Blizzard: First Russia, then Brazil and then South Africa

A few months ago we reported that there is currently a drive being headed up by iGame for a local World of Warcraft server.

According to iGame, Blizzard initially stated a requisite 40,000 gamers in order for a local WoW server to be a legitimate possibility. Considering that there are around 1.5million broadband connections in SA, a total of 40,000 WoW players seems like a possibly, although it is an admittedly ambitious one.

Nevertheless, iGame has been communicating consistently with Blizzard, but cannot reveal much at this point in time. However, we can say that there has been a constant exchange of information, with iGame supplying Blizzard with a range of statistics and details regarding things like South African broadband infrastructure and the like.

While iGame and Megarom have been understandably hesitant to comment on the future possibility of local World of Warcraft or Battle.net servers, a European Activision representative stated during a press briefing last night that South Africa is a very important region for the publisher.

Blizzard Sales Director of emerging markets, Arnaud Doudard,  stated that Blizzard is looking at ways to improve the manner in which its games are played in SA, as well as a number of other  key regions around the world. Doudard stated quite frankly that Blizzard’s two immediate priorities are Russia and Brazil, and that South Africa is third on the list.

While this should not be directly construed as a promise of a local WoW or Battle.net server, it does indicate that Blizzard is aware of our situation. This is the first time that we have heard an Activision Blizzard representative directly acknowledge the lack of a local WoW or Battle.net server in South Africa.

Megarom Marketing Director Jason Borea immediately jumped in at the mention of a local server, stating firmly that the comment should not be taken as a promise of any Blizzard servers any time soon.

Doudard concurred jokingly, but went on to say that we can tell Blizzard fans that South Africa is on Blizzard’s map, and that once Russia and Brazil are taken care of they will begin looking closely at what they can do here.

Discuss Blizzard in SA in the forums