World of Warcraft Expansions: Preventing Financial Loss

World of Warcraft remains the most popular and played MMORPG to this day. That being said, as with previous generations of Massively Multiplayer games, it's bound to extinguish under it's own weight sooner or later. Today, we look at past and future World of Warcraft Expansions and how they'll affect the game, the players and the overall longevity of the franchise.

1. The Burning Crusade

This much anticipated World of Warcraft Expansion brought 10 new levels and a veritable butt-load of new gear to acquire while making your journey throughout the realm of WoW. This seems like a good thing, and it is for the most part, but if we examine what's really behind any gaming company or business, we see the release of the Burning Crusade as just another marketing tactic in keeping their prize winning pony alive and kicking. The Burning Crusade offered more to do and more to get, but it also negated everything anybody had ever done previous to the expansion. Did you raid Blackwing lair? No matter, you'll replace all those hard earned epics by the time you hit 64. Molten Core gear? That's gone at 61. This mixed blessing has inspired debate between gamers and business conscious individuals the world over. I tend to side with the latter. Though it's disguised as an improvement, it's just a force for money generation and negation of all past efforts within WOW

2. Wrath of the Lich King

Wrath of the Lich King was the second expansion released for WoW. This second expansion was released in a very timely manner after The Burning Crusade. More than likely, Blizzard saw a drop in sales and subscriptions after the players of the time leveled to 70 and experienced all of the new content. We saw Wrath of the Lich King released relatively soon after the Burning Crusade to keep players playing and to keep Blizzard Making Money.

3. Cataclysm

As of the time I'm writing this, the new expansion has yet to be released. Cataclysm only boasts a 5 level addition to the already standard maximum level 80. I'm beginning to understand (in my opinion) that the long reach of financial gain is affecting the game just like it did with Everquest, EQII, and other past generations of MMOs. Blizzard's Champion is falling, and it's only a matter of time before a new competitor challenges the Throne. Expansion are getting weaker and gravity is taking it's toll.

I invite anybody reading to share their opinions and get their friends in in the conversation! Think I'm an idiot? Leave me a comment. Agree? Join my side! Thanks for reading =)