Opening the Dark Portal might not be a lagfest
by David Nelson 
Oct 2nd 2006 at 11:15AM
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Blizzard learning from their mistakes? Drysc says they most certainly did and are taking measures to ensure that the opening of the Dark Portal is not a lagfest like the Ahn'Qiraj event was.For those that can't access the WoW forums, Drysc hints that the Dark Portal event will not require being anywhere near the portal to enjoy, and the event won't encourage people to gather there. In a nutshell, they are trying their best to avoid the player clumping that everyone experienced at Ahn'Qiraj. I remember the AQ opening on Bloodhoof, and it was a mess. I imagine most servers were the same.
Good news if this works out. The Dark Portal opening will be a massive event, and everyone deserves a chance to experience it.
Filed under: Events, Expansions
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Swiftlydead Oct 2nd 2006 12:20PM
this sounds like it will be extremely cool!!!
Nelson Oct 2nd 2006 12:35PM
the Naxx opening was smooth. I hope this event happens the same way.
Chillis Oct 2nd 2006 12:47PM
Where is the portal located and what type of opening event is expected?
Druid dude Oct 2nd 2006 12:48PM
I bet that they will do a world event like the Scourge invasion thing, where there is stuff happening all over the place. In theory, that would help spread the load out.
In practice though, just about every level 60 on a server is probably going to be standing outside the Dark Portal waiting for it to open, so they can dash through and be one of the first in. That's going to make the zone a beast to play in at that time.
One thing that Blizz hasn't talked about though is whether Outland will have its own server for each Realm. Think about it, it *seems* like they have at least 3 servers for each Realm now; 1 for each continent, and an Instance server. How many times have you seen one continent of the other crash? Or the Instances crash but not the continents, or vice-versa. I would hope they will be adding a server for Outland, and would be surprised if they didn't.
Raein Oct 2nd 2006 1:14PM
I think that the actual opening of the Dark Portal will be the new Cinematic. What better way of showing off one of the most important events in the history of Azeorth than in a CGI movie?
I'm sure there'll be something happening in the game regarding the portal during the first week, but I myself would love to see the litteral opening as a CG.
Arthos Oct 2nd 2006 8:39PM
Hmm... If it's scourge invasion style...
A new demonic invasion?
That'll be intersting. Personally I've always wanted to see more NPC on NPC fights. Because many of the factions of the world that the player fights are opposed to each other. But maybe another incident of direct attacks on cities by demons that continue until the apparently upgraded Kazzak is dead or the portal is open for all.
Envinyatar Oct 2nd 2006 1:58PM
/agree Raein
Would be neat to have something in-game, but a CGI cinematic would be kickass. That would seriously be one of, if not THE, best way to do it. And Druid dude, I agree with all your points, except I would be surprised if Blizz DID add another server, just with their track record. Though it does make absolute sense (which might be why they won't do it, :P).
James Oct 2nd 2006 2:07PM
I'm sure as heck going to be there. There was over 400 people on my server gathered around the AQ gates for the opening ceremony. I won't doubt there will be any less amount of people to be there for the Dark Portal's opening (especially since there's a lot more new raiding guilds now).
Hory Oct 2nd 2006 2:42PM
Ugh... I'll be in Saudi Arabia for the release... at least a month.
Enjoy guys...