After DDOS Attacks, Blizzard Rolls Back Hardcore WoW Deaths For the First Time (arstechnica.com)
- Reference: 0176815925
- News link: https://games.slashdot.org/story/25/03/25/2019209/after-ddos-attacks-blizzard-rolls-back-hardcore-wow-deaths-for-the-first-time
- Source link: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/03/not-so-permadeath-blizzard-revives-hardcore-wow-characters-killed-by-ddos-attacks/
> World of Warcraft Classic's Hardcore mode has set itself apart from the average MMO experience simply by [1]making character death permanent across the entire in-game realm. For years, Blizzard has [2]not allowed any appeals or rollbacks for these Hardcore mode character deaths, even when such deaths came as the direct result of a server disconnection or gameplay bug. Now, Blizzard says it's modifying that policy somewhat in response to a series of "unprecedented distributed-denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks" undertaken "with the singular goal of disrupting players' experiences." The World of Warcraft developer says it [3]may now resurrect Classic Hardcore characters "at our sole discretion " when those deaths come "in a mass event which we deem inconsistent with the integrity of the game."
WoW's Classic Hardcore made it a hotspot for streamers, especially members of the OnlyFangs Guild, who embraced the challenge that one mistake could end a character's run. However, as Ars Technica reports, a series of DDOS attacks timed with their major livestreamed raids led to character deaths and widespread frustration, prompting streamer sodapoppin to [4]declare the guild's end.
Blizzard responded by updating its Hardcore policy to resurrect characters lost specifically to DDOS attacks. "Recently, we have experienced unprecedented distributed-denial-of-service (DDOS) attacks that impacted many Blizzard game services, including Hardcore realms, with the singular goal of disrupting players' experiences," WoW Classic Associate Production Director Clay Stone [5]wrote in a public message . "As we continue our work to further strengthen the resilience of WoW realms and our rapid response time, we're taking steps to resurrect player-characters that were lost as a result of these attacks."
[1] https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23973734/rules-of-engagement-classic-hardcore-is-coming-to-world-of-warcraft
[2] https://www.shacknews.com/article/136780/world-of-warcraft-classic-hardcore-realms-interview
[3] https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/03/not-so-permadeath-blizzard-revives-hardcore-wow-characters-killed-by-ddos-attacks/
[4] https://www.reddit.com/r/wowclassic/comments/1ji81w2/sodapoppin_declares_the_end_of_onlyfangs/
[5] https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/wow/t/in-response-to-the-ddos-attacks/2082423
Good intentions, perverse incentives (Score:4, Insightful)
I understand that this is done with good intentions, but the problem is that it creates perverse incentives. While I don't think most players or guilds would go this far, what's to stop someone from setting up a DDOS attack against Blizzard servers that they can set off whenever something goes wrong and it looks like death would be imminent?
I don't know if WoW players are quite so unhinged, but I remember plenty of stories from EVE where rivals in a battle would find out where the captain of an important ship or alliance lived so they could cut his power and knock him out of the game.
Official hardcore mode wasn't something that WoW was ever really designed for and it's kind of impressive that players managed to progress as much as they had.
Diablo 2 has had hardcore mode for years. (Score:2)
How are permanent deaths new, exactly? Diablo 2 has always had a hardcore mode since its inception and it's been great to play - full of commitment, innovative, careful strategies as well as endless amounts of cries and despair from its players. Just what you'd expect from the deepest levels of hell.
Re: Diablo 2 has had hardcore mode for years. (Score:1)
But in all of the other versions you could not die while sitting on town. If you disconnect at anytime or anyplace you die. It sucks.
Re: (Score:2)
> How are permanent deaths new, exactly? Diablo 2 has always had a hardcore mode since its inception and it's been great to play - full of commitment, innovative, careful strategies as well as endless amounts of cries and despair from its players. Just what you'd expect from the deepest levels of hell.
No one said it was unique. It's just that WoW has such a mode as well, which when you consider it's a subscription online service, raises the stakes somewhat since if your internet disconnects, you can lose thou
Re: (Score:2)
It's not. But it's relatively rare in the MMO universe.
I'm told that WoW permadeath servers are super cool. Very dedicated players that are actually helpful and communicative - as those that are not those things get weeded out pretty quick.
Never tried it, myself.
Wow and South Park (Score:2)
WoW stories always make me think of the South Park episode [1]Make Love, Not Warcraft [wikipedia.org] about a "griefer" killing innocent players who is so powerful he can kill the admins. The President of Blizzard and other Board members think it may be possible to kill him with the "Sword of a Thousand Truths" *if* they can get it into the game, but none of them have WoW accounts because they, "have a life". [2]Full transcript. [fandom.com]
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Make_Love,_Not_Warcraft
[2] https://southpark.fandom.com/wiki/Make_Love,_Not_Warcraft/Script
a worthless move (Score:1)
So only when enough people complain they MIGHT get off of the tower of power and do something??? I quite D4 a few months after release as hardcore deaths occur any and any place. If you are resting in town were it is impossible to die you die. Never worked that way in any other Diablo version but these developers had just gotten out of high school and havenâ(TM)t a clue.
Doesn't matter (Score:2)
It's still a stupid policy for an already stupid game mode in an MMO.
Respect for blizzard, but.......yea (Score:1)
Never was WoWkin. And hardcore mode? They give that platform too much credit while massaging the creepy vets.
Re: Respect for blizzard, but.......yea (Score:2)
Unfortunately it was his urine