Yes, we know some stores have Cataclysm release dates
by Michael Sacco 
Dec 11th 2009 at 10:00PM
Here's the rub. Blizzard hasn't yet divulged a release date for Cataclysm, probably because they have no earthly idea when it's coming out yet. Until they do, any release dates from stores are, at best, speculation or, at worst, outright lies.
But why would retailers list a release date for Cataclysm if one doesn't exist yet? Simple: to take your money. Many game retailers (Gamestop especially) stock their stores based solely on preorder numbers, only getting a few extra for the teeming masses that never thought to go to Wal-Mart to get a guaranteed copy without putting money down first. In the meantime, you get to ... not have that money. Not a good deal.
Preordering is a process designed to get money from you without getting anything in return for an inordinate amount of time, so wait until Blizzard announces a date before you plunk any of your hard-earned money down. And, again -- we know when the sites say Cataclysm's coming out. You'll know just as soon as we do when it'll actually be available.
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will destroy Azeroth as we know it. Nothing will be the same. In WoW.com's Guide to Cataclysm you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion. From Goblins and Worgens to Mastery and Guild changes, it's all there for your cataclysmic enjoyment.Filed under: Cataclysm
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Mistat Dec 11th 2009 10:06PM
Commonly known as the 'Duke Nukem: Forever' effect.
Charles Dec 11th 2009 10:11PM
I used to work for GameStop, and while I agree that they have gone downhill in recent years (especially after the merge with EB), you aren't exactly getting nothing for your pre-order money. Even if there is no release date, you are guaranteed a copy of that game on the day it does come out.
Either that or I'm still conditioned from having to sell at least 3 pre-orders per day. My record for a week is 145 (thank you Burning Crusade!).
Deathgodryuk Dec 11th 2009 11:10PM
"Even if there is no release date, you are guaranteed a copy of that game on the day it does come out." That isn't exactly true. My brother in law preordered Dragon Age but, surprise surprise, Gamestop took too many preorders and he wasn't able to get it for over a week, while my wife and I went to Best Buy and got our copy (that was waiting with dozens of other copies) with no problems.
The entire preorder business model is a scam.
MightyMuffin Dec 11th 2009 11:11PM
But I think that's what Sacco meant. You can keep your money until a definite date is set, then pay for the pre-order with a guaranteed day of when you'll get it. Why pay for a pre-order game that won't come out for another year?
Of course...its what $5 to do the pre-order? Thats like...4 $.99 meals and some change. Wait, that might actually be worth saving...I don't have money :'(.
Swift Dec 12th 2009 12:25AM
"The entire preorder business model is a scam."
It has its uses. For example, when wrath was first announced, i was the second person to pre-order at my EB store. I asked them about collectors edition and they said that once its announced and they knew how many copies they would be getting, they would start at the top of the list and call customers, asking if they wanted a collectors edition, until they had sold them all.
Without preordering, getting a collectors edition is extremely hard.
Hairfish Dec 12th 2009 2:06AM
"Without preordering, getting a collectors edition is extremely hard."
It depends on where you live. My son and I went into Best Buy the day of release to get WotLK. They had half a dozen Collector's Editions sitting up by the entrance, so I grabbed one.
My mom pre-ordered Cataclysm from Amazon.com for me, because that's what I asked for for Christmas. It's on a credit card, so it doesn't cost her a cent till it ships, and I don't have to concern myself with whether or not I'll have the cash at release time.
I'm sure I'll also get my annual underpants from Mom on Christmas day. ;-)
Basmothel Dec 12th 2009 6:38AM
My friend pre-ordered Starcraft: Ghost which Gamestop had a date for. We all know what happened with that.
He never got his money back, even with a receipt.
Marcosius Dec 12th 2009 11:24AM
"Without preordering, getting a collectors edition is extremely hard."
Not really. As someone said, depends on where you live. I preordered the Wrath CE from a local consumer electronics chain known for it's cheap prices - got mine for like 50 euros. ....Then I heard that it was being sold at the store, on the release day for about 30 euros and that there were literally nothing else at the PC games aisle that day. Well, I can't really complain since the game actually arrived a day early right at my doorstep, but of course I was a little annoyed of getting "scammed" out of 20 odd euros.
oshin Dec 12th 2009 12:20PM
Here in ireland its free to preorder and in many cases you get rewards. I dont get how they can get away with charging. Here they see it as a boon, because they will have more of an idea how many copies they need to order and it will prevent being understocked or overstocked
Gorgondor Dec 13th 2009 7:00PM
I often pre-order from EB Games here in Aus, with WoW games i've had a lot of issues getting my hands on collectors editions, the next day after it comes out, i go around to stores but can't find any so, pre-ordering from EB this time round will hopefully help me out.
The other thing I like about pre-ordering is, i can head down there at midnight and collect my copy, i know it's not a must, i can always go get it the next day, but it's fun to head down there with friends, que up with hundreds of other people that play the game, talk to them etc. I couldn't do that if i didn't pre-order the game.
Sarakin Dec 11th 2009 10:12PM
why the heck to people actually think this stuff has any merit at all? It's been this way for years and yet people still fall for it....
Knob Dec 12th 2009 3:39AM
A fool and his money are easily parted.
Pemberton Dec 12th 2009 9:38AM
Knob has it right - just like the gold sellers, all they need is a SMALL FRACTION of the total player base to fork over some cash and they have a tidy profit.
Clevins Dec 12th 2009 5:12PM
Um... people do realize that pre-orders on credit cards don't get charged to the card until the product ships, right? Any store not running it that way is scamming and is probably violating laws (might depend on the state). Preorder on a CC doesn't mean prepay though - it's just a way for stores to plan their orders out and get a chunk of revenue the day the game ships.
Justin Dec 11th 2009 10:18PM
I actually have pre-ordered both BC and WotLK from GameStop in the past, and enjoyed it both times, as the day that a release date was announced, they called me and offered to upgrade my pre-order from the standard release to a collector's edition release. I've already placed my pre-pre-order with them for Cataclysm and look forward to the call about upgrading to the collector's edition of that as well.
RobynM Dec 11th 2009 11:32PM
Nice that you could do that. In these parts, GameStop made you come in and change your order in person, and if you didn't make it in before their allotment of CE preorders was snapped up, you were screwed.
Starsmore Dec 11th 2009 10:21PM
It's free money for them. They keep your $5 for months, maybe even years, earning interest on it, and they don't have to give you anything.
chipersoft Dec 11th 2009 10:35PM
I came here just to say this ^^
Gift cards are the same way. They earn interest on your money, while you don't. That's why I like that Amazon's pre-orders don't charge you till it actually ships.
JFetch Dec 11th 2009 11:09PM
Oh my God! A business making money! Call the police!
They are under no obligation to give you anything except the item you pre ordered. Guess who else makes money off the interest of your money and is under no obligation to give you a cut, almost every business.
JokerFace Dec 12th 2009 12:13AM
It's not the fact that they make money that makes preorders somewhat of a scam. It's that they make money for doing pretty much nothing for the customer.
At best gamestop will give you a little in game gift like GTA on the DS came with all the weapons unlocked if you preordered...or you can just look up the cheat code online in 2 minutes...or have fun doing it yourself.
Considering what Starsmore's point is on the place holder fee collecting money at the bank for months until they actually buy anything from blizz at wholesale, well, a "For the Horde" hat would get me to bite. But they don't; so I just causally stroll into wallmart and grab a copy from the giant fucking display on release day. Why spend $5 now for nothing? I didn't buy WotLK on release, but I'm thinking you may have been able to buy it as a digital download aswell...I know many people care about the "box", I don't.
A business making money is ok, a business making money by bullshiting the consumer and threatening it's staff with quotas is not.