Midsummer Fire Festival Ended Too Soon

Holidays of such variety usually persist from 12am on the starting date till 12am on the noted end date (just like battleground "holiday weekends"). There may be some variance should the conclusion fall on a Tuesday, however, or if otherwise stipulated on the calendar or in these forums.

My deepest apologies for any confusion or frustration this may cause you, Kupwned; I know it's got to be a bit irksome. If you think we should amend the time frame for the future (perhaps?), though, I'd actually encourage you to create a post in our Suggestions Forum. That way, our design and development team can learn of the situation. :)

Normally it's not a strict "12am," but rather closer to 3am to 4am. This still falls in within the appropriate date listed, albeit confusing for some if just giving the end date a passing thought. :)

Should there be a controversy with the lingual nuances, Pink, then the Suggestions Forum is likely the most appropriate avenue of pursuit at this time. There's also this thread within General Discussion that qualifies the dates listed which may prove a viable route, as well:

http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=7116580446&sid=1

Specific verbage of "until" is used therein with a followup listing of July 4th being the "through" date. Might want to toss your concerns inside so Nethaera is aware. :)

I understand the frustration completely, folks. I'll bring the matter up regarding this specific "through" and "until" discrepancy with our Web Team as soon as I am able, though I fear I'll be unable to effect any sort of change or rollback or additional allowance for those who were unable to complete their quests and purchases.

Matters of when these events actually cease, though, are still best brought up in the Suggestions Forum, as well as the formatting for the actual Calendar listing as a whole. (IE - The detailed explanation lists a "through" date, whereas the Calendar typically shows an "until" duration.)

The early morning hours are when daily maintenance processes roll over Daily Quests and Yesterday/Today honor totals, Blessing. It's the most apt time to conclude these events since it's when similar "durations" conclude, as well. :)

It's not in dispute that there are two different dates listed. I was simply clarifying that the early morning hour roll over is the most logical time frame in which to conclude events such as the Midsummer Fire Festival since it's also when other cycles (Daily Quests, Honor tab listings) are reset, as well.

At no point did we renege on any stipulated date. The festival still ended on the 5th; it's just a matter of misunderstanding "through" and "until" at this point. And for this, I do apologize.

Nethaera did clarify at the launch of Midsummer that the 5th was an "until", though, and further stipulated that ceremonies would last through the 4th:

http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=7116580446&sid=1

It's a semantics issue at this point and a synchronization between detailed page (http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/events/midsummer/) and Calendar format (http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/events/calendar/). I understand the dilemma, but I'd ask that you please keep this conversation civil and in perspective.

I realize that all of you are frustrated regarding this matter, and for that I am very sorry. I wish that there was something more I could offer you at this time, however that it is not my — nor is it my colleagues — decision to make. I would like to reiterate, and expand on what Syndri stated for you; hopefully I can provide a bit more of an explanation regarding the situation for you.

The main information page specifically related to the Midsummer Fire Festival (http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/events/midsummer/) states that the event goes from June 21st to July 4th. Nethaera's post states the following:

Q u o t e:
(beginning Saturday, June 21st and continuing until July 5)

The key word being "until"; I realize that this is one of the issues that has been causing a lot of the concerns being brought forth here today. However, please be aware that the general usage of the word 'until' refers to something that that will happen up to a certain point.

As an example: "We went for a walk until 5:00pm." That would mean that we went for a walk and stopped at 5:00pm. We did not stop at 5:30pm, nor did we stop at 5:01pm. I realize that metaphorical explanations of something of this sort aren't the best way to describe something, but I hope that you understand my reasoning for using one.

As Syndri also mentioned, the usage of a Calendar also hints at the same usage of "until"; I realize that it can be a bit confusing that two of the pages differ in context. Please bear in mind however, that the majority of the places where you can find information regarding the even specifically state either "July 4th" or "until the 5th"; and while there is a hint at the fact via the Calendar page, there is no specific mention that the event will progress on through July 5th.

Also, with regards to the saving of the Blossoms until the last possible moment before purchasing the items, did you not have more than enough time to spend what you had already acquired? While it obviously takes a bit of time to acquire the Blossoms, you had from June 21st through yesterday to purchase items with them. That is a full 14 days to acquire and spend the Blossoms accordingly.

Once again, I completely understand your frustration but I hope that we are all able to look at the situation logically. I also hope that we are able to come to the conclusion that while there was an apparent slight miscommunication and misunderstanding in the final concluding date of the event, there was enough time to take advantage of the event while it was in place. While an extra few hours, or a day may have been a minor benefit, planning on spending your Blossoms on the last day of the event is not always the best bet.

There are a large number of things that could have prevented you from spending your Blossoms on the last day; many of which would have been the fault of no one in particular. What happens if the power in your area goes out and you are unable to play? What about your internet? What about this or that? I always find that planning to do something that is important to you at the last possible second is never the best thing. I'd recommend that in the future you plan for things such as this and do what it is that you wish to do prior to the near close of an event.

If you truly feel that the situation warrants change — in regards to wording or whatever else it is you wish to see altered — then please visit our Suggestion forums as previously suggested. We're always looking to benefit from your commentary and provide you with what it is that you wish — if it falls within the appropriate realm of possibilities of course — and the only way to get your voice heard regarding the matter is to express it to those that have the ability to cause the changes you wish.

I think a lot of you have misinterpreted my point.

I was merely attempting to show you another point of view; I completely understand that this is a frustrating situation, but you're barking up the wrong tree so to speak.

While I would love to provide something a bit more substantial than exploring the entire possible situations regarding the incident it is not my place, nor is it my decision to make alterations to anything in regards to the situation at hand.

Again, please bring all of your concerns to our Suggestions forum. While I appreciate the fairly civil discourse, it tends to become a bit daunting to see everyone so adamantly against the simple possibility that it was merely a misunderstanding between one interpretation of information and another.

It is unfortunate that one side had the final say of what the interpretation was; however, I would like to mention that everyone had adequate time to question the matter if they had noticed any discrepancies prior to the end of the event.

We could sit here all day and argue the semantics of this and that, but in the end it's fruitless to do so here. Please bring all of your concerns — in a well thought out, and understandable idea — to our Suggestions forum. I realize that while you may feel the need to yell and scream about the issue it really doesn't do any one any good.

Even though the situation is frustrating, please try to take a step back and look at the situation from a number of perspectives and understand that there were a number of things which could have been done prior to the incident rather than afterwards.

I hope that no one attempts to take my commentary as saying that you should have been making sure that our information appears the same and is easily interpreted, because that is not what I mean.

Q u o t e:
Why would anybody think that? :)

There's a difference between having the ability, and insisting that someone should do something.

Now you're just being needlessly argumentative, Pink. The point was that there was a number of things that could have happened, that's it. There's no double meaning, nor is there some hidden agenda.

Q u o t e:
Rey: i know there's nothing you can do, just let us vent okay

I know that you're frustrated, I'd just like to see your frustration honed into creativity and/or an intuitive idea to place on our Suggestions forum regarding this is all. =)

I'm an optimist, what can I say? ^_^

If by deflect you mean provide another point of view as well as provide the appropriate outlet for addressing your concerns, then sure. I'm not sure where we said that this was anyone's fault, nor have I declined comment on the issue.

It's quite simply that this forum is not the appropriate venue for the concerns mentioned and as such I'm going to lock this thread to prevent any further confusion regarding that fact.

You all have my apologies that you have been negatively affected by any possible miscommunication regarding the Midsummer Fire Festival and I hope that all of you are able to reach a conclusion that you are happy with. Posting on the Suggestions forum is the best way to bring about any possible changes.