Patch 5.4 patch notes
Virtual Realms feature revealed
The Proving Grounds are coming
The latest patch 5.4 newsBlizzard to offer compensation for PVP Season 10 transition woes
by Anne Stickney 
Jul 8th 2011 at 10:53PM
Yesterday, we talked about an issue that had PVP players in an uproar: Conquest points were accidentally down-converted to honor points a week early, with excess points converted to gold. On top of that, Blizzard launched a new tier of ilevel 371 gear without warning, just after making ilevel 365 gear available for purchase with honor. Players who spent their points decking themselves out in the latest PVP armor found themselves abruptly faced with the stunning realization that had they saved their points, they could have had better gear.
It was a mistake, and it was acknowledged by Zarhym (Blizzard community manager) in a fairly lengthy blue post, along with a mention that Blizzard was exploring some options to try and make it up to players.
Happily, it appears those options have been explored, as Blizzard's Bashiok posted today with a proposed solution for compensation: Players who were caught off guard by the change will be provided with 4,000 honor points, stacking over the cap. Players will not be able to accumulate more honor until spending below the 4,000 cap, but that should give PVPers a chance to pick up that new gear. This will not be immediately implemented, as it seems Blizzard is still trying to figure out how, exactly, to determine who was affected by the sudden transition and who was not -- so don't expect those 4,000 points on your character tomorrow.
Still, it's nice seeing Blizzard acknowledge something that was clearly a miscommunication in regards to the transition between seasons and that it will be making sure those players caught in the middle of the fumble will be getting something back. Follow after the break for the full announcement from Bashiok.
It was a mistake, and it was acknowledged by Zarhym (Blizzard community manager) in a fairly lengthy blue post, along with a mention that Blizzard was exploring some options to try and make it up to players.
Happily, it appears those options have been explored, as Blizzard's Bashiok posted today with a proposed solution for compensation: Players who were caught off guard by the change will be provided with 4,000 honor points, stacking over the cap. Players will not be able to accumulate more honor until spending below the 4,000 cap, but that should give PVPers a chance to pick up that new gear. This will not be immediately implemented, as it seems Blizzard is still trying to figure out how, exactly, to determine who was affected by the sudden transition and who was not -- so don't expect those 4,000 points on your character tomorrow.
Still, it's nice seeing Blizzard acknowledge something that was clearly a miscommunication in regards to the transition between seasons and that it will be making sure those players caught in the middle of the fumble will be getting something back. Follow after the break for the full announcement from Bashiok.
Bashiok
We wanted to let everyone know that we're working to address the miscommunication that occurred regarding the introduction of new item level 371 PvP gear, and share our current plans.
For background, many players spent their Honor Points on item level 365 gear once Season 9 ended only to find that more powerful item level 371 gear was available when season 10 started. We should have communicated ahead of time that this was going to be the case, and we apologize for the mistake.
We've been working over the past few days to evaluate and determine the best course of action to offer players some kind of compensation for those who were caught off guard by the new gear. The plan we've found to be achievable within an acceptable amount of time is to provide players who were affected with 4000 Honor Points. This extra Honor would function similarly to the currency down-conversion in that it would stack over the cap, but you would not be able to earn more until you spent under the 4000 cap.
The process of determining who was affected is certainly the most difficult task of this issue, and the entire process of figuring out who should receive the Honor or not and then delivering it isn't anything less than a giant undertaking. We're still evaluating many of the processes that will be required to make this happen. Although we're fairly confident we can pull it off, there is still a chance it may not be possible. Due to other service related work the soonest we would be able to distribute this Honor is the 7/19 Tuesday maintenance. More complicated solutions we discussed could take months to implement, but we felt getting something to those affected as quickly as possible was more important.
Although some of this is still uncertain we felt it best to let people know as far in advance as possible to allow for adequate planning. We'll be able to provide more information and specifics on how this process will be carried out, and the requirements to receive the 4000 Honor, next week.
Again, we apologize for any inconvenience caused by our miscommunication. We greatly appreciate those who took the time to give us constructive feedback on the matter.
For background, many players spent their Honor Points on item level 365 gear once Season 9 ended only to find that more powerful item level 371 gear was available when season 10 started. We should have communicated ahead of time that this was going to be the case, and we apologize for the mistake.
We've been working over the past few days to evaluate and determine the best course of action to offer players some kind of compensation for those who were caught off guard by the new gear. The plan we've found to be achievable within an acceptable amount of time is to provide players who were affected with 4000 Honor Points. This extra Honor would function similarly to the currency down-conversion in that it would stack over the cap, but you would not be able to earn more until you spent under the 4000 cap.
The process of determining who was affected is certainly the most difficult task of this issue, and the entire process of figuring out who should receive the Honor or not and then delivering it isn't anything less than a giant undertaking. We're still evaluating many of the processes that will be required to make this happen. Although we're fairly confident we can pull it off, there is still a chance it may not be possible. Due to other service related work the soonest we would be able to distribute this Honor is the 7/19 Tuesday maintenance. More complicated solutions we discussed could take months to implement, but we felt getting something to those affected as quickly as possible was more important.
Although some of this is still uncertain we felt it best to let people know as far in advance as possible to allow for adequate planning. We'll be able to provide more information and specifics on how this process will be carried out, and the requirements to receive the 4000 Honor, next week.
Again, we apologize for any inconvenience caused by our miscommunication. We greatly appreciate those who took the time to give us constructive feedback on the matter.
The news is already rolling out for the upcoming WoW Patch 4.2! Preview the new Firelands raid, marvel at the new legendary staff, and get the inside scoop on new quest hubs -- plus new tier 12 armor!Filed under: News items, PvP, Cataclysm
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
Khirsah Jul 10th 2011 8:41PM
There is not a single part of your story that makes any sense.
First, you say that you unsubbed. But since you have season 10, you must still be playing. Which is it?
Then, you completely geared your main in season 9 gear, and you must have done so at the very end of the season, or else you would have earned a few pieces along the way. Then, in the last week, you completely decked the same character out in season 10 gear. So, what you couldn't get done in several months of season 9, you were able to do in less than a week in season 10? All the while not even having a subscription?
Get your story straight, and then get back to us.
Khirsah Jul 10th 2011 8:45PM
Oh yeah...and you're requesting a refund in the cost of gemming and enchanting your season 10 gear? Why? So you can continue to use all that super-valuable season 9 gear?
Do you even play pvp? Do you even play WoW? What the hell are you talking about?
Zaqdorf Jul 12th 2011 12:06PM
@Khiesah - Yes I unsubbed after doing a six month sub ending later this year. Should solve the mystery your mind couldn't figure out. Yes I played my tail off getting all his S9 prior to the end of the season. Remember some people have no life and have all the time in the world to play, I happen to be one. I gave up most of PVE because I don't want the same old grind everyday. I do enough to keep myself in reagents and pots. If you don't believe he's decked out in S10 look him up in the armory (Preisteboy). While you are there note the enchants and gemming. As far as PVP goes, I didn't get into it until 2 days after 4.2. So for your little febble mind, I hope that clears things up noob!!
ZAQ
Osiris0175 Jul 12th 2011 5:39AM
This is the kind of communication that Blizzard has improved upon in recent months. Being clear that they were wrong and offering an apology is a big step for them. In addition, offering a compensation with a given time frame and even explaining to players why that time frame exists are great steps towards improving past lackluster communication on their part. While I continue to be an avid WoW player and/or "loyalist," I did take time enjoying the game Rift and I see Blizzard's changes in communication style reflecting how Trion does theirs. This is a good thing. :)
Teiwaz Jul 13th 2011 4:58AM
So where is the 4K?
Brendw Jul 14th 2011 4:26AM
I'm not too familiar with programming but wouldn't it be possible, given that the 365 gear is no longer purchasable, to just convert the sell value from gold to honor points? I realize this would be an undue bonus for people who obtained 365 gear before the end of s9, but it's a more efficient alternative to scrutinizing the purchase histories of over a million accounts.