The expac will be released on...

[Slickrock]

I'm guessing two dates. Either the Tues after Blizzcon, or the first week of Dec. Why?

1) We are going to get more time with 6.0 that we usually get with pre-expac patches. If we weren't they would not go to the trouble of rescaling SoO to the new raid system.
2) Alpha testing has barely started.
3) They are prepping a 5.4.8 patch, which is just now on the PTR.

I'm guessing that we'll get 6.0 4-6 weeks prior to Blizzcon, and WoD released as above, either right after, or right after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Otherwise, they would have to release WoD at least 8 weeks prior to Blizzcon, to allow for enough time for troubleshooting and balancing and all that. Plus, what raiders would take a break from the progression race to go to Blizzcon? Doesn't make sense.

Plus imagine the energy there when at the keynote they announce the release the Tuesday after everyone gets home.

[Castile]

I'm going to say it will be the Dec release. We got pandaria in Sept but we were in beta from like Mar for that and theres been no beta yet. Dec is also the start of winter in the US and people will be indoors all snuggly playing games ^.^ (and in Australia it will be too damn hot to go outside!)

[Danielfboone]

I'm saying, and hoping, that it will be before Blizzcon. The end of October at the latest.

[Slickrock]

End of October would be th worst. Progression guilds right in the middle of the race to world first, and devs busy trying to patch and nerf.

It would need to launch at least 6 weeks before Blizzcon, and even then Blizzcon would be a letdown.

Also, there was a Blue today talking about a delay in the Alpha. So, that puts even more weight on post-Blizzcon.

[Divixon]

well this xpack seems quite alot of *upgrading* we all know models/content/ect so on, seems alot more then any exp

my guess would release in sept-dec or even just dec?

and grats you lucky butts going to blizzcon.. i want to go =(

[Quiv]

Surely to goodness itll be out before Blizzcon. 5.4 has been out for 8 months now (I started my break from the game in March personally). Thats a long time to expect paying monthly subs to continue paying for nothing new. I want them to take their time and get the new xpac and character models done right, but there's another side to that coin. I love the game, love the company, and it worries me that stretches like this is going to hit them where it hurts a business most: the consumer. Hope this xpac wasnt too ambitious that it causes inordinate delays etc. There comes a point when its simply too long. Reaching the 1 year mark without anything new is what makes me nervous, and it looks like we are going to hit that and then some.

Edit: Not complaining, just concerned.