Patch 3.2 background download begins
by Eliah Hecht 
Jul 15th 2009 at 4:00PM
Here's another step in patch 3.2's slow march forward: the background download has begun. The first 273 MB chunk of the patch file is now available in a Blizzard Background Downloader app near you. Blizzard has been using this method to pre-distribute parts of patches as they get finalized for quite some time now, to lessen the bandwidth strain on patch day.
What does this mean for the patch's ETA? Not much, I'm afraid. All we can surmise from this is that some parts of the patch artwork are ready to go. The time between the background download becoming available and the patch going live varies widely, from less than a week to over a month. We'll just have to wait and see.
[thanks, Steve]
Patch 3.2 will bring about a new 5, 10, and 25 man instance to WoW, and usher in a new 40-man battleground called the Isle of Conquest. WoW.com will have you covered every step of the way, from extensive PTR coverage through the official live release. Check out WoW.com's Guide to Patch 3.2 for all the latest!
Filed under: Patches, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jafari Jul 15th 2009 4:06PM
Yeah, i remember the first time I saw a background downloader and went out and told everyone, "yay, the patch is coming." It was a month premature. . .
O well, I suppose this means the druid forms are final.
Ne0nguy Jul 15th 2009 9:28PM
I thought patches were able to be predicted through the pvp seasons.
I may be ignorant in this area but I was under the impression that the seasons lasted a fixed amount of time and the patch usually goes live one week after the season ends.
martosubs Jul 16th 2009 6:59AM
I think I'm right in saying that the pvp Arena Seasons have varied in length with each iterration from months to weeks?
Xero Jul 15th 2009 4:07PM
In terms of ETA, Blizzard also said that we would have a months notice of the removal of Proto-Drakes for the Ulduar Raider achievements. So far, I haven't seen this announcement anywhere.
Although, it was never made clear as to whether we would lose the drakes prior to 3.2 or after it was released, so I guess its not a set time frame either way
Jorelos Jul 15th 2009 4:24PM
I don't have an exact source available to site but I read somewhere on the forums that the latest from Blizz is that it will be somewhere after 3.2 but with a month's notice so not sure hwo that's going to work.
Nathanyel Jul 15th 2009 4:09PM
I already though that these heavy maintenances on EU servers today was to prevent problems arising on patch day, which could only be one or two weeks away.
Nathanyel Jul 15th 2009 4:10PM
*thought *was=were
I should head to bed soon...
Andrew R. Jul 15th 2009 4:10PM
Dear WoW.com,
I'm a daily reader of the site and the articles are great. I saw your most recent article about the background downloader starting for 3.2.
I'm worried about you WoW. There's a lot of nerd rage out there and I'm afraid they might come after you for getting their hopes up that the patch is going live next week. Be safe and remember. Hot pockets attract them!
Zalvi Jul 15th 2009 4:11PM
i hope the patch is coming in a month or less than 2 months, im still leveling my rogue to 80 and i want to get him at least in naxx 25 gear and some ulduar, plus i want the crusader title for him too
Arktic Jul 15th 2009 4:28PM
You know you can still do those things after the patch hits, right?
Zalvi Jul 15th 2009 4:48PM
well i know but when the patch hits i want to be up to date with everybody else, even if blizzard is making leveling easier for us that have lvl 80 toons
Kyle Jul 15th 2009 5:51PM
you're aware this patch will make it easier to gear and level your character to catch up to everyone else? conquest badges dropping from heroics, triumph badges for your dailies... mounts at lvl 20/40....
PeeWee Jul 16th 2009 7:27AM
Naxx25-gear is going to be the lower end of the scale a few weeks into 3.2, you know that right?
Naix Jul 15th 2009 4:14PM
With the way content is progressing and the time line of WOTLK coming to a close. I bet this patch goes active in less than 2 weeks. In fact we will be taking down Aurthus in the final battle in 7 months and reading about the start of the new expansion right here on wow.com.
jfofla Jul 15th 2009 4:15PM
I just ran the Blizz Downloader and it did not find anything. Maybe it is not out in all areas yet.
Kael Jul 15th 2009 4:34PM
I'm running the downloader right now. Though I suppose you could be correct in that it might not be available to everyone yet.
Zalvi Jul 15th 2009 4:46PM
yeah im running the downloader right now too
impurezero Jul 15th 2009 4:19PM
I know that this doesn't in any way indicate a timeframe. But, damnit if it doesn't get me a bit excited. :)
(Are there any sites gathering fan guesses on the patch date. Like a pool/market system? If not, I'd like to see one made. Could prove to be fun.)
Kaliin Jul 15th 2009 4:29PM
The lack of any available testing of the Colliseum on North American servers isn't filling me with confidence that the patch will be soon. But maybe European servers will provide enough testing for the patch release, in which case, prepare for massive QQing when European guilds get world firsts.
Starsmore Jul 15th 2009 4:55PM
I think they should bar anyone who tests dungeon content from running it to get a world first. It gives them an unfair advantage of knowing everything as soon as it drops.