Hints of the
Cataclysm beta being ever-closer continue to filter in. This time around, art assets for
Cataclysm testing phases have
begun to appear on Battle.net. While there is still no indication as to when the beta will begin (or if they even have a schedule for their various testing stages themselves at this point), Blizzard is most certainly ramping up their preparations for it.
As always, WoW.com will be keeping a close eye on all developments regarding
Cataclysm. When the beta
officially begins, we'll make sure you're among the first to know. Until then, continue to be wary of beta-related
phishing attempts and other scams. It's coming, but it isn't here yet.
Tags: cat-beta, cata-beta, cataclysm-beta, cataclysm-game, cataclysm-guide, cataclysm-news, expansion, expansion-three, next-xpac, third-expansion, world-of-warcraft-beta, world-of-warcraft-cataclysm, world-of-warcraft-cataclysm-beta, wow-4.0, wow-4.0.2, wow-beta, wow-cataclysm, wow-cataclysm-beta, wow-expansion, wow-expansion-beta, wow-guide, wow-third-expansion
Filed under: Cataclysm
Apr 30th 2010 at 5:30PM 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ramco Apr 30th 2010 5:33PM
That box looks like Deathwing's gonna eat your face.
Creese5704 Apr 30th 2010 5:56PM
om nom nom lol
Kylenne Apr 30th 2010 7:06PM
We had a Azeroth, but he eated it. :(
Vankay May 1st 2010 4:07PM
I feel delicious!
D Apr 30th 2010 5:34PM
Anyone know if this expansion will also be sold at retail? I read one of the articles earlier that they were debating it with BC.
Joe Apr 30th 2010 5:40PM
Of course it will... did you see or hear about the lines and the massive amounts of people that were waiting for WotLK when it came out? That's great PR that blizzard wouldn't get rid off.
nate Apr 30th 2010 5:42PM
It will always be available at Retail. They just might ALSO sell it virtually, just like pretty much any other PC game at this point.
Al May 1st 2010 10:20AM
Visited the local EB this morning, the "coming soon" display boxes are proudly on the back wall.
Owen Apr 30th 2010 5:34PM
*giggles at the thought of being a gnome priest*
Now who do I have to "persuade" to get an Alpha Key?
cocoboom Apr 30th 2010 6:04PM
I'm sure during the next few days a reputable gentleman will send you an email offering an alpha key if you register at blissard-alpha.hax
Drakkenfyre Apr 30th 2010 6:13PM
At this point, alpha had passed. They wouldn't be ramping up for beta if alpha hadn't started yet.
So either they didn't have an alpha outside of the offices, or they were very, very hush-hush about it. Altho I don't see how they could keep a single word out of it quiet if there were more than a few dozen people in it.
Maybe Blizzard told all the fansites, "You report on anything that leaks out of the alpha, and we pull your official fansite status" ?
Tori Apr 30th 2010 6:53PM
WoW.com isn't listed as an 'official' fansite though. That way they have a bit more liberty with what they choose to talk about here.
V Magius Apr 30th 2010 8:19PM
WoW Insider was also not willing to release any alpha information directly when it first came out. I think they talked about it in a round about way. "I can't talk about alpha, but if I could, here's what I'd say".
Likely, they've limited the alpha in some way. I'm guessing the in house alpha went properly and there is no Friends and Family alpha because of last year. Someone out there could not keep their mouths shut in a very real and legally binding way.
Zalvi24 Apr 30th 2010 5:39PM
i wouldnt mind if blizzard start selling beta keys in the blizzard store for $10, nobody is stopping them from doing that, it be the first time
melissa Apr 30th 2010 5:47PM
If they offered a beta key for cash, would that mean anyone who could afford it would get it and those who cannot, or choose not to pay, would not be given the opportunity?
And, if they gave it to anyone who would pay, what's the point of having a beta at all? So many people would pay. I thought the point of a beta was to get a set maximum number of players to test drive and unearth any bugs in the programming, not to allow access to anyone with surplus income.
Lissanna Apr 30th 2010 5:52PM
charging for beta sounds like a bad idea
Drakkenfyre Apr 30th 2010 6:17PM
We are already getting people screaming about GameStop and Amazon.com giving away StarCraft 2 beta keys with preorders.
"OMG, They're selling beta keys!"
"It's open beta now, this sucks"
"Game must be coming out soon if they're selling beta keys"
"They're worried the game won't sell, so you get a beta key with a preorder."
We don't need any more.
Pam Apr 30th 2010 6:18PM
That's what Aion did. I shamelessly purchased.
Pete Apr 30th 2010 5:43PM
It also looks like Warcraft II Battle.net will finally be available for digital download... I wish I could find my copy.
RetadinMan Apr 30th 2010 5:58PM
I hope they make it intel-mac friendly.