Does the Annual Pass guarantee instant beta access?
by Mathew McCurley 
Mar 23rd 2012 at 12:00PM
A number of WoW Annual Pass subscribers are upset over a change to the Annual Pass terms, which now grant access to the Mists of Pandaria beta test over successive invite batches as opposed to the originally advertised "when it goes live." When the Annual Pass was announced at BlizzCon, I had never dreamed that Blizzard would let in press, fan sites, players, Annual Pass holders, opt-in players, and more at the exact same time. It has not been the norm for Blizzard to run things in such a way, but these days, it's hard to expect the norm from Irvine.
My honest reaction to this whole controversy is that in the course of four weeks, it won't be a huge deal because a majority of people looking to get beta access immediately will probably have it. The people who have or had beta access will do what a majority of players do -- play for a little bit, check out the pandas, show their friends, and then they're gone until release day. That's fine and dandy, no doubt about it, but a lot of the rhetoric coming from the community is that beta was a chance for them to try the game and see for themselves. That's not what a beta is about, in principle.
As it turns out, Blizzard has been talking about beta invites going out in waves since shortly after making the announcement at BlizzCon, where beta access for Annual Pass subscribers was confirmed. On Oct. 25, 2011, support forum blue Vrakthris posted:
Vrakthris addresses Mists beta access
Quote:
Should be enough room? Should be?!? Wait a minute. I thought that one of the benefits was guaranteed access to the beta. Your post now leaves me with the following questions (none of which are addressed in the FAQ):
Should be enough room? Should be?!? Wait a minute. I thought that one of the benefits was guaranteed access to the beta. Your post now leaves me with the following questions (none of which are addressed in the FAQ):
Yes, there should be plenty of room, with a smiley face. I'm not entirely certain why you have the impression that you wouldn't be given access to beta. That is one of the benefits of doing the Annual Pass.
Vrakthris addresses Mists beta access
Quote:
Will this access be granted on day one of the beta?
Or is it possible that we won't get access until, say, the last 3 days?
Is there a possibility that we will not be given access to the beta at all?
Will this access be granted on day one of the beta?
Or is it possible that we won't get access until, say, the last 3 days?
Is there a possibility that we will not be given access to the beta at all?
Access to beta is sent out in waves. I don't have details as to what wave you may be in but it will likely be when testing moves to the open beta phase.
No, to the last two questions.
Only two days after wrapping up BlizzCon did Blizzard see things already turn -- numbers have been calculated, and it looks like there are going to be a lot more people in this thing than they thought.
Just poorly worded marketing
Many subscribers are citing the original text of the Annual Pass blog post that said access to the Mists beta would be guaranteed when the beta went live. Mike Morhaime also stated during the opening ceremonies of BlizzCon 2011 that "in addition to getting Diablo III free you will also get guaranteed access into the next World of Warcraft expansion beta when it goes live." You can easily read into his statement that a player will be given immediate access to the beta when it goes live. That's the plain text, right? Well, you don't get to asterisk a press conference, and the statement almost feels a bit puffed up for the fans to get excited about access to the beta.
If we want to get nitpicky, Morhaime focused on the "guaranteed" part of the beta access and not its timetable. "When it goes live" is not necessarily "the moment we flip the switch."
Technically, Annual Pass subscribers have guaranteed access to the Mists of Pandaria beta when it goes live -- a guaranteed spot. Due to foreseeable limitations in server hardware and architecture, in addition to the reasonable expectation of what beta access entails, are we really surprised that it might take some time to dole out the beta invites? What about the very fact that you never have unhindered access to a beta, as there are no promises when the servers will be up or down for testing, since it is not a retail product?
Unforeseen?
Remember when the first successful MMO launched and the servers crashed? You do, because that's how most MMOs enter the market -- crashing and burning before they got out of the gate. The unforeseen dramatic MMO launch is an imagination of the past. These days, you need infrastructure that supports the rush. So why then didn't Blizzard realize that so many people would want into the WoW Annual Pass and have to swap to the beta wave system?
Simple -- Blizzard's never done something like this before. Pets and mounts in the store are one thing, but a year commitment is an entirely different product for a type of gamer who might not even exist. That turned out to not be the case, but could you imagine if we had been at BlizzCon 2011 when Mike Morhaime announced the WoW Annual Pass and the crowd had been silent? You'd be able to see the sun against the Durotar sky, finally not blocked out by the wings of thousands of Tyrael's Chargers.
Business development does all that it can to open up new markets for revenue, and the Annual Pass turned out to be a hit. When the beta became too huge for "immediate" access, the circumstances of the present changed the rules.
Law and our society are concerned about the "reasonable" everything. What does the reasonable man do when he backs his car out of the garage? We need a concept of reasonableness so we can have a point of comparison for our topic of discussion.
The reasonableness of the statement "you will get beta access when it goes live" is sound when the number of people who signed up for the Annual Pass was that of a reasonable beta server, yes? Or, in Blizzard's case, a company of Blizzard's size with the assumed cash flow and operations that come with that size, and a reasonable number of servers for beta testing. When over a million people want in, the task becomes unreasonable. What about the layman who sees beta access and assumes?
One million players downloading the Mists of Pandaria client, even over a peer-to-peer system like the Blizzard downloader, is still taxing. Then there is the back end process of creating invitations, flagging accounts, running support, fielding a million more phone calls about a technically unsupported beta ...
Do you see where this is heading? A million people signed up for the Annual Pass. More sign up every day. More people signed up for the Annual Pass than most MMOs have in total population. The Mists of Pandaria beta client alone is already a healthier, larger game than tons of MMOs out there. Blizzard should have expected this response -- and for the most part, it did.
Game development is fluid
Making promises about game development is a fool's errand. Ask any game developer. The best you can do is trust in the schedule and milestones, arm yourself to the teeth with food and high spirits, and make a damn good game. Somehow, it all works.
Zarhym posted about the current state of the beta and what is available to the tiny number of people who got in so far, which have mainly been press, an initial small wave of opt-ins (most likely to test the system and get people downloading the client), and some Annual Pass subscribers (again, to see if all the knobs and switches work.) Currently, the continent of Pandaria isn't even up on the beta servers, meaning a good 95% of the game is absent from testing.
Zarhym discusses the Mists beta
Not only are there other threads on the subject of Annual Pass holders not getting invited in this very tiny wave of initial participants -- where the continent of Pandaria isn't yet available -- this one is incredibly misleading.
The Mists beta is, as of this point, an extremely limited experience. You can throw a million people onto four servers and watch them complain on the forums, but that's not really fun. I have a feeling that this could all have been avoided if Blizzard let everyone download the client and only give access to the invite waves, just to placate those who wanted to have the client ready to go when they did get invited.
Expectation
Is it our fault for being excited about a compelling program? Not at all. Should we expect clarification from Blizzard? I think an explanation of the terms is perfectly acceptable. Remember, at least you're getting in before the unwashed masses, and the players who signed up day one of the Annual Pass are getting priority.
The real issue here is not the commitment made or the money paid but something deeper. Many players had the assumption and expectation of how things work without understanding the mechanics behind a million-person live roll-out of a game admittedly not ready for release. The real problem is that players' feelings were hurt immediately after an exciting information reveal.
How will Blizzard rectify this situation? I don't think it has to. Players, however, feel like the company must answer. Over the course of the next few weeks, everyone in the Annual Pass promotion will most likely get the chance to be a part of the beta like they were promised -- a place to log in to once or twice, roll around on a pandaren, and log out until release.
Boilerplate warning
Edit: I added a bit to this paragraph to make its intent a bit more clear. Please excuse me.
This one is going to hurt. Oh, this is going to be painful, specifically for those of you emailing me about subscribing after the wording was changed. If you're one of those people who gets a little queasy around boilerplate, you're going to want to scroll back up. I'm so sorry. Just rip the Band-Aid. Just rip the Band-Aid...
Provision included in original Annual Pass terms
Offer subject to change without notice. No delay or omission by Blizzard Entertainment in exercising or enforcing any right or remedy contained in this offer shall operate as a waiver thereof or of any other legal right or remedy available to Blizzard Entertainment.
This column is for entertainment only; if you need legal advice, contact your lawyer. For comments or general questions about law or for The Lawbringer, contact Mat at mat@wowinsider.com.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, The Lawbringer
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 10)
emberdione Mar 23rd 2012 1:17PM
Then they should have said that Beta Access would be granted across a section of computers, video cards, os that would help them compatibility test. Then they should have said people will previous ptr and beta experience would get in first. BUT THEY DIDN'T.
The point is, they said they were allowing access ONE way, and then did it a different way. They need to be clear on this to prevent people getting upset. Communication and all that.
(My account has been active since 2005, that's why I said it that way instead of saying I started it in 2005.)
Sir Broose Mar 23rd 2012 1:44PM
I think they meant that's how they were going to sort out the annual pass subscriptions sub-set, after they met the other criteria needed for the testing. This is not a game ready to play. The beta has a purpose. It would be counter-productive to let in all 1,000,000 annual pass subscribers before they even started looking at other factors that actually matter in the test process. If there are looking for certain system criteria, and there are annual pass-holders who meet that criteria, then they probably get dibs. Otherwise, they have to get the mix of systems they want first. Then they bring in, wave by wave, more and more people, giving preference to annual pass holders, sorted by time played and date purchased.
That is how they are sorting the annual pass entries, but that doesn't mean that all annual pass entries are going in first or that other criteria of your system can't trump those 2 factors. They are trying to do this in a reasonable way so they get the data they need from the beta test process. How can that not be the appropriate way to do this?
emberdione Mar 23rd 2012 2:07PM
@SirBooze
I never said it wasn't an appropriate way to do it. I am a game designer, I know how beta tests work. I am saying, if they weren't going to do it that way, they shouldn't have said they were. I am saying their communication was faulty and broken. They should have said, hey, after this date we are bringing in Annual Pass subs. Or explained that x number of waves would be a blend, etc etc.
You all seem to think that I am mad I didn't get in, when I am not. I am mad that they said they were going to let people in one way, then let them in another.
slythwolf Mar 23rd 2012 2:35PM
I would imagine that the accounts to be granted access in any given wave are determined by a random number generator from the accounts eligible for access (everyone who has opted in to the beta) based on some kind of weighted system, with people who signed up for an annual pass earlier having a greater chance than those who signed up later or not at all, and those who have had WoW accounts for longer having a greater chance than those who have not. Metaphorically speaking, and for the pet collectors in the house, it's like the difference between farming the Gundrak Hatchling and the Hyacinth Macaw. The first has a 1 in 1000 chance to drop, the second a 1 in 8000, but that doesn't mean that it can't take you more kills to farm your baby raptor than it does for me to farm my technicolor bird.
Skarn Mar 23rd 2012 3:55PM
If it helps (it doesn't, I'm sure) there is at least one person in the Mists beta that created his account before you and has been playing longer than you. (Yeah, that's me.)
Regardless, I would appreciate some clarification from Blizzard on how they decided which people get in. Not because I'm bothered (not much), but because I'm curious.
The Dewd Mar 23rd 2012 12:31PM
I bought the annual pass because I couldn't forsee my NOT playing WoW for the next 12 months. Sure, I've taken a break but I'm still going to get D3 and I'm going to get my beta access. As others have said, anyone who bought it is going to get into the beta, they just need to understand how things work.
Sure, Blizzard could have invested in a TON of hardware and set up more beta servers up front - but that's pretty risky especially given that they have to find something to do with those once the beta is over.
Jaq Mar 23rd 2012 12:30PM
I never expected all of the people who signed up to get instant, as soon as it goes live, Beta access. And honestly I don't want it until Pandaria is more complete. I'm not shocked at the QQ though, because the forum going crowd is the biggest bunch of whiny, entitled complainers in history. The hoops they jump through to put Blizzard at fault are astounding.
eleoth08 Mar 23rd 2012 12:32PM
Okay Mat my dear... this is yet another topic where a quote from our favorite author is required:
We have normality. I repeat, we have normality. Anything you still can't cope with is therefore your own problem.
~Douglas Adams
aminnocci Mar 23rd 2012 12:32PM
It's a trust thing, I guess. No, what Blizzard is doing isn't illegal. You might be able to claim it's breach of contract, but as I understand Blizzard CS is willing to tear up the contract if you ask them to.
I guess when I signed up on Day 1, I didn't really sit and consider the logistics of the offer thoroughly. I figured Blizzard knew what it was doing. I signed up before the clarification on the Blizzard CS forums (not really the best place to do that, is it?)
I mean, EVERYONE should be able to see how a lot of people were confused. This blog was confused itself:
http://wow.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/blizzard-announces-world-of-warcraft-annual-pass/
Am I mad that I'm not in beta yet? A little bit. I'm a day 1 player with a day 1 annual pass. It's not anger over missing out on something great - beta is beta, it's more a feeling of Blizzard not valuing me enough. Finding out opt-ins got in over Annual Pass players was pretty upsetting. Not getting more communication on the issue is even more upsetting. Finding out the staff of certain StarCraft websites were invited too was a bit upsetting.
You know what would make it okay? Mike Morhaime saying "Guys, I'm sorry. We'll get you all in as fast as possible. We goofed." Instead it seems Blizzard CMs are just perturbed that anyone would be upset by this, the higher ups are quiet, and there are plenty of fanboys backing them up. The internet lawyers drive me really insane.
I'm sure I'll get into the beta soon. It won't be my first beta, so my expectations will be that it'll be a beta. But will I trust a Blizzard promise when it comes to the next annual pass style offer? Probably not. I'll just read the contract and ignore any of their marketing and PR materials, and if the contract doesn't feel right to me, I won't commit to paying them for 12 months.
Atanae Mar 23rd 2012 12:33PM
I agree 100%
I've been playing since 2005, and my subscription up-time was 100%. I also opted in to the Annual Pass the day it was announced. I don't have a beta invite and I'm not upset.
This is beta for a game that is going to define my wow experiences for the next year. I don't want the beta to be treated half-assed. I am more than happy for Blizzard to manage the process so beta does what it is supposed to do, which is shake out the bugs and the weirdness and provide us with a polished end-product.
I just don't get the hysteria. Getting in now, or a month from now, has no impact. Unless people think they get to keep their "progression" or their beta toons, which you won't be able to do anyway. So what's the rush, especially for folks who can't/won't contribute meaningful feedback as far as quest, boss and class mechanics? You'll be able to roll your Pandas off cliffs just as much in July as you will in March.
Johnbishopbrown2 Mar 23rd 2012 12:35PM
Thank the good lord for wow insider - I hope this article spreads like wild fore and it quiets the obnoxious horrendous outcry about this all. I got the annual pass to and em thankful I didn't get in with first wave - I would rather what Untill at least pandaria is available to get in there and help find bugs or mistakes to fully enjoy and help with the beta process
Again wow insider great article.
mattmac123 Mar 23rd 2012 12:35PM
the boilerplate warning would not apply to an existing Annual pass contract. Once the first payment has been made, the promises of BOTH sides are binding. The offer nay be subject to change without notice - but not for existing sign-ups. lets be clear about that (not enough space to debunk most of the guff you have written in this "Article")
Youre trying to make excuses for Blizzard with rubbish reasonings. The "peer to peer servers couldn't handle 1million users at once" one made me laugh - i wonder how they cope on expac launch nights with 10million people using the Blizz downloader at once?!!
Jaq Mar 23rd 2012 12:38PM
Well, as the data needed to run MoP will be downloaded in the huge 5.0 patch before MoP drops, and all you need to do upon it going live is entering your CD key and download a minimal amount (for Cata I think it was 120 MB) that's not exactly going to be a problem...
mattmac123 Mar 23rd 2012 12:40PM
yeah you missing the point - p2p networks do not have a "load" they are as strong as the peers they connect to. And trust me, when that massive 5gigs of cataclysm patch was paunched (a couple of weeks before launch night) EVERYONE downloaded it at once.
rovingbandit21 Mar 23rd 2012 12:55PM
Try telling that to your Credit Card Bank. Or your Mobile Phone Company. Or your Cable Provider. Or your...
el Mar 23rd 2012 12:35PM
The conclusion is rather US-centric: In much of Europe, consumer protection legislation can carry weight over contract. So one can't advertise something and then simply boiler-plate it out, as one can in the US: The contract remains solid, but the advertising still upsets the authorities.
The catch for players is that consumer protection legislation generally isn't a personal matter. Normally the aforementioned authority investigates and takes action, which only happens in cases of endemic miss-selling. And, to my knowledge, such action doesn't extend to the deployment of Apache helicopters...
mattmac123 Mar 23rd 2012 12:41PM
THIS
jfofla Mar 23rd 2012 12:36PM
If Blizzard is letting random opt ins into the Beta before AP members, that is horrible.
Jaq Mar 23rd 2012 12:39PM
No, it isn't.
You were promised beta access. Not when, or for how long. You were promised Beta access.
Why is this so flipping hard to understand?
Plainswander Mar 23rd 2012 12:44PM
Jaq: because it's marketing. And letting "random anyone" (a.k.a. not media, not fansites, just random users) in before AP holders is Bad Marketing. It sends the wrong message, and presents the wrong image. And I'm betting AP holders are, on average, some of the more dedicated, and vocal players.
Blizzard is TOTALY within their rights to do what they're doing, I'm not questioning that at all. STaggered waves is probably the best way to handle it, from a technological and testing P.O.V. But from a marketing/end-user perspective? This is very very messy.