LIFE CYCLE OF "NEW EXPANSION" BLOGS ON WOW INSIDER

1. After months of rumors and speculation, the expansion is announced. The expansion is immediately hit with negative views because it didn't live up to the hype wowboy2194 had set when he heard from his friend's uncle who supposedly works for Blizzard that it was going to be set on another planet 5000 years in the future. √ CHECK
2. Complaints about: The name, the lore, the new classes/races, the new features, and the trailer video, sometimes all in the same post. This is based off still-tentative teasers & reports from BlizzCon. √ CHECK
3. Random new threads pop up in the next few days on sites such as MMO Champion, breaking the news of the brand new expansion, even though the original thread is probably still on the first page near the top.
4. People start complaining about the lack of updates regarding when beta will begin, and wonder if the xpac will be finished by the rumored date.
5. Beta testing goes live, people start complaining about the lack of screenshots, videos, and update posts. No screenshots or video from 2:35 this afternoon? But another person started playing!!!
6. Someone plays Beta and reports back. If the review is so-so to good, there are obviously still a lot of bugs to work out. If the review is glowing, the person obviously hasn't played any MMOs besides WoW.
7. Criticism over the differences between the Beta reports versus the BlizzCon concept art begin. Page upon page of bitter feuding over the planned quests and mechanical updates & changes begins.
8. Pages upon pages of tirades over why (insert spec/class) shouldn’t be getting nerfed and why (insert planned new ability) looks cool on paper but will probably be worthless in practice. Meanwhile, (insert class) players rejoice, for it looks like they will be the new OP class in PvP!
9. The release date is announced. People start complaining about the lack of world events or updates, and wonder if the xpac will be finished by the rumored date.
10. The expansion goes live. The fanboys powerlevel through the new content, declaring the expansion the best video game to ever touch God's green earth. Wild claims are thrown out, like the expansion is able to cure cancer, and has epic raids even in Levels 1-10.
11. A highly regarded WoW Insider writer finally plays through the expansion, and gives a good but not great review. Fanboys cry foul, saying the person needs to give it another chance.
12. As more people reach the new level cap, the focus of future blogs shifts to the endgame content & gameplay. Pages upon pages of comparisons of which specs & talents are the best for every boss in every new heroic & raid ensue.
13. Meanwhile, next year’s BlizzCon is coming up…the cycle begins again.

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