World of Warcraft: Cataclysm dated

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 4 October, 2010

The re-creation of Azeroth begins in Dec.

World of Warcraft expansion Cataclysm will be released on 7th December, Activision Blizzard announced this afternoon.

It'll be available on DVD-ROM for Windows and Mac as well as a digital download from the Blizzard Store.

A special Collector's Edition "packed with bonus items" will cost $79.99.

"Cataclysm includes the best content we've ever created for World of Warcraft," said Mike Morhaime, CEO and co-founder of Blizzard Entertainment.

"It's not just an expansion, but a re-creation of much of the original Azeroth, complete with epic new high-level adventures for current players and a redesigned levelling experience for those just starting out.

"With the help of our beta testers, we're putting on the final polish, and we look forward to welcoming gamers around the world to enjoy it in just a couple of months."

Cataclysm is the third WOW expansion, and follows The Burning Crusade and Wrath of the Lich King – both hugely successful.

It introduces two new races: the worgen and goblins, and increases the level cap to 85.

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

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Comments (42) Latest comment 2 years ago

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  • stevetuck #1 2 years ago

    I need to start stocking up on the energy drinks now then

  • Mike1980 #2 2 years ago

    I try to get out, and they pull me back in

  • towser #3 2 years ago

    Ahhh crap. Thats my life over with for 6 months or so.

    Damn it! I've been clean for nearly a year now. Grraagghhh!

  • Lionheart #4 2 years ago

    Seeing Biffy Clyro on the 4th, my Birthday on the 5th and then CAT on the 7th. What a week that will be!!!!

  • spammage #5 2 years ago

    Dammit, that's the same day my first child is due! Ahh well, there will be other kids......

  • mattniche #6 2 years ago

    Oh blimey, bang go my studies. I've been clean since January too :(

  • sneetch #7 2 years ago

    Must... kill... Lich King... beforehand...

  • VicViper #8 2 years ago

    That's odd, that's the same date as the few days annual leave I just booked.

    Isn't that a strange coincidence...

  • geeza2020 #9 2 years ago

    "World of Warcraft: Cataclysm dated"

    I genuinely thought this was going to be some kind of scathing article on how bad/"dated" the graphics are in WoW, but I was wrong.

    (Just to be clear though, I personally quite like the style of WoW's graphics)

  • rodpad #10 2 years ago

    Want. Will get. Excited. Yes.

  • The_Bloody_Kettle #11 2 years ago

    Well.. my Uni Christmas holidays will be very productive then..

    I never was any good at lying..

  • j-bo #12 2 years ago

    Anyone know if the collectors ed includes the previosu expansions? missed lich king entirely and debating whether to come back now...

  • butler` #13 2 years ago

    It'll be the first I haven't played on day 1, including the original.

    That's right, I've found the cure, fuckers.

  • sneetch #14 2 years ago

    @j-bo
    Anyone know if the collectors ed includes the previosu expansions? missed lich king entirely and debating whether to come back now...

    The previous ones didn't so I doubt this one will, they kinda expect that you have the previous ones.

  • Antsy #15 2 years ago

    @geeza2020

    Thats my first thought every time I see those "Game X dated" headlines. Glad i'm not the only one!

  • Daeltaja #16 2 years ago

    Got all expansions and wow on release day but this ain't pulling me back in. 8 months clean and enjoying a MUCH healthier life, including actually getting back on track lol. Avoiiiiid people, avooooooid, perfect time to get out!

  • levitate #17 2 years ago

    I'm in the beta so I will enjoy Cataclysm for another 2 months. Have fun waiting for it!

  • Kremlik Verified Co-Founder, Crash To Desktop #18 2 years ago

    @dael - theres a diffrence between 'to have fun' and 'obsessive', aye if people are 'forgetting' RL then yes 'avoid WoW' or any other game for that matter, but WoW is not the reason for people's lives 'sucking' - they are.

    Any game is good as long as you play in moderation, WoW included.

  • sneetch #19 2 years ago


    @Kremlik
    @dael - theres a diffrence between 'to have fun' and 'obsessive', aye if people are 'forgetting' RL then yes 'avoid WoW' or any other game for that matter, but WoW is not the reason for people's lives 'sucking' - they are.

    Any game is good as long as you play in moderation, WoW included.

    Indeed Kremlik, I manage to just play for a few hours one night or two a week, sometimes less, sometimes more, hence I haven't killed the Lich King yet (or finished Ulduar for that matter).

    I suspect the "problem" was more Daeltaja's than WoW's.

  • FortysixterUK #20 2 years ago

    OMFG...I already booked off Nov 26, 27 & 28 as i thought that was gonna be the release....must cancel and re-book new leave period.
    NOW NOW NOW

  • darkmorgado #21 2 years ago

    Oh god... it was only Easter that I managed to get away from it....

    Looks like I'm being dragged back to Azeroth.

    /shakes fist

  • Guv #22 2 years ago

    bugger... not played since 2006 and now this. I can pull off full time studies, part time job, renovating a house and taking care of preagnant gf and still have time for WoW right? ... right?


    crap

  • username #23 2 years ago

    I recently started playing again after being clean for months. My mage was only level 73 and it's taking a frustratingly long time to level him up to 80 – he'll probably get there just in time to start grinding up to 85 when the expansion comes out :/

  • Kami #24 2 years ago

    "With the help of our beta testers, we're putting on the final polish, and we look forward to welcoming gamers around the world to enjoy it in just a couple of months."

    Other than the fact the EU beta testers have been treated like second-class players, with a realm that has had regular issues compared to the US realms - and a stricter player cap that has lead to queues recently of up to three hours. That's not exactly stellar PR for european players, and something that needs to be worked on - maybe too late now, but certainly something to note for any future Blizzard betas. EU players are still paying customers and do expect to be treated the same as the US playerbase...

    That said, it has been a nice experience. Just a pity it's started to get a bit shitty for the EU beta realm Mekkatorque...

  • Tio #25 2 years ago

    I am excited for it , but I would like to stay clean so I wont buy it.

    It isnt like other games, I can play any other game and just turn it off when I feel like I want to, or if the wife needs me. There is something about WoW that triggers something in my mind like no other game, all night raiding looking for mats for something really strange.

    The other thing is, when I play that game no other game gets a look in , nothing at all. I am playing Oblivion atm yeah I know late to the party (superb game btw). Now last night I fancied a game of Reach so I stuck that on instead , not with WoW every gaming moment is swallowed up.

    I realize the problem is with me though, and for all those players who can control how much they play it for, I am genuinely jealous , as you get to play a superb game but still retain freedom.

  • MrFlump #26 2 years ago

    I wonder how much of the raid content is going to be accessible at this time. Its been pretty pathetic to play the game on the beta and most of it still doesn't feel complete.

    I've a feeling this is to release it for christmas sales while they actually complete the raid content but will not actually allow people to enter the raids until after christmas (like the ICC release last year). They'll probably throw in the "everyone to be on a level playing field for those world first heroic modes" line again...

    Have to admit, that the new zones do look good having seen them for years, but the game is a shadow of what it was now and its very tired. Other titles like Guild Wars 2 look to be offering more innovation now.

  • darkmorgado #27 2 years ago

    I wonder how much of the raid content is going to be accessible at this time. Its been pretty pathetic to play the game on the beta and most of it still doesn't feel complete.

    If I remember correctly, they have promised the most at-launch raid content and dungeons than ever before.

  • Nephirion #28 2 years ago

    On the case is printed .... this expansion is made up of 100% recycled content ...

  • Ryboy #29 2 years ago

    Pugs are going to be a fucking nightmare.

  • Ninja_Tino #30 2 years ago

    What is with this 'being clean' nonsense? It's said often but obviously not often enough: it's just a game. If your entire day for weeks on end consist of nothing much else but World of Warcraft then it's your problem. It's quite possible to play the game moderately and enjoy it immensely. Even an hour a day means you play it 365 hours a year. Just take it slow, people.

  • butler` #31 2 years ago

    @Ninja_Tino and, let's be honest, get no where. If you play an hour a day it would take you fucking ages to get from 1-80 never mind anything else.

    Plus, if you're ONLY playing one hour a day, and paying £9 a month, you're doing it wrong.

    My preferred method with expansions is blitz them after release for 3-6 months, get whatever floats your boat (few raids cleared, arena season complete) then go cold turkey. That way you don't miss much if anything.

  • randompanda #32 2 years ago

    Hah, these "MMOs" will never catch on! ;)

  • Daeltaja #33 2 years ago

    True Kremlik, totally agree. However, you only have to look at how many people are addicted, sure, its up to the person to control themselves, just like anything else, but some people are weak with that kind of thing. Personally it was the first and only game I've ever been 'addicted' to, the gratification you get from downing bosses with a big group of people is simple amazing; I'm sure the same applies to sports and other similar 'hobbies' but due to their nature, are far more controlled and sessions are obviously more limited. Being a GM and raidleader for a successful guild though, unfortunately requires an immense time investment, no matter what way you swing it. Changing 10/25 dungeons to the same lockout will be a big help in easing the time commitment but its still not enough for me.

    I dont want to badmouth the game, I had the most amazing experiences and regularly think back on some big boss kills or guild moments, I'm just saying that the benefits of giving up if your spending too much time on it (you know who you are!) far outweigh the pro's of staying. (especially if you feel a bit bored with it and/or have had some great experiences and feel like theres nothing more to get out of it) Before an expansion is a perfect time to get out, I hear there has been a serious lul in content since Icecrown too, so Im guessing lots of peeps are bored. With Cata, its I just feel like its a rehash of the glory days but we all know it would never be the same.

    Sometimes I get an urge to go back, actually, thats a lie. I feel like I want to re-visit those experiences, or create new ones. I don't need WoW for that though, you can get similar experiences in life. Its just that at the time, I hadn't had any reallife experiences to give me that sense of accomplishment, so they become a bit of an addiction.

    For the people who can control themselves, with WoW at least, I hope you enjoy it, regardless of what I've said, it does look fantastic, a little bit of me is just in denial lol. (Always did want to see Deathwing..) Peace!

    Edited by Daeltaja at 04/10/10 @ 18:59

  • EmiliasHorse #34 2 years ago

    Been looking forward to this since flying mounts started...must fly around in Azeroth. Not long to wait now

  • Vyggo #35 2 years ago

    Let's be honest here, a game like WoW is more prone to awakening addictive behaviour than pretty much any other game out there. The game is setup in a way that really encourages excessive play. Sure, it's still your fault if it happens to you, but I understand how it can sneak up on even pretty level headed people.

  • paulf #36 2 years ago

    'I've a feeling this is to release it for christmas sales'

    WoW really doesn't need a xmas sales boost, tbc was released in January 2007 and sold 2.4 million in a day across the USA and europe, a record at the time

  • Stickman #37 2 years ago

    I'm in the beta so I will enjoy Cataclysm for another 2 months. Have fun waiting for it!

    Have fun getting your character reset then repeating all the quests!

  • TitusCrow #38 2 years ago

    Only some fool who never been adickted to wow and got out the other side, would think it strange to speak of "being clean" when in relation to a video game. I myself was clean for 16 months, I decided to come back with the ice crown patch for a bit of casual play. 2-3 times a week a couple of hours at a time you know, casual...

    Yeah right! before long I was min maxing like the bad old days and watching those dps meters like an expectant father. Then came the spread sheets and total re -geming to gain a lousy 100dps metric. I take it as a personal insult if I am not top of any raid dps meter, beat up on myself if I lose concentration for 1 moment and put my overall output for that night down by a fraction. Yep you could say I was back in deep.

    The last 6 months have been a blur to be honest mostly, my normal gaming has suffered and my other responsibilities as well. Some people can play things casual some people can't I guess. Any how, my game time runs out tonite ( 5th) My substantial monies are invested against inflation ( which I don't think should be that bad till the new content hits tbh ) and my guild knows I am now on break till the 5th of November.

    A part of me hopes the screw the pooch with the new expansion and that I come back and leave after a month, another part of me hopes they knock it out the park and it feels like the good old days again. I'm not sure what the answer is though the lock out thing they are doing with raids will help to play less I think and still be reasonably successful raid wise.

    I'll just come back casual when cata hits :)

  • Acrid #39 2 years ago

    Must resist, bad WOW, steals life. Urge becoming to powerful. Sedation required.......

  • gmjapan #40 2 years ago

    Havent been on WoW since January this year. I want to check out the new expansion but WotLK was the first time I ever got bored in WoW so it has me less enthusiastic to pick it up Cata straight away. Everything was "gogogo" and "free epix" at the time which, for me, didnt make it a fun community to be playing in.

    In other news, I got my first ever "from: wowaccountadmin" email today :)

  • username #41 2 years ago

    My comment about 'being clean' was rather tongue in cheek – I've always been a casual player and, despite playing the game on and off for over 5 years, only ever joined in a couple of raids. A few of my RL friends play it too and my fondest memories of the game involve us lolzing our way through 5 player instances like Scarlet Monastery and BRD. Whenever an expansion is released we all start playing again and spend some time helping each other out while we're levelling :)

  • butler` #42 2 years ago

    TitusCrow take it from me: get another hobby.