rate of expansions in other games

[Verdandi]

I have exactly zero experience playing MMORPGs other than EQ, unless watching over my friend's shoulder as he played Ultima a few years ago counts. Can anyone who knows more about other games like EQ comment on how often they have expansions? Is EQ's pattern of roughly every six months typical?

[Dunthor Warsmith]

The size of the MMORPG in question must temper any responses. In addition to EQ, I also play Earth & Beyond, a relatively tiny MMORPG by EA (formerly Westwood). It's first expansion was discussed even before launch and has been on the "will be coming" for the entire year that E&B has been live.

Jumpgate: The Reconstruction Initiative (by 3DO I *think*) is another tiny MMORPG I've played a little of. It came out in late 2001, and last I checked had one expansion out and another "on the way" (which has probably been put out by now).

Since these are both pretty small scale MMORPGs, the data probably isn't excessively comparable with EQ. But at least its something.

[eqNichola]

AC used to add a little bit of free content every month, as I recall. Dunno about AC2 except that it isn't doing too well. DAoC I suspect follows the EQ model in this like so many other things . Anarchy Online has had 1 or 2 expansions since launch, so, about EQ's rate also.

Oh, and I wouldn't say "roughly every six months" for EQ. Remeber LoY was advertised as an 'extension' as distinct from an 'expansion', and we have:

Release to Kunark: 12 months
Kunark to Velious: 9 months
Velious to Luclin: 11 months
Luclin to PoP: 11 months
PoP to LDoN: 11 months

[Verdandi]

Hmm, good point Nichola. I hadn't actually consulted a calendar. I guess it just seems faster than that.

Although I still consider LoY an expansion, whatever they may wish to call it.

[Eumerin]

EQ came out in 1999, correct?

That would put the expansion average at one every 8 months or so?

(counting Ykesha)

Actually, the expansion rate has picked up somewhat with the last couple of expansions. And since Ykesha was fairly small zone-wise, that might explain the pick-up in releases.