Blizzard sells server blades for charity

By Fred Dutton Published 13 October, 2011

Original WOW hardware up for grabs.

Blizzard is auctioning a number of server blades used in the early days its hugely successful World of Warcraft MMO.

Around 2000 original Hewlett Packard ProLiant blades that once housed 500 hundred Warcraft different realms across North America and Europe are being sold off.

Net proceeds go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, one of the world's premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases.

The blades will be auctioned off on eBay in batches over the next four weeks, starting on 17th October. Blizzard has posted a handy FAQ and auction schedule for prospective buyers.

Should you snap one up, it'll come in a custom-built windowed case adorned with the World of Warcraft logo. You'll also get a commemorative plaque signed by the World of Warcraft team.

"World of Warcraft realms are like the virtual neighborhoods of the game's community - they contain the spaces where millions of players have made friendships, forged friendly rivalries, and created lasting memories," commented Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime.

"Each winner in this auction will own a small monument to those collective experiences. The best part is that this auction benefits a great charity doing tremendous work in helping children from the US and around the world."

Picture of Fred.

About Fred Dutton

Fred Dutton is Eurogamer's US news editor, based in Washington DC.

Read more articles from Fred by visiting the Fred Dutton archive page.

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Comments (17) Latest comment 7 months ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • ShiftyGeezer #1 7 months ago

    Why don't they just give a tiny little percentage of their insane profits instead? Selling off your crapped-out servers to give someone else's money to charity isn't actually very chartiable.

  • whizzedout #2 7 months ago

    When switched on you will have a 55 minute queue time.

  • randompanda #3 7 months ago

    Net profit going to charity, not the final sale price. I'm pretty sure this would be more noble if just the entire thing went to charity. Also makes me question what they'll value these things at before they're "breaking even".

    I guess anything going to charity's a bonus, but it seems like such a clumsy way of going about it.

  • BiscuitPowered #4 7 months ago

    Wow.

    A company thinks of a way to turn a pile of its old junk into money for charity, and people still find something to moan about.

  • jimr9999us #5 7 months ago

    Agreed Biscuit. A great idea and something that would look very cool on the wall of any gamer's sanctuary.

  • zoweewowee #6 7 months ago

    +1 BiscuitPowered… The worse is that those people might never have done anything for someone else.

  • randompanda #7 7 months ago

    Biscuit - Because it's not the definition of charity. Charity would be a selfless act, this appears to be a way of shifting old hardware - and recouping its cost, the tax deductions associated with charitable donations and a PR move all at once.

    It's a no-lose situation for them.

    Use your noodle.
    Edited by randompanda at 13/10/11 @ 21:00

  • miiiguel #8 7 months ago

    As a systems engineer in a large datacenter I can assure that's a pain in arse to get rid of old hardware, and often quite costly to do so.
    Edited by miiiguel at 13/10/11 @ 21:08

  • ShiftyGeezer #9 7 months ago

    @BiscuitPowered - It's insincere, and smacks of PR. Worthwhile causes and hard-working fundraisers deserve more respect than some fat, rich Lord Snooty handing out his plate scrapings and soiled pants expecting them to be grateful and the public to appreciate their generous heart.

  • Markusdragon #10 7 months ago

    Always wear gloves before handling the Moon Guard server blade. Some seriously hideous things have traveled over that thing's circuits...

  • Lirsumis #11 7 months ago

    Kind of a no-lose for the charity as well, though. I don't see why it cheapens anything that it makes good business sense for Blizzard to help out a charity. I think that sort of thing should be encouraged, actually.

  • Hamflank #12 7 months ago

    Perhaps it's time to rename Eurogamer to Communistgamer; the hate for anything capitalist is astonishing.

  • OldK1ngCole #13 7 months ago

    Taken from Blizzard's ebay listing

    "Blizzard Entertainment will donate 100% of proceeds after auction expenses to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital"

    Doesn't sound like their taking anything towards the cost of the actual hardware to me.

    P.S. Sort out the link EG, it appears to be broken :)
    Edited by OldK1ngCole at 14/10/11 @ 09:18

  • Koozer #14 7 months ago

    "that once housed 500 hundred Warcraft different realms"

    Jeez.

  • zegerman1942 #15 7 months ago

    @randompanda and similar posters: it does not matter if this is a no-lose situation or not. The end result is that money that previously was not given to a charity organization will end up being used for good. How is that a bad thing?

    Blizzard could simply auction off the server blades and not give anything to charity and instead build another WoW statue for their fountain.

    A company gives money to a charity organization but people complain about the greed of Blizzard. that's just unbelievable. How much have each of you donated to charity in your life? Have you ever done charitable events/challenges? Have you ever volunteered for anything?

  • Butr0sButr0s #16 7 months ago

    I donate to charity. Actually, I donate just about all of my money to charity minus rent and groceries, as well as volunteering on a regular basis. However, I don't think that would give me more or less of a say in this argument than someone who doesn't give.

    I think people are arguing over different things. I agree with the people saying giving to charity is always a good thing, if the alternative is not giving. I also agree with the others that wished more people donated or gave without making a press release about it, especially when the amount will likely be infinitely small compared to the value of the company.

  • jetsetdemo #17 7 months ago

    Do you want to buy an original c12 of JetPack? No I didn't think so what a load of utter shite.