Patch 5.4 patch notes
Virtual Realms feature revealed
The Proving Grounds are coming
The latest patch 5.4 newsThe 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 13 of 14)
Grovinofdarkhour Sep 17th 2010 10:28AM
OK, now I like you. You just got my inner screenwriter going.
"Bitching is one of my people's oldest customs. It may seem strange to outsiders. But it is an essential part of who we are."
Khirsah Sep 16th 2010 6:18PM
NOOOOOOO.... WoW.com was available on my work computer. wow.joystiq.com is blocked.
How the heck am I gonna waste time at work now?
The domain switch sure was inconsiderate to those of us that are trying to look like we're working. Now I'm gonna have to do actual work instead!
Not to mention my postings will be more limited. So the world is now deprived of my keen insight and sharp wit.
On behalf of all other users of WoW.com..."Thanks"
Cambro Sep 16th 2010 6:28PM
I've made a point of NOT updating my bookmark. I'm being mean. I click the bookmark button, a server request is made for www.wowinsider.com, the server performs a redirect to www.wow.com, which performs another server request, which then performs yet another redirect to wow.joystiq.com. Three server hits every time I hit the bookmark. Purely out of spite for a perfectly fine name changing over and over and over again.
Honestly, www.wowinsider.com was a great domain name. It's insider information...about World of Warcraft. Now think about www.wow.com. By name only, it should be about World of Warcraft. Nothing narrowing it...a catch-all for anything relating to WoW. So that domain name is actually a step backwards.
Now it's wow.joystiq.com. I didn't even realize it's "wow", I thought it was "www". If I had not noticed this, I could have easily typed in "joystiq.com" (resolves to www.joystiq.com) and wonder where the crap WoW Insider went!!! I'm only marginally familiar with joystiq.com. To my wow-centric mind, this is an even further step backwards in terms of branding AND usability.
And as someone pointed out above, if you have a mobile phone, it's "i.wow.joystiq.com". Really? Really? Seriously? Did anyone put thought into that? Whether you're on an iPhone, Android or Blackberry, that is a serious pain in the neck address to type, better be sure to bookmark THAT right away.
So all these properties being owned by AOL, are we looking 6 months from now at a special Cataclysm-related mobile site even heavier on the parent company branding...such as i.cata.wow.joystiq.aol.com ? Because being branding-centric works so well. (Hey, how did that whole AOL/Time Warner thing turn out for ya?)
Hyacin Sep 16th 2010 6:38PM
Dear The Queue,
While I'm sure no one knows - any guesses as to what will happen to all the "Scroll of Enchant *item* - *stat that is going away*" that people have in their possession and even up on the AH when 4.0.1 hits?
Drakkenfyre Sep 16th 2010 7:15PM
Converted.
Like ArP gems are going away and being replaced with Crit, and Spell Power is going away (with the exception of weapons) and in some cases replaced with Intellect (I had Trinkets that gave only Spell Power, and they now give Intellect) it probably just change them to the new replacement.
Almost Sep 17th 2010 12:32AM
Is there any word about bags in Cata yet? Are there any non-profession bags larger than 24 slots?
Amaxe Sep 16th 2010 6:45PM
OK, for a non-Joystiq question:
I've heard people talk about the upcoming patch, and also about the PTR. Depending on who you ask, it seems either the thing is close to ready (pointing to the patch download we're working on) or the servers are coming apart at the scenes.
How big of a mess (or alternately how close to good) is the PTR? Insights from those on the PTR would be nice.
Drakkenfyre Sep 16th 2010 7:57PM
Anyone who says the PTR is ready to release has no idea what they are talking about.
Let me run down some problems.
1. Professions do not work. You cannot open most of them. Logging out removes the button for you to do so. I can't even fish, or gather anything with gathering professions.
2. If you get lucky and a macro opens up your profession, you might be missing things.
3. Death Knight's Runeforging has been stripped to 4, accidentally.
4. Water does not render on anything above low.
5. Some water such as in the Draenei and Blood Elf starting zones do not exist at all.
6. Some damages are bugged (yes, bugged, not simply "high") where people are doing 40,000 hits.
7. ICC has been bugged and everything is doing massive damage. Tanks are getting hit for 500k.
8. Graphic options are not all there. Some options cannot be changed.
9. Heirlooms have durability, as do some objects that aren't supposed to.
10. The streaming launcher is bugged, and sometimes does not start the game.
11. Even after fully downloading the game, it still sometimes acts like it's streaming data.
12. Some of the changes like quiver and ammo bag changes aren't in.
13. Some sounds (at least for me) are delayed. The pain sound when you fall comes a second after you land.
14. There are some serious crashes. Logging out in or near Silvermoon City you will crash upon logging back in. Even looking in the direction of Silvermoon City while in Quel'Danas can crash you.
Hiwa Sep 16th 2010 9:23PM
Hehe Drakynfire, sounds very much like the beta at this point.
Drakkenfyre Sep 16th 2010 9:39PM
That's because we are on the same build. It's basically the beta without the new content, new races, and level 85.
penguinairsauce Sep 16th 2010 6:54PM
Whats happened with the bloodsail buccaneers in cataclysm?
Glenross Sep 16th 2010 7:00PM
Question: Has there been any evidence of Naaru presence relating to the Cataclysm? I liked their story , progressing through BC, but Wrath had only one quest involving them as far as I can tell. It would be a shame to drop such interesting "characters" and not have them at least help out with their new ally's own planet getting "swiss cheesed"
sheyki Sep 16th 2010 8:04PM
We've all seen the alliance guild mount but has there been anything for the horde one?
Jay Sep 16th 2010 8:30PM
Darn, blocked at work.
Oh well, I guess one less person giving joystiq a hit won't matter much to lining your pocket. However I don't think I am the only person who works.
Cya WoW.com, it was nice reading you while it lasted.
woshiernog Sep 16th 2010 8:30PM
Naw, thats the first thing that popped into my mind. Not the porn thing but the selling to Blizzard thing. There are only so many three letter websites and wow (the game and the word) is pretty popular.
slythwolf Sep 16th 2010 8:37PM
Together they stand to make 2 million hits? What? Are we really assuming none of those hits are the same users? In the video gaming community? It makes better financial sense to break sites up as much as possible, forcing the same users to go to 2, 3, 4, 19 sites in a single day, and make some kind of package ad deal.
But for my part, the only thing about this that matters to me is that I had to set up my email address again. I didn't bother to memorize that password when Firefox could memorize it for me--but on a new domain, it doesn't know I want the same one.
Bookhouse88 Sep 24th 2010 12:55AM
What is the best/coolest change to the new Deadwind Pass ? How many new quests have been added ?
Sabrina Sep 16th 2010 9:01PM
Here's my question:
Has their been any word on new hairstyles in Cataclysm? I'm tired of looking at my ponytail but I don't want to spend the cash (I'm cheap) unless I can get something worthwhile.
Guchari Sep 16th 2010 9:56PM
There's one thing about this move that bugs me, cant get to it at school.
Hmm I will just read it at home now.
aelador Sep 16th 2010 10:40PM
Two questions:
1) Why wont Blizz just give cats and bears seperate talent tree's ?
2) Will my Nature loving druid ever get his gear back and stop looking like a dark ally hoodlum or has blizz given up all elements of rpg's and just turned us all into tank/dps/healers who will wear what they want us to wear?