanding that I send them Notarized identification?
Almost three weeks later, the matter isn't resolved, and Blizzard hasn't replied to my last response, which I sent them a full week ago.
I've posted the e-mail exchange with Blizzard on my blog, which you can read here, if you're interested.
http://rev.dantripp.com/2006/09/21/why-does-blizzard-treat-its-customers-so-poorly.html
Even if you'll never be logging in to WoW while you're traveling, you might want to read the post, as I feel it clearly communicates Blizzard's attitude and posture towards good customers it has had for the past year and a half.
Honestly, if it happened to me, it could happen to you. I don't think Blizzard or World of Warcraft has much of a future if they continue to treat players/customers in this manner.
Rockman Sep 23rd 2006 11:53AM
I also had my account disabled for the same reason...i'm in Australia and sent the details they wanted weeks ago and i aint had a response...my account was hacked tho..so not only did i lose everything i owned then they disabled my account so i can't play it..very frustrating.
djr Sep 23rd 2006 9:00PM
Just a note, I've been playing for coming up on 2 years now, the whole time using gamecards. To create the account initially though, I did have to provide credit card details (which I promptly removed after it was all set up).
I don't think that changes any of what you said, I figured I'd just note it.
Rev. Dan Sep 23rd 2006 9:55PM
@Rockman:
So you went ahead and had your ID Notarized, faxed it in and they didn't reinstate your account? I'm guessing you sent them a follow-up e-mail?
@djr:
Thanks for the correction. I've never actually used a game card, I've always paid with my credit card info. Thanks for noting my error and also understanding that it doesn't negate my point: those who are falsely suspended should not be required to provide Notarized identification which isn't needed to create an account, nor have to incur the costs associated with Blizzard's Account Retrieval policy.
Chronos Sep 24th 2006 12:00AM
gonna have to agree about their customer service.. its abit lacking.. i mean we get a robotic response from the GM's no matter what you tell them from bugs when trying to enter raid instances (an actual problem a guild mate was having) to even reporting their nemesis the gold farmer..
also a few of my guild mates have been losing items randomly from their inventory and the people at blizz dont even bother to help in any way.. I mean I know any schmuck out there can say they lost and think they're getting the item for free.. but the characters log, especailly since the items were last when he was offline, should hold some kind of into they could look into for the actual legidiment cases, kinda a "they customers always right" type thing but with some actual detective work involved at least to make it seem like blizzard isnt lazy (although they nearly always admit they are just to lazy to do things).. a long time ago i lost an item because the ID was the same as a flame of ragnaros (or some crap like thay) and i got help with it, now they wont do any thing.. i mean stuff like that keeps up and no ones gonna want to play
Gameintolife Sep 27th 2006 10:14PM
we just hope can make some money from WOW:)
Shyrill Oct 1st 2006 2:02AM
Just great.. Okay, so you definetly have me worried as I have received the same account retrieval email that you did. In fact, tomorow i'm going to get the form notored and faxed in. And you're right, this is a horrible inconvenience to the customer for ridiculous reasons. I didn't sign on in Asia, get hacked, or anything of the such and i'm having to pay for this? that's just not right...
And as for the customer service, again, I completely agree with your view. Blizzard's horendous customer service policys are off the wall! But you haven't taken into consideration that there are millions and millions of people forking out fifteen bucks every single month. What are a few, ten, or even a hundred thousand subscribers? Nothing. But if they don't work on that eventually enough people are going to be "inconvenienced" and realize how bad there are at customer relations.
Something definetly needs to be done