Breakfast Topic: How many expansions have you played through?
At first we weren't prepared, according to Illidan Stormrage. And then we weren't ready, according to the Lich King. We were going to burn, according to Deathwing, and then we were simply taken by surprise by the discovery of Pandaria. Each expansion has brought with it new heroes and villains, new places for us to uncover and explore. Each has been a little different, but in some ways, they remain absolutely the same.
When Burning Crusade was first announced, I had no idea what an expansion was. My MMO experience to that point in time was very limited, to say the least. My guildies had to explain to me what exactly an expansion was, how you had to pay for it, that the original game would still be there, that you could still play that original game if you didn't buy the new expansion, you just couldn't play with all the new expansion's toys or go to see the new world being introduced. Since then, it's become pretty old hat.
We've been through almost a full handful of expansions in the last ten years -- Warlords will mark the fifth. I'm curious -- how many expansions have you been present for? How many times have you seen the alpha/beta/release cycle? Is it something you're used to by now? Are class, talent, and profession changes something you just shrug off and deal with, a natural part of the expansion cycle? What's your favorite part of seeing a new expansion on the horizon? Which part could you really do without?
