At the end of 2024, Blizzard opened anniversary servers for WoW Classic, resetting everything to the beginning once again. Now these servers are reaching a milestone – and a whole bunch of people are quitting. The reason behind this might be a frowned-upon cheat, some users claim.
For the 20th anniversary of WoW Blizzard opened new servers for WoW Classic. These servers will go through the game’s cycle one more time, starting from the state of the release in 2004 through various raids to The Burning Crusade in the course of 2025.
Now, about a quarter of a year after the servers opened, many players suddenly report independently that numerous acquaintances from their guilds or elsewhere are taking a break. This happens repeatedly, but that it is happening all at once now seems strange.
That’s why the timing is curious: On March 20, Phase 3 for the anniversary servers was launched. This brings, among other things, class quests for level 50 and, above all, one of the most popular raids of all time, the Blackwing Lair.
Actually, such an update is more of a reason to check back into the game rather than to disappear. Nevertheless, that is exactly what is happening in many places. There are repeated reports of people taking a “break” – right now.
On Reddit, players have now speculated that the claims of those taking breaks might not be entirely accurate.
“Just admit it”
Users suspect that the people who are no longer playing are not really taking a break. Or at least not voluntarily. They think that there is a temporary ban from Blizzard behind it, which is simply embarrassing for them.
WoW Classic has a problem with bots that the developers are continuously fighting, but which players keep noticing. Consequently, there are sometimes absurd prices for reagents and consumables that are considered prerequisites for raiding.
The solution for many players now is to buy gold in the game for real money, known as “Real Money Trading,” or RMT for short. However, this is strictly prohibited by Blizzard and is punished with bans. Claiming to take a break is simply embarrassing:
Just swallow it. Who cares? Just admit that you bought gold. I have more respect for someone who owns up to it than for a lame excuse for a vacation. The only thing lower would be blaming your wife or kids.
Guy777 on Reddit
Another user agrees. If you admit that you bought gold, you’ll be laughed at for 5 minutes, and then the matter will be forgotten. If you deny it all, you will be the topic of conversation in the guild for 2 weeks.
However, others argue that a ban doesn’t have to be the reason for a “break”. Especially the high prices for raid consumables, such as potions, elixirs, and the like, are simply a reason for many to burn out.
Having to constantly farm gold just to go raiding is not fun. Taking a break and coming back later with The Burning Crusade is the plan for some players.
There is also currently an exodus of a small but well-known group from the hardcore servers: the guild OnlyFangs. After a few trolls destroyed several characters from the guild, Blizzard reacted, but it seems the air has gone out: Blizzard changes rules for WoW Classic Hardcore to prevent the end of OnlyFangs, but they only plan one last raid
