Blizzard Announces Official Release Date of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm

Blizzard Entertainment Inc. has announced December 7th, 2010 as the official release date of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, the third expansion in the popular MMORPG.

Ok, everyone, it's time to put away those tea leaves, stop reading your tarot cards, take your eyes off the stars, and get down to some good old-fashioned farming and planning - the long anticipation is finally over. After extensive, maddening speculation by fans, Blizzard has finally announced an official date for the release of Cataclysm, the third expansion to the terrifyingly popular MMORPG World of Warcraft.

As expected with any new expansion of a popular game, some players are overjoyed at the coming changes while others cower in fear at those very changes. Regardless of which side of the fence they are on, however, all eyes now have a date upon which to focus their gaze as they anxiously and/or nervously wait to discover whether the new expansion will be their own personal salvation or doom. Either way, Blizzard remains adamant that Cataclysm will be jaw-droppingly amazing, full of free kittens and candy (or at least awesome new content and gameplay) for all.

"Cataclysm includes the best content we've ever created for World of Warcraft. 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 leveling experience for those just starting out," said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. "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."

In Cataclysm, the face of Azeroth will be forever altered by the return of the corrupted Dragon Aspect Deathwing. Players will explore once-familiar areas of the world that have now been reshaped by the devastation and filled with new adventures. In an effort to survive the planet-shattering cataclysm, two new playable races - worgen and goblins - will join the struggle between the Alliance and the Horde. As players journey to the new level cap of 85, they'll discover newly revealed locations, acquire new levels of power, and come face to face with Deathwing in a battle to determine the fate of the world.

The expansion will be available on DVD-ROM at a suggested retail price of $39.99 and will also be offered as a digital download from the Blizzard Store. A special Collector's Edition packed with bonus items will be available exclusively in retail stores for a suggested retail price of $79.99.

Source: Press Release.