If there's one recurring theme on the forums it's the outcry for new realms for the small section of players obsessed with powering new characters to cap on a virgin server. Well they've finally gotten their wish...sort of.

The first new server to be released since the launch of Burning Crusade, Ghostlands is using a different type of launch, one that disables character creation for a period of time, instead allowing players from higher population realms to transfer there first. This has been the standard since slightly before the release of BC, with many new realms having locked character creation for a set period of time.

The realms available for free transfer are:

Aerie Peak
Aggramar
Alexstrasza
Alleria
Argent Dawn
Blackhand
Cenarius
Doomhammer
Hellscream
Whisperwind

The free transfers will start on Thursday, January 31 at 3:00 PM PST and run until Thursday, February 7 at 3:00 PM PST.

Along with this a variety of other free server transfers have been announced:

Source A (PvP)
Arthas
Burning Blade
Illidan
Skullcrusher
Warsong

Destination A (PvP)
Balnazzar

Source B (PvP)
Mal'Ganis
Mug'thol
Sargeras
Tichondrius
Twisting Nether

Destination B (PvP)
Onyxia

Source C (PvP)
Gorefiend
Kel'Thuzad
Mannoroth
Shattered Hand
Smolderthorn

Destination C (PvP)
Malorne

Source D (PvE)
Aerie Peak
Aggramar
Alexstrasza
Alleria
Argent Dawn
Blackhand
Cenarius
Doomhammer
Hellscream
Whisperwind

Desination D (PvE)
Ghostlands*

Ghostlands* is a new realm. Character creation for this realm will be turned off for the duration of the transfers.