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Keynote: Azeroth to be reformed

August 21st, 2009, 11:10 am · 5 Comments · posted by jsimmons

World of Warcraft: CataclysmUPDATED, 1:41 p.m.: Images from the keynote with revealing details of the new WoW expansion:

Earth-shattering? Try Azeroth-shattering.

“World of Warcraft” heads to the maelstrom in the next expansion set, “Cataclysm.”

The premise — while the war against the Lich King grinds on, Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms will be “torn asunder” as an ancient evil awakens.

Goblins are driven out of the South Seas, where they are joined by the Horde. Gilneas’ Greymane Wall is shattered, allowing the worgen to run free, where they team up with the Alliance against the Forsaken.

That’s right. Horde goblins. Alliance worgen.

Level cap goes to 85, Archaeology will be a new second tradeskill, guild leveling will be added, a new character progression — “The Path of the Titans” — and the return of Deathwing, the black dragon aspect.

Whew.

More information, from the press kit:
Confirmed class-race combinations include gnome priests and blood elf warriors.
New battleground will be Tol Barad Island, a “new Wintergrasp-like zone.”
Rated battlegrounds are announced as a part of this expansion.
Flying mounts confirmed for old world.
Confirmed new zones: Uldum, Grim Batol and “the Sunken City of Vashj’ir.”

No word on what guild leveling or the Path of the Titans are.

Scenes from the keynote:

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm World of Warcraft: Cataclysm World of Warcraft: Cataclysm

Lots more images after the jump:

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm World of Warcraft: Cataclysm World of Warcraft: Cataclysm World of Warcraft: Cataclysm World of Warcraft: CataclysmWorld of Warcraft: Cataclysm World of Warcraft: Cataclysm World of Warcraft: Cataclysm World of Warcraft: Cataclysm World of Warcraft: Cataclysm

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BlizzCon 2009 goody bagfreeAnd you know those fancy goody bags Blizzard is giving out? We can’t keep ours so we’re going to give them away to readers. Leave a comment on any of our BlizzCon 2009 posts and when it’s all over, we’ll put all the names in a digital hat and pick some winners. Good luck!

Coverage so far:

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 5 Comments

  • former18 says:
    August 21, 2009 at 11:52 am

    Ok, I’ll admit, I’m excited about the expansion. I just started playing this game in November and its a fun way to pass the time. I even have my co-workers play it!

  • Le Templar says:
    August 21, 2009 at 12:05 pm

    Can someone ask Blizzard why it is adding new class choices to some of the existing races. Is it simply to give players more options (and attract more players) or will there be some lore explanation as well?

    • jsimmons says:
      August 21, 2009 at 12:54 pm

      The new race/class combos complement the revamped 1-60 content. In addition, I’m sure that the designers wanted to expand the presence of certain classes (ie, paladins on Horde and shamans on Alliance).

      While some of the new race-class combos make sense, like the confirmed gnome priests and the rumored night elf mages, others will likely have to have some lore reasons injected (like tauren paladins).

  • OCNewswatcher says:
    August 21, 2009 at 2:21 pm

    This was really needed, After the first expansion and especially after RotLK the old world became barren. You can never find groups for 0-60 content and now even Shatt is empty most of the time (helped the lag there, tho)
    Now WOW is just a game for level 80’s for the most part and the whole point of the game became get-to-80, get run thru’s, skip all lowbie instance, etc.

    One more issue i wish they would address is non-expansion pvp. If I don’t have the expansions and I go try open world PvP, at my highest level (60) a player who paid more (bought expansions) gets a huge advantage over a non expansion player. No chance to beat a level 80 you’re wasting your time.
    Maybe non expansion pack servers?

  • Jeff says:
    August 26, 2009 at 12:55 pm

    Cant wait to play as the worgen …..yay reroll =-)