Gamescom dev interview

[Greebo]

Note the second to last bit about 40% and yearly expansions.

An item level squish is likely for the next expansion and is already being tested internally.
Timeless Isle will hopefully help to combat the feeling that you are wasting time if you aren't going to an NPC with a quest marker.
Many things that are sold on the website store eventually will be sold in the in-game store. Right now it is inconvenient to buy a mount off of the store, as you have to leave the game and go to the website, and go through the purchase process.
The in-game store could be added for mounts and pets in the patch between Patch 5.4 and the next expansion.
The cosmetic helms that were added to the store sold well, but more cosmetic items may not be added in the future. Items that you purchase from the store should never compete directly with items from raids.
Items added in the future will likely be more "fun" items like a Halloween costume or cosmetic themed gear that won't be like anything from a dungeon.
Adding the Pandaren was more controversial than expected, but the players who actually played the expansion really liked the expansion and felt it really had a soul.
Part of the reason for the decline in subscriber numbers is that the game can only change in evolutionary ways, not revolutionary ways.
Diablo III is actually the game that had the most impact on WoW, other MMOs don't really make much of a measurable impact.
The team size has increased 40% and another 40% increase is planned, which will hopefully allow for a new content patch every month, a new raid tier every three to five months, and an annual expansion.
It is likely that there will be other things that connect World of Warcraft and Hearthstone, other than the Hearthsteed Mount.

[Pincus]

Wow, Blizzard got a word in edgewise. Last I heard Gamescon was all about some CryEngine 3 tech demo and a guy sitting on a pile of money. Someone got a photo:



Look at that smile. Must be nice to have a pile of money.

[Canaie]

Even nicer to work on your dream game. Now, where's my alpha?

[Faeriel]

Note the second to last bit about 40% and yearly expansions.
Many things that are sold on the website store eventually will be sold in the in-game store. Right now it is inconvenient to buy a mount off of the store, as you have to leave the game and go to the website, and go through the purchase process.

I'm actually looking forward to this. I probably would've bought a lil' XT last week if I'd been able to quickly grab one through in-game UI.

[Pincus]

Even nicer to work on your dream game. Now, where's my alpha?

Last I read, Thursday. For the alpha alpha.