RAF nerfed, thanks a lot

Q u o t e:

Thanks for the flip-flop Blizz. This is terrible, absolutely unacceptable for you to come out and say this feature is "Yes this is how it is intended to work!" and then 3 days later change your minds and say "Nope sorry! lulz!". After quite a lot of people (including myself) bought extra accounts specifically for this feature that you advertised and then confirmed as working.

That simply wasn't intended, Skids. We stated that was indeed how it functioned at the time that this qualification was made; but the situation was still under examination at the time. The FAQ was updated some time ago because that functionality was found, upon further testing by our QA department, to be an unintended effect.

It's best to keep in mind that the RAF system is intended to allow two players of similar level to both level rapidly and experience the content together. It certainly wasn't on our agenda to 'flip-flop' - we were only reporting on what was occurring at the time. I'm sorry you're upset, but even then, the RAF system wasn't really supposed to be a way for a level 70 character to rapidly power level two lower level characters through content.

It's still very effective and useful though, even with only two characters of equivalent level exploring content together, and I hope that you continue to take advantage of the bonuses it provides.

Q u o t e:

How'd you feel it if they took away Shaman from Draenei a couple days after TBC release? Advertised on the box, and worked for a few days, confirmed by Blizz to be working as intended... then suddenly nope, you can't make them anymore. But anyone that already had one got to keep it ? QQ moar, Suggestion Forums --->>, don't let the door hit you where the good lord split you, etc ?

Unfortunately, your analogy is invalid.

At no point was it suggested that the RAF feature was intentionally to function with a higher level character. We only confirmed that the system was functioning that way for a period of time, which was ultimately a loophole around the intended and advertised functionality.

Q u o t e:
Thank you for the prompt reply, Malkorix. Can you tell me when the FAQ was updated with this information? I didn't see it late last week, but it's possible I just overlooked it.

It was updated on Friday 08/08/08 (spooky), I believe.

Q u o t e:
Also, if the RAF system was never intended from the start to work this way, why was it confirmed on numerous occasions by blue posters to be intended as working this way? It is (was...) very clear to me that from Syndri's original post on the topic that it was working as intended -- and there was NO mention of any ongoing examination or pending changes to how it worked at that time.

It was confirmed to be working in that fashion - which came as something of a surprise to us. It only worked at all because there was a veteran account in the same party as a referred account though. The bottom line is that the overall intention was for a veteran player to actively play with a new player at a similar level range.

Q u o t e:
Frankly if the system was not intended to work the way it worked, it should have never been implemented that way; barring that it should have never been officially confirmed to be working that way.

Of course! You'll note though, based on all the various hypothetical situations asked about in the FAQ thread that there are a tremendous number of variables at work. Sometimes an issue slips through the cracks. While we certainly do our best to consider all the angles, sometimes things don't work quite as they are intended to. We're certainly not happy about that, and we do our best to prevent it. As before, I really am sorry if this came as a disappointment to you. I hope that it doesn't prove too disruptive, and that you're still in a position to enjoy the benefits that the RAF system provides.

Q u o t e:
And I believe my analogy to be spot-on if a bit excessive. After all, it could have never been intended that Draenei were able to be Shaman -- you can still be a Priest or Paladin, isn't that good enough?

While I'm not fond of analogies in most cases, it would be a little more more like Draenei Shamans grouped with Mages having access to Pyroblast for some reason. Sure, it would be cool for someone who was able to take advantage of it, but it wouldn't have been intended, so it would need to be changed.

Q u o t e:


Issues slips through the cracks? 3x exp was a selling point. It was a "sold" feature and now you are backing out of your end of the deal. And this is after you got people to make a commitment in dollars. It's bad business VERY BAD. I as an engineer for a defense company can't making an agreement to provide a service to the US gov't then say "oh no" we didn't intend it to be that way. The gov't would sue our pants off. As would anyone from a customer service stand point.

You can still get the 300% experience boost. Where did you ever get the impression that you couldn't? We're not backing out on our end of the deal at all - a single aspect of partying no longer functions, that is all.

Q u o t e:

Working as intended within the RAF framework? Can we expect this to be changed as well? After all, I can blow up lower level quests quite quickly with a L70 -- as a matter of fact, it will probably be *faster* to level through this method than simply grinding on mobs and it won't achieve your goal of having similar-leveled players grouping to experience the content.

Turning in a quest is turning in a quest - regardless of the circumstances that enabled the quest to be completed. Functionally, there isn't any way to prevent any higher level player from helping lower level players when not partied with them, nor is that our intention currently. Even with a high level player hanging about to help, the linked accounts will still only get experience for creatures that they tag themselves (and that would normally provide experience, of course).

The alteration was only made to correct an aspect of the mechanic that was not initially intended.

Q u o t e:
Thank you Malkorix.

You're welcome Skidder! Take it easy, and best luck to you <3.

Just for clarity's sake, I dug up the old post. We provided this information because it was the best that we had available at the time:

Q u o t e:
Question: I have Account 1 with a level 70, Account 2 with a level 1, and Account 3 with a level 1. Account 2 recruits Account 3. Account 1 groups with 2 and 3, running them through low level instances. Do 2 and 3 get increased XP? The wording of the faq says the mobs must not be grey to the invitee nor the invited, but does not mention whether an unrelated 3rd person of much higher level will break the xp gain.

Answer: Experience would be mitigated by the presence of a higher level character; however, the mitigated experience would be tripled due to the link. Remember, if one of the linked characters is lower than the other, only the lower level one will receive the XP boost.

That is the information that everyone was working off of. Obviously, this information no longer applies to the intended effects.

I know why you guys are distressed by the change, and I do understand your perspective. I really am sorry if the change disappoints you, but I'll reiterate that we were simply relaying to the best of our knowledge how things were functioning at the time of the query (if you'll recall, quite a large number of questions were coming in at the time). Ultimately, it was discovered that this was not the intended functionality, and we altered our FAQ as soon as this came to light. Usually, if it is discovered that there is an error at work, then it will be resolved as quickly as possible; however unpalatable that may be in some cases =(.

The base functionality of the RAF has not been dramatically altered except for this change. Given the speed at which one can level merely doing quests and slaying creatures at a 300% experience, this should not be a massive detriment to your ability to get the most out of the offer. After all, you still need two linked accounts involving characters of similar level anyway. You can still have a lower level character and level quite quickly with your friend. Your friend can still grant levels based on their own level gains. You can even form groups with others that might be taking advantage of the RAF near the same level and experience instance content that way.

It's just that a specific tactic, i.e. running RAF boosted characters through instances with a higher level player, has been altered. As I stated, I know that this is probably quite disappointing for some of you and I freely acknowledge that, but let's please be careful not to overstate the impact that this has on the value of the RAF system in general.

Q u o t e:

The only reason I paid for a new account was due to this advertised feature. When will I be able to get a refund both on my time and on the money I spent on the new account? This represents a material change in the contract offered by blizzard involved in the RAF transaction.

I'd like to clarify something further. The owner of such a new account has paid for the account, not for the RAF bonus - the RAF bonus period is a free promotion to make playing World of Warcraft more compelling for new players who are leveling alongside their friends.

Q u o t e:
Blizzard, it's not as though you can run someone straight to 60 with Instances, unless you're Black Temple geared you will be unable to do anything higher than perhaps Scarlet Monastery effectively, at which point questing would reign supreme and the new players would still experience the fun of questing, and the joy of instances.

I for one will not stand for this, I am but one man, but I speak for the population. This is wrong.

I personally can solo everything up through the Eastern Plaguelands instances without too much difficulty, but that really isn't the point.

I've already explained this, and functionally, you really are vastly overstating the effect of this change. I will only repeat myself so many times.

The system will work as it is intended to work, and you can still have a high level character help lower level characters quest, etc (though this is more effective if they are not partied together, obviously). You simply can't party with them to run them through instances and maintain the 300% experience boost.

I am sorry to hear that you you decided to participate in the RAF program exclusively so you could run low level characters through instances. If this is truly that upsetting for you, and you truly perceive this as a betrayal (though I will very firmly, but respectfully, disagree with you that it is anything of the sort) then your next course of action is entirely up to you.

While I hope you ultimately decide to remain with us and enjoy the fruits that the RAF promotion is still able to provide for you and your friends, I wish you luck in whatever endeavors you opt to pursue.

Q u o t e:
Thank you for being honest Mal.

You're welcome, and really, it's the least that I can do. It certainly wasn't our intention to mislead anyone. There was an information 'feeding frenzy' with the advent of the system, and we did our best to provide what information was available as quickly as we could.

I really am truly, sincerely, sorry to anyone that felt as though we deceived them. That was never our intention in any fashion =(.

Q u o t e:
No, we were told uber leveling is perfectly ok. Thats the issue. Keep up or gtfo.

Apologies were made for the original confusion, Tynia. Our official promotion never stated that you can use a high level character and earn triple experience. It stated:

Q u o t e:

With the new Recruit-A-Friend program you can earn an exclusive Zhevra mount, receive a FREE month of game time, and gain access to other exciting in-game benefits. From the moment your friend creates a character and starts playing you'll both earn triple the experience when grouped together and have the ability to summon one another from anywhere in the world. Also, for every two levels of experience your friend earns, they can grant one level of experience to one of your lower-level characters.

And:

Q u o t e:

Adventure Together

Meet the recruit in Azeroth (see Recruitment Form page for further details) and enjoy special in-game benefits for a full 90 days:

* Friend-to-friend summoning makes it easy to travel together.
* Bonus experience ensures faster leveling.

I'm sorry this has become such a thorn for you, Tynia, but this isn't a soap box forum. Do what you must but please don't do it here.

Q u o t e:

You have to sign up for RAF dont you.....that cost money

Technically no, you can create a trial account for free it is only if you want to have the benefits of a full account that you need to upgrade.

Q u o t e:
but rly...bliz...I think what most people are saying is that you could have thrown the vets a cookie and left it like it was...the vets would have been happy and the new players would have been happy too.

The vets get their cookie and then some. They get to level up with a friend faster than ever before. The linked accounts can summon or be summoned by each other. The recruited account can give them 1 level for every 2 levels.

If the recruited account upgrades and pays for a month subscription they get 30 days of game time if they pay for 2 months they get an epic mount!

I don't know what you call that where you live but that's a plate full of fresh baked cookies where I am from.

I'm simply amazed at the desire for even more, I really am. The benefits are awesome, for anything else feel free to post on our Suggestion Forums.

Q u o t e:
And Vrakthris is that a fly zooming around your head in your icon picture to the left? Does that mean you stink? hehe I'm soo just kidding. Please dont ban me.

I have several flies actually. They just like to hang out, I bathe regularly. :P

Q u o t e:
What are you talking about? My friend just ran me and my 3 RAF accounts through RFC and I was granted triple exp...

blue, is this right?

Not an intended functionality. Our Quality Assurance Team is looking into these reports and it will be addressed as soon as possible.

It isn't currently considered an exploit, Guron.

Q u o t e:
Once they change that, it's a new ball game. If they require you to agree to it again, it's considered a new contractual obligation, and you have the right to decline and request a refund.

Actually, no refunds are likely to be forthcoming =/.

Our EULA and TOU haven't changed. When they are changed, a chance is offered to review and accept them as part of the patching process.

In this case, an issue with a free promotion associated with the RAF feature was fixed. It wasn't changed, it was fixed. The 'contract' in this case is our Terms of Use. Our ToU indicates that we can change any aspect of the program at any time. In fact, here it is:

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/legal/termsofuse.html

Q u o t e:
Changes to the Terms of Use Agreement or the Program.
Blizzard reserves the right, at its sole and absolute discretion, to change, modify, add to, supplement or delete any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement at any time, including without limitation access policies, the availability of any feature of the Program, hours of availability, content, data, software or equipment needed to access the Program, effective with or without prior notice; provided, however, that material changes (as determined in Blizzard’s sole and absolute discretion) will be disclosed as follows: Blizzard will provide you with notification of any such changes to the Program through a patch process, or by email, postal mail, website posting, pop-up screen, or in-game notice. If any future changes to this Agreement are unacceptable to you or cause you to no longer be in compliance with this Agreement, you must terminate, and immediately stop using, the Program and the Account. Your continued use of the Program following any revision to this Agreement constitute your complete and irrevocable acceptance of any and all such changes. Blizzard may change, modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of the Program at any time. Blizzard may also impose limits on certain features or restrict your access to parts or all of the Program without notice or liability.

Here's the real bottom line: You can still take advantage of every feature of the RAF. It still works properly. You just can't powerlevel your alts with a level 70 character and still benefit from the 300% experience bonus.

There was no 'bait and switch'. Flatly, those that take advantage of the RAF system still get access to the features that were advertised. Powerleveling via a level 70 character was never the highlighted feature of the RAF promotion. As Vrakthris pointed out, all the features that were advertised are still wholly and completely intact. Even if they weren't, our contract with our players limits our liability. It does not make us liable.

I understand the frustration that has resulted due to this fix, and I really do get where you guys are coming from, but let's please leave the uninformed amateur legalese on the primetime television court shows, huh?

To head off those that claim our ToU has no power, it has very recently been very successfully prosecuted, and has been successfully prosecuted in the past. So, please, let's not even bother heading down that road.

Everything that needs to be said in this thread has been. I'll be locking it up now.