#0 - Aug. 24, 2006, 11:33 p.m.
Q u o t e:
Update August 23rd
While the population has increased in general, the status is still much the same.
Normal / PvE: two realms are recommended, and Wildhammer would be if it wasn't one of the few realms eligible as a destination realm for PCT. There are currently four eligible destination realms though, so Wildhammer may be Recommended again next week.
PvP: still a lot of realms able to fit more players, while the number of Recommended realms is being kept deliberately low. The population is increasing fairly steadily on the lower populated realms though.
RP: only a former migration realm is currently Recommended, and the population is fairly high on all four realms.
RP PvP: as before, two Recommended, none Full.
If the numbers continue to increase this way we're likely to open a new RP realm soon. However, we would like to open at least another PvE realm at the same time, and possibly even a PvP one, to not have non-RPers roll on a new RP realm. We're thus balancing it between the urgency of a new RP realm and the lower population on PvE and especially PvP realms. We'll keep you updated.
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Update August 2nd
We're still tracking realm population every week, and it's time for a little update on the topic of new realms.
Normal / PvE: Only one Recommended realm, though several other realms have had the tag added and removed over the last few weeks. With the stable increase in total realm type population it's likely we'll open a new PvE realm very soon.
PvP: Six Recommended realms, though the number is deliberately kept low to focus rerolling and new players on a few realms. Total realm type population is increasing, but there's still many realms who'd benefit from more players. No plans for additional realms.
RP: Two Recommended realms, two with some queues. The cap on Steamwheedle Cartel was too low by mistake, and was corrected this week. No plans for additional realms, but apart from PvE this is the most likely realm type to open soon if the growth on the particular realm type continues.
RP PvP: Two Recommended realms, no realms with queues. No plans for additional realms.
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Original post
We'd like to just give a small update on the topic of new realms.
Opening new realms is based on population on existing realms and expected population increase in the time ahead. We aim for a thriving population on all realms, adjusting this with migration and the Recommended tags. As long as the majority of the fairly new realms of a given type has the Recommended tag we generally do not consider opening new realms of the type.
Opening new realms is not based on whether we expect a new realm to fill up quickly, i.e. "popular request" is not considered a main argument for opening new realms.
Additionally, the argument of "ganking" making older PvP realms being unsuitable for starting new characters is not weighted heavily. This is the nature of any realm with a PvP ruleset, including any "fresh" realm within a month. If this was to be a factor in considering new realms we would need to open PvP realms every month resulting in a large number of very empty realms. And opening new realms then merging low populated ones in a never-ending cycle is not considered a good solution to a problem that can be avoided altogether.
Status at the moment
Normal / PvE: Aerie Peak opened last week, and is filling up nicely. Eonar (opened in April) is Recommended, and more realms are likely to receive the tag on Wednesday. No new PvE realm planned at this time, but if Aerie Peak continues to grow like it has so far this might change soon.
PvP: Jaedenar, Vek'Nilash and Boulderfist (opened in April) all Recommended, together with 10+ other realms. Some older realms at low population following migration and currently receiving migration to change this. No plans for new realms until further notice.
RP: Steamwheedle Cartel is Recommended, but Moonglade can also take a good influx of players. No plans to open a new realm at this time.
RP PvP: Two of four realms recommended, the latest one (Ravenholdt) opened in April. No plans for new realms at this time.
