Blizzard's comments on the in-game Cataclysm earthquakes
by Adam Holisky 
Dec 30th 2009 at 2:00PM
The comments are somewhat cryptic, but that is par for the course with Blizzard. They like to tease -- to hold the carrot in front of you and make you run for it. But the evidence we presented Monday was pretty solid, and it's gained even more traction in the community and around the net; so this is an interesting follow up to it all.
The comments thus far after the break.
Wryxian says in response to "Did Any of you saw that? There was a shake in Dalaran.... Is this the beginning of the Cata Pre event?...Or was it just me?":
It was just you. Seriously, earthquakes leading up to some kind of cataclysm? I lol'd.He goes on to say:
*the earth shakes a bit* o.O
You see how my temporary snowman avatar appears to bob from side to side? Well, the thing is, I'm standing perfectly still. The earth is moving, I tell you! *cough*In response to "Is it only me laughing on the Earthquake in a flying City?:P" Wryxian replies:
We try not to read into blue comments too much, since reading in-between the lines can be a crap shoot sometimes. But in this case we think it's notable enough, especially with the absence of Blizzard outright denying any linkage, that it's worth bringing to everyone's attention. Read into it what you will, but we think the meaning of Wryxian's comments are quite clear: there is some linkage between the earthquakes and "some kind of cataclysm."The Kirin Tor want to ensure that even though their city is no longer actually in the ground anymore, it still receives the same treatment as the rest of Azeroth... or something. ;-)
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: Analysis / Opinion, Blizzard, News items, Rumors, Cataclysm
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
-j Dec 30th 2009 2:03PM
Am I the only one that finds it odd that we're already seeing events in-game related to an expansion that doesn't even have a set release date?
Creese5704 Dec 30th 2009 2:20PM
Nope, its not odd. All of Azeroth is going to change substantially, which means the Pre-Cata event is going to be huge and it makes perfect sense to start the earthquakes small at first now. Things in Azeroth are suppose to be taking place while we are fighting the lich king in icecrown. Theres a reason why they said we were suppose to be unaware of the changes happening :)
Netherscourge Dec 30th 2009 3:00PM
The Xpac isn't even in ALPHA testing yet. They're probably still sculpting the new Azeroth at the moment.
However, that doesn't mean they can't fiddle with the Live Realms with little earthquakes and stuff.
Now if a volcanic fissure pops open right in the middle of the Barrens after next Tuesday's maintenance, then I'll be shocked.
Azhariel Dec 30th 2009 3:16PM
@Netherscourge
You know, that would be awesome! Imagine if the zones would change one by one, without warning.. Say, one 'random' zone destroyed each week, until most of the world is destroyed.
People would run from everywhere just to see what they're looking like. Epic.
ZeroCool Dec 30th 2009 4:22PM
@Azhariel
That would be so awesome! A hindrance, probably, for those still leveling (like me), and maybe odd since they wouldn't disable the dungeons there either. But still, right before the release, z0mg. Everyone would buy the expansion.
Agrona Dec 30th 2009 4:33PM
You saw the demo of the new races and area changes at Blizzcon. That means it's in Alpha.
ENOUGH! Dec 30th 2009 7:36PM
These earthquakes in Dalaran have been happening since day one of this expansion. Nothing at all to do with Cataclysm
Gothia Dec 31st 2009 4:26AM
Anything other than earthquakes - I live in California and we had a fairly big earth quake when Core hounds became tamable - I was a wreak and had a sense of vertigo every time those things were in the area. I honestly don't know if I can take months of earthquakes in game until Cataclysm comes out. I hated the Zombie event and this event isn't shaping up to be in my liking either if this is what we can expect.
McRaider Dec 31st 2009 6:53AM
What would happen to the poor lvl 13 orc shaman that stands in the middle of the barrens when the great earthquake happens and then barrens rips half right down below him? Would he find himself from down below? That's what I'm interested about in this.
Jackjeckel Dec 31st 2009 5:53PM
The alpha is actually out they just have a very tight leash on it remember how long it was before the news about the alpha for burning crusade took to get out, 6 months anybody?
Lantokk Jan 1st 2010 1:54AM
But we have to remember that the world is going to change for everybody, not just for those that purchase the expansion. There is good reason for Blizzard to want to begin Cataclysm precursor events sooner than we might have expected, for it gives them time to work out bugs in the new world's structure and stability in a fully populated gaming environment. Then we'll probably get a 4.0 patch before the actual expansion, whether the beta is completed by then or not.
Have you all noticed that Beta opt in preferences can be set on your Blizzard.net Account Management profile page? It's been there for at least a week or two.
And Blizzard likes to string us along for fun, so don't expect them to make any clear announcements about whether they are in or completing Alpha until they want us to know. Participants will be sworn to secrecy. Leaks of any interesting information are likely to be somewhat controlled.
detro Jan 4th 2010 2:32PM
Am i the only one who realizes that its just people using the new brewfest drink buff, the roar you produce when you remove the debuff shakes the ground around you quite a bit and alot of people are drinking it. Just a thought considering a in-game event for cata seems far off.
Deadly. Off. Topic. Jan 5th 2010 11:28AM
What I find odd is the earthquake affecting a floating city.
When I first saw it shake, I put it down to the stability of the spell holding it up.
Matt H. Dec 30th 2009 2:03PM
I wouldn't doubt the in-game Cataclysm event could be starting, but i'd just expect them to wait until the Lich King is available. Who know though? I guess we'll just see.
Aurilia Dec 30th 2009 3:17PM
Maybe so, but the Cataclysm trailer did indicate that the Cataclysm would occur *while* we are still at war with the Lich King.
seanthehorde Dec 30th 2009 5:46PM
@Aurilia
That's very true. If they were gonna add some early warning stuff it would have to be this patch. I have a feeling its only gonna get worse as each section of ICC is released
Firedcylinder Dec 30th 2009 2:05PM
I see these posts about these in game earthquakes, and wonder when I'll ever see one.
Mortiseraphim Dec 31st 2009 2:08PM
Only time i ever seem to see one is when im standing the bank in DALARAN. It makes me giggle, like the comments above in the post, that a floating city has earthquakes. Must be all that pvp ruckus in the sewers.
Muse Dec 30th 2009 3:13PM
If the zombie invasion was any indication, eventually we won't be able to NOT see them. (short of taking a vacation to Outland)
Poxus Dec 30th 2009 4:02PM
I was wondering the same thing and then thought...if the place where everything opens up is in Stranglethron, I wonder if the shakes are happening more often there?
so, I'll probably be spending some time down there tonight to try to get all shook up.