Blizzard Considers Bringing Back Layering in WoW Classic to Combat Queue Times
Blizzard is contemplating reintroducing a controversial element in WoW Classic to address the long queue times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. High-population servers like Faerlina, home to popular Twitch streamers, have been experiencing consistent queue times, with some players having to wait hours before accessing the game.
To alleviate this issue, Blizzard has proposed the idea of implementing “layering,” a system they used during the game’s launch to accommodate more players without overloading the servers. Community manager Kaivax stated that while only a few realms currently have extended queues, more servers may face similar issues given the current circumstances.
Kaivax has sought player feedback on the possibility of temporarily adding a second layer to high-population realms to reduce queue times.
While some purists may oppose layering due to it being a departure from the original WoW experience, popular streamer Asmongold supports its reintroduction. He believes that the original vanilla experience cannot be replicated due to the heavily populated servers and the abundance of internet resources available to players today.
Although some players are concerned that layering may disrupt the realm’s economy, Asmongold argues that the limited resources in WoW Classic, such as the Black Lotus herb, and their high prices have already distorted the game’s economy compared to its initial release.
Despite his reservations, Asmongold believes that layering is a preferable solution compared to the excessively long queues and inflated material prices. He likens the situation to having to choose between cutting off a finger or a hand and states that while neither option is ideal, layering is the lesser evil.
Blizzard has not announced any concrete plans for implementing layering but is considering it based on feedback from the community. Given the vocal nature of the WoW Classic player base, their response in the coming days will likely determine the fate of this proposal.