Rumor: complete details leaked on WoW expansion 'Cataclysm'
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Aug 14th 2009 at 9:30PM } 
As pointed out by our sister site WoW.com, this expansion would be the first to skip over the expected addition of a new continent, instead presenting altered versions of familiar lands. Two new (and previously rumored) races, the Worgen and Goblins, are expected to join the social slayfest, along with more race/class combinations and an 85 level cap.
None of the information has been confirmed by Blizzard, though the supposed premise and additions certainly sound intriguing. Indeed, this Cataclysm sounds quite a bit more fun than the one that recently befell The Matrix Online.
[Via WoW.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Andy @ Aug 14th 2009 9:35PM
I got a laugh that they're reusing zones now if this is true, you know, just how they like to reuse gear models, raid bosses, and instances...well at least they're being consistent.
Chris Gardner @ Aug 14th 2009 9:38PM
If this is even half true it'll bring a lot of people who quit back to the game. There's a great amount of heart for "Vanilla Wow". Plus, see Ogrimmarr split in 2 would just be awesome.
Moptimus Slime (The Innocent Ace) @ Aug 14th 2009 9:39PM
Hey Ludwig, what time would it be in South Africa right about now? Are we talking middle of the night or early morning?
Damian @ Aug 15th 2009 8:59AM
www.google.com
SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Aug 14th 2009 9:41PM
Give me Emerald Dream and I'll come back.
Seriously. Enough is enough.
tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 14th 2009 9:42PM
That sounds like a horrible idea to me, and kind of lazy. No new areas, sloppy new race selection, only 5 extra levels. Seeing as they don't even have Icecrown Citadel up and running yet (and no word of it either as far as I know), I think if anything they should just start on WoW 2 or something with a complete re-design as well as coming up with new lore (since all the expansions/patches have covered things that were already written)
Mugutu @ Aug 15th 2009 12:24AM
1) The old areas are mostly being destroyed, altered, moved underwater, or otherwise FUBAR. Not exactly reusing them.
2) The new races at least make sense. There's some lore behind them instead of the bombshell that was the Draenei.
3) 5 levels means they don't have to push to 100 as quickly. Not only that, they can, you know, change the pace of leveling from 80-85? A company changing something as a player progresses? Unheard of!
4) They specifically said a while back that Icecrown would be the last instance in WoTLK, to avoid the soul-crushing boredom guilds had from farming Black Temple for a year.
If you think Blizzard is so bad at this whole MMO thing, go make your own game and own the market for MMOs for years. Seriously, think before you bash billionaires that obviously know what they're doing.
tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 15th 2009 12:34AM
I'm surprised you're able to speak so well with blizz's cock that far down. They've done a lot of stupid things with the game, most of them small issues though. This just reeks of "we're running out of ideas". Of course, it's all just a big rumor for now but I've been around this industry long enough to know that most of this is likely true.
But I'll leave you to continue thinking that success= infallible
(Steam:lennoko) Hai im 12, and what is this PC gaming @ Aug 15th 2009 1:35AM
Please explain how saving Arthas, the most powerful being in current lore, for last is bad.
Lukeyo @ Aug 15th 2009 2:35AM
Because Sargeras is the all powerful.
Also, airjordan's arguments are backed by opinion and weak.
Captain MRLN @ Aug 15th 2009 2:39AM
I think you may hate too much.
I'm sure they could've created a new continent if they wanted to, but they may have thought this would have a bigger impact on the gamer to be able to see the old world in a new way.
Before you make any more oral sex metaphors, I've only played since an hour ago.
Fauche @ Aug 15th 2009 8:58AM
You know, there's a reason why WoW.com uses spoiler warnings and keeps that information till after the break. Some people might avoid the WoW.com article, but browsing the article list of Joystiq catch a glimpse of said information and be majorly pissed off.
SuckItTrebek @ Aug 15th 2009 11:48AM
here's a spoiler for you:LEARNING IT NOW DOESN'T CHANGE IT. Never seen Star Wars? I bet that Darth Vader is still Luke's father. Ooops, sorry, there's a spoiler for you too.
Spoiler two:it's an MMO. There's very little "story" to be spoiled in an MMO. You're not really talking about something that is a richly crafted tapestry.
Feoremar @ Aug 15th 2009 11:56AM
I don't care about spoilers. But there are people who do.
Danmanflan @ Aug 14th 2009 10:58PM
I think such a drastic change to the game world might just meen WoW2:The Cataclysm.
Jrinswand @ Aug 15th 2009 12:21AM
Just five extra levels? Something is amiss. Awry? Amiss? Awry? Amiss?
*head explodes*
DRock067 @ Aug 15th 2009 12:41AM
this would be cool if they used the cataclysm to completely wipe out people's characters and start fresh, new players join, like myself, due to everybody being on the same level, old players would bite cause it's more new content if they drastically change everything.
money in the bank.
Xvnine @ Aug 15th 2009 1:43AM
Huh? Expansions are always fresh starts....
Deterrence @ Aug 15th 2009 2:17AM
Although that certainly would attract new people/those who quit years ago, I'm pretty sure those that ragequit the game would not be offset by that number alone. Honestly, what you're asking for cannot be done in ANY MMO. Your best time to "be on equal level" is to level to 80 now, quit, then start again when the expansion comes out as everyone'll have to start instances blind and regear.
Shagittarius @ Aug 15th 2009 10:11AM
Not to mention if it bothers you falling behind in level you'd quit again in a week when everyone was 85 again and you were still 17.
The Dark Wayne @ Aug 15th 2009 1:41AM
I doubt that'll be how it happens, my guess is that cataclysm refers to the cataclysm that already happened thousands of years ago also called The Sundering that split Kalimdor in two and left a swirling Maelstrom in the center. That'll probably be where we go, that and the goblin capital island and probably end up fightign Azshara Queen of the Naga and the water equivalent of Ragnaros and whatever Old God lives there and corrupted Azshara
Feoremar @ Aug 15th 2009 9:02AM
You mean split Kalimdor into three. Kalimdor, Eastern Kingdoms and Northrend.
RogueJedi86 @ Aug 16th 2009 12:09PM
The Cataclysm is another word for the Sundering. How do you think they'd sink half of Orgrimmar, and make other such big changes? All the changes that would be coming would be a result of activity at the Maelstrom.
Ian Boyle @ Aug 15th 2009 3:05AM
How about a graphics upgrade next time around? That screenshot looks terrible by today's standards.
Deterrence @ Aug 15th 2009 3:14AM
Because WoW has never gone for photo-realism. If they had, that picture would be far worse by today's standard, but since they went for the "somewhat cartoony" look, it's honestly not that bad.
Feoremar @ Aug 15th 2009 9:03AM
That's because it's a picture of Nefarian, a boss from classic WoW.... a boss that's almost 5 years old....
tragicdeath @ Aug 15th 2009 7:27AM
you mean they might actually finish retexturing classic wow. Just unheard of :P.
though in all seriousness I'll still be excited
crsh @ Aug 15th 2009 7:53AM
I love how this guy gets rated down when he's essentially right; Blizzard will be recycling a lot of assets from the original game to make its new expansion. It doesn't however mean that it'll be boring or cheap; if anything, Blizzard is still king when it comes to putting out quality content for its MMO.
Drago Dracini @ Aug 15th 2009 10:50AM
I don't like this idea. mainly because Thrall would have to be a complete and utter dipshit to hand Garrosh leadership of the Horde, he's effing insane.
SlyBeast @ Aug 15th 2009 7:36PM
I quit WoW again recently and put my account up for sale, intending this to be the final quit, but after reading this, I have to say, it's enticing to hang on to it. A total revamping of the classic zones, making them relevant again? How is this a bad thing? That's been a LONG time coming. I think Blizzard's been lazy with this issue up until this point, so it's good to hear about the addition of flying mounts being usable in the old world, among others. Blood Elf warrior, here I come!
P.S. I could give a shit about the lore. Blizzard aren't storytellers anyway.
RogueJedi86 @ Aug 16th 2009 12:13PM
Word to the wise: Never sell an MMO account. You never know if you might wanna come back. If you do come, you'll have to start from level 1, which makes it even worse.
Maybe you could claim your account got hacked and then get it back, thus ripping the guy who bought your account(while also keeping the money). I've always wondered if that could be done.