Burning Crusade slips to 2007

World of Warcraft expansion release date has been pushed back to to allow "finishing touches" to be added.

Blizzard Entertainment has extended the closed beta testing of World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade and has postponed the game's official release until January 2007. The highly anticipated expansion pack to the massively multiplayer online game has been moved to allow extra time for the beta testers to provide feedback in the final development phase.

Rumors had been spreading that the release date would miss the key Christmas period, and many fans may be disappointed to find out that the game will not make its scheduled November shipping date. Burning Crusade will add two new playable races for characters, as well as higher level limits, new lands, items, monsters, and quests.

The delay is for fine-tuning, according to Mike Morhaime, president and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. He said: "We appreciate the enthusiasm surrounding World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, and we're excited about putting the finishing touches on all of the new content. We feel confident that the extra time spent polishing the game will result in the high-quality experience that our players expect and deserve."

297 Comments

  • Johansbro

    Posted Nov 13, 2006 4:43 pm PT

    The delay (they say) is to be 100% that as many bugs are found and killed!

  • mxpenguin

    Posted Nov 5, 2006 9:19 pm PT

    pwnd

  • D_M_172007

    Posted Nov 3, 2006 11:20 pm PT

    hmmm well it wont kill us
    that delay is for fixing stuff meaning making it better so shut up and wait

  • silsbysimons

    Posted Nov 3, 2006 4:11 pm PT

    THEY
    NEED
    TO
    STOP DELAYING THIS GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • BigNudeGuardian

    Posted Nov 3, 2006 9:19 am PT

    I am afraid u r goin to ruin the game completely

  • boo_dat

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 12:39 pm PT

    I'll give you black sensations up and down your spine
    If you're into evil, you're a friend of mine
    See the white light flashing as I split the night
    Cos if good's on the left then I'm sticking to the right

  • jingwa

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 8:01 am PT

    Well im not surprised, already told my friends months back to expect a 2007 release, if u keep tabs on the beta testers and how incomplete the beta version is then it becomes very obvious a 2006 release was never going to happen, fine-tuning? more like trying to get all the content in to be tested.

    After it is finally released im sure we will have several small patches for download because they didnt spend enough time testing with 100% the content implemented.

    Anyways im sure there will be some fun to be had after reaching lvl 70, but the only things im remotly interested in is the new arena pvp, which should be more skill based, then again the best geared grp will probably be the highest ranked.

    Then there is the new 5 man instances which should give my 3 man team some fun, but outside that i have no interest in the new 25 man raids for noobs, all raids ever have been is a large grp of people learning a repetative cycle of tactics and repeating them everytime they go do bwl/Aq40/Mc etc, i got pritty bored of it pritty fast, the only thing which wasnt the same cookie cutter routine was when the server would glitch. Thank god it didnt take to long to get tier2, although it leaves hardly any challenge in pvp when almost all the well geared players have next to no skill.

  • jacash3492

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 6:12 am PT

    Well, this is good and bad because an unprepared MMO is just disaturous. Wel, the same with all games. I still have WoW and all Guild Wars games for MMOs. (Yes, Guild Wars is an MMO you game haters). Even though I was expectng the game to launch this month, I can wait because WoW should't be rushed like all other so called, "Good Games". Well, don't disapoint me Blizzard, you haven't before.

  • Reaper221986

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 7:03 pm PT

    Well, I for one knew they would pull it back again because it was releasing a bit too soon. Like they when they pushed Bully back for about two times and Zelda I think they pushed back three or four times.

    And as for your comment living420, I really must say you are either a complete and utter jackass or you are just plane ignorant. Don't you know that each quest is not the same and are quite different depending on your class and race not to mention your faction.

    Also, lets not forget that every single patch fixes problems and also adds quests and areas to the game.

    At least try and act like you know about what the game is about before you start flaming it. Not too mention, if you don't like this, why the hell leave a review on this forum anyway and why follow up on the news. You are biased and a hipocryte and I would expect more from a fifty-two year old virgin still living in his mothers basement.

  • living420

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 5:52 pm PT

    Who cares, this expansion isn't going to make WOW not boring. Theres no point to WOW, all the quests are the same.. wow , im so glad I don't play this game. Just start making diablo 3 or Starcraft 2.

  • _Sam_

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 5:37 pm PT

    I'd rather wait then to play a bugged game, so I'm fine with this

  • gertish

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 5:08 pm PT

    This is Blizzard for you. At least they aren't rushing the game that has like a million bugs.

  • cyborg100000

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 1:39 pm PT

    Too true redcurlz too true. People always have a problem with anything that happens. Same example with the ps3...

  • redcurlz

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 6:08 am PT

    You know, they just can't win with the public. If they release the game and there's bugs people complain about not enough testing. If they push the release date back to polish and fine tune it everyone screams "just make a patch after the release" I personally am so happy to for once be playing a game that is quite stable and still extremely detailed all while being kick ass to play. Thank you Blizzard! I for one will wait patiently but will still be first in line when it's on the shelves.

  • pathogenb

    Posted Oct 31, 2006 6:14 pm PT

    "ULTIMA-Demon
    I played WoW forever and in the time I spent playing it, I had a blast. Now I've quit and realized that all that time spent was totally worthless for me. "

    a time when you enjoyed playing a game (or doing anything enjoyable for that matter) was a waste? that's a shame.

  • pathogenb

    Posted Oct 31, 2006 6:10 pm PT

    "sony_boy_18
    HEY EVERYONE THE PS3 SHIPS IN 16 DAYS .YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!."

    sweet! maybe you'll get one next year.

  • ssibalnome

    Posted Oct 31, 2006 4:06 pm PT

    There will be updates almost every other day. So whats the "finishing touches" for? Why won't Blizzard just release early like on November like planned and just have updates.

  • SyhnD

    Posted Oct 31, 2006 1:59 pm PT

    Alright seriously, this is ridiculous. You guys who are complaining about the stall of the release... get over it. It happens with EVERY MMO. Especially one as popular as this. They're not willing to take risks. And this argument about GW. Dude... Fine, GW is fun... but it takes a week to get to CAP level, and the Dungeon raids are not that fun. Graphics? Blow me... WoW is seamless and the graphics make it playable for EVERYONE, even those without high-end system. The truth is MMO's take time, and if you have ANY experience with them, you'd know this. If you don't like the game... Fine, play something else, but don't be a dick and ruin it for those of us who can maintain a life, and still have a fun time on WoW.

  • Tom1243

    Posted Oct 31, 2006 11:29 am PT

    At this rate i doubt they are gona make that expansion per year that they want.

  • light_blade

    Posted Oct 31, 2006 9:53 am PT

    The only reason the release date is postponed is because they don't want to release it at the same time as Guild Wars: Nightfall. They go in conflict and it will effect the sell on Burning Crusade.

  • pcclubBG

    Posted Oct 31, 2006 5:26 am PT

    Aaaah, i really want to play both wow and the expansion, but no money for the monthly payment..

  • GameGuy642003

    Posted Oct 30, 2006 9:31 pm PT

    haha, forget paying every month for a MMO. look at guild wars its free to play, and there is nothing wrong with it, graphics looks even better than WoW. :\

  • flaak_monkey

    Posted Oct 30, 2006 4:57 pm PT

    who cares, its more of the same with a little added bonus. Raiding is over-rated. Grab a real MMO with steady updates, releases and quality w/o thedelay of something you have played before. GUILD WARS!!!

  • rijnie

    Posted Oct 30, 2006 11:59 am PT

    why they dont make warcraft 4 or starcraft 2 :S. are they crazy or something?

  • AuspexAO

    Posted Oct 30, 2006 7:49 am PT

    I heard they are taking the extra time because despite rigourous play-testing, meticulous beta-testers, and detail-oriented art troubleshooters against all odds of god and man...the art team somehow managed to sneak a version of Illidan in the game that sported a giant exposed erection. I'm not making this up. Ok maybe I am.

  • starkiller88

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 8:10 pm PT

    good, more time to level my guy to 60

  • zadok0

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 7:24 pm PT

    ITS CALLED A FREAKIN' PATCH, GIVE ME THE EXPANSION ALREADY!!

  • alwaysdeath

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 5:04 pm PT

    They must have done something extremley wrong to push it back this much.

  • frankpaladin

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 1:49 pm PT

    finally a developer tat plays it smart, stead of rushin it, add the finishin touches 2 make it perfect

  • jonzilla_basic

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 8:23 am PT

    ZzzZZZzZzZzzZZZzzzzzZZzZZZzzzzZZZ

  • moath21

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 5:57 am PT

    oh who cares i mean we didnt even get bored of naxxramas yet so y not wait till january, hell ill even wait till next summer, raiding is all to fun and i dont feel like questin yet..... anyways thats just my opinion.

  • HellWithoutSin

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 1:38 am PT

    "mydasx
    I hate that arugment. Its about what ya get. If you pay some dude 15 bucks a month to mow your lawn and he doesnt mow it, then you fire him. You dont cop the attitude, well, its only 15 bucks i guess i'll just mow it myself."

    I don't understand this comparison. If I pay Blizzard 15 bucks to play WoW and I don't get to play it, then I guess I'll just play with myself?

  • PojoFett

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 1:28 am PT

    No surprise here, I dont think that Blizzard has ever released a game on time. I personally am getting tired of their old song and dance.

  • mydasx

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 1:09 am PT

    BTW its currently tallied above 8 million.

  • mydasx

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 12:58 am PT

    "So...by that mentality, in the early 1940s, where there was over 7 million nazi's murdering jews and minorities, than since that was the popular thing to do in Germany, than that means it wasnt wrong and didnt suck?"

    also retarded... 7million copies = epic game. Check the history of games. 7 million units sold is a number only reached by the best of the best the games that redefined gaming. Here is the list on wikipedia...

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best_selling_computer_and_video_games

  • mydasx

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 11:22 pm PT

    ha ha ha ha ha... if you smell carrot, it's the carrot on the string hanging from blizzards stick. wait on unwashed masses wait on. best business idea ever, they'll pay... too wait... BRILLIANT!

  • roboman34

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 3:44 pm PT

    I am happy to wait till january 2007..its not the only online game i play...i have two lifes...computer life...and outside life...its good to change into each one....and good that in avery so few.......months..you get upgrades...lets hope the PATCH for the expantion does not come 2 weeks after its out in january...Role on SPORE...thas what im waiting for...

  • viewtiful_joe99

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 12:44 pm PT

    At least Blizzard cares about not having a buggy MMORPG at launch...

  • Arthiliel

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 8:47 am PT

    Kudos to Blizzard! I'd rather get a delayed game that's playable than a buggy one that made the "release date"... and then be forced to download patches every other day to fix a world issue.

  • payback_56

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 6:00 am PT

    Just like Forza motorsport 2 Why do all the great games get delayed... oh well, guess there is nothing we can do...

  • Rhubarb9

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 3:55 am PT

    ya know
    every time I hit lvl 14-17 with any race/class I'd get bored with WoW
    strange

  • Ed1bleTal2get

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 11:47 pm PT

    If youre so poor that $15 is a major hit to your income every month, you should not be playing PC games in the first place, go get a job.

  • aikao

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 10:45 pm PT

    Let it be known, that opinions rarely change the mindset of a gamer. That being said;

    I stopped playing WOW for some reason, likely the fact that there are so many new games being released on (insert gaming system) that I cannot keep up with each of them. But I try. I love WOW, hate paying monthly to play (paying for it even when I don't play), but that's me, and I play when I can. WOW can be very addicting when you have the time to commit, and finding time and the amount of time spent, is unique to each one of us. And that time spent will effect different people in so many different ways. To each their own.

    Those of us who are and are not patient, I salute every one of you who are waiting for WOW:BC to be released. Those who have never considered playing WOW most likely will never read this, if they are reading this...welcome. Your time in WOW will be only as fulfilling as you make it. Enjoy.

    Good Luck all...see you in 2007.

  • Gamers_Road

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 9:05 pm PT

    Whoa now! Don't rush it out by 2007. If you wait just 3 additional years then the game will be even better with more ultra super polish and highererer quality content.

  • HellWithoutSin

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 5:53 pm PT

    Sure is nice living in the lap of luxery shelling out $15 a month.

  • wallydog63

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 4:23 pm PT

    Gosh just what I want to do. Pay a butt load of money for a game, only to pay a butt load more just to play it. Wow it all makes perfect sense now. I'm a total freaking idiot who doesn't know what to do with my money. My god, what a waste of time and money. If you guys are having fun great, but spending extra money on something I've already bought doesn't make any sense to me. I've got guild wars and don't have to pay a dime extra to play on line, or Oblivion which takes up so much time, you'ld have to pay over a hundred bucks to play this game. It must be nice to have so much money burning a hole in your pockets.

  • saris340

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 10:42 am PT

    yea, i got to 60 and experienced high end raiding for about 2 months, i get tired of doing naxx and bwl and mc every day of my life. it was cool the first few times. now it just lacks. my gear is better than what i can get from PVP so why waste my time in the same 3 boring bg's ?

  • lfocampo2000

    Posted Oct 27, 2006 7:52 am PT

    The game is good. Problem is after I've played for quite a while and experienced it all it gets boring. Especially when you're just doing the same instances again and again, or even worse, grinding. It's good as long as you have a guild full of people to play with all the time, it get's boring when if you grind.

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