Blizzard HQ temporarily evacuated due to earthquake
by Adam Holisky 
Jul 29th 2008 at 6:00PM
According to the information on the login screen, in-game and phone support were momentarily unavailable, however everything is now back to business as usual. No servers or other game services have been affected by the earthquake. All the technology is operating smoothly.
Our own Dan O'Halloran was in private chat with us all when the earthquake struck. He reported that while it was a good shaking, it was "nothing to go home about." Perhaps if we're lucky the earthquake shook a few more Beta keys out of Blizzard. We can only hope.
Take a look after the break for the full in-game news released by Blizzard.
Filed under: Blizzard, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ichigo Jul 29th 2008 6:10PM
Standard Operating Procedure to evacuate after a quake, no matter how small, in order for facilities management to make sure the building is secure and safe. Happened to my office building as well today.
Glad everyone is ok.
CSCIGuy Jul 29th 2008 6:12PM
Yes, it was quite a shaker and only because it was 7 point something miles underground that things are not as bad as they could've been. I work 40 miles from the epicenter. It probably was just mostly precaution to check for leaks and damage around the facilities. :)
Homelessbird Jul 29th 2008 6:14PM
Hey-o. I'm from LA, earthquake was actually 5.8, and about 12 secs long. There were much smaller aftershocks throughout the day, and it wasn't on the San Andreas fault, so things should be fine WoW-wise from here on in. ;p
Homelessbird Jul 29th 2008 6:15PM
Hey-o. I'm from LA, earthquake was actually 5.8, and about 12 secs
long. There were much smaller aftershocks throughout the day, and it
wasn't on the San Andreas fault, so things should be fine WoW-wise
from here on in. ;p
Badger Jul 29th 2008 6:37PM
Holisky would know all this if he'd read the Tip I sent in two hours before this was posted.
Adam Holisky Jul 29th 2008 6:40PM
Sorry, email hasn't been working right throughtout the day.
Badger Jul 30th 2008 9:20AM
"Sorry, email hasn't been working right throughtout the day."
Oh. I'm sorry, dude. I wouldn't have shot my mouth off if I'd known that.
Phoenix Jul 29th 2008 6:17PM
Yeah, I'm about 30 miles in the opposite direction from Chino Hills (Riverside) and it was a pretty good shake. Woke my roommate and girlfriend up (neither of whom are used to earthquakes), while I just kind of rolled over and went back to sleep.
Apparently there have been no casualties reported caused by the earthquake, and minimal damage, mostly from things falling off of shelves.
Lucid Aug 4th 2008 4:56PM
Just to avoid confusion, it says 5.4 magnitude because it was downgraded after being reviewed by seimologists. It was originally declared a 5.8 shortly after it went off. See here for details : http://quake.usgs.gov/recenteqs/Maps/118-34.html for overall details, see http://quake.usgs.gov/recenteqs/Quakes/ci14383980.html for the specific seismic event.
I was at work (in san diego) and the building took a decent shake with a series of aftershocks.
PimpyMicPimp Jul 29th 2008 6:19PM
Living in Saskatchewan earthquakes are such an alien concept to me. I'm glad it was no big deal, though. Now, back to work on Wrath! *Whip cracks*
Brownjohn Jul 29th 2008 6:25PM
Wow, I actually work in Irvine, where Blizzard is located, and everyone here just laughed it off. It didn't seem like a big deal.
Veras Jul 29th 2008 6:43PM
The earthquake wasn't that bad. Made things shake a bit, but other than waking me up it was relatively short and somewhat weak.
Stefanovick Jul 29th 2008 7:33PM
Gosh, I think it would be cool to be napping during the middle of the day... I am just surfing the web at work, wishing the day was over, and avoiding any real productivity.
Badger Jul 29th 2008 6:42PM
I found out about this after I talked with a friend of mine who works at Blizzard's other office in Austin, TX. Apparently the word traveled fast between the two offices.
I am definitely glad to know that nobody was hurt. I guess this would explain any delays in case anybody went looking for support today, heh.
Prophetik Jul 29th 2008 6:48PM
Yikes Badger, stalker much?
For me in Studio City, it rattled quite a bit, although probably more pronounced that I'm up on the top floor of our office's 4-story building.
Prophetik Jul 29th 2008 6:50PM
Gah, didn't reply to the correct comment...in ref: to Badger's comment regarding Holisky.
Can't stand this commenting system.
Badger Jul 30th 2008 9:22AM
"Can't stand this commenting system."
Yeah, you and me both, brother.
As for the "stalker" thing: That didn't come out right at all, so I officially state, for the record, that it was "My Bad." Besides, Adam already clarified to me above that they were having technical difficulties right when I tried to submit.
SUPERNERD Jul 29th 2008 6:50PM
That earthquacke was my WRATH!
Blizz now buff my class for WotLK or I will send more natural disasters to you!
jbodar Jul 29th 2008 7:24PM
LOL! I guess you're a Shaman, then.
theremover Jul 29th 2008 6:51PM
All I have to say is...
RUN OUT!