Blizzard has enabled paid character transfers from PVE to PVP servers in World of Warcraft. This policy reversal comes over two years after the server transfer program first started, which until now restricted character moves from certain server types.

A major part of leveling up on a PVP server is being constantly subject to attacks from other players -- often much higher level than you. Many PVP devotees show serious contempt for players who reached the level cap on so-called "carebear" servers, as they consider this trial-by-fire a sort of initiation ritual. The drawbacks to allowing these two groups to intermingle have always been a concern.

"Because World of Warcraft has matured significantly since the inception of Paid Character Transfers, we don’t feel that PVE-to-PVP transfers will have the negative impact on the game that we initially wanted to avoid when we started the service in 2006," a Blizzard employee clarified on the developer’s forums, adding, "This change will provide more mobility and freedom for players to experience the game with friends or play in the type of environment they’re looking for."

Giving players more choices is usually a good idea, even if those choices come with some growing pains. Something tells us that no matter how bitter the PVP guys get, it’s probably not going to put a dent in that monstrous subscriber base.