Expansions

Perfect World International was first released as an Open Beta on 9/2/2008 (see this thread). Since the game was not reset once the Open Beta ended, this is considered the official release date of the game. Since then there have been a couple of major expansions to the game, which are listed below.

For the background story for Perfect World and each of its expansions see the Story Background page.

The Lost Empire

File:PWI Lost Empire logo.png

Released: 12/2/2008
Links: patch notes / expansion page

Added level 79 and 100 skills for each of the original six classes (archer, barbarian, blademaster, cleric, venomancer, and wizard).
Added the Chrono Quests and past maps.
Added world bosses and card bosses.
Added Warsoul weapons.
Added legendary venomancer pets (Baby Blazing Phoenix and Baby Hercules).

Age of Spirits

File:PWI Age of Spirits logo.png

Released: 5/13/2009
Links: patch notes

Added genies. (Many changes were later made to genies in the 9/15/2009 patch.)
Added auto-pathing to quest locations and the "Find Quest" option in the Quests window to find new quests.

Rising Tide

File:Example.jpg

Released: 12/16/2009
Links: patch notes

Added Tideborn lands (three new zones) and assassin and psychic classes.
Added the Raging Tide PvE server.
Added the Palace of Nirvana.
Added a gear upgrade system for high level gear.
Added Public Quests.
Added Marriage Quests.
Added Tidal Protection Charm Quests.
Added Account Stash.
Added TAB targeting.
New venomancer pets.
Added custom key settings.

Genesis

File:PWI Genesis logo.png

Released: 3/2/2011
Links: patch notes / expansion page

Added Earthguard lands (four new zones) and mystic and seeker classes.
Added Faction Bases.
Added faction diplomacy feature.
Added Divine Contract daily quest.
Added Runecrafting skill.
Added a leveling guide that pops up when you hit a new level (unless disabled at level 21 or higher).
Major user interface update.

Descent

File:PWI Descent logo.png

Released: 2/15/2012
Links: patch notes / expansion page / pre-release news

Added Morai, a new level 95+ zone with new quests.
Two new dungeons, Endless Universe and Murid.
Added the three orders: the Order of Corona, the Order of the Shroud, and the Order of Luminance. The orders provide:

Additional skills

New gear

Pets unique to each order

Some existing skills rebalanced (see patch notes).
Added rare veno pet, the level 101 Ancient Derjan's Hatchling.
New Lucidsilver Envoy and Lucidgold Envoy daily quests and Treasure Hunter daily quest.
Max squad size increased from 6 to 10 (not including old instances).

Sirens of War

Released: 11/14/2012
Links: patch notes / expansion page / pre-release news / more pre-release news

Nation Wars
Realm of Reflection
Added auto-potion function
Rebalanced skills (see PWI: Sirens of War - Skill Changes for details)
Improved many level 30-70 quests (more rewards, lowered kill requirements)
Various dungeon and Spiritual Cultivation quest tweaks
New level 50-80 quests
Seasonal quests