Patch 5.3 interview with Ghostcrawler
Mystery of the Unborn Val'kyr
The latest patch 5.3 news
All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsBlizzard looking for "meaningful difference" in expansion releases
by Mathew McCurley 
Aug 23rd 2011 at 1:00PM
Chilton told Gameinformer:
We've been able to do it in one sense, but not as much as I would like to in another sense. I would like for all patches to reliably have raid bosses. Our first Cataclysm patch didn't have raid bosses. From a raider's persepctive, it probably doesn't feel any faster than it did before. For us, where the biggest improvement is going to be in this cycle is in the actual expansion release. Traditionally we've only been able to do an expansion about every two years. We're really hoping to make a meaningful difference in that.
According to Chilton, the Deathwing raid is not going to have any locks or gating in front of it, meaning every encounter will be available from the get-go, unlike Icecrown Citadel's wing unlock schedule. Since patch 4.3 is going to be the last patch update and raid tier for Cataclysm, we can only assume that the next expansion will be coming sooner rather than later in order to stem the tide of players completing the newest patch's content.
Blizzard has said in the past that it is trying to push smaller and quicker patches in the future since the release of patch 4.1, but patch 4.2 was a big endeavor, and 4.3 is looking to add huge new features to the game with no release date in sight. While Blizzard has stated its goals of faster, smaller patch updates and this new resolve to get expansions out quicker, we have yet to see that philosophy materialize. However, all that being said, I am hopeful that the newest patch and expansion content will come at a quicker pace, especially with the MMO market moving in the way that it is.
Brace yourselves for what could be some of most exciting updates to the game recently with patch 4.3. Look at what's ahead: new item storage options, cross-realm raiding, cosmetic armor skinning and your chance to battle the mighty Deathwing -- from astride his back! 
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 6)
Ullaana Aug 23rd 2011 2:18PM
Right now on Amazon, you can get WoW and the three expacs for about $90 US.
vocenoctum Aug 23rd 2011 2:23PM
Two ways to see it I suppose:
1) doing a sale means folks have to grab it when it's on sale, or pay more. This means some will be leery of investing in the game because they don't want to buy everything at once if they're not sure, but can't be certain what the price will be when they do decide to buy it.
2) People will see it on sale and buy it right away to grab the price.
I think long term they need to just lower the price or bundle things, rather than have the sales. But that's just me. Maybe when Mists comes out, bundle Wrath and Cataclysm as one expansion, since Classic and BC are already togethor. Make that $20 or $30.
Especially given Cataclysm is only 5 levels, I wonder if it'd be possible to skip it, I doubt it, but oh well.
lordtrollingsworth Aug 23rd 2011 3:51PM
Alternate idea for the collector's editions....if you just want it sitting on your shelf, unopened, then take notice of WoW's declining popularity and simply pick up the collector's edition later. At my local Fry's, there were three dozen CEs for Cataclysm, clearanced out at $30 this past weekend. I could still find Lich King CE's there last year, too.
capt.queso Aug 23rd 2011 4:12PM
Upgrading from a free trial to Cataclysm was $79.99 this past weekend, and I am pretty sure that is normal price.
robitrock Aug 23rd 2011 6:10PM
People fail to realize that most mmo's have a new xpac ever year or so, Guild Wars, final fantasy, eve online, everquest (in the beginning) it's actually kinda odd that it takes blizz 2 years for a new xpac when everyone else can do it faster.
Pyromelter Aug 23rd 2011 1:10PM
I wonder how this will ultimately affect the game and programming design for Titan. I'm not a programmer, but sometimes it feels like wow is hindered by the old engine for the game.
Also, BRING ON THE PANDAMEN! that is all.
wow Aug 23rd 2011 1:30PM
Kung Fu Panda III: The Invasion of Azeroth.
Shinanji
poilbrun Aug 23rd 2011 1:15PM
In short, we'll do less free patches, but expansions our players have to pay for will come more often. Great news! NOT
Noyou Aug 23rd 2011 1:24PM
I know some people are on a tight budget but $40 every 2 years for an expansion shouldn't break anyone's bank. If you save $2 a month for 2 years you could have enough for your expac and a nice lunch ;)
matias.soad Aug 23rd 2011 1:34PM
(this is a response to Noyou)
Well, you have to keep in mind that not every country uses American U$S. For example, as an Argentinian, i've to pay 4 times as much as you do.
Artificial Aug 23rd 2011 1:41PM
@poilbrun: Your reading comprehension skills leave much to be desired. They said nothing about less free patches, and in fact lamented that one of their free patches this time lacked raid bosses, and don't want that to be the case again. In short, they said pretty much the opposite of what you just said.
Deborah Aug 23rd 2011 1:43PM
@Noyou
That is the thing, $40 every 2 years is fine, Did you miss the part where they are trying to push the Xpacs out faster. So it's no longer $40 every 2 years, it's $40 EVERY year plus subscription fees.
digitalrogue Aug 23rd 2011 1:50PM
4x as much ... in Argentinian pesos
Artificial Aug 23rd 2011 1:53PM
@Deborah: Nowhere did they say every year. Every year and a half seems to be the more realistic estimate. If you do the math, paying for an expansion every year and a half rather than every two years comes to an extra 55 cents per month. That's hardly a major price increase.
Noyou Aug 23rd 2011 1:54PM
@Deborah
Reading into "meaningful difference in expansion releases" as every year is a bit of a stretch. Even if it's every 18 months I don't think that is totally unreasonable. Until something comes out to change that I don't think it's reasonable to get too excited either way. They could very well make them $30 (not very likely). Content aside, let's not forget all the nice quality of life features blizzard has added including but not limited too Real ID grouping for dungeons.
jfofla Aug 23rd 2011 2:07PM
Seriously?
Are you people that impoverished?
Gaming is a HOBBY.
If this very, very, cheap hobby is too much for you really need to get off your ass and be more productive.
Hollow Leviathan Aug 23rd 2011 2:13PM
I doesn't really matter if WoW is discretionary spending, the point of the matter is that more frequent expansions amount to one less 6month period of free content patches in exchange for a paid expansion content patch per cycle. It's the same content, probably, but for slightly more money.
First world problems, sure, but that's still not something I'd celebrate.
vocenoctum Aug 23rd 2011 2:13PM
If you consider 4.1 and 4.2 to be the same patch, then this expansion gave us 2 content patchs. If you don't, it gave us three.
The direct buy (what it shipped with) value of Cataclysm depends on your view of The Shattering. Everyone gets it, so you're not paying $40 to get it. The development costs may have come from the $40, but should have (IMO) come with the $15 a month they're getting.
So, we're going to get more frequent expansions, will content be similar to Cata or Wrath? More frequent expansion with fewer patchs and less initial content for the same price, while still charging the monthly fee and also offering up a "premium" version?
It's simple, really, we're getting less for our money than we did before. Everyone can decide for themselves whether it's still worth paying, but in tough economic times, maybe the enjoyment vs money isn't up to par for what folks want. That doesn't mean they're cheap, maybe they don't consider grinding dailies to be worth the money anymore.
Noyou Aug 23rd 2011 2:29PM
@Voce
I will be the yang to your ying. With discounts to the old expacs and the price of subs staying the same for over 6 years, I would say we are getting far more for our money than ever before. I'm not going to list every feature they have ever added in a patch rather than an expansion but just look at all the changes/features they have added since the shattering.
People wanting to limit their entertainment expenses have every right to analyze and trim their budget. I will say WoW is still one of the best deals per time spent doing it than most things. If you really don't think it's worth it and don't think you like using all the nice features. You can make a new toon and play for free or find another hobby that isn't as financially constraining.
Smashbolt Aug 23rd 2011 2:58PM
Would you rather they held off the release for another six months so you get your two year expansion cycle and save that extra however much it is per month over time?
And then instead of releasing Pandaria in Q2 2012, they'll release the Wuby Wanktum raid with one boss to keep you busy (and saving mondo cash!) for the next six months until Pandaria releases?