Blizzard Knows About 180,000 Bugs in WOW?

The mind boggles at that large number of bugs.  This information comes from the Game Developers Conference currently underway in Austin, Texas.  WOW Insider promises a transcript of this keynote speech later on but beside mentioning the 180,000 bugs Blizzard is tracking, the speech mentioned that Blizzard has 2500 customer service people worldwide.  However, you should note that the bug list includes bugs that have been fixed, and we don't know that if bugs customers have reported that Blizzard can't find are listed.  The Solo MMO Player thinks this is all the bugs from the earliest builds to date.  He also says that the number of bugs has no relationship to the quality of the software.  Sometimes the best programmers create bugs as they try something no one has tried before.
http://www.wow.com/2009/09/17/blizzard-is-tracking-180-000-bugs-in-wow/

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com

The Role of Soakers in Raiding

I thought soakers were just large squirt guns but in WOW soakers are one role in raids.  Bell explains, "If you're not sure what a soaker is, it's a person who is the opposite color aura of the group they are closest to, and their job is to soak incoming orbs before they hit the raid, as well as dodge their opposite color orbs so that they do hit the raid (and thus buff damage). A soaker has to be highly mobile, as standing still to cast is a bit of a danger to them, depending upon persistence of orbs."
If you want to read more about soakers and the raid Bell was on with them, here's the link.
http://4haelz.blogspot.com/2009/09/crucial-roles-and-failure.html

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com

Engineering Leveling Guide

Darth Solo swears by this quick leveling guide for engineers on his blog.
http://www.wow-professions.com/wowguides/wow-engineering-guide.html

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com

DK Tank's Guide to Enchants and Gems

WOWhead has a short list of enchants and gems a Level 80 death knight tank needs to run raids and Heroics.  NOTE:  This was done for Patch 3.2.2, folks.  It probably doesn't work now that we are at the pre-Cataclysm Patch 4.0.1.

http://www.wowhead.com/?forums&topic=119851

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com

Voice Chat for PUG Groups in Beta Testing

Apparently, you use your browser window to go to their website, open a chat room and just add everyone in your pick up group via a shared link.  Since this is targeted at WOW players, a little bit of Amory information appears on the players in the PUG and you assign roles via a pull down menu.  Judging from the screen shot, there are links to reference sites at the bottom so you can look up things (via another browser window?).
http://www.wow.com/2009/09/17/easy-voice-chat-for-pugs-with-puggable/

Sign up to be a beta tester via their website.
http://www.puggable.com/

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com

Guildwatch Fishing Mafia

A guild called Pillage on the Garona-H server has started selling fishing licenses for Wintergrasp.  They've announced it on the WOW forum and everything (second link below).  A license to fish costs 500 gold for an individual or 5000 gold for a guild.  Don't pay and Pillage promises you'll regret it.
http://www.wow.com/2009/09/16/guildwatch-yesterday-wow-was-such-an-easy-game-to-play/

http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=19675937595&sid=1&pageNo=1

Isn't that what we call in real life protection money?  It always astounds me when things that are illegal in real life happen in WOW.

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com

Guide to the Arena Rating System

WOW Insider has realized the rating system inside the Areana is complicated and published an explanation here.
http://www.wow.com/2009/09/16/the-colosseum-a-basic-guide-to-the-arena-rating-system/

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com

Common Healing Arrangements for Raiding

Standard healing setups for various raids listed here.  Remember, what is commonly done may not be the best for your group.
http://www.wow.com/2009/09/15/raid-rx-what-s-a-good-raid-healing-makeup/

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com

Heirloom Gear For Alts Once You Hit Level 80

WOW Insider explains how heirloom gear works.  Basically, these are gear items that a Level 80 can buy for a lower level alt which level with the alt.   This is a very good deal as these items never need repair but there are limits on the enchantments one can use.  Read all the details here.
http://www.wow.com/2009/09/16/wow-rookie-heirlooms-ease-the-way-for-alts/#continued

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com

Machinima Creator Interview

Here's an interview with Clint Hackleman who has created some very funny parody machinima pieces.   A video of one piece is embedded in the interview but you can follow the links to see others.  Don't miss Learn2Play!
http://www.wow.com/2009/09/15/15-minutes-of-fame-clint-hackleman-of-myndflame-machinima/#continued

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Copyright Solo MMO Player at http://solommo.blogspot.com