Wrath splash screen appears on the Launcher

Eagle-eyed readers noticed that Blizzard is prepping a new version of the launcher for the Wrath of the Lich King launch -- a quick update showed up just this afternoon in the launcher software, and afterwards, when starting up, the program flashes the blank screen above, with the Lich King logo, before it then covers it up again with the current iTunes promotion splash screen.
This means nothing for certain, of course -- Blizzard is either changing the launcher software and the way the splash screen works completely (and putting the new version live behind the current version), or they're just working on an update for when the game does launch later this year. There's a possibility that this was a mistake, and that the screen was sent live too early, but it doesn't appear to have any affect on the actual program or the game itself -- everything else starts up just fine, with no issues at all. Just like the icy logo around the official site, Blizzard too is getting ready for Wrath.
Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
This means nothing for certain, of course -- Blizzard is either changing the launcher software and the way the splash screen works completely (and putting the new version live behind the current version), or they're just working on an update for when the game does launch later this year. There's a possibility that this was a mistake, and that the screen was sent live too early, but it doesn't appear to have any affect on the actual program or the game itself -- everything else starts up just fine, with no issues at all. Just like the icy logo around the official site, Blizzard too is getting ready for Wrath.
Thanks to everyone who sent this in!
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Blizzard, Expansions, Screenshots, Wrath of the Lich King






Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
KaNNis Sep 10th 2008 5:06PM
Noticed that from the first beta build ;)
Ozzy Sep 10th 2008 5:14PM
Could have something to do with this:
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=9679402958&sid=1
Sticky on the general forums.
Alexsoar Sep 10th 2008 5:26PM
im having issues with the launcher, it downloads the update, closes, and then when i open it again it does it all over again, so i cant play wow
vlad Sep 10th 2008 5:35PM
"so i cant play wow"
you really this helpless? just run wow.exe in your wow folder. launcher will work again eventually.
jay Sep 10th 2008 5:38PM
Take it to the tech forums, they should be able to help, if you are using Vista try opening your wow folder and locate WoW.exe, the right-click and run as administrator this might solve the problem (thats if you use Vista).
Aurix Sep 10th 2008 6:08PM
Or, right click and "Run as Administrator". That should work.
vlad Sep 10th 2008 5:32PM
"In preparation for Burning Crusade, Blizzard released Patch 2.0.1 in North America and Europe on December 5th, 2006. The patch introduced some Burning Crusade content prior to the expansion itself."
this is all just like BC!!
2.0 was put on the test realms on 11/17/2006
went live on 12/5/06
BC was released on 1/16/07
so once ptr goes live start your 60 day countdown!
right on schedule with the pre-order scedules were seeing on lots of major outlets.
tues november 18th is my feeble guess. (blizz likes tuesday releases)
Sakerin Sep 10th 2008 8:57PM
So does the rest of the gaming industry. Pretty much every game release happens on Tuesday.
Ahoni Sep 10th 2008 5:43PM
Patch from 1.12x to 2.0 was approx 500mb. They started the downloader several weeks before the patch was complete. Expect something similar here.
Probably should see some PTR action soon though.
WatcherZero Sep 10th 2008 5:43PM
Probably a steady rampup of the filesize the background downloader does over the next two months, progress something like 200meg, 500meg, 1gig, 1.5gig.
And PTR by friday I wouldnt be surprised.
(1month PTR, 1 month Live = Early November)
Naix Sep 10th 2008 6:01PM
"The next major content patch is coming, and it's big. In order to smooth the way, we will shortly enable background downloading of most of the data for this patch. People who use the Launcher and have background downloading enabled will automatically start getting the data. The Downloader downloads faster in general now, so you may want to adjust your background download settings. You can adjust these settings in the Laucher, by visiting the Options page. If you want the fastest possible download, check the "Don't throttle background download". However, note that this can affect the performance of other programs running at the same time. "
Further proof that the patch will be out very very soon. We could be playing our OP shamans and Under Powered warlocks very very soon.
cancan Sep 10th 2008 6:38PM
Hmm,i barely use the launcher,so i guess that should never be a problem
_________________________________
wow gold farm tips for all classes and talents
http://www.wowgoldepics.com
Bloodletter Sep 10th 2008 7:27PM
Damn, this patch is going to be colossal, isn't it?
Shadowrath Sep 10th 2008 8:50PM
(Bloodletter said...
Damn, this patch is going to be colossal, isn't it?)
Blizz hits you with a wall of some GB's
Edmunt Sep 11th 2008 6:04PM
I saw this, stayed on the screen for a second then disappeared behind TBC logo.
Laynne Sep 11th 2008 8:54AM
I saw it and forgot to report it. It makes me excited. Wrath is coming :-D