World of Warcraft: Cataclysm targeted for 2010 release

by Griffin McElroy on Aug 23rd 2009 3:30PM

We know, we know -- 2010 is an entire year, and doesn't provide much information as to when we'll be perusing the ruined landscape of Azeroth when World of Warcraft's next expansion, Cataclysm, is released. Still, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the only piece of information yet to surface about the release schedule of the recently announced expansion, via a WoW.com interview with Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime. Thus, here it is: It's targeted for a 2010 release.

Here's the two observations we can cull from that ambiguous launch announcement -- first, it's not coming out this year. Second, it's not coming out in two years. It's coming out somewhere between January 1 and December 31 of next year, it seems. That is, unless it takes Blizzard longer to develop than Morhaime initially thought, in which case, we'll hastily revoke our second observation.

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Tags: 2010, activision, activision-blizzard, blizzard, blizzcon-2009, cataclysm, expansion, mike-morhaime, mmo, pc, release-date, world-of-warcraft, world-of-warcraft-cataclysm, wow

Reader Comments (31)

So, if they've changed old Azeroth into new Azeroth, what happens to people who don't upgrade? I'm guessing they won't be running around in old Azeroth anymore since it will have physically changed.

They'll be running around in the new Azeroth regardless, they just won't have access to new dungeons, the new improvements (Path of the Titans) and they won't able to get to 85.

If they aren't keeping the old world side-by-side and having a 'cataclysm' event that switches you over, that is going to be a super huge patch for anyone not upgrading.

They already covered that. Everything changes you just cant get higher than level 80 or get any of the new special races or class combinations.

Wait, that means that they'd have to download a completely brand new world map in order to run around in it (and it would take a LONG time to download it from Blizzard's servers).

Unless they are going to do a slow phased download over a period of weeks to months, I don't know how they are going to be able to handle the logistics of it all short of making everyone buy a copy of Cataclysm.

There are several things you get from the expansions even if you don't buy the expansion. For instance, I believe Lich King added in the achievement system and re-did a lot of the stats for characters. Everyone got that, even if they didn't buy the expansion.

This is what I don't like about the new expansion. The fact that 'classic WoW' wouldn't be classic anymore. In fact, changing Azeroth for all the different versions just doesn't make sense to me.

They'll do it how they always do. It will start by giving you the option to download a portion of the patch early so you don't have to do it all at once, then on a certain day, they'll release the full patch and you won't be able to log on to the game until it's done.

Once it's done, bam...you're plopped into a new Azeroth. Of course, these huge patches usually come with bugs and since this will be a whole new world I expect many, but after a couple days they'll have it all ironed out like they usually do.

It will probably come out in the later half of the year, but that is just my speculation.

Personally, I would want it to come out around Summer of '10.

Chances are it will release sometime in the fall of next year, as these expansions are probably the only Blizzard property that actually release on time. That also gives me plenty of time to upgrade my slowly failing POS computer.

God, Blizzard could mop up next year. A new WoW expansion, Starcraft 2, and likely Diablo 3 as well. And with the other two Starcraft 2 campaigns, they should be able to keep it rolling after that as well.

Don't hold your breath on Diablo 3 for 2010. At the very least, it MIGHT be released in later 2011. Point is, that until Blizzard actually announces a date, don't expect it any time soon.

Wow, Blizzard's actually giving an estimated release date?

If Blizzard meets it, they'll have just pulled a Valve. Or a L4D2?

Then again, this is WoW we're talking about here.

It will be like in WOTLK. The people that don't have the expansion won't see the new stuff. ONce you install it and its up and running boom there it is. I don't see blizzard changing the old formula. Doesn't matter to me though. I was able to quit Warcrack last year, and even though I have had withdrawls here and there, I have been clean for 467 days.

Wrong. New Azeroth is new Azeroth regardless of expansion.

Here's my issue. I stopped while it was still regular old World of Warcraft. That means, if I want to get back into this game, I have to spend $30+$40+$15 for the first monthly fee and now THIS expansion pack as well. A year ago, this was too expensive for me. With this announced, it's turned into "fuck it, I'll lay Eberron instead."

As huge as the player base is, I'm sure you could still find people to play with in vanilla WoW. But if you're looking for hardcore players... well, good luck.

Whoop-dee-friggin'-doo. Enjoy wasting away more hours of your lives to WoW. I for one will be sticking with a social life and the money in my wallet/bank account.

I don't play WoW or ever have but that's a weak fucking arguement to use against anybody that plays games online.

Just because a few loonies play the game for unhealthy amounts of time, doesn't make them the rule, they're the exception.

aww what happened? a pally ninjaed ur loots?

I could careless. I am tired of wow pvp system and that everything done around instances. Just put out diablo 3 and starcraft 2 in certain time. Like a year from know would be nice. That not going to happend knowing blizzards track record.

So...they're targeting new WoW expansion in 2010, Starcraft 2-1 in 2010 and Diablo 3 in 2010. There's no way that'll happen.

Diablo 3 has be confirmed as not coming out in 2010.

Another reason for me (and maybe others) to hate WoW

I only ever got wow and burning crusade myself quit before lich king although this expansion looks pretty cool.

Anyway what I am laughing at is with the upgrades to Azeroth all those people with computers barely meeting systems requirements now are going to be pissed and complaining. I mean thing about if you saw the trailer you gotta know this is going to take a hit on performance to display the changes.

How can that be the case Kia if the person does not have the expansion installed to make the changes? If you do not have the necessary programs running in the background (i.e. the expansion) then you will not see it. Simple math biatch.

simple math biatch? i hope you are a child cause there is no other source for your ignorance. go read the FAQ on the cataclysm website. it clearly states if you dont have the expansion you will still be playing in the 'new' world of warcraft enviroment.

MMORPG's are saturated and I think the craze is starting to slowly die. Granted, Warcrack is still alive and well, but everything is else struggling. I believe if Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3 are as popular as I think they are going to be, it'll start pulling people back to RTS's and only the future will tell us.

Regardless I'm all over Starcraft 2 like negros at the Golden Coral.

Prediction: This expansion comes out 3 - 4 weeks after the Star Wars MMO.

As a leveler I wasnt so excited to see level cap raised 85..But well.
New expansion is already in the game (dnt laugh yet) since they ve been changing everything slowly what we will buy(CD), will be just for quicker map loader, new weapons entrance, instances changing (remember how long it took to load an instance , like BT?) +++ Very important , I believe will be loading the new BGs since as you see in the trailer The battlegrounds have changed for (control of the only pieces of nature-full land in Azeroth and Kalimdor.
And I believe that its going to be available on stores either first 4 months of 2010 or 4 last months of 2010.

the expansion is supposed to be out round october 25th 2010, and will give everyone playing loads of lag. i recomend if you play it, to take a few weeks off once the expansion is released, or suffer the wrath of 0.7fps and 5k latency!

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World of Warcraft: Cataclysm targeted for 2010 release

Reader Comments (31)

Posted: Aug 23rd 2009 3:39PM Jeff Kibuule said

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