WoW: Cataclysm Beta Closer Than You Think

John Funk

U.N. Owen Was Him?
Dec 20, 2005
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WoW: Cataclysm Beta Closer Than You Think



Blizzard is starting to gear up for the World of Warcraft: Cataclysm [http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=75807] beta test, with members of the press asked to opt in no later than the 15th of April.

This may be StarCraft week [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/features/issue/248] here at The Escapist - and that's certainly the Blizzard game that's been taking up most of my time lately - but we can't forget that the third expansion for its mega-MMOG is right around the corner. And when I say right around the corner, I do mean right around the corner, because Blizzard is gearing up for the Cataclysm beta as we speak.

Earlier today, certain members of the press were asked to send in their Battle.net information to Blizzard no later than April 15th to be flagged for access as soon as the PC developer began admitting media into the beta. I'm not saying I was one of the people who got one of the emails, but I'm also not going to say that I wasn't. Just leaving that out there on the table, guys.

Now, this doesn't mean that April 15th is the start date for the Cataclysm beta - in the email, Blizzard itself notes that the developer does "not currently have a date to announce for the start of the beta test." However, if preparations are being made to invite press into said beta, it's a fairly safe bet that the actual event won't be far behind.

So what does this mean about Cataclysm? Well, it could either mean that Blizzard is expecting this beta to be much longer than normal, or that Cataclysm is going to ship significantly before the autumn release date many were predicting. The Burning Crusade beta was three months long (October 2006 to January 2007), whereas the Wrath of the Lich King beta lasted four months (July to November 2008). Could Cataclysm be dropping in August - if not sooner?

I guess that's why Blizzard is previewing the class changes this week [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/99744-WoW-Cataclysm-Class-Changes-Coming-This-Week], huh?

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Rednog

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Nov 3, 2008
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I wouldn't bet on an August release, I'd bet for an after Blizzcon release. The summer months in general are a huge downtime in WoW, whereas people return to their regular schedules in September and beyond. Releasing it so close to Blizzcon would be an interesting move but I think it would split people's attention because they'd be more focused on leveling in WoW rather than being hyped up for whatever Blizzcon is trying to show off.
 

Eri

The Light of Dawn
Feb 21, 2009
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I'd bet the opposite of Rednog. I'm almost positive it will be released before the blizzcon, just so they can focus on other things to show off.
 

RWillers

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Rednog said:
I wouldn't bet on an August release, I'd bet for an after Blizzcon release. The summer months in general are a huge downtime in WoW, whereas people return to their regular schedules in September and beyond. Releasing it so close to Blizzcon would be an interesting move but I think it would split people's attention because they'd be more focused on leveling in WoW rather than being hyped up for whatever Blizzcon is trying to show off.
I'm not sure about that. I mean, surely a lot of people go on vacations and stuff, but there's also the fact that in the summer months there are vacations for students so in theory can play more WoW. Maybe it's just the servers I've played in, but I recall seeing more people around the summer months than during the winter holidays(though you'd be surprised how many people you can find in Ironforge on Christmas night).

There's also the fact that this is WoW we're talking about and no matter what happens people who really like the game will buy it even if it was to be released one day before the end of the world.

Last but not least, if Cataclysm was released in August or September most people would have enough time to get to level 85 before Blizzcon (October 22nd). The ones who already have level 80 characters will probably get those 5 levels in a few days if not a couple weeks; those who realy want to play one of the new races or a new combinations of races would get to the max level in a couple weeks or even a month (still before Blizzcon); and the people who really take their time when leveling would probably not mind not logging in for a few days to go to Blizzcon.

Now, I'm not saying Cataclysm will come in August, I'm just saying it could come out in August and Blizzard wouldn't lose that much (if anything at all) as if they were to release in November/December.
 

Jared

The British Paladin
Jul 14, 2009
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Wasting no time in moving forward I see! Only just finished with the last one!

Well, gotta give them points for keeping things fresh
 

Contun

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Mar 28, 2009
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All this new info is making me believe that Cataclysm is closer than expected.

<----- Is excited.
 

NeutralDrow

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Mar 23, 2009
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Shoot. I'm trying to explore the entire world before the Cataclysm hits, but it turns out there are some level restrictions (have to level 65 to get to Quel'Danas, and have to kill high level Outland and Northrend monsters).

How much time to I have left, I wonder...
 

Earth443

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Oct 28, 2009
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Blizzard stated at Blizzcon '09 that you will hate goblins just as much as gnomes before the next blizcon, so i'm gonna go with that they're gonna release it before blizzcon probably around july/august
 

Wrann

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If the beta starts this month then I think that the final version will be released in 2-4 months.
 

Doc Theta Sigma

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Rednog said:
I wouldn't bet on an August release, I'd bet for an after Blizzcon release. The summer months in general are a huge downtime in WoW, whereas people return to their regular schedules in September and beyond. Releasing it so close to Blizzcon would be an interesting move but I think it would split people's attention because they'd be more focused on leveling in WoW rather than being hyped up for whatever Blizzcon is trying to show off.
Well at the last BlizzCon, during the Cataclysm panel I believe Chris Metzen said something along the lines of "I'm sure we'll hear how much you all hate the goblins at the next BlizzCon". So that implies a release before October.
 

Jaded Scribe

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Mar 29, 2010
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I'm curious to see what they do to my hunter. Wrath has left me feeling... meh. I barely even manage to raid anymore, and that's more out of a chance to get a Frostwyrm than any real desire to clear the content itself.

Cataclysm will decide whether or not I cancel my account.
 

Fappy

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Jan 4, 2010
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How soon BioWare plans on dropping the ToR bomb might push Blizzard to release Cataclysm sooner, which would probably leave less time for beta. This is assuming ToR comes out before Q4 which is a big IF at this point.

Honestly I might check it out if ToR is nowhere in sight by release, but I'm not too sure on that yet.
 

John Funk

U.N. Owen Was Him?
Dec 20, 2005
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Fappy said:
How soon BioWare plans on dropping the ToR bomb might push Blizzard to release Cataclysm sooner, which would probably leave less time for beta. This is assuming ToR comes out before Q4 which is a big IF at this point.

Honestly I might check it out if ToR is nowhere in sight by release, but I'm not too sure on that yet.
TOR is currently planned for 2011.
 

Fappy

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Jan 4, 2010
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John Funk said:
Fappy said:
How soon BioWare plans on dropping the ToR bomb might push Blizzard to release Cataclysm sooner, which would probably leave less time for beta. This is assuming ToR comes out before Q4 which is a big IF at this point.

Honestly I might check it out if ToR is nowhere in sight by release, but I'm not too sure on that yet.
TOR is currently planned for 2011.
Good to know. Last I had heard it was still projected at late 2010/early 2011, but that was awhile ago. Sadly the "old players come back to try WoW out again" trial probably won't extend to expansion trials, but in the event that it does (and I have time) I might check it out. Sometimes I miss my old DPS kitty :<
 

Kiithid

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Aug 12, 2009
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I'd say after Blizzcon, there's sc2 wich should be in a deeper development process.
(Needs more starcraft)
 

CoverYourHead

High Priest of C'Thulhu
Dec 7, 2008
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Interesting... I probably (read: wont) get anywhere near the beta at any point, but it would be nice to hear about it.

Also: Wolvar will be rockin'.
 

Plinglebob

Team Stupid-Face
Nov 11, 2008
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How about they actually release it at Blizzcon where every who goes gets the oppotunity to purchase it while there to start playing when they get home, with a public release the following Tuesday? Partner this with an increase in the ticket price and they'd be raking it in.
 

MmmFiber

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Apr 19, 2009
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I don't know whether to be psyched or bummed. I think I'll go with psyched, even though I still haven't decided on a build for a replacement rig. Which means I can currently play no actual games... not even WoW with its outdated graphics.
 

MurderousToaster

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Aug 9, 2008
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How does the Escapist know what I think?

They're in my mind, again!

*tinfoil hat*

That's pretty cool, I guess, but it's not like I'll be getting Cataclysm beta access from Blizzard or anything.