From a realistic standpoint. When do you expect Cataclysm?

[Shodokan]

I got my Wrath beta keys at the end of Aug. and the game was out Nov 13th.

So that's about 75 days after the beta invites were sent out in any sorta of mass quantity.

So I'm thinking they'll release Cat sometime in the 3rd quarter of the year. That means beta key would have to start going out around Mid-year (3 more months).

If it's Nov/Dec timeframe, that means that there are 8 more months without any real content (maybe a crappy raid boss). I think that's way too long.

This isnt really any different than the last parts of BC though.

We got BT, then ZA, then SWP and SWP lasted from when it was released till the expansion.

Kara > ssc/tk > bt/hyjal > ZA > swp total = 7

Naxx/sarth/maly > ulduar > toc > ony (5 year anniversary) > icc > ruby sanctumm total = 8

Realistically the hardmodes of instances count as another encounter so you can pretty much put them as seperate raids because of all the new mechanics.

So we got much more content in this 2 years opposed to BC.

[crowdx]

Aion created a lot of hype before it's release and I believe forced blizzard to compete with that game.
Blizzcon announced last year that it would be around (I think they said before) Blizzcon next year. This really does not seem likely now with no beta even released at present, UNLESS they are thinking a much shorted beta testing phase.

[Zub]

This isnt really any different than the last parts of BC though.

We got BT, then ZA, then SWP and SWP lasted from when it was released till the expansion.

Kara > ssc/tk > bt/hyjal > ZA > swp total = 7

Naxx/sarth/maly > ulduar > toc > ony (5 year anniversary) > icc > ruby sanctumm total = 8

Realistically the hardmodes of instances count as another encounter so you can pretty much put them as seperate raids because of all the new mechanics.

So we got much more content in this 2 years opposed to BC.

In BC we also had Gruull and Mag, as well as a couple of outdoor bosses though.

[Shodokan]

In BC we also had Gruull and Mag, as well as a couple of outdoor bosses though.

forgot about the other t4 bosses, my bad.

the outdoor bosses like kazzak and doomwalker don't really count imo though.

[Ualaa]

According the Cataclysm forum, and the sticky posts contained therein...

The guy who is compiling all the Cataclysm stuff believes it will be a June/July release.
He mentions Blizzard began work on Cataclysm, prior to the release of Wrath of the Lich King.
And that at Blizzcon, Blizzard promised Goblin Rogues by this summer.

The only date Blizzard has announce is 2010.

[crowdx]

I think I am mainly looking forward to flying in the old areas, will save a ton of time leveling mining and herbs

[Fursphere]

BlizzCon 2010 was just annouced for October.

That pretty much nails a Nov. release - as the game will most likey be in open beta mode at BlizzCon on the floor.

[Maxion]

I think I am mainly looking forward to flying in the old areas, will save a ton of time leveling mining and herbs

Don't forget you will probably not be able to fly in azeroth until at least level 80 (78 after a while maybe).
So it won't aid your leveling of low lvl alts much (unless the multi seat flying mount comes out and you get a few of it or something).

[crowdx]

Well they may release a tome for flying in Azeroth after the game is released a while also

[Lyonheart]

Cata will be out BEFORE Blizzcon and Blizzcon will be all about the NEW MMO, SC2 and Dieblo3.

last year there was a few interviews, at Blizzcon, with Bliz devs saying they are "close" to releasing info on the new MMO. I'm betting that will be the big news at Blizzcon this year.