Think it comes down to what you do with your PC besides games, new titles will almost certainly take advantage of multiple cores, so your future proofing your system a bit more with a quad processor, and if you multitask at all...its definately a better option.

I read something about some of the new MMO's coming out or already out (ie Tabula Rasa) taking advantage of multi core, more than 2. Dunno if thats true or guff.

Fortunately i "think" i might be getting a really good price on a QX model with 12m cache...*crosses fingers*

Its Diablo : The Movie

With so many titles competing for attention, any developer serious about there product is gonna grease the wheel for all its worth, get the name out there, get the title recognised in the market place. No need to give the game away completely, just consistent, semi interesting, somewhat exciting snippets of information to keep us all amused and focused on the game.

So you see slickly produced trailers, frenzed pvp videos,  racial protraits , fansite kits, screenies, developer blogs etc etc...All pretty standard stuff. I dont think where spoilt really, its in the developers best interest to promote there game before release as much as the budget allows them to do so, to develop a relationship with the community well before launch day.

I heard Blizzard intented WoW to have a shelf life of 7 years, and I think there on target for that before the game gets so dated graphics wise that they need to reinvent it. Even then they can always upgrade the engine like AO is about to do, drag another year or 2 out of it. Lets face it, in terms of mechancis and features, not a lot has changed in MMO's since 1996, and wow is circa 04/05? Some franchises can run with a sequal and have "moderate" success, like EQ2, Lineage 2, others die a quick death or never really get of the ground, ie AC2, or UO2.

I say drag out another 3 years, bring out consistent updates, the odd expansion, then push WoW to the background, announce a completely new title, either reinvent another popular game, ie Starcraft or something entirely differant. Release that game, get an idea of its success, downscale the number of WoW servers accordingly and put those resources into the new game.

Ive tried quite a few games over the years (AO, WoW, UO etc etc ) my last one was LOTRO, and it was a great game but didnt run to well on my system. Im thinking of going back to it, after i buy some much needed upgrades but im wondering what the alternatives could be.

Features Id Like

- P2P - Mainly cause there just more polished.

- Mages/Spellcasters - I love mages and casters, and a strong, versatile caster really appeals to me

- Nice crafting system - I like crafting, but I also like to know that what I craft is going to be relevant to the playerbase and not easily supersceded by items that readily drop from easy to kill mobs.

- Non human races - Humans are so ho-hum. I like orcs and goblins.

- Auction house, or similiar system and a strong economy

- Varied single and group based quests. Its unlikely ill be able to raid much so games that focus on big raids end game are a bit pointless for me. Say 5 player group quests are ok.

- PVE mainly. I dont tend to play much PVP or PK.

- Group based building. Houses, bridges, guild halls, roads etc.

mmm ya any ideas guys?