Blizzard Wants You to Bug Your WoW Guildies From Your Phone

[John Funk]

Blizzard Wants You to Bug Your WoW Guildies From Your Phone

Want to set up a Blackwing Descent raid or organize a guild session in Warsong Gulch, but you aren't near a computer? Blizzard has you covered.

About a year ago, Blizzard put the first phase of its "World of Warcraft Remote" plans into action with the WoW Remote Auction House [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/100789-Free-World-of-Warcraft-Mobile-Auction-House-Beta-Goes-Live]. While the Remote Auction House let players check on - and even bid on - their auctions while not logged-in, it was really only limited to the section of the playerbase that likes to game their server's economy.

The WoW Remote team has just updated the web site [http://us.battle.net/wow/en/services/wow-remote/#guild-chat] with details of the second phase of Blizzard's world-domination ploy: Remote Guild Chat, for iOS and Android devices.

It's exactly what it sounds like: A downloadable application that hooks in to your WoW account, and allows you to chat with your guild members and see who's online without being anywhere near anything more powerful than a netbook. You can filter chat as necessary or engage in private whispers, plan out your guild schedule for raids or group PvP, and check the WoW Armory all from within the app, too.

Unlike the Battle.net Authenticator app for mobile phones, which is free (and which every WoW and StarCraft II player should already have [http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?locale=en_US&tag=BNETMOBILE&rhtml=true]), WoW Remote costs an extra $2.99 per month on top of your normal WoW subscription, though you get both guild chat, the Remote Auction House, and any other features the developers add down the line. If you're hardcore enough into WoW to need to communicate with your guildies when you aren't logged in the game, you probably won't mind paying it, either.

While I don't think I'll be using it myself, it's certainly a cool idea. I have some doubts about the veracity of the screenshot you see here to the right, however. They're saying they're hoping to get Grim Batol for their random daily dungeon, and nobody wants to get Grim Batol for their random daily dungeon.

(Battle.net Blog [http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/2593438#blog])

Permalink

 

[scyther250]

I like Grim Batol :/

 

[Vrach]

Typo: Title says Bug instead of Buy
Or is that a WoW players' thing?

Bugging someone isn't a WoW player thing. It means bothering them (often used non-aggressively).

OT: Nice. Shame they feel they need to add a subscription onto that, kinda pathetic imo, but hey.

 

[SenseOfTumour]

Yeah, it's a shame they felt the need to add an extra fee, tho I may have gone for it, as a guild leader, if they'd made it a full app, like skype or windows messenger. I don't have a flashy phone is all, but it'd be nice to be able to contact people in game without logging in.

 

[Jarcin]

There is a time when I needed this. However eventually I finally get the phone numbers of the people I talk to the most so....I'm good. I'd def grab it regardless if it was free. Free is always nice.

 

[Moriarty]

While I don't think I'll be using it myself, it's certainly a cool idea. I have some doubts about the veracity of the screenshot you see here to the right, however. They're saying they're hoping to get Grim Batol for their random daily dungeon, and nobody wants to get Grim Batol for their random daily dungeon.

The avatar of the person who wants to go to grim batol looks like a gnome priest and grim batol is the only place where you can get a 346 wand with willpower. So while nobody wants grim batol, some are forced to grind that stupid second boss.

 

[YawningAngel]

Couldn't you just use IRC or a forum? I'm not really seeing what additional functionality this provides.

 

[Nautical Honors Society]

A monthly fee!?

No way...it would be awesome without it though...

 

[tkioz]

If you seriously need access to WoW from your phone it's time to consider yourself addicted, and I say this is a former WoW addict.

 

[2xDouble]

I seem to remember seeing something like this last year... oh wait... [http://www.arena.net/blog/gaming-outside-the-game-rick-ellis-talks-the-guild-wars-2-extended-experience]

Nice idea Blizzard, just remember to give credit where credit is due.

 

[Mr.Pandah]

A monthly fee!?

No way...it would be awesome without it though...

Precisely why this needs to fail. Buying it for 5 bucks is one thing, but a monthly fee on top of the WoW monthly fee? Disgusting.

 

[bob1052]

I seem to remember seeing something like this last year... oh wait... [http://www.arena.net/blog/gaming-outside-the-game-rick-ellis-talks-the-guild-wars-2-extended-experience]

Nice idea Blizzard, just remember to give credit where credit is due.

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/worldofwarcraft/news.html?sid=6263126

Blizzard has announced their WoW Remote a full 4 months before that interview.

If you are going to try to compare two companies, and you are going to spend the time looking up an article about one to try and attack the other, you should probably just look up a second article so you don't look like some idiot who is flaming for no reason.

 

[KalosCast]

Why would I pay money for this when I could just log on and look at the damn guild calendar when I get home? Nothing in WoW happens quickly enough that they need to get ahold of me on my phone.

 

[samsonguy920]

CCP needs to do this with EVE Online, where you can keep track of your training and corp happenings away from your PC. It may very well do wonders with the lag issues they are trying to remedy.

 

[samsonguy920]

A monthly fee!?

No way...it would be awesome without it though...

Precisely why this needs to fail. Buying it for 5 bucks is one thing, but a monthly fee on top of the WoW monthly fee? Disgusting.

Who do you think thought that idea up? No, no prize for gimmies.

 

[Catalyst6]

/facepalm.

I get that many people make very strong connections over WoW. Indeed, you might want to talk to them sometimes. But really, there's nothing wrong with a good-old-fashioned email, or even a phone call, eh?

Or maybe talking to someone outside the game?

I love MMOs, they're a lot of fun and (obviously) more social than your average game. But it's stuff like this that makes me think that the hardcore players need to take a deep breath and step back for a minute. Open a window, breathe in the air.

 

[Lyri]

I'd do this, I'd even be happy for the extra $3 a month. It's a nice bit of utility that lets you keep in touch with guildies when you're out and about.
I could why those without any real form of social life would neigh say it but seriously guys, it's pretty neat.

It seems to be a little more intensive of an app so maybe the extra $3 would go to maintenance costs, and really if you enjoy WoW I doubt you'd object to it.

 

[theultimateend]

I like Grim Batol :/

Most groups I'm in say "Oh great. The Grim Butthole again."

I find it to be not bad it's just that the original strength of the Earth Callers was obnoxious.

Edit: Sorry Earth Callers are in Stonecore.

GB is probably hated because of the Third and Fourth Bosses. Otherwise I don't know why people don't like it.

 

[dmase]

Damn that means no more accidental dials from WoW members looking for their guildmaster... no i'm not joking.