Cataclysm Friends and Family Alpha to begin Tuesday [Updated]

by Alex Ziebart Jan 9th 2010 at 3:32PM

Earlier this afternoon, we received a tip stating the following:

The Cataclysm alpha will be starting Tuesday, January 12th.
The alpha will not be distributed digitally, but burned to disc.

This information has recently appeared on the Twitter account wowleak, along with the image of what appears to be a Cataclysm DVD. We reached out to our sources on the topic, and while they were not able to confirm whether or not the DVD is the real deal, they were able to confirm the alpha phase's tentative starting date. Barring any unexpected hurdles appearing in the next few days, the Friends and Family Alpha Phase will begin on the 12th of January.

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.

Tags: alpha, breaking, cataclysm-alpha, cataclysm-beta, cataclysm-guide, cataclysm-news, expanion, expansion-three, leaks, next-xpac, third-expansion, third-xpac, world-of-warcraft-cataclysm, wow-4.0, wow-4.0.2, wow-cataclysm, wow-expansion, wow-guide, wow-third-expansion, wowleak

Filed under: Blizzard, News items, Cataclysm

Reader Comments (Page 5 of 10)

Ringo Flinthammer Jan 9th 2010 7:30PM

You can acknowledge that you were in alpha once it's over. I was allowed to post a very well-read write-up called "I Was a Teenage Alpha Tester" when the original alpha ended, as Blizzard gave us explicit permission to talk about alpha once it had ended.

jared.daniels Jan 9th 2010 3:47PM

Maybe we'll finally see what a female Worgen looks like.

Abbadon Jan 9th 2010 9:22PM

Big, hairy boobs...

There's a reason we've gone this long without seeing a female Worgen!

beaubruno1 Jan 9th 2010 3:49PM

Didn't Wrath of the Lich King friends and family alpha start in April before its November release? Assuming the time frame between Alpha and Release is the same (it probably won't be, so humor me), that would place the release in late July or August - perhaps prior to Blizzcon, to focus on SC II and Diablo III during the ceremonies? Just random thinking... =)

beaubruno1 Jan 9th 2010 3:56PM

Adding to my own speculation - Alpha testing began in June of '06 for Burning Crusade, and was released...wait for it...January '07. 7 months for BC, 7 months for Wrath, could we see Cataclysm in 7 months? Likely, assuming all goes according to plan. Possibly sooner, possibly later, Blizzard never has been a company to rush genious. =D

Spacehyena Jan 9th 2010 3:53PM

Here's hoping for more brilliant creature designs a la the proto drakes of Northrend. :D

(I love those critters.)

Go Cataclysm! Go!

Gnosh Jan 9th 2010 4:13PM

Their flap animation feels... floppy. But other than that, I

Allison Robert Jan 9th 2010 10:07PM

Ditto. I adore protodrakes.

Kevin Jan 9th 2010 4:00PM

Cry havok and let loose the dogs of Cataclysm.

+10 int to whoever gets that joke.

TheChao Jan 9th 2010 4:11PM

*let slip

Kevin Jan 9th 2010 4:13PM

+15 int to you for getting it and catching my error.

Adeany Jan 9th 2010 4:40PM

"Wan smore in2teh breach mypplz. QQ nerdrage and let lose teh puppiez of pvp." ~ Snowfox, Priest Community MVP

Attack Gypsy Jan 9th 2010 6:37PM

Blood and destruction shall be so in use
And dreadful objects so familiar
That mothers shall but smile when they behold
Their infants quarter'd with the hands of war;
All pity choked with custom of fell deeds:
And Caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge,
With Ate by his side come hot from hell,
Shall in these confines with a monarch's voice
Cry 'Havoc,' and let slip the dogs of war;
That this foul deed shall smell above the earth
With carrion men, groaning for burial.

~Julius Caesar by William Shakespere, 1601

And no, that's not Googled. I have a whole bookcase full of Shakespere books that were given to me by my mother. She's very into Shakespere.

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