Patch 5.3 interview with Ghostcrawler
Mystery of the Unborn Val'kyr
The latest patch 5.3 news
All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsNew expansion likely playable at BlizzCon
by Michael Sacco 
Aug 20th 2009 at 5:00PM
So, I'm sure at this point, the majority of you (the readers) are expecting the next WoW expansion to be announced during the BlizzCon opening ceremonies tomorrow. It's a pretty safe bet! And we're actually pretty sure it's gonna be playable, too. Here's why.
If you check out the BlizzCon map to which we linked earlier in the week, you'll see that there's a demo area set up on the right side of the convention center labeled "World of Warcraft". Unless they're having us play the Icecrown raid (probably not!) or open PvP, it's likely that this area is for playing the tidbits they'll have available of the new expansion. Playable starting zones for the new races, perhaps? A high-level zone or two? We'll just have to wait and see.
We'll have the WoW.com staff all up in that place, so we'll get you up-to-the-minute info on what they see and hear at those stations!
BlizzCon 2009 is here! WoW.com has continuing coverage, bringing you the latest in Cataclysm news, live blogs, galleries, and reports right from the convention floor. Check out WoW.com's Guide to BlizzCon for the latest!
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
Azizrael Aug 20th 2009 5:21PM
Starting zones would be my guess. Enough to get you excited about the expansion right there - the Goblin chain rumoured sounds even better than the DK experience.
Candina@WH Aug 20th 2009 5:22PM
Here's hoping wow.com got it wrong. That Cataclysm (if indeed that is the name) does NOT have goblins as a new playable race.
But all in all, I am ready for the next expansion. I have 4 level 80s. 2 geared to Ulduar+, One geared to Naxx.25 and on newly minted.
And while Ulduar was visually cool, I guess I am raided out. give me a new story to play Blizz!
Radioted Aug 20th 2009 5:26PM
Well, it could be the new expansion, but... really, is it that out-of-the-question for them to have something from 3.3 playable? Or even a PvP setup?
Welshy Aug 20th 2009 5:30PM
That's what I was thinking as well. I would think they'd have a playable version of 3.3 before a whole expansion. I would love either (or both!) of course, but I don't know why it's impossible for it to be Icecrown.
Suzaku Aug 20th 2009 9:30PM
At Blizzcon '05 and Blizzcon '07, they had demos for the new expansions (the BE starting zone for '05, and Howling Fjord + Utgarde Keep for '07).
Frankly, they're announcing a new expansion. Wrath only has one more major content patch planned, it's time to announce the new stuff.
If they have 3.3 info, it'll probably be at the Raid Panel. A content patch really isn't much of an announcement for a televised event.
Cruxidus Aug 20th 2009 5:34PM
If they show footage of the new class/race combos I want to see a Tauren Pally bubblehearth
Mr Angry Aug 20th 2009 6:06PM
My character names already saved for Tauren are :
Bubbull - Pally
Bullsmite - Priest
I imagine it will be a starting area, similar to the WoTLK when they did the Deathknight preview.
Mr Angry Aug 20th 2009 5:41PM
The press people get in early (I was one of the first last year, just waltzed straight in when they were setting up stands, sat down and played Diablo 3) . I believe they do kind of make people wait, but just walk up to another door and explain you need to get in, and you are home free!
So as soon as you get through those doors run to the right and get snapping/upload for your exclusive!!!!
jfofla Aug 20th 2009 5:48PM
You Curmudgeons just slay me!
You are STILL holding on to the idea that there are no new races or expansion because Blizzard has not said it?
Guess what?
In less than a day Blizzard will have said it. Worgen, Goblins, everything that WOW.com has been telling you. You could have known about it in advance, but no, your myopic mindset would not allow it.
So, so glad I don't have to hear from you again after tomorrow.
impurezero Aug 20th 2009 5:52PM
I agree with you that the announcement will be made and that the speculation is correct.
Nonetheless, if it somehow turns out to have been some crazy hoax, I'm gonna remember to come back here and make fun of you. Just for the hell of it. :)
jfofla Aug 20th 2009 6:01PM
Make a deal with you.
If it is a hoax, I will never post in these forums again.
If it is all just as WOW.com has said, you don't post again.
impurezero Aug 20th 2009 6:07PM
Why would I make that deal when I already said I agree with you?
You need to L2Deal and whatnot.
Mr. Tastix Aug 21st 2009 9:23AM
Accepting the possibility that it exists isn't denying that it might.
jfofla, this isn't a forum, it's a blog with a comments system. If you mean the WoW Forums that's probably a good idea regardless.
I am open to the possibility that Worgen and Goblins will be the starting races. That Cataclysm is the new name. That the Maelstrom is it's storyline. And that all these classes will get their respective changes (though NE Mage still confuses me somewhat and if Thrall becomes the new Guardian of Tirisfal that'd be pretty fucking weird).
All of this is pure speculation at this time, and I am OPEN to the fact that it may be true. That doesn't mean I have to be naive and believe every single thing I read on the internet, in the paper or hear/see on the radio or TV. Learn the difference between noting the possibility that something could happen and outright denying it.
Blizzard will either confirm the rumours or deny them. If you think you are better than the non-believers for something you cannot prove then you truly are a fool. It is the Human right to have an opinion, whether you agree with it or not. And the non-believers have that right to not believe in claims that haven't or cannot be proven.
DxC Aug 20th 2009 5:58PM
how about we wait and see instead of making wild accusations?
that works too
Kanap Aug 20th 2009 6:15PM
The "Leaked" Info about the new expansion really makes me cringe. It makes the old republic look like my new MMO of choice. Most of the race/class combo's don't make sense based on where your characters start. Also I am hoping that it is not playable at Blizz Con only because i want a blizzard release about the new Expansion.
Falmari Aug 20th 2009 6:22PM
that map is deceiving, when they say "press area 2nd level" they mean underground....like a dungeon....full of torture devices(read: EA GAMES)
Joe M Aug 20th 2009 6:33PM
I dont think so - last year, they had all 3 game zones open for gaming- the diablo3 was the new one then and was playable for the 1st dungeon levels- if you were lucky, you could get to the first boss before a blizzard pc guy kicked you off the machines.. same setup as last year- 3 gaming areas for the 3 games. WOW was a default class with a default character and gear, armor, etc.
I would be shocked if they announced the expansion and made it open for playing tomorrow.
Lottimer Aug 20th 2009 8:12PM
I just love the snowball of speculation regarding the Cataclysm announcement.
How, in the course of less than two months, have we gone from "Blizzard registering the phrase Cataclysm", to "Goblins and Worgen being the new races in Cataclysm", to "Cataclysm reworking the entire old continents", to "Cataclysm playable at Blizzcon!!!"
It couldn't be the Onyxia's raid that they've been touting for the five year anniversary could it?
Or a preview of the new arena season.
Or a preview of Icecrown.
Or a create your own boss for Icecrown module (Since they're having trouble filling it to the brim)
I'm not saying the rumors aren't true. But I just find it a bit ridiculous that people are clamoring for a new expansion before we're through with Wrath.
I mean at this point do we even have confirmation that Icecrown is the next major patch for WoW?
What's going to happen with Cataclysm? After the first patch are people going to be looking for the next expansion to hurry up and come out?
Sisqo Aug 20th 2009 8:35PM
I think that is the point of an MMORPG...we get patches, defeat the bosses associated and then get pumped for whats next.
Suzaku Aug 20th 2009 9:30PM
We're *almost* through with Wrath. Unless they pull another 2.4, 3.3 will be the last major Wrath content patch.
It's time for them to announce the new expansion. They've been working on it for quite some time, which has been confirmed by blue posts. It's time to announce it. As much as I love Northrend, I've been playing there for a while now, and it's about time for something new.