Blizzard Entertainment comes under fire for forcing a fan server to shut down.
[dropcap size=small]J[/dropcap]ust because something is newer doesn’t necessarily mean that it is better and this logic certainly can apply to the original 2004 version of World of Warcraft, a popular MMORPG that acquired significantly large fan base. So large in fact, that when Blizzard Entertainment discontinued the original World of Warcraft and closed its servers fans decided to run their very own.
Unfortunately, five days ago the fan-run server Nostalrius was permanently shut down after the video game company Blizzard Entertainment threatened the fans who were in charge of said server with legal action. Technically, it was illegal for the server to be open but many believed that since it was non-profit, fan-supported project Blizzard Entertainment should not have regarded the server as a threat. The fan-run server had over 150,000 players that were actively involved and the online gaming community has not responded positively to Blizzard’s decision.
“World of Warcraft meant a lot, to a lot of people,” said YouTube streamer Jon Jafari. “It might seem silly because it’s just a game… but this game was a big part of my life and a lot of people’s lives. All these people want to do is go back and play it. If the server is making a profit, I can see them taking down something like that – but a lot of these are just for the love of the old game.”
If you believe that Blizzard Entertainment should change their decision and allow the fans to re-open the Nostalrius server you can sign the online petition here and join more than 100,000 others fighting to keep a classic game alive and running.
