Handling of WOW Patches for 56K-Modem Users?

[nobbie]

After reading all the posts about the WOW Beta and the patches, I'm wondering how Blizzard plans to handle the partly huge game patches for 56K-modem users. WOW is apparently playable over a 56K-modem, and the WOW package will probably read like this: "Minimum Requirement: 56K-Modem, Recommended: DSL-Modem". If WOW patches can be up to 500 MB large, then there's is obviously no chance for 56K-modem users to upgrade their (online-only!) game at all, or in a resaonable time.

So, what has Blizzard planned for 56K-users? Will there be Maintenance-CD's available for the larger patches, say for $5 each CD + shipping costs? Or can you subscribe to an Annual Maintenance via CD (for the large patches)? They obviously can't advertise 56K-Modem usability on the boxes if they can't assure correct maintenance for such folks, because it would be misleading and therefore nullify the sales contract. A DSL-modem minimum requirement, on the other hand, will certainly influence sales negatively.

[Guest]

Link please. 500 meg patches doesnt sound cool. I played DAoC three years, they had frequent patches but rarely more than 30 megs. I hope WoW devs have the sense to design "smart" patches.

[nobbie]

I have no link. This was just an estimation based upon the WOW beta downloads so far ... Maybe the patches are "just" 100 - 200 MB or so.

[Guest]

Oh. I bet they wont be so big. Once games go llive patches are mostly text files and a few graphic items here and there.