Patch 3.3 PTR: Character copy is up, but not so fast
by Mike Schramm 
Sep 30th 2009 at 4:05PM
A few readers have reported in to say that character copies are currently up for what we presume to be the patch 3.3 PTR (not that surprising, considering that Blizzard has been forthcoming with Icecrown info today), but before you go running over to send your character racing to meet Arthas, don't forget that usually in this situation, character copies get wiped before the PTR goes up anyway. You can try a copy, but don't be surprised if, when the realm finally does go up and Blizzard is ready, you have to do it again.
That said, this is a pretty good sign that the PTR is just around the corner -- Blizzard's got the content in a workable state, and they're just about ready to let us have a look at it and run it through the ringer for them. Icecrown or bust!
That said, this is a pretty good sign that the PTR is just around the corner -- Blizzard's got the content in a workable state, and they're just about ready to let us have a look at it and run it through the ringer for them. Icecrown or bust!
Thanks, Low!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Heii Sep 30th 2009 4:13PM
Fun fact; From 3.1 -> 3.2, my Pre-mades were never wiped, so I had like, eight or nine of them in all.
Kyle Sep 30th 2009 4:18PM
This seems fairly fast for a new patch. Though i guess i said that the last few patches so I just need to adjust to the new superfast pace.
So maybe 3.3 for a Christmas present? Whos taking bets....
snowleopard233 Sep 30th 2009 4:23PM
Given the pace testing took before, I'm thinking we may have a thanksgiving feast on our hands.
I wonder when we can expect CAT? Q1 already seems really ridiculously crowded, but is it possible that we could see a release in the spring? Still, that would be a while after the last content patch. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
Kyle Sep 30th 2009 4:28PM
Spring does seem more and more likely (even leaves a little time for a few world events) but It seems weird to unleash an xpac in the spring/summer doldrums every MMO goes through.
theRaptor Sep 30th 2009 7:15PM
I called this. Since Ulduar they have been firing out patches with extreme regularity. They realised they can't keep people interested by making them farm the same raid for several months on end if Blizz are going to then go hand out the previous tier in five mans*. The only way to keep the raiders AND the non-raiders happy is the current system of regular raids and gear mini-resets. I expect 3.3 to drop late November - early December. Cataclysm if all is on schedule will be May - April at the latest.
* And no raiders aren't just motivated by HURR DURR PURPLEZ!. But once you kill the bosses there is bugger all incentive to kill them again unless you get rewarded. It is like finishing a level of a single player game and having to play it over and over again for months until they release the next level. Most people would just go play something else until they release the new level, and that is terrible for subscriber retention.
poggg Sep 30th 2009 4:23PM
Good lord, this soon? Cataclysm better be coming out EARLY 2010, or there'll be nothing to do for too long.
Rick Sep 30th 2009 4:29PM
I so excited...and I just can't hide it.
snowleopard233 Sep 30th 2009 4:33PM
I don't like to lose control but I think Garrosh likes it!
BERSERK!!!!!! SMASH!!!!!!!!!! DEATH TO THE HUMANS!!!!!
(people begin screaming and running for their lives)
sorry.
Red Viking Sep 30th 2009 5:18PM
@ Rick
You're about to lose control and you think you like it?
Clbull Sep 30th 2009 5:41PM
@snowleopard233
Congratulations, you won an upvote from me.
IvanP91 Sep 30th 2009 4:29PM
This was fast. Like ppl already said for patch 3.3, Cataclysm might come out sooner than later. Very nice to know.
IvanP91 Sep 30th 2009 4:36PM
Replying to myself. Im dissapointed :)
Some info: http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/underdev/3p3/icecrown.xml
aperently Blizz already made a page on the Ice Crown citadel. Info posted as of 9.30.09 which is today. (in the launcher)
WaterRouge Sep 30th 2009 4:29PM
I do not have the ability to copy anymore premades and can only copy over 2 original characters. Thus, my premades haven't been wiped or I suck =(
Jon Do Sep 30th 2009 4:31PM
I'm not surprised.
IMO patch 3.2 was the second-smallest content patch since vanilla; the only smaller one was 2.2.x.
Hopefully Blizz made good use of the time they gained.
Phathead Sep 30th 2009 4:33PM
Bear in mind that for the previous patches they are usually on the PTR for 2+ months before they go live, so even if it went up today, we probably wouldn't see 3.3 until early Dec. My guess is that the PTR goes up in the next 2 weeks, and 3.3 lands sometime just before the holidays.
That being said, with this being the final major content patch of this expansion, there is a good chance it might be content heavy and take a lot more time to test (all of Icecrown Citadel > TOC).
Who knows though. With how many times Anub'arak has come back to life, there could be a patch 3.4 early 2010 just so you can fight him a 4th time hahahaha.
xzor Sep 30th 2009 6:27PM
Don't look so smug! I know what you're thinking, but Icecrown was merely a set back....!
jbodar Sep 30th 2009 6:39PM
@xzor
Just.
Let.
It.
Go.
Colleen Sep 30th 2009 7:14PM
^^
Excellent, I wouldn't be surprised. I'm just stoked because I think my Christmas Icecrown prediction is coming true! I have no way to prove that I was think predicting that a couple weeks ago, but yay anyway!
themightysven Sep 30th 2009 4:40PM
Dude, what if 3.3 is just the 3 five-man wings, and we wait til 3.4 for the main event?
Dude....
Romilin Sep 30th 2009 4:45PM
That is a very likely possibility. It was hinted at a while back that there would actually be 4 content patches this expansion cycle