WoW's Mists of Pandaria beta download surfaces on Battle.net [Updated]

@jimr9999us

I wouldn't count on it. This is Blizzard we're talking about here. My best guess is around November / December of this year. That would make it two years from Cataclysm.

Speaking of which... Does anyone feel like this expansion is less significant than the last three? Maybe it's just me but it really seems like they are not hyping MOP nearly as much. Cata, WotLK, BC all felt epic in scope. I don't get that here for some reason. Just sayin...

@(Unverified) Personally I feel this is the first time Blizzard is free from the RTS lore. So it's a starting platform to introduce a story to WoW that exists outside of epic raids tied into RTS history. I hope it works well for them because one of my biggest issues with WoW is that while the lore was deep and rich the world itself felt rather shallow and disconnected in my opinion.

@(Unverified) This is also a Blizzard that's fighting to keep the sub numbers as high as they've always been. I expect a June release if not a May one.

@jimr9999us
WOTLK ran 128 day beta.
Cata ran 160 day beta

I feel like Cata had more content to test, due to world revamp. I was guesting July 31st or Aug 7 without any data, but this is right in line with that. 128 days after today puts us with July 31st as the closest Tuesday. I'm sure there are a dozen different factors that decide a launch date, of course, but June seems too early from a historical standpoint.

If its July 31st, that means patch 4.3 will have been live for 245 days. 8 months of the same patch.

@Unshra

They STILL have not done anything with the Emerald Dream even though those files are already on your computer.

@KvanCetre

Awesome research, tyvm!

I completely agree that Cata was an anomaly given the entire world rework. I honestly don't think 90 days is out of the question given the pressures WoW is facing atm.

Where does Blizz's fiscal quarter come into play? Anyone have that info they could overlap? It would put us real close :)

I'm struggling to try and figure out what possible advantage WoW could have for a release around the same time as GW2. This isn't a sumo wrestling contest, Blizzard. You're better off waiting. :/

@(Unverified)
Actually, in RE to my own wondering: The only thing I can think of is that Blizzard is getting pissy about the GW2 buzz.. Is it any coincidence that GW2 just had their betas start, and have been releasing info? Suddenly WOW is doing the same. Huh. Gee... feeling like you have to ramp things up Blizzard? It kinda smells of desperation...
I wouldn't be surprised if Blizzard is trying to squeeze its fat butt into GW2's (guesstimated) release time slot. If a lot of people have friends that go to WoW (with a release date around the same time as GW2) Then some people might have to choose WoW instead, since their friends went there. That's... ew.
Sure, it could be coincidental...sure...maybe...no...no most likely not.

@hami83 I know a lot of people will say "different crowds" but I doubt they'd release it in May, in direct competition with themselves. They know people are not made out of money and releasing Diablo 3 in May has zero competition..good deal for them as it stands. Unless you mean May 2013

@hami83

careful what you say, you just broke the NDA for GW2 by mentioning you're in the beta this weekend. Just an FYI ^_^

On a related note, I'm jealous, but hopefully I will at least get try out Tera this weekend.

@Mugzee18 No I didn't. I read the NDA. I can't talk about the game, but no where did it say I can't state I'm in it.

That's all I can say though. lol Everything else is under lock and key.

@Mugzee18 Nevermind, I just recheck. I can't admit I'm in. lol whoops. Guess I won't talk anymore, to anyone.

@hami83

Then I'll offer a hypothetical congratulations for ya. Lucky! :P

@(Unverified) @hami83

Ditto!

@hami83 : damn, what a spooky paradox. If you get kicked out of the beta for breaking the NDA.. you no longer broke the NDA.. and can get back in.. but then get kicked out again..

@Unshra Let me make a correction, I know that Blizz said they can't talk to each other and understand the reasons why. I'm curious if there will be any lore reasons given.