Extended maintenance for Patch 3.1: the European edition
by Lesley Smith 
Apr 15th 2009 at 3:00AM
When I first had a chat with the Big Giant Heads who run WoW Insider and Massively, they were under the impression that I dwell in the future. Sadly not, even if I am on GMT. I had to explain that, no, we don't get patches before North America but rather we have to wait an extra day to enjoy all the new patch goodness.So it's Wednesday morning in the UK and guess what? Yes we have extended maintenance on all European realms. Hmm, what could this mean? Ah yes, could it be, 3.1.
So all realms, the Armoury, Account Management and the Blizzard Store will be down from 3am until 11am (CET).
Fortunately, there's plenty to be doing while you wait. Personally, I will have the official trailer on repeat. For your convenience you can see it below, and while I agree with Alex that Jaina looks different, I actually prefer her in the trailer! The new character animations look amazing and she in particular finally looks human.
While I make no secrets that I play Alliance, I have to side with the Horde on this one (sorry Daniel)! Varian Wrynn is just becoming xenophobic and paranoid which is not doing any good for Alliance-Horde relations. Indeed I can smell a buildup of testosterone that is bound to come to a head in 3.2 or 3.3 and I can't wait! It is, after all, the World of Warcraft, it's about time the factions remembered they hate each other even if I live in hope that Thrall might eventually hook up with Jaina.
Filed under: Patches, Events, Realm Status, Odds and ends, Blizzard, News items, Lore, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Bobble Apr 15th 2009 3:08AM
Extended til 3pm CET now it seems.
*sigh* I want my dual spec ;)
fraaap Apr 15th 2009 3:12AM
The 'breaking news' pane to the right of the log-in screen says that all EU realms are offline until 15:00, not 11:00 (CET).
Lesley Smith Apr 15th 2009 4:07AM
Ta for that. I wrote this yesterday. I'm just checking (eg patching) and I'll post updates if (sorry WHEN) things go the way of the US.
Either way I'm expecting this to be a LONG day for us here in Europe.
roflmaoFTW123 Apr 15th 2009 7:37AM
pane or pain as it seems -.-
Thorall Apr 15th 2009 3:19AM
Ah Clucking Bell I'm in work at 14:00 so I won't be on the new patch much today :o(
SarahTheGnome Apr 15th 2009 3:22AM
Eeeeeeeeeeeeewww orc-human relations, no thank you. And seriously, Jaina, she really is the go-to-girl in WoW isn't she? Arthas? Thrall? I suspect Varian had his fair share. And now in the clip, she looked mighty close to that gryphon. Tsk tsk Jaina.
Lolsloth Apr 15th 2009 7:19AM
thank you... you made spit tea all over my keyboard from laughing :D:D
pietrex Apr 15th 2009 3:23AM
Good to see that there are some people on WI from Europe. :) After all, it seems funny to me when I see Breakfast Topics at 3PM here. :)
Thâr Apr 15th 2009 3:25AM
hope they learned from their distaster yesterday..
may the 15:00 be the true launch for us. *crossmyfingerz*
Thorall Apr 15th 2009 3:28AM
And come on Varian is cool. He actually is more Orc than Thrall. Thrall has become soft. Varian I belive is the strongest leader right now in WoW. I would like to see Thrall and Varian team up tho to take down Arthas.
Rugus Apr 15th 2009 3:28AM
I feel Scribes will make a TON of gold today... selling glyphs for absurd prices. I will wait and see or just ask a guildie to get them for free.
Orrin Apr 15th 2009 3:45AM
Well, I have a stock of uncut gems in my bank and a shiny new grinding stone in my bag - but my time will come a few weeks later I think ;)
Teah Apr 15th 2009 3:31AM
Her nose looks odd and it bothered me.
Mhiera Apr 15th 2009 3:38AM
Re: Jaina
I'm still more concerned that this faction leader is still only using the Illusionary Rod
elprogramer Apr 15th 2009 3:43AM
Stop making me want to renew!
Bossy Apr 15th 2009 3:45AM
We are always out of luck in EU.
The US guys are always having the waiting fun and we never get to experience this extreme frustration.
For once Blizzard let us wait a complete 20 hours please, so we can all measure our personal drug addict levels.
souvlaki Apr 15th 2009 4:09AM
I see it the other way round. We Europeans are the lucky ones that get all things right when we install the patch.
Deployment problems? Fixed.
Last time bugs? Fixed.
Addon problems? Fixed.
Lesley Smith Apr 15th 2009 4:13AM
Ah yes but waiting makes it so much sweeter when we finally log back in (I'm parked just by Ulduar!) To be fair, Blizzard should have learnt from yesterday. I'd suggest entering our EU loot card competition while you're waiting and then read up on all the lovely goodness 3.1 has promised.
Me? I'm watching the trailer again and trying not to think about Yogg-Saron.
Tsark Apr 15th 2009 4:00AM
RE: Horde-Alliance relations
While I agree that Wrynn is turning into a total a++hole, I think Garrosh is not far behind. I play Horde, but if I could help kill Garrosh (or just remind him of the weakling he was not so long ago), I certainly would. Hmmmm how about we get Wrynn and Garrosh on a desert island and leave them there?
Tayne Apr 15th 2009 4:29AM
Garrosh is an absolute fool, but what I truly love in this video is Jaina and Thrall. Once more, they do nothing. Jaina flaps her arms and wails, just like at the Battle of Undercity, just like the Culling of Stratholme, and affects nothing. Thrall stands by, watches and does not even reprimand Garrosh for attacking Varian. Way to go warchief. For all his faults (and they are many) Varian actually has the balls to back up his statements, the way no other faction leader does.