Letter and Video Status
Mark: Reminder that the open letter and video reading of letter will be posted Monday. Thanks!
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723642117776543745
DanielS37637433: Hey :D Whats your next step concerning the petition ?
Mark: Video and open letter going out Monday. Printing will be ready Monday night.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723862585926258688
FrederikJeppes4: Hows the printing, video and stuff going? :D
Mark: Letter is done, charging up the video camera. Printing done by Mon eve. But today, PATHFINDER with friends!
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723881322112905217
About WOW itself! Lots of juicy new information :)
Corrahn: Poster from my wall @Grummz I think that is you top right :)
Mark: Yep, that's me.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723040373874954242
vomiting_cat: Look at Oldschool Runescape's success. Look at Nostalrius and now Kronos/Lordaeron. Sometimes feels like, you're wrong?
Mark: Blizzard was pretty sure WoW should be cancelled to, until I convinced them to try.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723670297405054978
Mark: They all seem to forget I saved WoW from cancellation and got it shipped in the first place.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723552778308608000
Khayotix: tell us the story Mark! What happened that the game needed saving? History lesson time!
Mark: The game was in shambles, the lead left to start Arena. net. Blizzard said, no way to continue
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723553532465418240
Mark: I said I would join the team, find a new lead prog and help turn the game around. They let me try.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723553713042821124
icze4lion: Why didnt you save that game about Thrall?
Mark: I helped cancel that one.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723556496722681856
icze4lion: Srs question tho, why did you cancel it?
Mark: The adv game was cancelled because the 3rd party developing it was hopelessly behind and it was bad
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723558729124192257
icze4lion: Ah ok. Out of curiosity, how bad are we talking here?
Mark: Inventory was hardcode for every screen. one UI change = 500 changes.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723559789565878272
Mark: I'll be honest. I don't remember us making the the Emerald Dream or why. We made so many damn zones, not all shipped.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723726941954576384
Mark: There was a version of Medivh's tower that we build with Radiant that could work in the Quake engine :)
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723727815934267392
Mark: Also, Stormwind was our first city. It has canals because we were worried about draw distances. I came in with a map of Venice.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723728145854001153
Mark: One day I loaded the game and, as I entered Stormwind, the song "We built this City" started playing.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723728445646114820
Bitehattori: Was undercity supposed to be a raid at first? i heard it was to be the lich kings base.
Mark: No, it was always designed to be a city.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723727545623957504
Xenomorphica: it sucked dicks as a standard city. it was really good as a city when used in conflicts though
Mark: Yeah, we didn't know what we were doing with Cities on our first time. Ironforge was ideal.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723728783723786240
CLG_PewPewU: when creating Durotar did you have any idea how central Crossroads was going to be to Horde players as a social hangout?? :)
Mark: Haha, we had NO idea. But we loved that it happened.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723729681296420865
CLG_PewPewU: that's just awesome hahhaha. One more question, what's a vanilla zone that you wish got more love from players? Ferales? Bad Lands?
Mark: Gosh, never thought of it that way. If a zone was unused we felt like it was our fault.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723730086508154880
Drsoviet: Happen to know what "Beggar's Haunt" was supposed to be in darkshire?
Mark: Remember, not everything went through an approval pipeline. Zone designers often put stuff in we had no idea was there.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723731412608638976
PixelCanuck: Might be tough to answer, but roughly what percentage of content for WoW do you think gets cut vs makes it into the game?
Mark: For vanilla, prob 20% didn't make it. hard to say.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723732189993537537
Bitehattori: Any idea if this cave was to be any use? Searing Gorge, next to BRM.
Mark: You guys are killing me :) Azeroth was BIG.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723735424355573760
Mark: It used to be half as wide. Then one day we realized we needed to make it wider. Cut and paste was helpful for that.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723736818508648453
Jindo47: Was this that Medivh's tower you were refering to?
Mark: No, even earlier than that. We built like 4 different versions.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723736479269158913
acidennis: what's the main WoW's server language? C++? and C++ & Lua for Client? thanks!
Mark: C++. Lua only used for UI.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723892350552928256
ThatDamnedGamer: when vanilla was first launched there was a rumor that the barrens was taken from EQ2, any truth to that?
Mark: No, but Westfall used to be named Westwood..after a certain RTS company.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723740064606355458
(R.I.P. Westwood)
About the WOW Devs
In reference to J Allen Brack
Nate Parke: I don't know if i'd rather have those petitions dropped off at Mike Morhaime's office or this guy's office.
Mark: I don't even know that guy. Wasn't on original team.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/722871229657403392
Esaugs: if you dont mind me asking, why was it you stopped working on WoW and at Blizz?
Mark: I was exhausted and wasn't sure i wanted to work on games after that massive effort on WoW
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723006422191996929
KC_Rhino: What if Blizzard wants to bring back Legacy servers and wants you to be there? Would you accept? Or stay retired?
Mark: No, I don't think so. :) I'd play though.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723017542290153472
OliverKnittel1: so many think you want to return @Grummz but your only skin in the game is, beeing able to play old WoW with your Wife and maybe kids
Mark: I have no interest in returning to Blizzard. I have a large interest in playing again.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723018524738785281
Jonathan_Ljung: Sorry if you have been asked this before :) Why did you stop working at Blizzard?
Mark: WoW was a massive effort and crunch. I was burned out. Left six months after ship. Also, not interested in going back.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723024279206387712
Saches95: http://wowwiki.wikia.com/wiki/Gillijim's_Isle … have you seen this and the island of Dr. Lapidis yet ?
Mark: I bet Alen Lapidis did that. He was one of your map designers. They used to put in a lot of in-jokes. He's at Daybreak.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723729420985344000
Jindo47: Who is this legendary Chow
Mark: Probably Jeff Chow. One of our fastest (and young at the time) coders.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723742636075417600
Legacy Server Specifics
lucasholter00: The thing is if this goes through, how many years will we have to wait before it goes live?...
Mark: Could be done in under 6 months.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/722871908526530560
Mark retweeted _Caram_: Could be done in 20 minutes if they hire the Nostalrius team...
https://twitter.com/_Caram_/status/722872503878615040
JinxxieSparxson: Why do the signatures need to be printed out instead of giving them digitally? Is it to greater the impact?
Mark: They are getting both, plus a video. And yes, its for the impact. I used to ask that my bug reports be delivered in paper.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/722880138992455680
Hambolt68: Please Add in TBC servers too. :) I have 2+ dozen people who will be coming back with me if we get TBC servers :)
Mark: Yes, we're going to ask for legacy servers "in general" which would include older exp.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723517898061307904
KeftenkDuras: The hate and salt on Blizzard FB comments are real...
Mark: Legacy WoW is no threat to current WoW. Its just another way to enjoy the game.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723640383456976897
Mark: Watching two groups argue that nobody knows the cost to run WoW servers..and completely ignoring me when I say *I* know for sure. lol.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723686014414286848
therealballmer: Try arguing that to some of the forum mathematicians that don't want legacy realms and you'll get met with bullheaded comments!
Mark: Yes, I'm quite sure the forums will tell me I don't know anything about estimating profit and loss on WoW,despite doing it.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723687295669272578
therealballmer: Did you see the numbers for running the Nostalrius servers? They were actually surprisingly low for incredibly stable servers.
Mark: Yes, I know their numbers. And it was dirt cheap.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723688147561783296
T_S_Erik: Then answer my previous questions. Overhead, staff, initials sub, fall off, retention, projected profit.
Mark: I can't give you specific, it would violate my NDA. But I can tell you that the numbers are very favorable.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723687462506123265
therealballmer: If that doesn't shed some light on it, I don't know what does. Blizz could handle the cost to run them professionally.
Mark: Consider Blizzard gets massive volume discounts and economy of scale for their datacenters too.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723689133823004674
T_S_Erik: Because there's always an uptick in nostalgia and novelty, but doesn't predict sustainability. If...
Mark: Blizzard would recoup their costs in the first month of running legacy WoW, easily.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723692374812041217
lynn0p: Have you ever played with MANGOS at all? How does it compare to the official server code?
Mark: I scanned the source very, very briefly. Its not put together like a real WoW server at all.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723866994571767808
Legacy Server Petition
Mark: Players aren't alone in wanting WoW to be more like it was. Most devs I know feel the same way. #YouThinkYouDoButYouDont
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723014795234922496
slickmish: hey mark what you're about to do, is it going to annoy blizzard and damage your rep with them?
Mark: Its just a petition. If it annoys Blizzard that pretty short sighted of them.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723003743310995457
casper5923: Dont you think its funny that Blizzard dosnt respond to shit? I think they are scared and are making the servers right as we speak!
Mark: lol.I wish.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/722878028900990977
warrenbladen: don't get me wrong by asking this question but what we are all doing the petition the forums the letter and everything will it work?
Mark: I think it will get a response.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723007637718097922
ixMyth: Do you think it'll be an actual response? Or another #YouThinkYouDoButYouDont?
Mark: I can't imagine Mike not giving a real response. I think we'd all be shocked.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723014278215663616
davidloho: Seriously, thank you for all you've done.
Mark: I'll do my best. Rest is up to Mike.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723014518452817920
ixMyth: Just hope they realize the true amount of support behind this. And that 99% of us are willing to pay sub to play it..
Mark: I'm starting to see that!
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723014944728305664
MankeyFranky: Is there any possibility Mike already knows about the petition?
Mark: Most likely, I think. So many have been tweeting at him.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723017716735463425
I_are_Jason: how would you bring back legacy alongside retail? If it were up to you? I.e would it be as simple as a subscription to play? Curious
Mark: Yep. I think it could be that simple. Because I believe it will bring back 1-2M wow players, who will also play new WoW.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723018953946058752
freefear3: Do you think Mike knows about this plan to send it to him? Maybe he's preparing to the whole "Sorry, I can't do that"
Mark: Probably does know. Clould just as easily be preparing for a great PR moment for Bliz.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723047653966143489
obie1208: Mark, be honest... How hopeful are you feeling about this actually all going through how we'd like? #YouThinkYouDoButYouDont #Kern
Mark: Honestly? I have no idea. My gut says 50/50
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723520960670789632
VartixGaming: Do you think Blizzard will be selfish and say "For years we have been thinking about releasing Legacy severs" and so on?
Mark: Really don't care if they do. Just want legacy servers!
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723542352434876420
graversen94: when do you expect an official statement from Bliz? One should think that any conpetent communicator had one ready already.
Mark: Pretty much as soon as I hit send, if they respond at all, they already know about it.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723555309298405379
Bamboozie123: @Grummz at this point right now, what do you realistically think our odds of Legacy servers are.
Mark: Not sure at all. Its pretty much up in the air.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723668925481816065
Mark: It would be astoundingly stupid for Blizzard to let a 220k petition pass by in silence.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723669098660433920
KaedzIsBack: @Grummz lots of wow players dont believe that this petition can make blizzard change its mind.Otherwise it would have 1 million sign already
Mark: Think about if they put that aside and we had 1M signatures. No way Blizzard could say no.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723682384806350848
RinneganTV: Why 250..we already met the goal
Mark: Because the more we have the better our chances our with Blizzard.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723682498845143040
legacydotes: What do you think about @Warcraft ignoring every comment about Legacy servers. Are they not allowed to respond to to public?
Mark: Ya, they won't be allowed to comment on anything controversial without direction from higher up.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723875498456014848
DrEvilGamer: I think you'd have to have the ability for people to roll their own private servers. Ability to have
Open/ closed/ invite…
Mark: Yep, spin them up and down in the cloud.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723885825306451969
Misc Stuff
RNGmonster: Wait wait wait, how do you pass the security with a HUGE box of paper?
Mark: Easy, tell em its PIzza. Devs love pizza.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/722875627741708288
poresmeri: Maybe we can do a rally at Blizzcon or something #YouThinkYouDoButYouDont
Mark: Oh that's interesting. A vanilla fan group at Blizzcon?
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/722876201874755584
Xathian1: http://goo.gl/OIr4J3 ppl who pledged to stream legacy have over 10m followers, Blizzard spends more to make ads to reach 10m ppl
Mark: Thanks for the math! 10M reach is huge for viewers.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723018244496334848
lukesdayout: Seen this yet? https://www.reddit.com/r/Nostalrius/c… we did it reddit?
Mark: So, the GM at Bliz responded to legacy servers positively??? Whoa.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723179562448769026
poresmeri: And that is the other thing they repeat ALL the time @Grummz . I think they don't understand the petition at all XD
Mark: This is not true. I spoke with @NostalBegins and they met and agreed that official Blizzard servers are a good thing
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723185739593224192
Kuilox: Mark, do you legit think blizzard is watching this movement and actually contemplating on it? or do you think they're just MEH idc
Mark: I suspect they are watching.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723318607065825280
TronekLive: Why can't you see it. Leveling used to be so important and rewarding back in the days.
Mark: That super helpful. Interesting...
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723395389055897602
Kanighto: Vanilla will live on! Our experiences are not so easily forgotten.
Mark: Pretty cool graphs!
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723507022642040832
TCG_ZexRow: You wouldn't maintain a server for us :(
Mark: Oh man, way to play the heartstring card. :(
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723684777186861056
ZaryssBro: If Blizzard were to agree to have legacy servers but only if you headed the team, would you do it?
Mark: Oh man, put me in a tight spot. You know I don't care to go back to Bliz. But I love the legacy wow :)
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723866469000306689
Obszczymucha: Don't forget the ring on Monday to gain additional petition Attack Power. Fingers crossed and good luck! :)
Mark: ty :)
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723861180293378049
Mark: When players give you feedback, its rough, it can feel awful to read, and there are often conflicting opinions. But whatever you do...
Mark: ...don't ever let it make you hate your customers or express contempt for them. That way likes ultimate failure.
https://twitter.com/Grummz/status/723869653815058432
