The Queue: Why did WoW Insider switch domains, again?
by Adam Holisky 
Sep 16th 2010 at 1:00PM
Many people asked:
Why did WoW Insider switch domains?
As we've said a few times, we're now called WoW Insider, living at wow.joystiq.com. A lot of people have questions about this change, and I hope to answer some of them.
First and foremost, WoW.com and Joystiq.com are both very strong websites that have a long history. Neither are going away any time soon, and both have a ton of great people working for them. WoW.com has always been part of the "Joystiq gaming network," which in turn has always been part of the Weblogs subdivision at Aol (until the subdivision was merged with the greater Aol brands -- no idea why, it's a corporate thing).
People are screaming that we've done a corporate merger with Joystiq. We haven't; we've always been a part of them. People think Aol has taken over. They haven't; they've always been the ones with the domain. People think that Blizzard sued us and got the domain. They haven't. Aol will be doing something else with the wow.com domain; I just have no idea what it is.
The simple fact of the matter is that WoW Insider and Joystiq are consolidating under one large brand and site to make an even larger site. If WoW.com got 1 billion hits a day and Joystiq.com got 1 billion hits a day, the two combined would stand to get 2 billion hits a day -- and well, kids, that's some real potential money to be made right there. Money that puts food on my table at night and let's me see a doctor for this rash, so I'm all for it.
No one on staff has gotten laid off over this, no one has seen their milk money taken away, etc. ...
Everything is OK -- don't panic. We're not.
Bui asked:
So with the Cataclysm release really only months away now, what old zone do you think is worth seeing first ? What really sums up the "Deathwing just tore the world a new one" feel that we're supposed to be getting when we come back from Northrend?
Badlands first, then Desolace.
Jprich asked:
Do you think Blizzard will ever lock down event starters (Jaina in Mount Hyjal, for example ) so that only the raid leader or those with assist can start events?
That's too good of an idea for Blizzard to do. Shhhh ... don't tell them.
Arkonn asked:
Is it possible to complete both Zalazane's Fall and Operation: Gnomeregan if one were to partake in a faction transfer?
Yes, but you only get one achievement.
TLDR Guy asked:
Did Blizzard buy out the wow.com name and force you guys to move?
For the last time ... no.
Have questions about the World of Warcraft? The WoW Insider crew is here with The Queue, our daily Q&A column. Leave your questions in the comments, and we'll do our best to answer 'em!Filed under: The Queue
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 14)
Teoita Sep 16th 2010 1:05PM
Thumbs up for the Hitchhiker's Guide reference.
thegatherer Sep 16th 2010 1:06PM
agreed.
Hal Sep 16th 2010 1:30PM
"Why did WoW Insider switch domains?"
42.
Doc McFish Sep 16th 2010 2:02PM
So, does that make massively.com the red headed stepchild? why aren't they getting tagged in with the rest.
And i always thought it was:
(aol games(Massively(joystiq & wowinsider) ) )
mtsadowski Sep 16th 2010 2:18PM
So long WoW.com... and thanks for all the Fish ;-)
Arkonn Sep 16th 2010 4:56PM
I love it when my question gets answered!!! =D
Ditto Teoita. Now if only Blizz would release the name Fenchurch on my server...
TonyMcS Sep 16th 2010 9:01PM
Unfortunately we will probably never learn the real reason until the NDA wears off (probably never) or someone leaves AOL and blabs.
I suspect the real reason is that AOL feels it's sitting on a gold mine with WOW.COM and want to exploit it for a lot more revenue then what it currently gets from the displayed ad revenue.
So please spare us the platitudes and assurances - you got screwed and we know it. The truth may appear when we find out what AOL does with the old domain name.
Eturyu Sep 16th 2010 9:34PM
Yea...so tru....changing domain to potentially get another billion hits when:
no one got laid off
no one got a pay cut
and they still provide the same great content...
yea....they totally got screwed.....
thegatherer Sep 16th 2010 1:06PM
How long does it normally take to decide what you will title each day's The Queue?
Derrek Sep 16th 2010 1:54PM
42.
Eternauta Sep 16th 2010 2:32PM
Where does that silly 42 meme come from?
(cutaia) Sep 16th 2010 2:37PM
Sounds like you're in desperate need of reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
DeathPaladin Sep 16th 2010 2:40PM
42 is the answer to The Question. The Ultimate Question. About Life, the Universe, and Everything.
After the answer was calculated, Earth was constructed in order to figure out what the question is.
Spark Sep 16th 2010 4:02PM
Sorry Eternauta, that doesn't work.
"Where does that silly 42 meme come from?"
"42."
Nope, doesn't work at all.
V Magius Sep 16th 2010 3:03PM
Wait, forgot to carry to one. 54.
The question: What is nine times six?
Dreyja Sep 16th 2010 3:45PM
I always have my towel - ALWAYS. XD
Muchao Sep 16th 2010 4:05PM
"Where does that silly 42 meme come from?"
Please don't vote that question down!
I haven't laughed so hard since that guy bragging about what a hoopy frood he was forgot to put his towel over his head and got attacked by the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal!
Sicadastra Sep 16th 2010 4:46PM
How does someone live a life wherein they become familiar with the concept of a meme, but doesn't recognize the answer '42' as a reference to Hitchhiker's???
RavenJet Sep 17th 2010 3:11AM
@Dreija
Having your towel isn't the point and never was.
The important thing is merely to always know where your towel is ! That is the secret to being a frood. Though I will concede that always having it is a good way of ensuring you always know where it is.
Agerath Sep 17th 2010 10:07PM
It's like a nerd bomb went off in the AV club or something.