Patch 5.3 interview with Ghostcrawler
Mystery of the Unborn Val'kyr
The latest patch 5.3 news
All of the latest Mists of Pandaria news"The Exalted" title requirement change reverted
by Michael Sacco 
Feb 12th 2011 at 12:18AM
Right now, the devs are unsure as to whether the change can be applied with a hotfix, but they're going to attempt one and see if it sticks. If a patch is necessary, they'll let us know. There's some additional interesting information in the blue post, including the technical reasons why Blizzard couldn't grandfather the title to those who achieved it prior to 4.0.6. Full text is after the cut.
The Exalted TitleRecently we changed 'the Exalted' title to require 50 exalted titles up from 40, which meant those that had achieved it were now asked to get 10 more reputations to gain the title back. We felt this kept the title as a difficult reward given the additional reputations introduced with Cataclysm, and also avoided the problem of achievement inflation as the game continues to grow, devaluing the reward.
We didn't let people know beforehand that we were making this change. A pretty cut and dry error on our part. We take full responsibility for not communicating the change properly, and apologize for the frustration it added to the situation. Unfortunately, that frustration in some people's cases went to an extreme. Over the past couple days we've handed out innumerable suspensions to people who were unable to stay within the forum code of conduct while posting about this change. We of course understand passions can run hot, but some of the violations were extreme enough to remove people's posting privileges permanently. It's unfortunate because rational, calm, and constructive posting is the type of feedback that's taken, discussed, and can help encourage real change. For those that were able to adhere to those posting ideals, we truly thank you for your efforts in keeping your cool.
We took your constructive posts and points, and after discussing the change for quite a while with the designers, the decision has been made to move 'the Exalted' title back to require 40 exalted reputations. We're going to attempt this change with a hotfix, but are unsure at this time if it will be able to be applied through a hotfix. It's possible that a client patch will be required. (We'll let you know if it does.)
The 45 and 50 exalted reputation achievements will continue to exist, but for the time being won't provide anything beyond achievement points. As some have questioned why the title isn't grandfathered like 'the Loremaster' or 'the Explorer' titles, these function differently mechanically. While their requirements have changed, the actual achievement is the same. There's no tech currently that allows us to give a title for an achievement and then move that title to a different achievement altogether and have people keep them. We are however working on such a technology that will allow players to keep items or titles associated with achievements even if we decide to change that criteria. So, say if we eventually decide to move 'the Exalted' title to an achievement which requires 60 reputations in the next expansion (just as an example), players who already earned the title at 40 reputations will get to keep the title when the criteria changes. This technology would allow us to let players keep titles or items they've already earned, while ensuring we don't get stuck in a position where we have to continually generate new rewards just so those who earned them originally don't lose them.
Thanks again for your feedback.
We didn't let people know beforehand that we were making this change. A pretty cut and dry error on our part. We take full responsibility for not communicating the change properly, and apologize for the frustration it added to the situation. Unfortunately, that frustration in some people's cases went to an extreme. Over the past couple days we've handed out innumerable suspensions to people who were unable to stay within the forum code of conduct while posting about this change. We of course understand passions can run hot, but some of the violations were extreme enough to remove people's posting privileges permanently. It's unfortunate because rational, calm, and constructive posting is the type of feedback that's taken, discussed, and can help encourage real change. For those that were able to adhere to those posting ideals, we truly thank you for your efforts in keeping your cool.
We took your constructive posts and points, and after discussing the change for quite a while with the designers, the decision has been made to move 'the Exalted' title back to require 40 exalted reputations. We're going to attempt this change with a hotfix, but are unsure at this time if it will be able to be applied through a hotfix. It's possible that a client patch will be required. (We'll let you know if it does.)
The 45 and 50 exalted reputation achievements will continue to exist, but for the time being won't provide anything beyond achievement points. As some have questioned why the title isn't grandfathered like 'the Loremaster' or 'the Explorer' titles, these function differently mechanically. While their requirements have changed, the actual achievement is the same. There's no tech currently that allows us to give a title for an achievement and then move that title to a different achievement altogether and have people keep them. We are however working on such a technology that will allow players to keep items or titles associated with achievements even if we decide to change that criteria. So, say if we eventually decide to move 'the Exalted' title to an achievement which requires 60 reputations in the next expansion (just as an example), players who already earned the title at 40 reputations will get to keep the title when the criteria changes. This technology would allow us to let players keep titles or items they've already earned, while ensuring we don't get stuck in a position where we have to continually generate new rewards just so those who earned them originally don't lose them.
Thanks again for your feedback.
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm has destroyed Azeroth as we know it; nothing is the same! In WoW Insider's Guide to Cataclysm, you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion, from leveling up a new goblin or worgen to breaking news and strategies on endgame play.Filed under: News items
Reader Comments (Page 5 of 7)
Spellotape Feb 12th 2011 4:20AM
This reversion is interesting to me because while I was an Exalted and apparently will be again soon, part of me was looking forward to chasing the achievement again - I mean, the original reason I went for it was because it seemed difficult ... when it was taken away the challenge was restored and I could strive for it again. I realise this would not appeal to everyone or even most people, but I guess personally it just makes me sad because I do quite enjoy a rep grind.
squig_masta Feb 12th 2011 2:31PM
At the risk of being downvoted to death, it's not that big a chase. I was all ready to tear Blizzard a new one when I realized I already had 50+ reps (thank you, Steemwheedle Cartel!) Once you have all the cata reputations you're pretty much done, since you can get exhaulted with almost all the old world factions in an hour or two (minus the insane ones).
I guess in two year's time when the new expansion comes out you can look forward to grinding 60 reps though :P
Spellotape Feb 15th 2011 6:29AM
@ squig_masta
Difficulty is relative? I personally found some of the grinds difficult due to the level of tediousness (which, I guess, applied to most of them at the time I was going for them).
Ominous Feb 12th 2011 4:30AM
Weak. The new change should have stayed. Serious players have the 50. Others should work towards it or consider another game.
Ajani Feb 12th 2011 5:18AM
It is absolutely hilarious that they banned the REALLY pissed off people for not discussing the unannounced change in a calm and cooperative manner. I know that they have to enforce the rules or they'll get ignored, but I think some serious leeway is in order here. They not only took away the titles of those who had already earned them, but then begrudgingly decided to give it back after they realized the community was, for the first time, in a relatively mutual uproar over the whole ordeal. After reading the the decision post and reconciliation post, I really feel like Blizzard is being somewhat blinded over the amount of power they have to make changes as they please. I hope they remember they are nothing without the players and that the decisions they make must be in the best interest of both the community and the company. Anything that puts too many people off jeopardizes pretty much everything. They have always been very fair and reasonable in the things they've done in the past, this time it went too far.
robitrock Feb 12th 2011 8:38AM
For the first time? You obviously weren't around for the real I'd stuff, heroic cata dungeons are hard, tanking is hard in cata, healing is hard, tbc is hard so we got wotlk easy mode this isn't the first time people have complained and got there way.
Also people were swearing spamming and freaking out, you can't do that on any forums go to elitist jerks forums (don't actually do this) post one swear you will be banned immediately.
Rajinnu Feb 12th 2011 5:45AM
I have just lost a ton of respect for Blizzard because of this change back.
I thought it was pretty lame not to warn people of the initial change, and although it didn't effect me personally (I didn't have 40 anyway) I could understand why people were annoyed.
However the reaction on the forums and elsewhere was a disgrace. Sure be annoyed, sure expect some form of apology for not warning you.. but at the end of the day the reasons Blizzard gave for the change both made sense. They should have explained why they couldn't give you the title ongoing if you had it but they have done so now.
All Blizzard had to do was post the above but change one thing.
We however are not changing our minds because this is where we want the achievement to go and although it may be frustrating to some players, and we apologize for not warning you beforehand, no amount of aggressive complaining is going to change our minds.' They then could have gone on to explain why they couldn't grandfather the change as they had and that should have been the end of it.
Did they put the drakes in they took out in Wrath because people moaned? No
Did they put back in the Zulian Tiger because people wanted to get it? No
Sure this was more extreme but, all it took was a sorry and an explanation.
Backing down like this now means they cannot make tough choices moving on. If they don't change something back in the future that people complain about they will just quote this and they are stuffed either way.
Poor call Blizzard, poor call.
Rajinnu Feb 12th 2011 5:47AM
I am sure I am going to get downvoted for that post as well, but I am not blaming anyone who put their case forward sensibly, but the people who didn't deserve their bans. I am however blaming Blizzard for not having a backbone.
xyna Feb 12th 2011 6:16AM
I gess they learned their lesson, it was pretty simple to understand just the posts on the forums and the comments here about that it was pretty obvious alot of people were mad, and with reason. Its the same to say: So heres your prize for being the employ of the month: 100 bucks....*2 months later* So we had an increase of 20% more employes so we gonna have to take 20% of that prize you won, so please tomorrow give us our 20bucks back.
Eldoron Feb 12th 2011 6:29AM
Meh..... QQ shouldn't win, and not this easy either.
Udderpowered Feb 12th 2011 7:32AM
It's a dull, unimaginative title. I honestly don't understand all the whining on the forums about this, it's not like it has any impact on gameplay whatsoever.
The Insane, now that's a title worth ranting about.
Sl0th Feb 12th 2011 7:34AM
While I'm glad they changed their minds, I do understand their original idea of changing it and why they did so. There are far more easily attainable reps now than ever before and a few of the older ones are now far easier to grind since the old world changed. It would be nice if they could come up with a fix to make it work like the World Explorer achievement so as not to diminish the efforts of those who earned it when 40 reputations was more difficult. But since that appears to be an impossibility, I'm glad they changed it back for now.
xyna Feb 12th 2011 8:23AM
Then they must maintain the old people that had the tittle cuz when they had it, it was hell hard to get it only the new people that are going to try to get that tittle would need the 50 reps. (sory for my bad english).
Robitrock Feb 12th 2011 8:23AM
First of all Idc if I get down voted for this.
While I do understand why you people care about this topic and yeah they shouldn't have taken the title away, I do think blizzard is listening to there player base a bit to much (not only this topic) if blizzard really wants to change something they should just do it stick to there guns and not give in every time people complain.
A wise podcaster once said When developer starts second guessing there work, the product is doomed.
Do I think the game is gonna die because of the stuff they ha reverted? No
Do I think it makes them look bad? Yes
Blizzard makes there games not there players and IMO it should stay that way.
PocketFox Feb 12th 2011 10:00AM
"Blizzard makes there games not there players and IMO it should stay that way. "
That's not how an MMO works. WoW is sustained by the 12 million+ monthly subscriptions of the players. If the players aren't happy with what they're playing, they're not going to pay for it. If enough people stop paying for it, there goes the game. Not a very good business plan, is it?
Thomas Higgins Feb 13th 2011 2:28AM
Sorry, but I just have to ask this of you, old bean. What are you on?
"Blizzard makes there games not there players and IMO it should stay that way. " I will pass on reaming you for getting your whole their, there, they're thing abysmally wrong, as that statement's meaning was even more wrong.
Blizzard CREATES the game. Players MAKE it. If if wasn't for the subscribers, the game would not exist in its current form. If at all.
styopa Feb 12th 2011 8:40AM
"...Unfortunately, that frustration in some people's cases went to an extreme. Over the past couple days we've handed out innumerable suspensions to people who were unable to stay within the forum code of conduct while posting about this change..."
That's again...poor judgement on their part.
You expect people will care enough about a game to throw you what, roughly $150/year for SEVEN YEARS, plus $200 in game purchases - and then are sad that they're actually emotionally attached?
I love the game, have played since Month 3. I respect them for making it, and keeping it relevant. But damn, they *constantly* surprise me with their COMPLETE inability to manage change, plan for obsolescence, and manage expectations.
robitrock Feb 12th 2011 9:01AM
It might have been poor judgement but the people who got suspended or banned deserved it did you see some of the posts?
They were very immature and I mean more so than usual.
Forums have rules for a reason the mods did there jobs, don't be mad at them for banning people for breaking rules any forum out there would have done the samething.
Dreyja Feb 12th 2011 2:47PM
There are ways to be outraged by a decision and NOT revert to an ignorant-blathering baby-monster, throwing what amounts to a expletive-laden temper-tantrum.
Being emotionally invested in something doesn't mean you cease being able to discuss something in a rational way. The people who were banned weren't helping the cause. they weren't some kind of heroic revolutionaries. I'm sure that the sheer number of complaints partnered with the people who managed to communicate with some sense and dignity were what had the greatest effect.
killer_tunes Feb 12th 2011 8:46AM
YaHoo! We won this battle!