Celebrating the new year with a GM
by John Himes 
Jan 2nd 2008 at 6:00PM
A guildmate drew my attention to this interesting video of the New Year celebrations outside of Ironforge on the US Proudmoore server. Apparently, a GM appeared as a fire-spewing gnome and had some fun with the players gathered to see the fireworks. Check out the video above to get a complete look at his antics.
I haven't heard of anything like this happening on the live servers before, and decided to poke around some of the realm forums on the official site to see if anything else interesting occurred during the holiday. Unfortunately, I was unable to find any other similar reports of GM activity. Did anything like this happen on your server during the New Year's celebrations?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
TotalBiscuit Jan 2nd 2008 6:13PM
That was great, some good clean fun. I particularly liked the Carrion Worms on horseback.
Omar Jan 2nd 2008 6:18PM
That was amusing. Does anyone know if the GM said anything during all that?
Guitarded Jan 2nd 2008 6:21PM
I'm not sure about this at all. Which new-years timezone was this?
I was in Ironforge at 12am Server time on Proudmoore, and for about 3hrs leading up to it. This wasn't happening at all. All the chat channels, including trade were quiet at the time. I doubt that'd be the case if a GM were out the front throwing people around.
Jester602 Jan 2nd 2008 6:37PM
It sounds pretty amusing, I wish I could've been there to see that. I am never there to see wonderful things the GM does for the public.
Antiquity Jan 2nd 2008 6:41PM
That's a private server.
Kryptonls Jan 3rd 2008 6:48AM
Haha - NO.
maxbliss Jan 2nd 2008 6:45PM
but...but...I want to be a GM on my own private server!
With fire-spewing breath, please!
Terd Fergeson Jan 2nd 2008 6:52PM
Yeah, seems pretty much a load. Why would it just so happen that someone had their video cap program running? What, he was making a video of the fireworks? He'd either have to be really bored or just a huge nerd. In fact, it seems like people always seem to have frapps running at just the right time......
Donjo Jan 2nd 2008 7:39PM
It's not like it takes more than 5 seconds to start up fraps...
Tryst Jan 2nd 2008 7:54PM
@ Donjo: Did you know your name means "Give me money" in Korean?
Yes. My head is full of useless facts.
Mainman Jan 2nd 2008 8:07PM
Ever heard of Alt + Tab? The 'Windows' key? Not running the game in fullscreen?
If you had a shortcut to a game recording program on your desktop, you could minimize the game window, open the recorder and be back in WoW within 5 seconds. As long as an event or sighting lasts longer than a few seconds, it's pretty easy to get it recorded.
Terd Fergeson Jan 2nd 2008 8:09PM
If all these were the case, the film would've started after the GM started doing all that crazy stuff, no? It's not like fraps has retrospective record. Just my take on it. Seems staged.
Mainman Jan 2nd 2008 8:25PM
I would certainly get my 'camera' out if I saw a blue-cloaked Gnome floating in mid-air, surrounded by a crowd. On top of that, if GMs have some sort of 'mark' that designates their character as a GM (I'm not sure), then you'd definitely reach for the record button ASAP.
Jeremy Jan 2nd 2008 9:34PM
Also the Mac client has video recording built-in, making it ever easier. Whenever I see something that promises to be interesting, I hit my video recording hotkey, which takes but an instant.
Verit Jan 3rd 2008 1:48PM
@mainman
Actually you can't start fraps with the game running and record. It has to be hooked into the driver before the game is launched.
icampgnomes Jan 2nd 2008 8:07PM
lol i wonder what went throu the heads of the guy who flew by the event on the gryphons around 1:48-2:00
Regis Jan 2nd 2008 8:21PM
...what where they doing in WoW during new year's eve?
I don't usually say this, but some need to go out more ;)
Mainman Jan 2nd 2008 8:28PM
http://www.wowwiki.com/New_Year
kimberia Jan 2nd 2008 8:31PM
On Argent Dawn (US) we had a GM visit Goldshire just last night. He was polymorphing people, passing out fireworks and just talking to everyone around. I obviously didn't get a video, but I did get some screenshots. :)
Manasmith Jan 2nd 2008 10:02PM
@16
I was there to. Real fun stuff. He warned of a murloc invasion. =\ It never happened though.
I still went with some friends to raid Crystal Lake.