Turtle WoW, a popular fan-operated World of Warcraft private server, shut down on May 15, 2025, following a legal settlement with Blizzard Entertainment. The server's community gathered for a final send-off on a virtual beach, sharing emotional farewells.
Community gathers for final farewell on virtual beach
"Goodbye everyone, Turtle WoW will always be in my heart," one player wrote. Another added, "There will be no equal to Turtle WoW. The end of an era. Best of luck to everyone." Some players quoted classic sentiments: "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." Others kept it light: "My name is Beastly and I like turtles."
Developer Torta expressed gratitude in a message to the community. "They say it's the journey, not the destination. How long must a journey last to be remembered fondly and warmly? We don't know. We only know that ours is coming to an end," Torta wrote. "Working on Turtle WoW has been the highlight of our lives. It has been an honor to build with you and for you." Torta also announced that the website will close on October 16, 2025.
Blizzard had previously stated its position on the private server. "This pirate server illegally uses our code, assets, and trademarks to market an unprotected experience," a Blizzard spokesperson said. "Given the scale and nature of the infringement we need to pursue formal remedies to protect the world we've built." The shutdown marks the end of a long-running fan project that had drawn a dedicated player base.
Source: PCGAMESN
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