24 October 2006
Ferry

World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade release date delayed until January 2007

Blizzard Entertainment today announced that the release date for World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, the first expansion for World of Warcraft, is delayed until January 2007. By adding a few extra weeks to the development cycle beyond its original target date, Blizzard will be able to extend the closed beta test and further refine the new content that will ship with the game.

“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,” said Mike Morhaime, president and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “We feel confident that the extra time spent polishing the game will result in the high-quality experience that our players expect and deserve.”

Blizzard began the closed-beta phase of testing on World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade earlier this month. The January 2007 release window will allow extra time for current beta testers to participate in the final stages of development and continue providing valuable feedback.

Further information on specific worldwide release dates, pricing, and other details will be announced later. Via WoW

24 October 2006 09:05
Mike Awesaa

I’ve got money in my pocket and food on my plate. 2 tables jeff jones.

24 October 2006 09:16
Unmortus

check this before read this article 10/23/06 worldofwarcraft.com
GameSpy pc.gamespy.com

24 October 2006 09:22
Kallanor

Id rather have them release it working with little to no problems than release it early and have a basket full of problems.

24 October 2006 09:31
Dane

O RLY? Plz, they are still putting ‘finishing touches’ on the Original WoW!!!
They couldn’t meet a deadline, even with at least (6million X 15$ / Month) subscriber money to pay their developers???

omfg gg /uninstall

24 October 2006 09:43
Joe Shmoe

This is great news for me as a casual player who rerolled to another server. I’ve been worried about getting to 60 before the release and this buys me more times. I can’t believe people are so upset over a delay of a couple of weeks. Microsoft usually releases their OS a year or two after the initial date. A few weeks is very good. Try not to get your hopes up when companies announce release dates.

24 October 2006 09:45
guambear

Well, although disappointed by the delay, I’d rather see an expansion launch with little, minor or no bugs, then to have a massive glitch-fest. I will sit on my priest and work on getting more gear for the 61-70 blitz when it does get released. As for the whiners, didn’t your mom ever tell you, “When you have to wait, it’s all the sweeter.”

24 October 2006 09:52
Mcmermaid

Cry about it. Get over it.

24 October 2006 09:52
Daegona

Log on screen
Retreiving Character
Checking AH
Server Shut down in 15 minutes.

NOOOOO, I have to spend the holidays with teh family now!!! Curses!

24 October 2006 09:53
Lennies

Glad to see all the hotheads quitting. Great plan, Blizzard!

24 October 2006 09:54
Max Power

Anyone who’s surprised by this shouldn’t be. Blizzard doesn’t give firm release dates, and they shouldn’t. They estimate; when the inevitable unanticipated bugs pop up, they extend the date; and they aren’t afraid to do that over and over again until the game is finished.

I’d much rather have them take the time to get everything just right than have them rush out an inferior product to meet an artificial deadline.

Besides, this keeps the Xmas n00bs away, and gives us time to level a few more alts to 60. Win-win, really.