That black and flashing screen is very strange problem. I have never heard about anything similar. The upgrades and patching is needed to improve the game and to implement new quests, items and the rest stuff that is fun in the game. Can you imagine if the game is never upgraded or patched, and to finish all of the available quests. What would you do then? This kind of games needs to be regularly patched. World of Warcraft is very popular MMORPG, so it has many active players who are improving the game experience.