Cataclysm Launch Reminders

We're just a few hours away from the release of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, and we know many of you still have a few lingering questions on your mind. To help quell those last-minute inquiries and get you completely amped for tonight's launch, we've prepared a quick FAQ that delves into topics like the official launch time of Cataclysm, whether or not there will be any downtime, and what content you'll receive by upgrading.

Take a look!

Q. When will World of Warcraft: Cataclysm officially launch?
A. World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will be released on all North American realms on December 7 at 12:00 a.m. PST (Pacific Standard Time). At that time, those who have installed and upgraded to Cataclysm will be able to access the new expansion content.


Q. Will there be any type of maintenance or downtime tonight?
A. We currently have no maintenance or downtime scheduled for the launch of Cataclysm. This may change depending on how smoothly the launch goes, and we'll be sure to keep you updated should anything change.


Q. So, I won't need to patch or anything?
A. Nope. Once you’ve installed the expansion from the World of Warcraft: Cataclysm DVD or completed the background download (available through the digital pre-purchase: http://us.battle.net/en/info/presale), you're good to go. No additional patching should be necessary.


Q. If I've already installed World of Warcraft: Cataclysm and upgraded my account, will I need to do anything special at midnight in order to access the new expansion content
A. Once Cataclysm is marked live on all realms, simply exit out to the login screen (the one featuring Deathwing's toothy grin) and log back in. This will provide you full access to the new content -- including the goblin and worgen races and level 80-85 zones.

If you're concerned that you won't know when to re-log, we've got you covered. After Cataclysm is marked live, if you're still logged in and are playing from an upgraded client, you'll be prompted with official in-game messaging that will instruct you to log out and then log back in.


Q. Where do I need to go to access the new level 80-82 zones (Hyjal and Vashj'ir)?
A. Portals to each of these embattled zones have been established in Orgrimmar and Stormwind. Report to your respective faction capitols for transportation assistance.


Q. Will I be able to Race Change or Faction Change one of my characters to a goblin or worgen right away?
A. Yes, you will be able to change your characters' race to goblin or worgen by purchasing a Race Change or Faction Change immediately after Cataclysm is released.


Q. So, what exactly do I receive by upgrading to World of Warcraft: Cataclysm?
A. If you upgrade to World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, you will be provided access to the following:

• Increased level cap (85)


• Increased profession cap (525)


• New races: worgen and goblin


• New secondary profession: Archaeology


• New level 80-85 content:


• Five new zones: Hyjal, Vashj'ir, Uldum, Deepholm, and Twilight Highlands


• Seven new dungeons: Blackrock Caverns, Grim Batol, Halls of Origination, Lost City of the Tol'vir, The Stonecore, Throne of the Tides, The Vortex Pinnacle, as well as Heroic versions of The Deadmines and Shadowfang Keep


• Four new raids: Baradin Hold, Bastion of Twilight, Blackwing Descent, and the Throne of the Four Winds


• Three new Battlegrounds: Battle for Gilneas, Twin Peaks, and Tol'Barad (open world PvP similar to Wintergrasp)



• Rated Battlegrounds


• Flight Master's License (flying in Azeroth)

Guild leveling and guild reputation will also be available, but you can still benefit from these systems without upgrading to World of Warcraft: Cataclysm.


Q. Are there any official midnight launch events planned?
A. Absolutely! We've several launch events scheduled across the globe. Check out our official launch event page on Blizzard.com, as well as our recent announcement regarding participating retailers, for all the juicy details.

Launch events page: http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/events/cataclysm-midnight-openings.html#summary

Cataclysm Midnight Launch Event Tonight: http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/1339120#blog



See you all in game!

If we pay for a race change now, can we change to Goblins at midnight?

To our current knowledge, yes. If you purchase a Race Change now and wait to click on the button until after Cataclysm is released, you should be able to select goblin -- this is provided that your account is upgraded appropriately, of course, and that your character's class is available to the goblin race.

Did the last patch download cataclysm and all we have to do is buy the game and type a code into are battle net account Or do we have to buy the game and download it using the cds

Although a normal maintenance will not be required to launch World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, you will still need to install expansion content from the Cataclysm DVD or complete the digital download provided through the pre-purchase option ( http://us.battle.net/en/info/presale ) before you can play. After that, though, you should be good to go.

If we were to theoretically run into any issues with purchasing a race change option before cata goes live, and then being unable to race change for some reason even with a properly upgraded account, this means that support would take care of us I assume?

Our Customer Support staff (specifically, our Account Services department) would indeed be the appropriate parties to contact. You can find all the necessary contact information here: http://us.blizzard.com/support/article/20606 :)

This will also include faction changes yes?

Yup!

Blizzard...new server?

We've no plans at this time to release any new North American realms with the launch of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm.

There. It's done. I've said it. :P

Um, the Link you provided indicates you only have to long in once after you purchased Digital Download, which I have more then done, and at 12:01 we'll be all ready to go, which contradicts what you said above.

Can you clarify this please? Do people who purchased a digital copy already have the data downloaded (if the launcher claims the game is "up to date") or will I have something that needs to be downloaded later tonight?

If you've completed the background download that's part-and-parcel of the digital pre-purchase (or by editing your launcher config), then you should be set. To begin playing tonight, simply ensure that your account is upgraded and then re-log once the expansion is live.

What I'm asking is has this changed? Was the DVD updated so that it won't revert the game version to 4.0.1 and cause us to have to re-download content?

If you install from the Cataclysm DVD, your game will be temporarily reverted to patch 4.0.0; however, since those patches are already downloaded on your computer, they'll just need to be reapplied. This will happen automatically during the installation process, with no additional work on your end.

All in all, you shouldn't notice the difference -- unless you've deleted the previous patch data, in which case, you will need to re-download it. If you're fully patched, though, the installation process from the box DVD should take approximately 10 minutes.

(The alternative, just for perspective, is to sit through an 800MB download. This download will occur if you upgrade your account, but do not install from the Cataclysm DVD or opt into the digital pre-purcase/pre-sale download. If you've deleted patch data prior to patch 4.0.3a, then that may be the best option for you.)

Would you actually know, i mean have you talked to the higher ups?

Why, yes. Yes I did.