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[GDJustin]

http://www.gamedaily.com/pc/article/?id=7442&game_id=2475&source=00001

Press Release:

AT&T and Blizzard Entertainment today announced plans to create a secure hosting solution for the launch of Blizzard's massively multiplayer online role-playing game, World of Warcraft. When the game launches later this year, thousands of players from across North America will be able to adventure securely through Blizzard's epic world, thanks in part to the robust and reliable hosting services offered by AT&T.

Under the terms of the agreement, AT&T will provide enhanced storage space and bandwidth capabilities for Blizzard's entertainment software applications. Additionally, the hosting solution will significantly strengthen the dependability and scalability of Blizzard's online presence. Included with AT&T's services are load-balancing capabilities that will allow for seamless access to all of the interactive features found in Blizzard's virtual world. AT&T will provide these hosting services through its Internet Data Centers (IDCs) in Los Angeles and Redwood City, Calif., and Ashburn, Va.

"As we prepare to launch our first massively multiplayer online game, we know that secure, fast and reliable hosting services are essential to support the World of Warcraft community and satisfy the expectations of online gamers," stated Paul Sams, senior vice president of business operations for Blizzard Entertainment. "This hosting solution will deliver the speed, reliability and security that we and our multiplayer audience have come to expect from Blizzard games."


AT&T is currently hosting the North American portion of Blizzard's beta test for World of Warcraft, for which more than 400,000 players signed up to help balance the game and ensure stability for an international launch later this year. In addition to providing hosting for World of Warcraft, the new agreement significantly expands the hosting services that AT&T currently provides Blizzard Entertainment for Battle.net.

AT&T owns and operates 22 IDCs around the world and expects to have 25 by the end of the year.

 

[IJoel]

How about they release the fucking game already?

 

[GDJustin]

lol it's gonna be a while. A lot of stuff still needs to be implemented into the beta, let alone final bug testing/squashing.

 

[element]

as long as they get rid of the stupid bit torrent patch system!! sucks it takes a full day to download a major patch, since no one is seeding.

 

[SyNapSe]

wtf. I didn't know AT&T did server-hosting..

 

[AeroGod]

lol it's gonna be a while. A lot of stuff still needs to be implemented into the beta, let alone final bug testing/squashing.

Not everything makes it into retail, some it can wait for patches/expansions. As long as the servers are stable and there arnt any gigantic game ruing bugs it will get released. The powers that be want this game out ASAP so they can start making money off of it. As soon as its ready and in a acceptable state its going to come out. The currently rumored date of mid-November sounds about right.

 

[MrPing1000]

hurry up european beta I'm bored

 

[SiegfriedFM]

It sure can't be released in the current state, but with the next patch (probably late September) we should reach the final level cap, and after that it's just bug fixing and fine tuning.

 

[GDJustin]

Not everything makes it into retail, some it can wait for patches/expansions. As long as the servers are stable and there arnt any gigantic game ruing bugs it will get released. The powers that be want this game out ASAP so they can start making money off of it. As soon as its ready and in a acceptable state its going to come out. The currently rumored date of mid-November sounds about right.

I think you're misunderstanding the amount of things that aren't in the game, at the moment. I'm not referring to regions or things like that. Half the classes don't even have their talents yet. A lot of PVP stuff has yet to be implemented as well.

 

[akascream]

AT&T has hosted battle.net for years. And I dunno why that comes as such a suprise either, considering thier background.

 

[IJoel]

I think you're misunderstanding the amount of things that aren't in the game, at the moment. I'm not referring to regions or things like that. Half the classes don't even have their talents yet. A lot of PVP stuff has yet to be implemented as well.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

This game won't be released until 2007 knowing Blizzard.

 

[firex]

even as an incomplete beta it's better than any pay MMORPG out there now. I think blizzard can get it delayed until sometime next year, though, if they want to guarantee it being as bug-free as possible for retail. Either that or they're going to do some major patching every couple weeks. They also aren't having all the content open through beta, so some of it (I can think of at least 1 outdoor zone, and 2 or 3 instances and a major worl devent) won't be tested/explored at all. And I know one area isn't even in the game and won't be unlocked until sometime after retail (as free content probably).

That isn't even mentioning other stuff like the hero system (probably going to be added in retail) or an entire continent, or some additional playable races.