Sadly, 7 days is long enough to experience EVERYTHING this expansion has to offer so far...

 

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The reason this offer appeared sooner-than-later is because the community asked for it. Those players, still on the fence about the expansion and its changes, wanted a preview of the 'new' game before they plucked money into returning.


From a business standpoint, Blizzard really has nothing to lose and everything to gain from this move.


If those players decide against a purchase, Blizzard loses nothing. But, if those players re-up, it's more money.


Also, bear in mind, first impressions are everything.


The starting levels and storyline are an instant and easy draw. Whether or not the end game plays out isn't a factor for the trial players.


We all know the first few levels are the impression for any game that decides whether we pay for a subscription. In most cases, that first impression makes or breaks an MMO.


It's smart business for Blizzard to offer the trial so soon.

 

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Its not smart business at all when their vets can complete the entire expansion during the 7 day trial and have no reason to continue. After 7 days they will see the state of raiding or pvp (all that is left) and may more likely decide that WoW is done.

It it is definitely a business risk, and not smart by any means.

 

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I dont think the average player seeking to try out the game is going to reach max level/ be able to raid or any of that in 7 days. Hell, I dont even know what level limitations or other roadblocks they put on a trial account these days.. but I know in the past when I have used a trial account it is really bare bones. ie..no trading items/gold, no chat. etc etc. Seeing what limited amount you can see with a trial account probably gets a newbie drooling for more.

But I know what your point is.. us vets could eat up the content and spit it out pretty fast if we chose to.

You would be surprised how many people 'can' get to max lvl and gear out inside a week. I took my mage from 40ish to 85 and had him in heroics inside 5 real days...

 

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"...any characters you play during the trial can only advance up to one experience point below level 81..."


Copied from the Cata trail FAQ

 

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Again, the trial is not meant for 'vets' or anyone of that nature. The trial is meant for those players on the fence who may have been gone for some time from the game. It's also for those people who have never played the game.


As also mentioned, the trial limits those areas that full members enjoy. For example, there's no getting beyond level 20 with the trial for a new account or character.


For the people Blizzard aims the trial for, this is smart business. Besides, most 'vets' haven't left the game despite what they say here or elsewhere.

 

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The limitations of trials are also there to not make the "job" too easy for gold farmers/sellers.

 

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If its capped at 81 then retract my statement. Players won't get past hyjal or vashj, and both of those zones are "the fun" of the xpac, so its another blizzard bait and switch that might work quite nicely actually.

 

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Indeed! I my case, i want to start on a new server from scratch and i take it slowly while playing, i'm not in a hurry.

But yeah, for veteran or the more hardcore players, 7 days is plenty to get to max level and get heroic gears. I saw guildies pretty much start from lv 1 to get raid ready in a week or two.

 

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