Cataclysm Friends and Family Alpha to begin Tuesday [Updated]
by Alex Ziebart 
Jan 9th 2010 at 3:32PM
- The Cataclysm alpha will be starting Tuesday, January 12th.
- The alpha will not be distributed digitally, but burned to disc.
Update: Various parties have come forth to confirm the suspicions that the disc in the original image is faked. However, our sources stand by the alpha starting within the next week. It is very possible that whoever faked the disc stumbled upon a convenient coincidence. If we hear any more, we will keep you updated.
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: Blizzard, News items, Cataclysm
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 10)
Tyr Jan 9th 2010 3:33PM
Neat.
Terethall Jan 9th 2010 3:49PM
Zalvi, you might want to evaluate how important WoW is.
I'm just saying, that's not the most natural of physical reactions to video games that are only rated T.
Deathknighty Jan 9th 2010 4:15PM
Zalvi, if I wanted to digitally disgrace myself with thousands of people, I might say how I realised I had an erection as I was reading the article.
If I wanted burly men in suits to track me down and lynch me publicly, and for an amateur photographer to film it and put it on YouTube, I'd take a leaf from your book. :P
But seriously, beware of big guys in suits for a few weeks. D:}
NothingShocking Jan 9th 2010 5:31PM
I'm pretty sure they were joking as well... lol
Zalvi24 Jan 9th 2010 5:56PM
yeah cause i would get soooo excited about a game, and then comment about it,
even i have standards
Deathknighty Jan 9th 2010 6:38PM
Then Zalvi, you have my deepest apologies.
Just, well......you know...
There are some very weird people out there.
(BTW, I was joking about the men in the suits, for the benefit of other people like me. ;D)
JokerFace Jan 9th 2010 7:43PM
And I'm pretty sure the majority of this community has no fucking clue how to take a joke.
Khremloc Jan 9th 2010 7:50PM
I see we've got some Daily Mail readers here!
Jamie Jan 10th 2010 5:14AM
@Khremloc
lol...
Slyght Jan 11th 2010 7:36PM
I think it's worth noting that Boubouille from MMO-Champion does not think there will be an Alpha tomorrow. In fact, he doesn't think there will be an Alpha at all this time around.
http://www.mmo-champion.com/general-discussions/ff-alpha-tuesday/msg1985508/#msg1985508
I'm not saying Boubouille is necessarily right, but he has a pretty good track record, and if I had to make a bet, I'd typically place my money on MMOC over WoW.com. He doesn't provide any details on why he thinks this, so this could just be his own personal theory.
My own personal theories placed the alpha starting on February 2nd (the same day I speculate that the final wings of ICC will be unlocked, similar to how the WotLK alpha started the day Kil'jaeden was unlocked in the Sunwell). Predictions that alpha will start tomorrow are certainly within the realm of possibilities.
If it does start tomorrow, we'll probably know within the next 24 hours. If it doesn't, there will probably be debates whether or not it's started and just under tight wraps, and every week we'll have speculative posts on the forums and WoW.com about whether or not the alpha will go live that week.
Outis Jan 9th 2010 3:34PM
Sounds like we can expect a late summer/early fall release, then.
Daniel Jan 9th 2010 4:02PM
Actually, no. The alpha for the other two expansion were released about 5-6 months before the official release. The pattern has been *roughly* two months for the alpha and three months for the beta.
*If* that holds true I would say and late Spring/Early Summer. I certainly think the intention is now to bring it out before Blizzcon. Of course, given Blizzard's tendency of being late I wouldn't bet money on it.
smcn Jan 9th 2010 4:12PM
However, it does mean that leaks will be forthcoming :D
Anathemys Jan 9th 2010 4:33PM
I agree with Daniel, that does seem to be the pattern. Either way I'm excited!
Outis Jan 9th 2010 4:47PM
Daniel, didn't Wrath of the Lich King alpha begin in Marchish?
Knob Jan 9th 2010 4:47PM
Daniel's predicted schedule seems to be on the mark. The Lich King will be unlocked in normal mode on the 2nd/3rd of February and assuming guilds kill him in the first reset, it leaves us with 6 months of ICC hard mode content till Cataclysm goes live in July. Seems like the usual content-cycle timeline.
Exciting things are in store!
Cataca Jan 9th 2010 9:03PM
Below is a post I made on Jan 7. Seems like I'm spot on so far.
BC Alpha Aug 23-06 (63 days later)
BC Beta Oct 25-06 (41 days later)
Patch 2.0 Dec 5-06 (42 days later)
BC Release Jan 16-07 (126 days later)
Patch 2.1 May 22-07 (175 days later)
Patch 2.3 Nov 13-07 (133 days later)
Patch 2.4 Mar 25-08 (16 days later)
Wrath Alpha Apr 10-08 (98 days later)
Wrath Beta Jul 17-08 (89 days later)
Patch 3.0 Oct 14-08 (30 days later)
Wrath Release Nov 13-08 (152 days later)
Patch 3.1 Apr 14-09 (112 days later)
Patch 3.2 Aug 4-09 (126 days later)
Patch 3.3 Dec 8-09 (35 days later)
Cata Alpha *Jan 12-10 (79 days later)
Cata Beta *Apr 1-10 (68 days later)
Patch 4.0 *Jun 8-10 (36 days later)
Cata Release *Jul 16-10
*Estimates
Based on the average amount of time it took them to release content for previous expansions, these are my best guesses as to when Cataclysm content will release. I'm pretty sure I've at least got it nailed to within 30 days or so baring no unexpected set backs. With your estimate of Nov it would take them roughly 4 months longer to make Cata than BC or Wrath.
If they are keeping pace with previous releases then we should expect news of Cata Alpha very soon(TM).
Crash Jan 9th 2010 3:34PM
Nice
Alex Jan 9th 2010 3:35PM
How do you get invited?
Rowan Jan 9th 2010 3:41PM
You don't, unless a friend or family member works at Blizzard. Even then it's *very* limited and you're in no way guaranteed a spot.