The coming addon apocalypse
by Elizabeth Harper 
Nov 30th 2006 at 7:00PM
While we've talked about this before, but with the announcement of the patch 2.0.1 rollout, it's worth a reminder. On December 5th, 2006, you'll log on to World of Warcraft and download the 2.0.1 patch -- and then all of your addons will stop working. I know what you're thinking, "But Elizabeth! There are addon issues with every patch! How will this be any different?" Well, WoW 2.0 completely changes the LUA code that current addons are written in, or, as Blizzard puts it:WoW 2.0 represents a major change in the UI code, and as such ALL AddOns will need to be updated before they will work, if for no other reason than the Lua 5.0 to Lua 5.1 changes. Some AddOns will be more seriously affected, and a few will have to be redesigned.
Tobold predicts -- not inaccurately, I think -- disaster. As everyone begins to realize their addons are no longer functioning, they'll rush to Curse Gaming and WoWInterface. These sites, always sluggish on or around patch day, will all the worse for the complete failure of every addon that currently exists. Some addons will be abandoned by their authors, as the work to rewrite them would be too great. Others will be abandoned because the ability to make them functional will no longer exist. And yet others will simply take time to rewrite and not be immediately available.
So what's to be done? Well, you could always stop using addons. Or take a week's vacation from the game. Or if you aren't willing to do either of those, check up on your addons in advance -- look them up and see if there's a WoW 2.0 version already available. (If you don't remember where you downloaded it from, use the search functionality on Curse Gaming or WoWInterface to find them.) If not, WoWInterface has lists of mods that are confirmed to work with the 2.0.1 patch, so perhaps you can find something you could live with (don't try to use any of these with the live game, however -- they won't work).
So while everyone else you know is tearing their hair out in frustration trying to find working addons while Curse Gaming is down, you can be sitting back in your chair, sipping a martini* and raiding the night away.
* No, the patch does not ship standard with martini. You're on your own Mr. Bond.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kerni Nov 30th 2006 7:52PM
Thanks for the heads up! I've already begun downloading!
-Kerni (Frostmane US)
Anonym Dec 1st 2006 2:26PM
I'd better take a look for 2.0.2 addons too. Somehow I doubt Cryolysis will be the same :(
Okänd (gnome mage) Aggramar EU
Duggie Dec 1st 2006 4:46AM
Simple answer. Don't use addons. Playing the game 'naked' is the way its meant to be. Don't get me wrong i have nothing about using addons, i use gatherer, but I'm not going to update it, constantly forgeting to turn it on.
Playing without adds to the RP element of the game.
Deafdumbandblind Dec 1st 2006 6:55AM
WHat does this mean for Auctioneer?
Moduser Dec 1st 2006 9:24AM
Anyone who can live without addons doesn't raid in any great capacity.
I can't think how many times KTM threat meter has saved a wipe by yelling at a rogue to vanish.
Decursive spaming, while understandably lame, makes fights manageable for the non hardcore. We have people in my guild that are 50-60 years old playing healers. Without decursive, and healing mods, I can't imagine them being able to function.
I'm sure we'll al survive and adapt, but I'm worried about the people who actually needed those mods to function in the game.
andy Dec 1st 2006 9:22AM
"WHat does this mean for Auctioneer?"
were all doomeD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maron Dec 1st 2006 9:33AM
No auctioneer will not work with the next patch. I know, it's sad. =(
Other than auctioneer I could really care less about all the other addons. CTRA will be available, I'm not sure about TitanBar, but I could live without it. Not sure if KTM will be around, anyone know?
ahoke - kul tiras Dec 1st 2006 10:42AM
so a lot of these new addon versions say they're for "The Burning Crusade" - don't use on the live server. But that means they're just there for 2.0 and they will work for the patch on tuesday, correct?
Phace Dec 1st 2006 10:36AM
I checked. Auctioneer 3.9 is up on the site listed. Are you saying you tried it and this new version is not working?
That version was updated on 11/03/06. Is that possible?
Maron Dec 1st 2006 11:33AM
From what I've read the new way of doing addons will not allow Auctioneer to work. Ever again. No I have not tried it, so maybe my info is wrong.
Bazza Dec 1st 2006 12:03PM
My understanding is that Blizzard don't have a problem with Auctioneer, so once the add on has been adjusted for the new UI it will be able to work ok. It was BottomFeeder, a part of the Auctioneer package, that Blizzard didn't like. The Auctioneer creator removed Bottomfeeder once Blizzard indicated their dislike for it.
So hopefully we'll be back up with Auctioneer 3.9 full release in a few weeks!
Donner Dec 4th 2006 12:56PM
Thanks for the heads up Ill start downloading when I get home tonight.
Stan Dec 5th 2006 1:55PM
A new version of Decursive is available at:
http://wow.curse-gaming.com/en/files/details/3011/decursive-continued/
Wonder if this means it will be operational for Burning Crusade...
erin Dec 9th 2006 10:45PM
from what I have read Auctioneer is going to be makeing a comeback in about 2 weeks. But that 2 weeks is going to be hell for me. For more information please visit http://auctioneeraddon.com/
Stormblade Dec 10th 2006 9:04AM
Just a comment. Playing the game naked is NOT the way it was "meant to be." Regardless of how you feel about playing naked Blizzard invested a lot of time building an interface that was extensible. Saying that playing it without extending is how it was meant to be is to simply ignore Blizzard and impose your own views regardless of Blizzard's obvious view on it.
Do you also feel that leggos were meant to be played with separately? That you are not meant to build things with them? I mean after all they shipped separate right?