whatever 5.4 is, i know 5.5 is going to be the love scandal between anduin and wrathion
Ok, let's do the math.
Cataclysm launched on December 7, 2010 --> Mists launched on September 25, 2012 = a difference of less than 22 months.
As for other expansions:
BC lasted approximately 22 months (January 16, 2007 to November 13, 2008).
Wrath lasted approximately 25 months (November 13, 2008 to December 7, 2010).
So an average of 23 months for BC, Wrath, and Cata.
Last edited by brothernads; 2013-02-13 at 08:17 PM.
Tries to use demons to empower the orcs again
Thrall steps in says fuck you
Too late and a gate opens that starts demon invasion
Sargeras tries to go all algalon on some Azerothian asses (Ha, Kil'Jaeden couldn't fit his ass out)
Knocked back into the portal taking Thrall/Wrynn with him
Dramatic build up in the search for Thrall/Wrynn over the next expansion that leads to Sarge and the burning legion Xpac
Now I'm not saying that's what's going to happen, but I will say it sounds pretty sweet.
Alright you're right I was counting an extra year, my mistake. That brings the average expansion down to 23 months so far, and leaves us with probably 18 months until the next expansion. It's still too many months for only 2 raid tiers.
You can't only look at expansion release dates. The final raid for both Cata and Wrath came almost exactly one year after release. Not enough to establish a pattern I know, but a September release of the last raid would be right inside the window that Blizzard wants for how long each raid tier lasts. You are also making an assumption that this expansion will last as long as the others. I do not think that is true at all. I assume it will be about 18-20 months in length, with an expansion release in April or May of 2014.
I fully expect Blizzcon in August with the new expansion announcement, SoO to be out by September, and the beta for the new expansion starting very shortly after. There was no external alpha testing for MoP (because of how badly the alpha for Cata was leaked) and I see no reason why there would be any for the next expansion.
Last edited by Gurbz; 2013-02-13 at 08:34 PM.
I found I enjoyed the game significantly more when I stopped paying attention to all the people on the forums telling me how much I am supposed to hate itAll this complaining is simply further proof that Blizzard could send each and every player a real-life wish-granting flying unicorn carrying a solid gold plate of chocolate chip cookies wrapped in hundred dollar bills, and someone would whine that Blizzard sucks for not letting them choose oatmeal raisin.
Let's look at Cataclysm:
- Released on Dec. 7, 2010 with Tier 11 raids
- Tier 12 raid (Firelands) released on June 28, 2011 --> nearly 7 months later.
- Tier 13 raid (Dragon Soul) released on November 29, 2011 --> 6 months later.
- Mists released on September 25, 2012 --> 10 months after that.
So, in Cataclysm, we had 16 months for the final two raid tiers -- which Blizzard readily admits was a mistake. Blizzard's mantra for Mists has been "get content out faster" and they've previously indicated that they want to shorten the expansion cycle. So the traditional "average" expansion length may not be a good barometer any more.
If they intend to include a fourth raid tier in Mists, then 18 months would be reasonable. But if Siege of Orgrimmar -- the admitted final raid of Mists -- really is planned for patch 5.4, I'd expect that the next expansion will be arriving sooner than 18 months. Possibly as soon as next May-June.
This is along the lines of my expectations as well. Although I have a sneaking suspicion that Blizzcon may be in August this year. That would be the perfect time to announce the next expansion, maybe provide hints of beta in Sept.-Oct., and give them about 9-10 months to get the expansion out.
I found I enjoyed the game significantly more when I stopped paying attention to all the people on the forums telling me how much I am supposed to hate itAll this complaining is simply further proof that Blizzard could send each and every player a real-life wish-granting flying unicorn carrying a solid gold plate of chocolate chip cookies wrapped in hundred dollar bills, and someone would whine that Blizzard sucks for not letting them choose oatmeal raisin.
I doubt we will get another Tier after 5.4 raid, but I think we will get some small raid (4-5 bosses) to establish some entry point for new expansion ( Blizzard is surely awere how they failed with Cata - MoP transition, not even proper event).
I picture it like that - We kill Garrosh in SoO, Wrathion says "gratz, now we delt with minor problems on Azeroth, and you are ready my champion to face real threat". He gives us legendary weapon to face the challenge he foresought at start of MoP - Burning Legion. Of course main plot, and bosses will be left for new expansion, but we could fight a first wave of invaders or something, and like I said, Blizzard doesnt even need to make new gear for that, this could work more like an event raid.
I don't think they will do another transition raid. They tried that in Wrath with the Ruby Sanctum and it didn't go over well at all. Basically most raids ran it until they got the achievement (so once or twice, more often than not) then never went back. And people still complained that there was no real content, constantly saying that RS didn't count.
I found I enjoyed the game significantly more when I stopped paying attention to all the people on the forums telling me how much I am supposed to hate itAll this complaining is simply further proof that Blizzard could send each and every player a real-life wish-granting flying unicorn carrying a solid gold plate of chocolate chip cookies wrapped in hundred dollar bills, and someone would whine that Blizzard sucks for not letting them choose oatmeal raisin.