World of Warcraft 3-Year Anniversary

Belated Happy Birthday Wow, it hit the 3 year mark of November 23rd.

And what does a birthday mean? Presents! Blizzard is going to give out free goodies to it's customer base to celebrate!
  • During the week of November 26, we'll award 10 J!nx gift certificates valued at $100.00 each.
  • During the week of December 3, we'll give away 20 sets of four World of Warcraft action figures.
  • During the week of December 10, we'll provide 5 lucky players with an Apple iPod Touch and a two-year World of Warcraft subscription.

Click on more to get the full article!



In the lands of the Horde, the watch fires burn on along the parapets of Orgrimmar, and the echoes of regicide still linger among the ruins of Lordaeron. In the kingdoms of the Alliance, the statues of legendary heroes maintain their vigil over Stormwind, while magma and molten metal continue to flow through the heart of Ironforge. Beyond the domains of both factions, the demon Illidan has laid claim to Outland, threatening to seize its vital resources and strategic assets for his own nefarious purposes. And far to the north of both Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms, an impenetrable fog portends a darkness that would engulf the world.

It's been three years since players first entered World of Warcraft and took up their roles in shaping its history. In that time, friendships have been formed; wars have been waged; and through incredible feats of coordination and perseverance, some unimaginably powerful beings have been vanquished. To celebrate the third anniversary of the game's North American launch and to show our gratitude for the ongoing support, enthusiasm, and dedication of its thriving community, we'll be giving away several prizes over the next three weeks:
  • During the week of November 26, we'll award 10 J!nx gift certificates valued at $100.00 each.
  • During the week of December 3, we'll give away 20 sets of four World of Warcraft action figures.
  • During the week of December 10, we'll provide 5 lucky players with an Apple iPod Touch and a two-year World of Warcraft subscription.
For more information, check out the rules and requirements, and as always, thank you for playing World of Warcraft.

Comments

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Why's everyone so mad?
# Nov 28 2007 at 5:25 PM Rating: Decent
I mean come on now ya'll Blizz could just do nothing for there 3rd birthday but they wanted to be nice to us and give us a big thank you for play as much as we have and keeping wow the number one mmorpg. I understand that it sucks that because of where you live your not able to take part of the contest, but that's just how ether local laws are or how the blizz rules are.
No such thing as a free lunch
# Nov 28 2007 at 5:52 AM Rating: Good
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154 posts
Regardless of whether Blizzard give prizes to US players, (except Florida and Rhode island), I shall continue to play WoW because that is what I paid my money for. Blizzard are not the only gaming company to restrict contest eligibility to the USA, so don't blame them. Laws are complex but have reasons that us mere mortals are not geared to combat. lol

I peronally don't give a damn who gets to be in the draw, lets face it, the prizes are pretty pathetic when one compares the millions of dollars they rake in every month, but at the end of the day, Blizzard don't have to give away anything. Good luck to those who win something and I hope we all get to play for years to come.

FOR THE HORDE!

:D
Laws?
# Nov 28 2007 at 2:04 AM Rating: Decent
16 posts
The law-argument is good, but It does not cut it. I know for a fact that there are no laws against foreign (or local) companies having sweepstakes or lotteries in most of the European countries. And there must be lots of Europeans playing or why else would they have French, Spanish and German realms?
Laws?
# Nov 29 2007 at 3:07 AM Rating: Default
While there may not be a law that says in black and white that other countries cannot participate in contests, yes, there are international laws that complicate the matter, which is what was stated. No one said it flat out could not be done. Try reading.

Regarding Florida and Rhode Island, do you people really think a major corporation would just randomly pick two states out of the blue to be ******** about not letting them participate? Ffs, get a clue... and as was also previously stated, there have been many offers in the past that had the same two states restricted.
eh
# Nov 27 2007 at 7:40 AM Rating: Decent
I'm sure the laws here in The Netherlands don't forbid anyone winning any kind of prize.

Edited, Nov 27th 2007 5:19pm by Lauwz
Who taught them to do word problems in math?
# Nov 27 2007 at 10:56 AM Rating: Decent
Blizzard wrote:

(i) Each business day during the first week of the Sweepstakes Period...ten (10) potential winners will be chosen at random from all eligible entrants to receive a Jinx Gift Certificate with an approximate retail value of $ 100.00. Winners from the first week will not be eligible for subsequent prizes.

(ii) Each business day during the second week of the Sweepstakes Period...twenty (20) potential winners will be chosen at random from all remaining eligible individuals to receive (1) set of (4) World of Warcraft action figures with an approximate retail value of $64.00. Winners from the first week will not be eligible for subsequent prizes.

(iii) Each business day during the third week of the Sweepstakes Period...five (5) potential winners will be chosen at random from all remaining eligible individuals to receive (1) Apple 8 GB iPod Touch and (1) two-year subscription to World of Warcraft with an approximate retail value of $300.00. The approximate retail value of all prizes awarded during the Sweepstakes is $ 3,780.00


So did anyone else actually read this and then do the math, it seems to me like their figure for the total value of the prizes awarded is a bit off. Based on how it is worded, there should be a total of 50 winners the first week, 100 winners the second week, and 25 winners during the final week, which would result in a total value of $18,900.00 (not $3,780.00)

Here is my math on the subject:
Week 1: 5 (business days) x 10 (winners) x $100.00 (retail value) = $5,000.00
Week 2: 5 (business days) x 20 (winners) x $ 64.00 (retail value) = $6,400.00
Week 3: 5 (business days) x 5 (winners) x $300.00 (retail value) = $7,500.00
Total: Week 1 + Week 2 + Week 3 = $18,900.00

Blizzard's math (which doesn't follow the wording of the Sweepstakes)
10 (winners) x $100.00 = $1,000.00
20 (winners) x $ 64.00 = $1,280.00
5 (winners) x $300.00 = $1,500.00
Total: Week 1 + Week 2 + Week 3 = $3,780.00

BTW...I have submitted this apparent error to Blizzard already.

Edited, Nov 27th 2007 1:24pm by spazmoose
shame on you blizzard...
# Nov 27 2007 at 5:54 AM Rating: Default
If the folks running eq can do world wide prizes, why can't you? As for excluding Rhode Island and Florida, well, that just doesn't make sense. Excluding Canadians? that is definitely unfair as well. That shows the attitude that the only players that matter are those who happen to live stateside. And for the person who suggested that where you live is a choice, that is the case of the rich; Those of us who work our butts off Can't just up and move as we feel the need. You may feel otherwise, but that is your view.
Contest Garbage
# Nov 26 2007 at 5:28 PM Rating: Default
As a Canadian Law Lawyer I can understand to extent the problems with Florida...but Canada...come on...Blizz u really know how to ***** ur fans over...is it because if Canadian wow players were included and certain us states were not then You would be made to feel like.....jerks?...well you did a good job any way . Either post why we were not included or stick ti IN GAME contests that treat you WORLD WIDE subscribers who ensure your games success, the same. I'm very certain that more than 50% of subscribers come from outside the U.S. Sorry but it just feels like a 3rd year kick in the teeth.
Contest Garbage
# Nov 27 2007 at 11:19 AM Rating: Decent
Okay understand florida problem? and what is that exacty? It is part of the continental united states, where as canada is a seperate country. Florida is a very important part of the us economy, and there happen to a ton of people in florida that subscribe to wow, more then most states. Its plain unfair, florida and rhode island should be allowed to participate.

But if you know of some reason why they should not then please elaborate
Honestly
# Nov 26 2007 at 5:03 PM Rating: Default
It sucks when things are not "fair," but really. . . if you hate Blizz that much, why do you want to play for another two years? Without being critical because you are not getting your way, think about it. Is it really not fair, or is it just the way it is (black and white) and you are maintaining unreal expectations for "fair." Unfortunately we (Americans) live in a society that is clearly so political that sometimes people cannot even get certain medical treatment due to the scare of legal reprocussions. There are a lot of people in the world that are truly treated unfairly, this just isn't one of those cases. It is unfortunate and it sucks, but you are not "losing" out on anything, nothing is being "taken" from you, and you are not being treated "unfairly." Per the law in the state you chose to live in, you have no "rights" to enter this sweepstakes. Technically, it is your decision. . .nothing Blizz can do about it!
omg
# Nov 26 2007 at 4:28 PM Rating: Good
it has NOTHING to do with race floridians are not a race, florida laws do limit how contests can be run!!
the laws
# Nov 26 2007 at 3:03 PM Rating: Good
People play this game all over the world but Blizzard could never provide a contest or give-away of any kind that could even come close to complying to every local law. It would cost and incredible amount of money in legal fees just to attempt such an event and by the time they got it all worked out some local laws would have changed making it illegal in some areas all over again. International law is an extremely complex and ever changing system that normally requires dozens of attorneys being involved in every jurisdiction involved.


Rhode Island and Florida are no different. They both have annoying little laws that make it very difficult for any entity to have a raffle, give-away or event like this one. Even with the restrictions they have with this event there is always liabilities lingering over their heads that could cause unwanted legal action.

In short, I have no doubt that Blizzard would love to provide equal opportunity in this event but it just is not reasonable possible
the laws
# Nov 26 2007 at 11:18 PM Rating: Default
*********

Bliz can give me a free month when I buy the game but they can't give me a free month as a prize?

If they can manage the intricacies of international law enough to bill us foreigners then they can manage to give us prizes.
the laws
# Nov 27 2007 at 9:29 AM Rating: Decent
Agorr wrote:
Bliz can give me a free month when I buy the game but they can't give me a free month as a prize?


The difference between giving a free month when you buy the game and giving one as a prize is actually very complicated, especially when you take into account the laws of the different states and countries.

When you give away something uniformly (as in a free month when you purchase the game) it is the equivalent of the company charging you a one time fee of $0.00 for the item, and I don't know of very many places that will penalize you for losing money if you do it voluntarily.

However, if they are giving away something as a prize (thus, not uniformly), they often have to pay extra taxes for each location it is offered as well as having to pay for permits, and have to adhere to the laws of every location they are offering the prizes.

Now, think of the speed limits of different states or countries, or even different roads within the same city. One street does not necessarily have the same speed limit as another street even though they may be less than 0.1 miles apart (highway (65 mph) vs. city street (25 mph)). Try to conform to two different speed limits at the same time, and you will learn that it is not going to happen (though in this case it is a problem of physics).

You may still say:
Agorr wrote:
If they can manage the intricacies of international law enough to bill us foreigners then they can manage to give us prizes.


However, when you are billing someone, you really only have to deal with one set of laws (the laws of the country/state where the person is located), or even at most two sets of laws (where the person is located and the location of the place selling); and when you give out a prize you have to deal with the laws of EVERY location at the same time. It makes things much more difficult, and in some cases impossible.
Only US
# Nov 26 2007 at 1:31 PM Rating: Default
wow good job... i dont understand why people like me that live in Florida are ineligible to receive or participate in the event. I have been playing for over 1 and half years and i cant even enter a competition for the game i love to play... ty blizzard once again making me angry at you... And for those who live outside the country I'm sorry for you because blizzard collects way to much money and cant pay a fee to send you a gift for being a loyal and consistent subscriber to their much profitable mmorpg the money spent on your gift will be easily taken back within a couple months if that... anyways I have gone to long with this lol gl to the people that get to be a part of it
Only US
# Nov 27 2007 at 10:25 AM Rating: Decent
MannyP wrote:
wow good job... i dont understand why people like me that live in Florida are ineligible to receive or participate in the event. I have been playing for over 1 and half years and i cant even enter a competition for the game i love to play... ty blizzard once again making me angry at you... And for those who live outside the country I'm sorry for you because blizzard collects way to much money and cant pay a fee to send you a gift for being a loyal and consistent subscriber to their much profitable mmorpg the money spent on your gift will be easily taken back within a couple months if that... anyways I have gone to long with this lol gl to the people that get to be a part of it


The problem is not really on Blizzard's end, but rather with Florida's laws. I have seen many, many different games, raffles, etc. (giveaways) from many different organizations that exclude Florida and Rhode Island (and sometimes other locations), and it has to deal with the laws of the state not being very friendly to giveaways.

Perhaps it would be more constructive to attempt to get the laws changed, so that everyone could be included in these giveaways, instead of complaining about the organizations.
Only US
# Nov 26 2007 at 1:27 PM Rating: Default
38 posts
I agree, it sucks that only US citizens can get access to the prizes given that WOW is played by so many different people. I would love to hear the reason.

only US except Florida, Rhode Island, Puerto Rico, etc.
# Nov 26 2007 at 12:06 PM Rating: Decent
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528 posts
What is it about Florida and Rhode Island that makes them so different to the other 48 states?

Any Alla readers that live there, I empathise with you - I live outside the US so I'm excluded too.
ummmm
# Nov 26 2007 at 11:59 AM Rating: Decent
double post

Edited, Nov 26th 2007 3:00pm by dbernor
LAME!
# Nov 26 2007 at 11:57 AM Rating: Decent
So wait a minute here!

Blizzard with over 9 MILLION Subscribers is celebrating their 3rd year with 35 prizes? WTF?!?

I would have much rather seen some cool little in-game items based on how long you have played the game.

Way to suck even more Blizzard!
smaller prizes.. available to more people and places
# Nov 26 2007 at 11:46 AM Rating: Default
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799 posts
It might have been nice, effectively, if those of us WoW players who do NOT reside in the US were equally thanked for our faithful membership.

Maybe the prizes could have been smaller (I rather like the "paid subscription to WoW" idea, it could ahve come in different "denominations"), but have non-US citizens able to participate.

Oh well, happy birthday WoW, all the same. It's still my favourite game to date.
omg
# Nov 26 2007 at 11:19 AM Rating: Decent
it's almost racism...
omg
# Nov 26 2007 at 4:36 PM Rating: Decent
This is not racism and has NOTHING to do with racism. Being a floridian is not a race, but is does say something about florida laws reguarding contests. Blizzard cannot control laws of various states and countries on how contests can or will be run. So please put that card back in your deck. Now if you want to complain about the low nimber of prizes they are giving away then I think we have an area that we can agree on.
Only US
# Nov 26 2007 at 11:13 AM Rating: Decent
16 posts
It bothers me that when they are trying to celebrate the third birthday, the sweepstakes are only avalible to (almost all) US citizen but not the rest of the world. I find that strange since there are more people who dosen't live in the US and play WoW then there are people in the US playing WoW.
All do I understand that it's not so easy to give away prices (gift certificates) the that rest of the world can use. And the postage fee for the action figures for shipping to Sweden would be gruesome I suppose, but I still wish that they could look outside of their own country and realize how many people that lives outside of the US. Oh, well.. I promised myself that I wouldn't keep droning on but here we are. Thank you and good night.
Only US
# Nov 26 2007 at 12:32 PM Rating: Decent
Don't blame Blizzard, blame your local governments and lawmakers.
Only US
# Nov 26 2007 at 1:09 PM Rating: Decent
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192 posts
What rot! How does it have anything to do with local government and lawmakers? Are you suggesting the governements of Britain, Germany, Spain, Italy, China, North Korea and all the other places where they play WoW have placed an embargo on prizes won in Blizzard competitions?
Only US
# Nov 27 2007 at 2:59 AM Rating: Default
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336 posts
If this competition could not be done fairly, then it shouldn't have been done at all.
What would have been wrong with offering in-game prizes? Maybe a special pet or something?
Only US
# Nov 26 2007 at 4:00 PM Rating: Decent
North Korea? LOL
And yes, the suggestion was correctly implied that foreign govt's (and some state & local govt’s) DO limit raffles, giveaways, and other prizes. It’s not an "embargo" its politics. Don't like what your particular Country has to offer? Elect new leaders and demand a change...but until then Blizzard has the right to limit the prizes anyway they please. Besides, Blizzard doesn't "have" to do anything...they don't have to give anything away. Secondly, if you don't like their policy (even though it completely out of their hands) quit. that will send a message. Otherwise QQ more.
Only US
# Nov 27 2007 at 4:27 AM Rating: Good
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135 posts
There were contests in the past.
There are no difficulties for "Scroll of resurection" or another promotions all over Europe.
I'm sorry for Florida though. ;-)
Only US
# Nov 26 2007 at 7:37 PM Rating: Decent
I say this is nothing to do with local government law... if Blizzard is really wanted to reward all those faithful player for the pass 3 years, there is many way to do it. There are not only 1 company from the US that can provide contest, there are tonnes of it on the net where u can search anytime that u can participate and win and the reward can be send to you or in the from of digital stuff.. ex..maybe free 1 month of playtime etc.

If there is a will there is a way. So i still think this not so right not to include all those player from outside US... no offend to anyone.. Just my 2 copper of thinking.

Anyway happy birthday to Blizzard!
Only US
# Nov 27 2007 at 5:16 AM Rating: Default
It's not Blizzard's Brthday, it's WoW's :D

Think it is a bit sucky that non-US get feck all, but then again I highly doubt I would've won anyway ><

maybe everyone in Florida, Rhode-islands, Europe and China should revolt demanding penance for our loyalty - refusing to subscribe :D

But then again, I could just go back to playing ff11...
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