World of Warcraft: Cataclysm closed beta has begun

Blizzard has just announced that the closed beta test for the next World of Warcraft expansion has begun. Invites are going out now to players around the world who've signed up on Blizzard's Battle.net service, although there's no indication yet of just how many invites are out or how big the beta will be. If past tests are any indication, Blizzard will likely start it small and expand over time -- that's how the StarCraft 2 beta played out.

This also means that information about the new expansion will start appearing online -- rumor has it that there is no NDA for the closed beta experience, so players who see the new content will be able to tell us all about it. Cataclysm will completely revamp the old World of Warcraft world, in addition to adding five more levels of content at endgame. The Wrath of the Lich King beta also began in early July, and showed up in stores in November a few years ago, so it's reasonable to assume the same timeline for Cataclysm.

In the meantime, if you want to play, make sure your Battle.net account is set to opt-in and keep an eye out for a beta notice in your inbox. Good luck!

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm (BlizzCon 2009)

Reader Comments (12)

Hopefully I can maintain a complete blackout in terms of information on this expansion.

I really want to jump into it fresh, not knowing what to expect.

*crosses fingers*

@Ezio Auditore da Firenze

psst. Expect a Cataclysm... >_>

Seriously though, Ive been eager for my Beta Invite since BlizzCon. ^_^

Arthas dies.

Actually Blizzard said that there will be no "keys". Its just going to have your account flagged as a Beta Tester.

@DarkChakram Same deal though. I changed it to "beta notice," just for you.

begin = began

It made the sentence quite strange.

My WoW account is frozen at the moment, does that make me ineligible for the beta?

@(Unverified)

You should still be able to get it as long as you've done the "Opt-In" process. You just won't be able to play it because you don't have any playing time (if that's the reason your account is frozen in the first place).

I have not been deemed worthy for the testing of the beta.

On the one hand, I'm glad I won't have all the cool changes spoiled with place-holder content.

On the other hand, there was an ass' tonnage of place-holder content in Wrath of the Lich King for months after launch.

But on yet another hand, I want to play a Gnome priest or Dwarf shaman, pronto.

I've been playing the friends and family Alpha for a couple months now and have to say that it is friggin' awesome.

Even with it being broken the whole time, it was still cool to have the world to explore. Makes you feel like you are playing an entirely new game.

Its essentially WoW 2 since it has revamped graphics, and a totally changed world.

I've not been deemed worthy of a Cata Beta...but I did get a SC2 one.

Anyone want to trade?

@Kadamon Starcraft 2 beta has been over.