Hacker groups tried to take down WoW … and failed

luzlsec
Given the recent hacking of major companies, could WoW be hacked? In an article posted today at Digital Spy, Lead Game Designer Tom Chilton replies that attempts have been made recently, but Blizzard came through unharmed.

While the question and answer doesn’t specifically say LulzSec or Anonymous, I think it’s safe to assume LulzSec is the group in question, given the recent high-profile attacks on U.S. government sites and other MMOs, like EVE Online.

Most of LulzSec’s work has been focused on DDoS attacks and breaking into servers to create “lulz.” During their most recent spree, rumors abounded that WoW was a target; however, nothing came of it. It would now appear nothing came of it thanks to Blizzard’s security measures.

Tom Chilton

Several major gaming studios have fallen victim to hackers of late. What measure are Blizzard taking to ensure that WoW is not hit?

We have always tried to be as diligent as we possibly can when it comes to security. Certainly when hacking was going on with other companies recently there were numerous attempts against ourselves also. Fortunately, our security was good enough, so we didn’t lose data or anything like that.

We always put a high priority on security, but that’s not to say you can ever be impregnable. We’re not resting on our laurels saying ‘they can’t get us’. It’s always a possibility, and we take it very serious, but so far, so good.


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The Queue: Purple is perfection


Welcome back to The Queue, the daily QA column in which the WoW Insider team answers your questions about the World of Warcraft. Alex Ziebart will be your host today.

You know, the Crystalforge set doesn’t look bad at all when you put it on a Draenei. With the right accessories to accompany it, it actually looks very good! The problem is that there are races other than Draenei that have to wear it. It doesn’t hold the same charm when a Human male wears it.

Ice asked:

Do you think 4.3 will last almost year like ICC (~11 months) and Sunwell(~10 months) did? Or do you predict that this time its possible that the expansion release start of the 2012 unlike end of the year considering that theres few upcoming MMO’s coming at those times too?

Personally, I have a lot of difficulty speculating on Blizzard’s release schedule. Every time the company suggests it’s trying to speed up its patch releases or expansion releases, it ultimately falls into the exact same schedule it’s had for years. I would like to say that we won’t be stuck with patch 4.3 for an entire year, since Blizzard’s placed the next expansion on a rather hasty release schedule … but this is Blizzard. We will, most likely, be doing patch 4.3′s raid for a good nine to 12 months.

H asked:

say i transmog Elementium-Edged Scalper to look like Skullforge Reaver, will it still sheath on my hip or sheath on my back like Skullforge Reaver?

I don’t know for sure since I haven’t been able to use the system (obviously), but my assumption is that it would sheath on your back, since the weapon becomes the Skullforge Reaver visually. I would guess it takes on all physical aspects of the item.

@Biscuit_UK asked:

If a paladin wants to wear a set that’s not Judgement, which would be your pick?

Me, personally? My paladin is going to wear Lightbringer, which is tier 6. While Tirion Fordring left a black mark on that set during Wrath of the Lich King, it’s still one of the best-looking armor sets in the game, I think.

I don’t agree with all of the people that say Judgement was the only good paladin set. Yes, paladins have been given some really awful tier sets. Yes, the good paladin tier sets aren’t nearly as good as the sets some other classes have been given. Despite those things, there’s still some great stuff to work with. The Justicar set is simple but strong. Lightsworn from Icecrown Citadel is pretty good. I actually ended up liking tier 11′s Sapphirium (minus the hat.) Crystalforge can actually look great on Draenei … but only Draenei.

@D_Manchild asked:

Do you think they will ever add more non-max level dungeons?

I find it highly unlikely. Blizzard may revamp some of them, like what was done with Shadowfang Keep and The Deadmines, but there really isn’t much point in adding more content to the earlier levels of the game. As was displayed very well with Cataclysm, you need to fix up your really ancient content to woo new players, but the vast majority of players don’t really perceive low-level content as content. Most long-time players blaze past it so fast that it might as well not be there at all.

Making sure there is enough content at the level cap is what is most important, because it gives players something to do when they hit the end of the road. Cataclysm quite notably did not have enough such content, because the low-level content revamp took so much of Blizzard’s energy. The revamp was badly needed, but level-cap content certainly took a huge hit because of it.

To repeat: I don’t think we’ll see low-level dungeons built from scratch. I do think we’ll see more revamps in the style of SFK and DM.


Have questions about the World of Warcraft? The WoW Insider crew is here with The Queue, our daily QA column. Leave your questions in the comments, and we’ll do our best to answer ‘em!


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WoW Moviewatch: How to Win at PVP 2

Wowcrendor first revealed the intricacies of player versus player combat a long time ago. Since his first How to Win video, Wowcrendor felt the need to revisit the subject and create How to Win at PVP 2.

In this short video, Wowcrendor tackles the most troubling aspects of battlegrounds. He addresses the inevitable Facebook warriors, the raging all-caps folks, and even the details of knocking people off ledges.

Of course, the Road Warrior makes an appearance. It’s kind of sad that we’re still making of fun of people fighting on the road. At this point, a tip should display on your way into Arathi Basin warning players to avoid road fighting. Ah, well. The classics live on, I suppose.


Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.

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Breakfast Topic: Forgotten bastions of antiquity


Transmogrification looks like it’s going to be pretty cool once it lands in patch 4.3, but of course, there’s just one thing coming between you and being covered in cool gear from previous content: getting the cool gear from previous content. Some folks are lucky enough to have gathered all of the Really Cool-Looking Gear they wanted in the process of raiding past dungeons to death, but others may now rue their empty banks.

So, with all this ‘mogging talk, have you made a trip to any older dungeons to grab items for their looks alone? Have you delved into Ulduar to get that Darkruned set for your newly 85 DK? Blasted through Blackwing Lair for your paladin’s Judgement set? Grabbed some horribly sexist gear for your unfortunate female avatar (don’t lie)? You’re not alone, if so. Where have you gone lately in search of fine wearable works of art?


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Around Azeroth: Ragnaros, the musical!

Ragnaros and fire cat druids
This fall, the Cenarion Circle Players and Selenity of HGX on Quel’Dorei (US-A) proudly present Ragnaros: The Musical! An extravaganza of fire, monsters and fire monsters, Ragnaros: The Musical! features singing and dancing versions of your favorite raid bosses. This four-hour (or more!) show contains such catchy tunes as “Why Won’t This Mount Drop?”, “Trash Farmin’ Blues”, “TOO SOON, EXECUTUS! (Old Skool Mix)” and “Requiem for Ten Cat Druids.” Make sure to bring consumables!

Gallery: Around Azeroth 3


Want to see your own screenshot here? Send it to aroundazeroth@wowinsider.com. We strongly prefer full-sized pictures with no UI or names showing. Please include “Azeroth” in the subject line so your email doesn’t get marked as spam, and include your name, guild and server if you want to be credited.


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