Cataclysm - Closed Beta (Starts next Friday)

[Ualaa]

So the question is...

a) How long was the closed beta early stage, with only employees.
b) How long was the closed beta later stage, with friends and family too.
c) How long was the closed beta last stage, with stress testing and the massive beta invites.

Stage b, assuming that is the order, is starting basically now.
Or this week anyway.

[Redbeard]

My guess is still for a pre-summer/early summer release.

[MiRai]

Quoted from comments on WoW.com's article. Not my post.
I would believe that since Cataclysm is such a huge overhaul of existing content that the beta will be longer than his estimated 68 days.

Below is a post I made on Jan 7. Seems like I'm spot on so far.

BC Alpha Aug 23-06 (63 days later)
BC Beta Oct 25-06 (41 days later)
Patch 2.0 Dec 5-06 (42 days later)
BC Release Jan 16-07 (126 days later)
Patch 2.1 May 22-07 (175 days later)
Patch 2.3 Nov 13-07 (133 days later)
Patch 2.4 Mar 25-08 (16 days later)

Wrath Alpha Apr 10-08 (98 days later)
Wrath Beta Jul 17-08 (89 days later)
Patch 3.0 Oct 14-08 (30 days later)
Wrath Release Nov 13-08 (152 days later)
Patch 3.1 Apr 14-09 (112 days later)
Patch 3.2 Aug 4-09 (126 days later)
Patch 3.3 Dec 8-09 (35 days later)

Cata Alpha *Jan 12-10 (79 days later)
Cata Beta *Apr 1-10 (68 days later)
Patch 4.0 *Jun 8-10 (36 days later)
Cata Release *Jul 16-10

*Estimates

Based on the average amount of time it took them to release content for previous expansions, these are my best guesses as to when Cataclysm content will release. I'm pretty sure I've at least got it nailed to within 30 days or so baring no unexpected set backs. With your estimate of Nov it would take them roughly 4 months longer to make Cata than BC or Wrath.

If they are keeping pace with previous releases then we should expect news of Cata Alpha very soon(TM).

EDIT:
MMO-Champion Cataclysm Alpha Update

[rfuilrez]

I was in on that open beta for Vanilla WoW. Good times. We raided Crossroads. About 30 level 15-30 Nelves. Haha.

[falsfire3401]

I was in on that open beta for Vanilla WoW. Good times. We raided Crossroads. About 30 level 15-30 Nelves. Haha.

Had fun then I guess with the L60 elite Sergra Darkthorn NPC in Xroads