Dragonflight Alpha/Beta General Discussion

[Dracullus]

Just realized, is this the first Alpha in a while that has the capital city implemented at launch? If I remember right, both capitals in BFA weren't finished (Zandalar first, cus its a raid) and it took a while for Oribos to show up.

Well, since Alpha must be shorter, zones have to be more or less complete (even if they won't open for testing everything at once).

For sure in Legion Dalaran was second thing we got in Alpha (after DH starting zone), most Artifact/Order Hall started here after all. But in DF I have feeling that entering capital will be rather ending, not starting point for campaign (for mains, 'threads of fate' will for sure start here).

[Thoreya]

It’s not even lunchtime on the west coast lol.

They usually announce their stuff at 1pm Eastern

[Catastrophy349]

Well, since Alpha must be shorter, zones have to be more or less complete (even if they won't open for testing everything at once).

For sure in Legion Dalaran was second thing we got in Alpha (after DH starting zone), most Artifact/Order Hall started here after all. But in DF I have feeling that entering capital will be rather ending, not starting point for campaign (for mains, 'threads of fate' will for sure start here).

I actually find the prospect of the Capital City being in the final leveling zone (apex/peak of the Dragon Isles) very interesting. Now, will we get a WoD style capital that we can fly to from our Garrison right away (obviously, DF wouldn’t be Garrison but just a FP to city). OR will we have to wait until late 60s and final zone to get to the capital city?

[tumbleweed010]

They usually announce their stuff at 1pm Eastern

No, they don't. Blizzard announcing stuff the past 3 days at 1PM EST is not an indication that they "usually" announce stuff then.

[Padwarle]

Dracthyr blog was at 1pm eastern, as with most other posts other then the talents.

[enigma77]

I'm running dangerously low on hopium, hopefully I'll get my fix soon.

[Cheezits]

Can confirm Dracthyr was 1 PM eastern. So there is some precedent, but if there is no blog and a shadowdropped alpha it would explain no announcements today.

Still, its very weird they aren't showing Visage Form or talents/Evoker.

[Thoreya]

No, they don't. Blizzard announcing stuff the past 3 days at 1PM EST is not an indication that they "usually" announce stuff then.

They've done that way before this week but alrighty!

[Valysar]

Alpha/Beta datamining usually happens late in the evening, even during the night for those who live in Europe at least

[Hyrja]

What are the chances we wont get alpha at all but just some videos of streamers showcasing some features?
No one has actually said Alpha is releasing tomorrow.

[boyzma]

Just want to remind people that when alpha does drop...very very few people besides streamers and "special" people get it. So don't go getting your knickers in a knot if you sit for hours refreshing every 2 seconds and you don't get it...it's not going anywhere.

[Worldshaper]

Well Ion said we'd be getting Alpha soon, 2 months ago lol. I think we'll get the usual stuff.

If datamining begins today, I'd say it's about 3-6 hours from now.

- - - Updated - - -

Just want to remind people that when alpha does drop...very very few people besides streamers and "special" people get it. So don't go getting your knickers in a knot if you sit for hours refreshing every 2 seconds and you don't get it...it's not going anywhere.

Tbh I don't give a damn about getting into Alpha. Maybe closer to launch to test classes and get a small taste of the music and so on, but right now there's not much of a point unless you literally make money from checking it out (aka being a streamer).

I just want datamining.

[Cheezits]

What are the chances we wont get alpha at all but just some videos of streamers showcasing some features?
No one has actually said Alpha is releasing tomorrow.

Did people not say that 14th is alpha?

[Kiivar86]

Just want to remind people that when alpha does drop...very very few people besides streamers and "special" people get it. So don't go getting your knickers in a knot if you sit for hours refreshing every 2 seconds and you don't get it...it's not going anywhere.

Streamers, friends & family, and some randoms, yeah.

(As someone in the second camp, not gonna lie I keep checking my launcher)

[Ferlion]

Well, since Alpha must be shorter, zones have to be more or less complete (even if they won't open for testing everything at once).

For sure in Legion Dalaran was second thing we got in Alpha (after DH starting zone), most Artifact/Order Hall started here after all. But in DF I have feeling that entering capital will be rather ending, not starting point for campaign (for mains, 'threads of fate' will for sure start here).

It really doesn't have to be shorter if they are planning a holiday release.

BFA Alpha was in February. Release was in August.
The original Shadowlands release was October, and its Alpha started in April. And yeah, while Shadowlands did end up getting delayed a month, there was also Covid which impacted a hell of a lot.

There is only one real outlier and that was Legion. This isn't a particularly short Alpha/Beta period if a December release is planned, and I don't understand why it's being treated as one.

Now, if the November release rumor is true, then it would be a month shorter. Definitely shorter.

[Catastrophy349]

What are the chances we wont get alpha at all but just some videos of streamers showcasing some features?
No one has actually said Alpha is releasing tomorrow.

Honestly, I would laugh so hard if after ALL of the hopium/copium Blizzard was like, “Nah, only NDA Alpha. Going to wait for S4 to release before we do an official one.” Or, better yet, skip Alpha and go right to Beta (having an Alpha only for the content creators, etc.)

Now, while that “could” be awful (for us), imagine if we had an OVERLOAD of YouTube videos, Blizzard blogs and posts, etc. uploaded tomorrow showcasing all the cool stuff in Dragonflight. Maybe all the content creators/NDA people are making TONS of content to show off and talk to us about on their streams/websites?

By the way, don’t take anything I’m saying too seriously. I’m simply speculating based on a question someone above had. I fully expect an Alpha release tomorrow.

[TS26]

It really doesn't have to be shorter if they are planning a holiday release.

BFA Alpha was in February. Release was in August.
The original Shadowlands release was October, and its Alpha started in April. And yeah, while Shadowlands did end up getting delayed a month, there was also Covid which impacted a hell of a lot.

There is only one real outlier and that was Legion. This isn't a particularly short Alpha/Beta period if a December release is planned, and I don't understand why it's being treated as one.

it will probably release in november. Thats 5 months from now, as opposed to bfa's 7 months

[Ferlion]

Just want to remind people that when alpha does drop...very very few people besides streamers and "special" people get it. So don't go getting your knickers in a knot if you sit for hours refreshing every 2 seconds and you don't get it...it's not going anywhere.

Yeah, generally about a month between Alpha and Beta.

- - - Updated - - -

BFA was 6 and one week.

If it releases in November, like I said, we will definitely be getting a month shorter.

On the other hand, there should be way less mechanical stuff to test with straight up talents.

[The Stormbringer]

Looks like the shitty third world politics of USA are lowering the chances of Alpha anytime soon.

"Shitty third world politics". Ah yes, people trying to both be treated fairly and get fair compensation is shitty third world politics... Sigh. I guess all we care about is CONSUME PRODUCT, huh? As another person said, I'd rather have more unions than an Alpha build.

[Makorus]

"Shitty third world politics". Ah yes, people trying to both be treated fairly and get fair compensation is shitty third world politics... Sigh. I guess all we care about is CONSUME PRODUCT, huh? As another person said, I'd rather have more unions than an Alpha build.

People only care about human rights when they can use it to shit on Blizzard.