I really could use like 4 or 5 more stars so i can up-vote this more.

The only reason I can come up with that would explain the fact that Blizz hasn't done this yet is as follows...

Each character probably has a unique numerical ID, something assigned to it by each realm's character database. This number will typically be higher for characters that were created later than earlier. Each character entry in the database has a finite amount of data associated with it; there are probably other tables entirely that handle the ever-expanding records of quests, items, etc.

I imagine that the data available at the character select screen (rather than after your character is loaded) is deliberately limited. Allowing you to set an order for your characters would mean adding one additional integer (or byte) to that information.

Not a whole lot of data... but providing it would still mean a schema change to a database Blizz probably prefers not to touch.

The alternative solution, of course, would be to have a client-side defined order. Save it to a local file... and you'd just have to reorder your characters on each computer you use to access WoW. I'm a tad surprised they haven't taken this route yet, but they might be anticipating the annoying cries of those who keep complaining that the order isn't preserved when they reinstall :-P

This and a New Mail indicator at the character select screen. That's all I'm asking for. That's all I've ever asked for.

/prostrate

Please, Blizzard! Have mercy on us!


...*triple checks the spelling on prostrate*

Nopunin10did,
yeah, there's really no reason that would need to be server-side. I can't think of any saved settings which are server-side.

In addition to the order of characters on the select screen, I'd also like the add-on selection to be by character selected by default. (the character selected to log in.) Having to click three times (add-on settings, drop-down menu, specific character) EVERY time I want to just GET to the menu is pointless. Who changes addon settings for ALL characters? If for some reason the old way would still be useful, make a check-box to toggle whether the default is the old setting for all characters, or the selected character.
It's too bad you can't make add-ons for the character select screen.

@Nopunin10did

You are very likely right about the unique ID's for each character. Having some experience designing and developing databases, this "could" be as simple as adding an additional table to their database (or a table per realm) which is capable of storing the many-many relationship. Just two fields, Unique CharacterID(mytoon42434) + Order ID (1-10). Then it's just a matter of updating the character select screen (client side) to querey YOUR characters, and sort them based on OrderID. Make the combination of the fields be the primary key (composite key) and voila.

I'm not familar with LUA or the intricacies that are the wow database backend, but this sort of thing is usually quite simple. Just a matter of priority I'm sure. But man would I love to see this get implemented.

I'd drink to that....if I drank that is