why do you think we do have a fan fest this years? because next year we have an expansion. look at what did say yoshida...
he did say that the 3.3 was right before we reach the climax of the actual story, means with the 3.4 we will finish the dragonsong war... the 3.5 will bring the link to the next expansion.

now let's look at the time:
3.3 will arrive in may, 3 month later 3.4 in august/september and 3 more month later december/january 3.5... like for before HW.

about the story, yes it lead to the third war against the empire.