Blizzard Brings Back Layering To Control Pandemic-Induced Queues In World Of Warcraft Classic

Blizzard Entertainment has re-implemented layering in World of Warcraft Classic to help control the population in some of its more popular servers as players flock to the game because of the coronavirus lockdowns. Sure, there are other ways to help control queues, including adding more servers and giving out free Character Migration tickets, but according to Blizzard, layering is the most practical solution considering the current situation.

“We’re going to use layering to address the most severe queues. [. . .] Considering the current population issue, both players and our co-workers on the WoW team have wanted to try many different solutions before layering. Some of these can be implemented in days, while others are more radical and come with unknowns, but the global pandemic is happening now, so we don’t have the time necessary for new technology to be developed, tested, and deployed. We have to use the tools we already have to address the overpopulation.”

“Bringing layering back to select realms in WoW Classic is a big step that we don’t take lightly,” says Blizzard. “We’ve been especially careful over the last five weeks, as 100% of our engineers and game designers (and community managers) have been working from home. We’ve put a lot of thought and analysis into doing this right. We will let you know what changes we make, and which realms are affected, as soon as we can.”

Arugal, Benediction, Earthfury, Faerlina, Fairbanks, Herod, Pagle, Sulfuras, and Whitemane have already been layered and are now unavailable for new players and paid character transfers. In addition, Blizzard has also restricted character creation and character transfers to Grobbulus.

Head over to the World of Warcraft Classic official forums to learn more.