Blizzard giving PvE to PvP transfers to friends
by Mike Schramm 
Aug 21st 2007 at 11:30AM
The rule on transfers is that you can't start out on a PvE server, and transfer away to a PvP server. Blizzard has said that players can't fight carebear up to 70, and then jump over to gank lowbies-- if you want the ability to kill those below you, you have to be killed first.That is, unless you're friends with the developers. Players are claiming that someone named Broodthorn has been switched from Zul'jin (a PvE server) to Black Dragonflight, a PvP server. How do we know they're the same? The old Broodthorn's Armory profile is empty, and the new one is right here. All indications are that he switched servers, sometime recently. How is this possible? Broodthorn is now in Fires of Heaven, which is the same guild that Furor used to lead in Everquest. And Furor is none other than Alex Afrasiabi, one of Blizzard's main quest designers (he appeared on the Lore and Quests panel with Chris Metzen at BlizzCon). So bottom line is that if you're a good friend of the developers, Blizzard can make anything you want happen in game, even things they've specifically said shouldn't happen.
And this isn't the first "stealth transfer" to go down, either-- supposedly, entire guilds have been transferred from server to server by Blizzard before. Sure, Blizzard has the right to do something like this (it's their game, their rules), but it's a little hypocritical (at least) to require paying customers to abide by certain rules, while moving your own guild around at will.
Update: Wow. To tell the truth, I was tending towards the camp of "it's a perk, who cares," but Nethaera is having none of it. After someone linked this post on the forums, she sez:
This transfer was based on an internal request that bypassed our checks and balances dictating how such transfers occur. Since the transfer violates our character-transfer policy, the character in question is being moved back to its originating realm, and we have imposed some additional measures to help avoid such situations in the future. We made this correction as soon as we became aware of the oversight; we appreciate everyone's attention and input on the matter.
Hardcore. Way to go Blizzard for making everyone play by the same rules. Kudos.
Filed under: Realm News, Analysis / Opinion, Guilds, Blizzard, PvP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Kyrra Aug 21st 2007 11:40AM
Blizzard should follow their own rules as it just annoys the rest of the player base when Blizzard gives their friends special treatment. The move from PvE to PvP isn't a huge one, but if Blizzard has caught red-handed doing other preferential treatment like this, I could see people leaving out of annoyance/frustration with Blizzard's hypocrisy.
Tamelis Aug 21st 2007 12:36PM
Yea it's crap but that's life. If you know the right people you can do just about anything you want.
Richard Aug 21st 2007 11:43AM
Absolute hypocrisy at its finest.
GG Blizz. Another nail in the coffin.
Razzberry Aug 21st 2007 11:44AM
Also, it should be noted that the only public PvE to PvP server transfer ever available was from Hyjal to Black Dragonflight, which allowed all of Fires of Heaven to transfer.
Stiksy Aug 21st 2007 11:47AM
That's the kind of thing we should expect from Blizzard.
I wish I knew someone working there, so I could get free epics.
Ahoni Aug 21st 2007 11:47AM
So what?
People get preferential treatment all the time. Everywhere, in everything. Its how the world works. You got more money, you get more perks. You know people on the inside, you get perks. Life is like that.
Ever gotten out of a ticket because you knew the cop, knew a cop, friends a cop, had a PBA card or whatever? Same deal. You got preferential treatment. Didn't hear you complain then.
Thijs Aug 21st 2007 4:08PM
Oh my god... that's all I have to say...
I have been wanting this for ages. (pve to pvp transfer)
maxw27 Aug 21st 2007 11:48AM
That is the biggest amount of BS ever, if they are going to put rules saying we can't do it then turn around and let their friends be allowed is pure hypocrisy. If anything they should undo the transfer(s).
Razhlok Aug 21st 2007 11:51AM
Whopee. Lets file this under the "Who gives a shit?" section of the website.
Flufflylongbottom Aug 21st 2007 11:49AM
So just a question, is it possible to transfer from a pvp server to pve and then a couple of months later go back to pvp? Or are you just stuck with pve?
Christian Holton Aug 21st 2007 11:51AM
@Richard and maxw27
Think that Blizz is the only one to play favorites or bend/break the rules for friends, family, or coworkers? If you think so, you're sadly, sadly mistaken.
They just got caught.
Razhlok Aug 21st 2007 11:52AM
@7 No, if you transfer from PvP to PvE you are not able to EVER tranfer back to a PvP server. You're stuck there. :P
CVJ Aug 21st 2007 11:53AM
People hook up their friends all the time, wow players dont have RL friends so they would not understand this j/k
Karl Aug 21st 2007 11:56AM
Oh well. Not really that big of a deal. The guy will probably forget that he is now gankable and walk right into a group of the opposing faction.
As far as Blizzard being evil for doing this, why? If you were a lead of WoW, and your buddy wanted to join you, you can honestly say that you would decline? They could have gone one up and just created him in the new server with all epic gear if they really wanted to. I'd say a transfer is not that big of a deal...
@Richard...A little over-dramatic aren't we? Absolute hypocracy at it's finest? You need to get out and do some living. There are far better examples than a person doing some friend a favor.
Nick Aug 21st 2007 12:22PM
LOL,
You are not required to "abide" by the rule of "No PVE to PVP" Transfers, because the rule does not exist. It is a service that they do not offer to the "public". They can state whatever reason they want for not providing access to this service. It is not hypocritical for Blizzard to give preferential treatment to friends by providing access to services of wow that are not available to the public.
This article is pointless.
Freehugz Aug 21st 2007 11:57AM
QQ
Nathan Aug 21st 2007 12:00PM
File me under the "so what?" category. Employees utilizing their position to secure perks for their friends? To suggest that this is "a nail in the coffin" or that anyone is going to cancel a subscription over it, is just ridiculous. I bet you some of their friends even got free copies of the game when it came out. Are we going to call that hypocrisy too? "I have to pay $40 for TBC, but Metzen's kids play for free! Oppression!"
The only people I can see who have any real reason to complain are those ganked by the transferred players. But something tells me that the friends of a Blizzard staffer have better things to do than capping lowbies in STV (unless said staffer and his friends are all in high school - then I'd be afraid).
Yes, blizzard quest designers hate you, but this isn't they express it. That's what "Deep Ocean, Vast Sea" is for.
BSChim Aug 21st 2007 12:06PM
Lawl, a mage in my guild got a Murky key from a friend in Blizzard... only from BlizzCon? hah
MK Aug 17th 2008 7:32PM
I work in a Telco company; we have 26 million Customers and guess what! I have 35% rebate on my phone bill EVERY MONTH!!! Why? cause I work there!!!
OMG look at me, I have an advantage over you guys!!!
This girl I know work in the restaurant, SHE GETS FREE MEALS!!! = 0$$!! why?? cause she works there!!!!
This Friend of mine works in a Wall-Mart! he gets 20% off regular prices!!!! WHY??? Cause He Works There!!!
The world if SOOOO unfair!!!!
pokute Aug 21st 2007 12:07PM
slow news day huh?
guess what, corporations receiving tax breaks also drive major campaign contributions!
and oh! my friend at starbucks gives me free coffee!
OMG!