Expansion

Additional software (usually made available for retail sale) that adds new content and features to a game.

The content of an expansion is usually not available to anyone who does not own the expansion. Most expansions will not install or run as stand-alone products.

For example, the Frozen Throne expansion for Warcraft III added new campaigns, units, maps, and other content to the game. A player could play online with other Frozen Throne users, but could only play non-users via the original game.

How often?

Tseric says: "In all honesty, we wanted the expansion to come out earlier than it likely will."

A year and a half from release is long time for a MMO expansion pack. Blizzard wants to be able to release these in a quicker time frame, perhaps 6 months to a year.

Rumors of Future Expansions

On expansions: it was stated on an interview (if I remember correctly it was Rob Pardo) that "We have made concepts for this expansion, and we already have enough ideas for 5-6 more". It has been stated several times now that there are plans for an expansion every year or so from the launch of The Burning Crusade, with the next targeted for 4th quarter 2007.

Here are some of the more popular Rumored Expansions.

Related

• See also: WoW Expansion 1