As Patrick Kennedy soared towards SC23 (the 2023 International Conference for High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage, and Analysis) in Denver, little did he know he’d stumble upon a captivating tale during his journey. Seated beside him was a man with an extraordinary story about Blizzard Entertainment’s unconventional decision to part ways with its servers by auctioning them off to fervent fans.
The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of World of Warcraft’s meteoric rise since its inception in November 2004, a virtual realm that still beckons millions of players daily. At the core of this digital universe lay servers, diligently tracking the exploits of every character and NPC across numerous realms.
In 2005, Blizzard sought to bolster its server infrastructure by outfitting its data centers with cutting-edge AMD Opteron 275 processors nestled within HP ProLiant BL25p blades. These formidable machines, tasked with the arduous duty of storing the intricate states of countless players, delivered substantial performance enhancements.
Fast forward 6-7 years, and the time had come to bid farewell to over 10,000 aging blades. While the decision to replace them promised a swift return on investment, the challenge lay in disposing of the old hardware. Recycling firms, accustomed to profiting from decommissioned equipment, were reluctant to touch Blizzard’s antiquated servers, potentially leaving the gaming giant saddled with exorbitant disposal costs reaching up to a million dollars.
Ever resourceful, Blizzard devised a novel solution to skirt these financial burdens. Instead of consigning the servers to the scrap heap, they orchestrated a unique auction aimed squarely at the game’s dedicated community. Each blade, extracted from data centers worldwide, was adorned with a commemorative placard bearing the instance name and a heartfelt message. These prized relics were then offered up for auction in a charitable endeavor to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
This ingenious auction not only spared Blizzard from hefty disposal fees but also furnished the company with a tax benefit while defraying the expenses associated with decommissioning the old hardware.
While the fate of most blades remains shrouded in mystery, one found its way into the hands of Tod Weitzel, a reader whose serendipitous acquisition unfolded against the backdrop of friendship and romance forged within the digital realms of World of Warcraft. Weitzel’s heartfelt account paints a vivid picture of how a simple server blade, emblazoned with the iconic WoW logo, became a cherished memento, traversing the length and breadth of the country, collecting the signatures and well-wishes of guild members before ultimately gracing the wedding of two kindred spirits united by their virtual adventures. Truly, a tale that underscores the profound bonds forged within the gaming community.
