Just my 2 cents, I’m not a fan of the new way updates/releases are being done. Feels exactly like indie companies on Steam doing Early Release of their games. For them it has to do mostly with generating some income to stay afloat and cover payroll while they finish the games. But it also leaves the games unfinished (sometimes indefinitely) and bug ridden. I have been burned enough times on their platform, to not buy early release games anymore (unless I specifically am trying to support the developer for other reasons).
WOW can label it “pre-expansion” or “pre-purchase”, but it’s the same thing, you get to play in an incomplete game and help the developer troubleshoot bugs and mechanics. I’m all for offering BETA access to those who DO want to play test, and impact the development, but please finish the game before it goes live, maybe don’t handcuff yourselves to an unreasonable schedule.
I am not a fan. It also runs counter to the “Blizzard” of the past that would hold onto releases for months or even years if they felt it wasn’t quite ready.