Server Downtime

Pokémon World Online is in beta. As such, it can sometimes be offline for either brief or extended periods of time. The forums are the best place to check for updates on the situation. If nothing has been said, then it is best to find something else to do and try again later.

Whenever the server goes down, there is never a set time frame for when it will be online again. It is therefore preferred that you do not ask.

Types

There are three main types of downtime to be concerned with.

Sometimes, the server has to be taken down for updates or maintenance. The expected time period for this changes depending on the task being performed, but anything major will usually be announced on the forums. Often it will be up shortly after being taken down and any planned downtime will be announced in the form of system messages ingame before it happens.

Standard server crashes can happen frequently. They can be caused by a number of things including bugs in the server code or the testing of poorly scripted NPCs. Usually, a server crash will not cause an extended period of downtime as any DEV can restart it providing they are online.

A database crash is much more serious and can take longer to get back up. Fortunately, they are also less frequent. When the database is down, the server status box on the client will read Default server and the forums will start using a backup database. This may mean you have to use an old password to get into the forums. When the database is down it becomes impossible to register for PWO or to login to playerdex.

Implications

Rollback

When the server crashes, the client does not always realise the connection has been lost straight away. It will allow you to continue to play, however it will not save your progress. Some players have been said to have lost rare and valuable Pokémon as a result of this. Since according to the records on the server the Pokémon never existed, it is impossible for it to be retrieved.

Donations and Memberships

It has been known for the developers of PWO to give those who lose out on their memberships some tokens, or an extension to said membership. This has only ever been the case in extreme circumstances, when the server is down for an extended period of time. It is not guaranteed and nor is it to be expected, as membership is given as a thank you for donating and not as a purchased commodity. You should consider the possible loss of time caused by the server being down when you choose to donate, if your only motive for doing so is the immediate ingame bonus'.

The Role of Lee in Server Downtime

Lee, or Bluerise, is an Admin for PWO who is infamous for being to blame for server downtime. He takes pleasure in causing it to crash because when it's down, he doesn't have to water his tree.