wow Save/Lock Account Data Global Strings Spotted Ahead of Imminent Realm Shutdown in China

[Stan 4,877]

The latest Patch 10.0.5 build adds the ability for players in China to save and lock their account data, ahead of the service shutdown in the region after January 23.

Blizzard is parting ways with NetEase in the China. As a result, World of Warcraft realms will be unavailable in the region after January 23.

Blizzard added new global strings in Patch 10.0.5 which suggest players in the region will be able to save and lock their account information ahead of the imminent shutdown. We do not know if saving data will be mandatory or what happens when a player doesn't save their account data.

The following new global strings have been added: 

• ACCOUNT_SAVE_DESCRIPTION_UNLOCKED - |cffff2020World of Warcraft realms will be temporarily unavailable in this region after January 23rd, 2023.|r|n|n|cffffd200You can download your game progress (including characters and gear under your World of Warcraft accounts) now so that you may be able to restore it in the future.|r|n|n|cffffd200Saving your game progress locally will lock your account from play. Please safeguard your Archive as we hope to enable use of the Archive at a later time.|r|n|n|n</p><h1>|cffffffffSave your Game Progress Locally|r</h1><p>|n|cffff2020By downloading your game progress, your account will be immediately locked.|r|n|n|cffffd200You won't be able to use this account until it's restored in the future.|r|n|n|cffffffffThis feature and the archived game progress are subject to the B.Net End-User License Agreement.|r|n|n|cffffd200If you're sure, type|r |cffffffffLOCK ACCOUNT:|r
• ACCOUNT_SAVE_DESCRIPTION_LOCKED - |cffff2020World of Warcraft realms will be unavailable in this region after January 23rd, 2023.|r|n|n|cffffd200You can download your game progress now so that you may be able to restore it in the future.|r|n|n|cffffd200Saving your game progress locally will lock your account from play. Please safeguard your Archive as we hope to enable use of the Archive at a later time.|r|n|n|n</p><h1>|cffffffffSave your game progress locally|r</h1><p>|n|cffffffffThis feature and the archived game progress are subject to the B.Net End-User License Agreement.|r|n|n|cffffd200Your account is locked because you successfully downloaded your account data.|r
• ACCOUNT_SAVE_ERROR_ALREADY_IN_PROGRESS - A progression archive download is already in progress. Please try again later.
• ACCOUNT_SAVE_FILE_BUTTON - Open Folder
• ACCOUNT_SAVE_CLOSE_BUTTON - Close
• ACCOUNT_SAVE_SUCCESS_DETAILS - Please copy this file to a safe location for future use:
• ACCOUNT_SAVE_ERROR_CANCELLED - Progression archive download was interrupted. Please try again later.

[Guz 19]

How sad is this. Imagine if you lost your 15+ year old account. I remember when they shut down Asheron’s Call server it was very sad but atleast they ate letting them save the data. 

[SpilledStars 52]

10.0.5 drops tomorrow and today is the 23rd.

I'm not sure the option has come in time to save New Years for china players 😞