Battlegroup offline: Emberstorm and Whirlwind

I'll choose this thread for the main.

We are aware of the realm issues on both the Emberstorm and the Whirlwind Battlegroups. Our Realm Technicians are looking into.

We will provide what updates we can when they are made available.

Sorry about that folks, I didn't notice the cap was approaching. I'm expecting an update shortly so I will return as soon as I can.

As promised.

UPDATE:

Our Realm Technicians have located the source of the issue and are working to restore these realms to a playable state as quickly as possible.

I do not currently have an estimate on when the realms may come back online but I will be certain to pass along any updates as soon as they become available.

Thank you all for your continued patience.

Q u o t e:
You're not allowed to tell us what the actual problem is, are you?

I haven't been made aware of the actual issue but from some of the reports I've seen it may have been a power issue that caused most of this.

Q u o t e:

But credit for time lost is always a nice gesture to customers.

Such compensation is usually decided on after the issue has been resolved though not by the Game Master department. If you believe such compensation is necessary for this unexpected downtime of these realms it is recommended that a post is made with such a request in the Suggestion forum where those who make such determinations can review the request.

Compensation credit is provided now and then for extensive downtime you can usually view these credits by visiting your account management page.

https://www.worldofwarcraft.com/account/payment-history.html

Q u o t e:
Give it to us straight Blues, are the realms coming back up tonight?

People are just gonna sit here and wait till they come up, would be better for everyone if we knew.

That is the plan, Ecs. The only update I have received thus far is our Technicians letting us know that the issue is still being worked on and they haven't forgotten about us. :)

It does appear that the Unable to Connect issue that many experienced earlier was related to the issue that Emberstorm and Whirlwind have been experiencing. Though that was able to be resolved for the majority of players.

I am truly thankful for everyone's patience while this issue is being worked on.

As always, as soon as I receive any additional information I will pass it along.

Q u o t e:
It's ok cause we just gonna keep discussing Waffles and Pancakes bro. what you like?

Hmm, I've always been more fond of Waffles. :)

Q u o t e:
Many Thanks Vrak :) But as was mentioned before, how will this affect Maintenance Tuesday?

I'm not certain, I believe it will need to carry on normally.

Q u o t e:

Thanks for the update, Vrak ^_^.

What exactly do you do while you're waiting on something to happen in the forums >.>

When is something not happening on the forums? *laughs* I am unfamiliar with a time like that. :D

Q u o t e:
Tell me why a blue would post? There sitting there laughing to hard at how many pages this has reached, and waiting to see how many pissed off people they get since they allow this crap. personally, a BLUE needs to make a post and put some answer's there for us all.

The CS forum is moderated by the Game Master staff, Purrfection, we post because we understand that people would like to know that their issue is being looked into and be provided with what updates are available.

We understand the frustration that this is causing and are here to help provide what information we can but we aren't realm technicians so we are not able to provide any additional details. We aren't laughing at how many pages this thread has reached.

Q u o t e:
Having stepped away for 10 mins I come back and there was 15 pages "new". And trying to sift through the crap to find 1 blue answer is stupid.

Luckily you don't have to, Purrfection, you simply need to click on the Blizz symbol in the post and you will be taken to the next post made by a Blizzard Poster.

Q u o t e:
Since some of us have things todo IRL other then troll forums. this is the lamest thread of junk i have seen so far. and the mer fact that blizzard is allowing this only brings me to think they have a 12 year old blue posting in the forums with updates.

Thanks for saying so, Purrfection, I try and moisturize so that keeps me looking young. Frankly as long as the code of conduct is adhered to I am fine in allowing players to post. That's my decision, not yours.

Q u o t e:
What was the source of the issue anyway? Assuming they told you and you could understand what they said.

The last update I received indicated power failure. I'm not certain if that was external or internal. The issue has been resolved but it caused other issues which are being worked on now.

Q u o t e:
It just gets rather annoying sifting through it all. Since I know the short way, you won;t see me complain about 50+ pages of silly things.

i'm not complaining about the down time. it happens, and nothing we can do about it. Just got annoyed trying to find your posts.

Understandable, the forums are moving rather quickly today. :)

Everyone, as I mentioned, as long as you remain within the bounds of the Code of Conduct I will allow off topic discussion. I'll be back with any updates I can get.

Q u o t e:

I have a bag of M&M's with your name on it, and would like to give them to you. Should I send it to the Blizzard company in California?

Yes, I'm in Irvine, California. I will have the bomb stiffing dogs and the poison tasters standing by, Cicosis. :D

Q u o t e:
Vrakthris, Does blizzard place a timer on how often you can post? Would this be the reason on why we only see you post in this thread on updates about every 15-20 minutes?

=)

*laughs* No, but I generally don't post every X amount of time to say "nothing new to report" I find that tends to annoy people. I post now and then to remind people they haven't been forgotten and immediately if I receive an actual update.

Q u o t e:


sad to say but the blizz tracker takes me to the first post you made on here and no where else. each time i click it i go right to that post even if i'm already on that page, so you may wanna have some one look at the coding for that

There's another Blizz symbol located in that post, just click on it and it'll take you to the next post. :)

Q u o t e:
Vrakthris!!! I have something to show you...

I made this in my metal smithing class in honor of wow's 5th aniv,

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg85/spacemanspiff427/DSCN0828.jpg


http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg85/spacemanspiff427/DSCN0829.jpg


http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg85/spacemanspiff427/DSCN0830.jpg


Heres what it looked like before i casted it

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg85/spacemanspiff427/028.jpg

as you can see by the frist 3 pics the bowl is NOT complete but it will be soon =3 its alot of work trying to make this bowl presentable to blizz =3

Those are awesome, Andromedai. Very nice indeed.

Though I don't have any new information I did want to let everyone know that our Technicians are still working to get these realms back online. Reports from the field indicate that they have taken to grunting at people who bug them and interrupt their work.

If there are any other substantial updates I'll let you know. :)

Q u o t e:
Yes, how about an honest appreciation of the situation? These servers won't be back up for 96 1/2 hours, so go do something else! Why do they always insist on over promising and under delivering? Don't tell us it's coming back online in two hours when it's going to be ten!

No time frame has been given, Kakala. I have stated that our plan was to bring these realms back online as soon as possible. Our Technicians are working on the issue as quickly as they can but some issues simply can not be rushed. Believe me they have enough people breathing down their necks that I can personally guarantee that they are working as fast as they can on this issue.

Q u o t e:
Strange.. because when a guildy called his friend at the Seattle data center they said that the servers had failed a series of test...


care to elaborate?

How is that strange? The realms failing a series of tests would seem to indicate that they are not able to yet be placed back online. I'm not certain what your point is.

Q u o t e:


I generally don't criticize other engineer's work, but having designed high availability systems for over 10 years, I have to say with the billions of dollars blizzard generates in revenues, blizzard would get an F on their architecture.

http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/careers/

Feel free, Rileey. :)

Q u o t e:


I read this as

WORKING AS INTENDED

WORKING AS INTENDED

WORKING AS INTENDED

WORKING AS INTENDED

WORKING AS INTENDED

Then you may want to read the post again, slowly.

Q u o t e:


Most of the posts I have seen you give a response too you come off like a make member just my 2 cents. I am not talking about today BTW. We pay you.

I'm not certain what a make member is, Ephinany, if you have an issue with how I am doing my job feel free to write to [email protected].

Q u o t e:
Just gotta say Vrakthris... ily... Best "Blizzard Poster" ever! lol thanks for spending the time to hang out with us!

on a sidenote... Do you ever Roleplay your posts? like act like a god come to save the poor pathetic wretches that need help?

I have been known to favour the RP, both in-game and in threads. :)

Q u o t e:

Male member. And I am almost certain that you know what what I meant.

and yes that will be on the way.

I'm certain that I did not, Ephinany. I'm sorry if you feel that my tone isn't on par with how you believe it should be. I believe in being direct, as honest answers are better than sugar coated fluff.

Q u o t e:

Vrak, curious as an IT guy and probably cant disclose this info but how many techs are there per DC or that are on call for these situations

I honestly have no clue, Jaykenobi, I know there are always people working on things and monitoring the realms but I don't know how everything is delegated or what the staffing is like.

Last time I actually talked to a tech person directly my head almost imploded so I usually stay away from the details. >.>

Q u o t e:
I have something to ask, why is it that we have to go to another forum and request for credit to our accounts when it is not our fault that our realms have been down for over 6hrs.

A couple points, Stormshadow.

First, the Game Master department does not decide on if or when compensation is provided for issues such as this nor are we liaisons to them. . That is why we refer you to the Suggestion forums so those who need to see those requests, can.

Q u o t e:
To me that is unacceptable , We pay good money for a game that we willingly pay for, and Blizzard should do the right thing and credit without there customers having to ask for compensation.Do the right thing Blizzard and compensate without us having to ask for it. Most of us have lost a night of raiding and working on our pilgrim achievements.

Truth be told in many cases we do provide credit without prompting. Simply visit your Account Management page and look under your payment history. As I said earlier though such decisions are not made until after the issue is resolved.

Q u o t e:
Yeah blue I bet you do not respond to my last post.

I bet you I do, but not how you would have liked. As I said before feel free to use the feedback address if you wish to comment on the job I am doing.

Q u o t e:

You know you dropped the ball.

No, I didn't. If you decide to return, Ephinany, please remember to abide by the Code of Conduct.

http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/forum-coc.html

Q u o t e:
Vrak
Do you think Murlocs will ever be playable?! =D

I hope not. They are too much fun to kill. :D

Q u o t e:


Hey Vrak, I know I'm being a pain but can you link the... I don't know, whatever the survey is to rate GMs.

You'd make an excellent parent if you aren't one already. These forum trolls are worse than my 2 year old. Hats off, man.

Those are sent automatically while Game Masters are addressing petitions, I'm afraid we are unable to initiate one.

Q u o t e:
Vrakthris, I'm assuming you do your job at a Blizzard type office, what kind of dress-code do GM's have anyway?

We're gamers, dress code is completely casual. Jeans, shorts, t-shirts, etc...

Q u o t e:
My question is (and pardon if it has been answered) but are the servers going to go back down for regular maintaince if they come back up?

I believe they are still going to undergo a quick restart this morning, Cynon.

Ok. Update time....

From what I've been able to gather it seems that they may almost be done with their work and will be testing a few things out fairly soon. If all goes well we hope to have the realms back online shortly after that.

Fingers crossed, folks.

Q u o t e:


Vrak im Jealous, I want to work in the gaming field again. I used to work at Cyan Worlds, Inc. as a QA Tester. Best job ever, but got laid off due to our lovely economy.

By the way you've been here for a bit, your shift must be nearing an end? you leaving us soon?

It technically ended a few hours ago. >.>

Q u o t e:


Group hug for Vrakthris ! and a big Thankyou

<3 I should be leaving soon but I'll make sure that any updates that come out way are provided for you guys.

I am truly sorry for the length of time this has taken and I can only thank you all for your continued patience and understanding while the issue was being investigated and addressed.

From my understanding of the issue it was fairly serious and though I don't have much in the way of details I know they are working to get you guys in game as quickly as they can.

Alright guys, please stop with the chats - they are going in directions that don't belong here, thanks.

Things do seem to be coming along, but we don't have an ETA yet. Does look promising however, that light at the end of the tunnel doesn't appear to be a locomotive after all :)

Guys, enough with the chat logs, they are going WAY too far afield for this forum.

Please don't make me lock this thread again. Thanks.

Q u o t e:
Did I just see things or its only rolling restarts today?

That is correct, Myrdinn.

Q u o t e:
No. =( it looked like they were I swae. QQ

You may have actually seen something, we are getting closer folks. I'll not raise false hopes with an ETA quite yet, but hopefully not a lot longer. Testing and such needs done first.

Update as promised as soon as we had one folks....

Q u o t e:

We are entering the final stages of internal testing of the Whirlwind and Emberstorm battlegroups. We hope to have the realms up for you all very shortly and we greatly appreciate your patience with us as we work to restore these realms.

http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=21334014886&postId=213316455872&sid=1#2

Q u o t e:
Bobranda/Quel Dorei here.

My wife is allowing me to use her account, Dear Orylia to ask you the email address to which I should address a complaint re: my bannage as a result of my observations as to your moderations of this forum. I trust you will not take this in and of itself to be an abuse of account management.

Please respond here - I'll take it through the Email address from there.

Kind regards.

Callan

More than welcome to email [email protected]. And you haven't been banned, just a short time-out.