The bittersweet, yet amazing, unique experience that has been the past few days
When it was announced that Turtle WoW would officially close on May 15, thousands of players killed theiWhen it was announced that Turtle WoW would officially close on May 15, thousands of players killed thei
r hardcore characters or simply left the server for good on the spot. I think that is a huge shame.
I have been playing World of Warcraft since 2005–2006, up until midway through Cataclysm. After that, I played on a private server here and there until Classic came out, when I started playing once again. But after the reports about starving employees at Activision and the Blitzchung controversy, I decided I was not going to give Activision Blizzard my money anymore. I stopped playing Classic before reaching 60, and didn’t play the game again.
That is, until I found Turtle WoW in the summer of 2025.
I made a character on Nordanaar and discovered the lightning in a bottle that the team had managed to create over the years. Turtle WoW was the first time since the originWhen it was announced that Turtle WoW would officially close on May 15, thousands of players killed theial release that I almost felt like a child again, exploring the world of Warcraft, albeit solo.
Despite my many years of playing the game, I have never aazing, unique experience that has been the past few daysctually reached level 60 in "vanilla" (I did reach max level in Wrath of the Lich King and Cataclysm though). The news hit just after I reached level 40 on the server. It hit harder than I expected, because I realized one thing when I heard it: after more than 20 years of World of Warcraft, this will be the time I hang up the cape for good.
That realisation affected me in ways I didn’t expect, and it has been occupying my thoughts ever since.
But I’m not done yet.
I’ve decided that now is the time. I will do what I can to reach 60 before it is over. I have sacrificed sleep, cleared my schedule as much as possible, which is not easy as an adult, mind you, and I am enjoying the time I have left.
And what a blast I’ve been having.
On the day of the announcement, there was a mass exodus. People killed their characters, logged off, and moved on. But in my opinion, those who left may have missed something special.
Over the past week, I have had one of the best experiences I have ever had in World of Warcraft. Everyone has started helping each other experience the content that still exists. People have gone far and out of their way to help each other, and me, achieve their goals. I have found people to do quests and dungeons with. I now ironically have more friends online now than I did before the announcement. I am in a guild. I am doiWhen it was announced that Turtle WoW would officially close on May 15, thousands of players killed theing more dungeons and elite quests than I ever did before the announcement.
I have received help in so many different forms, and I am having an absolutely amazing time. I know I am making memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
It is not always obvious when you are living through a moment that is truly special. But this is one of those moments.
For those of you saying Turtle WoW is dead: I am telling you, no, not yet.
Those of us who remain are still out there. We are questing, running dungeons, raiding, helping each other, and having the time of our lives. I am getting to see the amazing quests, zones, and dungeons that the Turtle WoW team built, and as of the time of writing, I have just managed to hit level 46 while doing so.
If you are wondering, “What’s the point?” The point is the memories you will create in these final days. The point is the people you will meet, the quests you will complete, the dungeons and raids you will run, and the stories you will carry with you afterwards.
If you are wondering whether you should still play, my answer is unequivocally yes.
All things must come to an end. That is the nature of reality. It is not only about the destination. It is about the journey. And Turtle WoW is in its ultimate act.
When someone asks you, “Where were you in the final days of Turtle WoW?” what will you say?
Will you say that you jumped ship to Project Epoch or somewhere else?
Or will you tell the stories of the amazing final days of the best private World of Warcraft server there has ever been, and possibly ever will be?
For those of you who have helped me along the way, thank you.
To the Turtle WoW team: thank you.