Logged into the forums after I noticed the Impressive Influence rep buff came back in-game, so I figured there was news.
I’d like to add my approval and thanks for this update. Other studios that care about their games (CD Projekt Red) have also been delaying their release dates this year, so I’m glad to hear Blizzard is doing the same.
On the contrary, I’ve been in every expansion’s Beta, including this one (not Vanilla beta though). I’ve seen the patterns and the things that probably shouldn’t have gone live, but this is also unprecedented and it may be their way of changing their tune and saying they need to let themselves catch up a bit.
The other thing to consider is that with the external systems we see now there’s a lot more for them to work on than in the past. For BFA, there were hundreds of passive effects for them to work on with Azerite. In Legion, there was quite a bit too with the artifact stuff.
It looks the same for Shadowlands.
Are the systems the reason for the delay? Not sure, but I doubt it’s the artwork or the framework/stability of the game. I’m almost certain this has to do with gameplay issues and maybe balancing.
I agree, and I think it probably will even with a delay. But maybe there is some things going on that only the insiders get to know.
Maybe, but if BFA launch is anything to go by, perhaps not.
Funny enough though, I was expecting this to be the shortest expansion pre-patch ever. Now it may turn out to be the longest ever, by far depending on how long it takes them to get a new release window.
I know there are going to be a lot of PO’d people, but from everything I’ve read and watched, this is a good decision.
Now can I get some beta access, please?
Work smart, not hard.
Cheers Lads.
I’m glad to hear it. Release it when it’s ready boiz.
Thanks for all your hard work!
Ya, I have to believe there is something that has gone wrong that we don’t know about for sure. This is no light decision for them.
A difficult call to make, but the right one nonetheless. Thank you for choosing quality.
What does it need more pot smoking steamers like Sharpie that get BETA KEYS from BLIZZARD to give away to viewers? How great is Blizzard if they support something like that. I have every right to be mad. They did not have to provide a date, but they did and then they waited until the last minute to change it. That is just poor business practice and in-fact tantamount to bait and switch. Its not a Covid related item as the release date was given well after, so with all due respect why don’t you leave the game.
Im sure it hurt to have to post that. Props to shelving ego and listening to feedback. Your fans appreciate it.
Happy that you were willing to delay the game in the interest of quality. That’s good to see. 
I’m okay with this, I just want the pre-patch 
Fortunately I will be able to move my leave dates to the launch week without much protest from my employer, but not everyone has that luxury. I’m grateful they want to get this expansion right, but this absolutely blows for folks with stringent leave policies at work.
Bravo, Blizzard!
I don’t know how many strings had to be pulled to make this happen, but this was the right move, and one that reflects a company which still cares about product quality.
We can rage about our BfA boredom all we want, but Shadowlands will be better because of this delay, and that is far more valuable that ensuring players aren’t bored for a few more weeks. Those who haven’t paused their subs aren’t likely to now, so Blizzard has little to lose from polishing the game, but everything to lose from another poorly-received release.
Again, bravo!
Absolutely the right thing to do. A lot of what I’ve been testing in alpha and beta is super fun and I can’t wait to do it live. But there’s definitely still polish needed, and I’m glad to see you taking the time to do it right. I’m sure this is a bitter pill to swallow, but thanks for doing it.
I’m all for releasing it when it’s ready. I just wish we had known a little earlier than this. Cutting it kinda close.
I feel really lucky though, because my boss was super cool about it and told me I could reschedule my vacation days. Not everyone is that lucky, though. 
I support this 110%. Good call, Blizz. Looking forward to it when you are ready.
I mean, maybe a project has reached a busy or critical stage, or something happened - sort of like delaying a game release. How much you wanna bet that Blizzard development staff can “Oh just reschedule!” leave right now?
I really hope it works out for the betterment of the game, but you can’t just dismiss people’s disappointment or pretend like a lot of people just got hosed on vacation time, regardless of how silly anyone thinks it is for taking time off to play a game.
At least now we know when the pre-patch will drop, bright side
I’m glad that you’re delaying and polishing rather than shoving out a broken game. Always feel safe that its better to delay and be great, then to shove out a turd and hope to make it better. Please continue this trend.
Can’t be using that as excuse lol
Any project can be managed properly, regardless of how complicated it is. Covid? Factor that in perhaps before you announce the date? Again, I am not bashing the decision to delay, but they certainly could’ve done better.
I gues though that’s for me at least where my issue comes in. It was ambitious, it was going to be hard to reach, and it would have been understandable had they opted to not give a date out for some time. Had they waited to give a date and revealed it was 2021, it would be understandable especially with COVID.
But they gave us a date. 10/27. They told us when it was coming so we could take time off, prep characters, stuff like that. Then they kept the pretense of that date for some time, simply delaying it with less than a month until launch.
That’s where I see the issue. Not taking longer, but calling the release off less than a month before the release date with no mention of a future date or the full reason behind the delay aside from it not being “Blizzard quality.”