IRO failed to connect to server - whats the deal?

[Riley]

Hey there, this might be the wrong place to ask this but I honestly can't find an answer anywhere else online, the Warp portal site consistantly gives me a connection timed out error no matter how I try to access it, and the Ragnarok online official site has zero information on the subject.

I've not played for several years, I figured I'd come back and download it off the main site for nostalgia purposes since all my characters are on IRO, for some reason I can access the classic version but everytime I try the main renewal servers I get a 'Failed to connect' error. Is it impossible to play IRO now? do I have to give up all my characters and items? whats the deal exactly these days. I'm so out of the loop.

I just downloaded this steam version as a last resort to try and play an offical renewal server, so if I can't access IRO or my previous characters I guess I'll be starting fresh if that's the only option.

Hope someone can fill me in, thanks.

[Hong-Hi]

simple warpportal changed the rules about is game playerbase, so if you live in america u can actually play at iRO but if you are from Europe you have to play at fRO (cause is it the official european server)

[Phyrus]

Hong Hi ist not right. The reason is the new EU Dataprotection Law . Warpportal doesnt wanna obey to the rules and cause they fear they would have to pay very high fines. They decided to just cut them self of from the European market . So you can play Iro but well this would include you mask your Ip and your whereabouts . Which if Warpportal finds out ( thor ect) your Acc gets banned.