Patch 5.2 interview with Dave Kosak
Inside an old alt's vault
The latest patch 5.2 news
All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsScroll of Resurrection revamp active, includes free level 80 character
by Alex Ziebart 
Mar 6th 2012 at 3:30PM
This is just one more way that Blizzard is aggressively attempting to reverse the subscriber bleed that only just recently came to a halt. Lowering the barrier to reentry for returning players will go a long way toward getting those people to check back in, especially if it means those players will get to see the other faction for the very first time. It could very well mean a brand new gaming experience for some of those returning players.
The new Scroll of Resurrection would also explain the level 80 armor sets that were datamined on the patch 4.3 PTR. Boosting a character from level 12 to level 80 wouldn't be all that useful if that character were still using level 12 gear. Receiving a full set of level 80 gear in the mail after your boost would solve that little problem.
We assume you'll also get the spectral mounts included in the aforementioned teasers, possibly as a perk for the one doing the recruiting rather than for the recruited. Images of both of the spectral mounts are below if you're interested in that sort of thing.
Note: The service was live when we began writing this news post, but the service was taken down for maintenance while we were in the process of writing it. We assume it will be active again later this afternoon.
Filed under: News items
Reader Comments (Page 6 of 9)
tgrhwke Mar 6th 2012 5:43PM
Yes, you can. You can also use the Refer a Friend option to create a second game account and attach it to the same B-Net account that it was referred from.
Ciiren Mar 6th 2012 4:24PM
I think we know what those datamined level 80 armor sets were for now.
Orrine Mar 7th 2012 2:19AM
Er, can you tell me what are you talking about exactly?
Infinite Duck Mar 6th 2012 4:25PM
I've been a pretty loyal customer, where's my free 55 bucks worth of transfers? Huff.
Heleos Mar 6th 2012 4:39PM
Hell yeah. I would love some free transfers...
The Shadow Mar 6th 2012 4:31PM
"This is just one more way that Blizzard is aggressively attempting to reverse the subscriber bleed that only just recently came to a halt."
Where did you ever get the idea that it came to a halt? Last I checked it was still losing people in the 6-figure range every quarter.
And here's one that will trouble the fan boys, they're down 315,000 in January. 190,000 in February.
Do a little math, it's not looking good. How'd I get these numbers? Let's just say I'm "in the industry". So while everyone calls B.S. on my numbers (as expected), when the next subscriber drop is announced, just think back to me, aka "The Shadow".
ImSteevin Mar 6th 2012 4:30PM
AKA the Goofball
The Shadow Mar 6th 2012 4:33PM
Yeah I'm a goofball because I see a company's desperate attempt to win back customers.
What Blizz needs are more players like you, the fanboys who can't get Blizzards *@)k out of their mouth.
Shinae Mar 6th 2012 4:35PM
aka "The Self-Important"
The Shadow Mar 6th 2012 4:37PM
Funny how the Wow nerds try to downvote things because they don't like to hear the truth about the dwindling little fantasy world.
Vote away, dorks! It's the only time in life where you actually will be able to feel like you have a little power.
Lipstick Mar 6th 2012 4:36PM
Hardly sky is falling numbers given how many new games came out at the tail end of Dec which didn't SHOW on last quarter's report since people's subscriptions would of still been paid up through the end of the month.
Given that those numbers were NOT higher I would say that the writer of the article was pretty accurate in saying that the bleed was leveling off/out. The dramatic power house numbers, even assuming your numbers are true, which I doubt you'd risk your job to post if they were accurate ... have leveled off. The number of people lost is not as high as what you claim either, as it's not showing any gains only losses.
My guild formed 5 weeks ago, and is filled up with at least 3 people who came back to wow after going to SWTOR and realizing that it wasn't for them. So those losses in January ... were returns in Feb.
In all honesty I expect to see dips in numbers between now and when the new expac comes out. We're in the downward climb portion of the expac, with no new content expected between now and when Mists comes out. Lulls are actually GREAT times for old players who've quit to return. They will find new raid spots that suddenly need to be filled people take breaks prior to the new expac. They will find content slightly nerfed and with LFR and valor rewards find gearing up much easier than it was at any other time in the expac. It's a great chance to see the fall of DW and start gearing alts towards the new expac which is coming.
Kar On E Mar 6th 2012 4:37PM
Your "in the industry", you say...right. So's my uncle. And cat. In fact, my cat is the industry.
And he says the numbers are holding steady and that he would like a belly rub.
Khirsah Mar 6th 2012 4:39PM
you mean to say that WoW could be down to 9.5 million subscribers when the first quarter closes?
OMG!!!!! How will they ever compete?!?!?! They only have more than double the subscribers of any other game on the market!!!
You are so right. It's not looking good. The sky is falling. They should probably just shut it down.
Wulf Mar 6th 2012 4:44PM
Numbers pulled out of ass? Check.
Vague reference to being a janitor at outsourced 3rd party documentation editing company for Activision? Check.
Looming bankruptcy for 'ActiBlizz' implied? Check.
Wooo doggie... I think we gots us a troll here, boys.
(cutaia) Mar 6th 2012 5:01PM
"What Blizz needs are more players like you, the fanboys who can't get Blizzards *@)k out of their mouth."
I constantly see angry people like yourself accusing others of being "fanboys" and it's ironic as all hell.
A true fanboy is someone who is so emotionally invested in a game that they get actually, seriously upset when it fails -- in their mind -- to live up to their old memories or expectations. Said fanboys often accuse others of being "fanboys" simply for daring to continue enjoying the game, because clearly, the only reason to do so is if they're "sucking Blizzard's cock."
You sir, are the real fanboy. People not getting angry about this announcement are not "fanboys." They are merely mature folks who see a marketing announcement and are somehow able to move on with their lives without swearing on a forum.
Moonfaxx Mar 6th 2012 5:15PM
(cutaia) - 1
The Shadow - 0
The Shadow just got owned. Cleanup on aisle 6.
Tanddori Mar 6th 2012 10:34PM
I thoroughly enjoyed the different colours involved in this post and replies.
Black
White
Black
White
Black
White
Green
White
White
Green
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etc....
Good times!
TonyKP Mar 6th 2012 4:28PM
This reeks of desperation on Blizzard's part, but it's also a good idea, so I guess it's a wash...?
The Shadow Mar 6th 2012 4:30PM
And for you longtime subscribers complaining about "where's my stuff"? Hopefully you will start to figure this out. Blizzard doesn't really care about you. They HAVE you. What they want and need right now is more money, so they're extending the carrot to those folks.
This likely could have some negative backlash, as they are more willing to put efforts out toward people they don't have instead of showing some customer appreciation for the ones that have stuck with them.
Or as Blizzard calls you now, "suckers".
(cutaia) Mar 6th 2012 5:02PM
Here you go:
http://www.mmo-champion.com/