Forums wrong again kek!

[Shibi]

...yet the queues are in the several thousands...

Highest number of people in the NA queue - that I have seen - is 27.

Quietest release in 11 years.

[Carin-Eri]

Highest number of people in the NA queue - that I have seen - is 27.

Quietest release in 11 years.

Genuine query as I have no previous experience of an expansion launch.... does the fact that this is only the 'Early Access' period make any difference? Will queues etc increase when the full release launches in a few days?

[Sacae]

Genuine query as I have no previous experience of an expansion launch.... does the fact that this is only the 'Early Access' period make any difference? Will queues etc increase when the full release launches in a few days?

Not really. There's no extra cost for preordering, so most people just do that.

[Gwen_Lavellan]

Not really. There's no extra cost for preordering, so most people just do that.

Exactly. So everyone and their mothers preorder. (Don’t get me wrong, it’s good that’s accessible for most budgets, I’m not rich myself )
I’ve been playing in Phoenix since March 2016, so I was there for Stormblood release and other after it, and didn’t see very much changes in queue number after the early access.