September 23 Rumors

[Gisli]

Apparantly, EA/Mythic has updated their website to indicate that the Collector's Edition will ship September 23. I've seen a post to the effect that there are rumors spreading that the game will go live then.

Actually, that doesn't seem possible to me, for the following reason. Remember what "Open Beta" means to Mythic. First, it means no NDA (that's their definition of "Open"). Second, the CE folks are supposed to be given access to Open Beta. And they can't get access until the get the CE, right? (Well, I suppose most have keys, so I guess they can start anytime with that.) And if Open Beta starts before the CE folks get their access, there would be a lot of screaming.

So my interpretation of all this is: Mythic promises the world that Open Beta won't start prior to September 23.

Hopefully, they actually *do* plan to start Open Beta at around that time.

[Teofilo]

I think that is a possible release date, all mythic would need to do is direct all open beta entrants to their beta download site to get into the game. Then the open beta players could play up until headstart / launch happens. The CE is just a fancy box and mythic said that headstart accounts would need to input their cd key codes within a reasonable amount time to allow for peoples shipments to arrive.

[Rashaverik]

Here's a link to what I was mentioning Gisli. It wasn't an official press release from EA, but it looks more like someone jumped the gun and posted a date on the EA Singapore site.


http://www.massively.com/2008/07/26/rumor-warhammer-online-set-to-release-on-september-23rd/

[Gisli]

Yeah, Rasha -- everyone seems to point back to this same source for the rumors. The best explanation that I have seen is that somebody just put up the first date of the Fall fiscal quarter as a placeholder on the EA site. My theory now is that this date means absolutely nothing whatsoever.

[stroadt]

Before that EA Singapore site was posted, I received this email from Gamestop.

http://my.albybum.net/imageViewer/Profiles/albybum/images/gamestop-war.jpg

[Dall dies to much]

ya, but shipping, "open beta" and "head start" are 3 different things...

as I said in another thread the sequence of events as explained to me are the following:

if that date is correct...

1) open beta (no NDA, aka the stress test) launches (figure 2 weeks, maybe 3 weeks.. so begining of sept) those not currently in beta get to D/L the client.

2) that client is the near live client. so possibly no more retarded D/Ls

3) CE head start posssible on the 19th. using the open beta D/L client, CE headstart patches with the "live" client

4) we have another patch on the 23/24 cause of the 60,000 people stressing the servers

5) the CE/normal ships.

6) current "head start" folks have 1-2 weeks to collect their "box" and enter the code off the "box" on the mythic site in the special CE account site they have up


thats how it was explained to me

[Gisli]

Here's two more scenarios for you:

Scenario 1) Some random EA person needed to fill out a web form and used the first day of Fall as a placeholder. Vendor and media frenzy ensues. Mythic denies rumors and nothing is learned about future plans.

Scenario 2) September 23 really IS the day that the CE ships, but its tied to Open Beta, not to Live. The timetable runs something like:
* Sept 23 CE ships
* Sept 25 Open Beta begins
* November or December: Game goes live (with suitable headstart)

Actually, an October release on the anniversary of DAOC's release might be attractive to Mythic.

[Rashaverik]

Also, one thing that might influence an earlier release date for Warhammer....

I recently read from a WoW guildie that the upcoming WoTLK expansion is much farther along in its testing and may be released prior to its November scheduled release date. It would make complete sense that EA/Mythic wants to get Warhammer out before the next WoW expansion grabs up more MMO players.

[Gisli]

Heh, I wonder how much Warhammer and WoW are driving each other? Perhaps they are competing for first release?

[Dall dies to much]

the actual boxes, CE and Normal, with disks, etc should be released the same day. the CE people got the codes early for a reason and there is a CE site on the main warhammer page to set up accounts.

they already have stated the open beta is going to be a D/L

[Dall dies to much]

side note: Amazon has WAR at Sept 30th

<shrug>

[stroadt]

I don't think it is far-fetched to think that the guild beta will close in 3-4 weeks and the open beta begins immediately afterward. Open Beta could run right up until the Monday or so before release, which would give them time to setup the early access servers, which would likely start the Friday before release.

They have to launch before the WoW expansion or their initial numbers will take a big hit.

I originally thought October would be the release month, but I think September is more accurate at this point.

[Slaight]

I just got an email from Gamestop saying the release date for my CE is Sept 16th so...

Thank you for pre-ordering:

Warhammer Online Collector's Edition

The release date for this product has changed:

New Release Date: September 16, 2008

Please Note: Servers will not go live until 10:00am EST on 9/18/08. See site for additional information and updates.
This date is our best estimate based on the information
available, and the date is subject to change at any time.
In our efforts to keep you informed, we are in constant communication with our vendors, and we are committed to
providing you with the most accurate release dates possible

[stroadt]

Mythic also released official system requirements today

[Vaskl]

I just called to check on my preorder and was told the 17th.
east coast is 16th he said, guess cause they have to be shipped to the central and west. dunno.

[Boltinheigmer]

I got an e-mail from amazon myself

"Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning Collector's Edition [DVD-ROM]"
[DVD-ROM]
Estimated arrival date: 09/29/2008 - 10/03/2008

I picked the slowest delivery time though. Free delivery. Figured you won't need your retail for at least a week after launch. Hopefully 2 weeks.

So there is a good amount of signs pointing to Late sept release.

This was said by mark pretty recently.

Seriously though, we will have some good news to impart within a week. No, it is not big, earth-shattering news like our release date but I promise (and you know I don't do that often) that it will be well-received by the community and it doesn't involve my head on a pike.

Mark

Could mean an NDA lift in the Newsletter which has been delayed till early next week.

We can only hope!