This is a breath of fresh air: Zarhym has hit the forums to
confirm the start of the Family and Friends alpha testing phase for
Cataclysm. It might the first time a Blizzard representative has publicly given a truly straight answer about the status of
Cataclysm testing, either for or against. Zarhym goes on to state that the closed beta phase has not yet begun, but they will give an update when it does.
As always, be mindful of
scams and phishing attempts throughout the alpha and beta of
Cataclysm. If you don't know a friend or family member that works for Blizzard Entertainment, you should probably avoid any sort of alpha invitation that shows up in your inbox. You're not invited, regardless of what that email might say.
Tags: breaking, cat-beta, cata-beta, cataclysm-beta, cataclysm-game, cataclysm-guide, cataclysm-news, expansion, expansion-three, facebookfeed, 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: Analysis / Opinion, Cataclysm
May 3rd 2010 at 8:40PM 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
RomanVS01 May 3rd 2010 8:41PM
wait,ALPHA started now?!!??!?!?!??! WHAT??!! It should already be beta...*head explodes from confusion*
Healr May 4th 2010 4:40AM
"Should", according to what? Cata will be released around the same time as WotLk, ie November. WOtLK FoF alpha started in May, so does this one, what's the problem? Expect public beta in late June or early July, roughly the same as last time.
theminifig May 3rd 2010 8:42PM
http://www.wow.com/2010/01/09/cataclysm-friends-and-family-alpha-to-begin-tuesday/
So... what was this WoW.com? *Confused.*
Alex Ziebart May 3rd 2010 8:43PM
That's what happens when Blizzard doesn't give straight answers.
Nazgûl May 3rd 2010 8:48PM
So, to summarize what Mr. Ziebart said, that's what happens unless the planets and stars are in perfect alignment.
ZMES_Matt May 3rd 2010 9:02PM
I just want to know who the "sources" were... :P
Brigwyn May 3rd 2010 9:04PM
No Alex is right.
The announcement back in September was "believed" and turned out to be "misunderstood" you mean.
Another words, no straight answers. :P
raspybunk May 3rd 2010 9:32PM
Being transparent in your actions should not have to include repudiating others' reports 40 times a week. To say them not being clear causes others to present things as near certain that are not, is lame.
If you say that not knowing, and not believing you'll be told when it does occur facilitates an environment in which people pondering late at night decide to gossip and make fake pics or news. I could probably agree.
It's nice that they'll let us know. It will help out on scams at the very least, when we know the mails are fake because certain phases haven't even started.
dippymister May 3rd 2010 10:38PM
@raspy
Ummm....... What?
zweitblom May 4th 2010 12:43AM
@ Alex Ziebart: Like you using the word 'alpha' in the headline even though it doesn't appear anywhere in the announcement? ;-)
slythwolf May 4th 2010 1:07PM
@Brigwyn, the expression is actually "in other words".
Bill May 3rd 2010 8:45PM
All I can say is that you guys really need to calm down. I know we're all eager for Cataclysm but really, we don't even know the full extent of the expansion yet and how much content will really be getting added. However if it's as good as we all expect then don't think that Blizzard will be able to finish it in a few months. Just enjoy WotLK while you can because once Cataclysm starts, setting foot on Northrend again will be a rare occurrence.
RomanVS01 May 3rd 2010 8:46PM
Oh,wait,read it . It seem's that Beta HAS started.....he used a play on words...tricky Blizzard people never give straight answers. He doesn't say that Friends and Family Alpha started,just that the Friends and Family phase of testing did.
theminifig May 3rd 2010 8:51PM
Friends and Family may be getting early access to the beta.
They may just be calling it an "Alpha" to keep us on our toes in anticipation.. If anything, BC's F&F Alpha was pretty short. Though, this also may forecast a 2 month crunch window for an actual NON-Friends and family beta if we're forecasting an August release. That's a pretty big crunch date.. but how long has Cataclysm in been in the works? Do we even know that?
Do we know if there's a WOTLK team and a Cataclysm team?
theminifig May 3rd 2010 8:52PM
Heck, I just read what the post said on the forums:
"Yes, we can confirm that the Family & Friends phase of the testing process for World of Warcraft: Cataclysm has begun."
It doesn't say if it's Alpha or not.. so my hunch about being an early access to the beta may be right.
fearinlight May 3rd 2010 9:03PM
sadly it means it started today
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=24690639017&sid=1&pageNo=5
Thomas Jespersen May 3rd 2010 9:16PM
"It doesn't say if it's Alpha or not.. so my hunch about being an early access to the beta may be right."
The next sentence after the one you quoted says: " The closed beta test phase has not yet started, but we will provide updated information when it does."
theminifig May 4th 2010 12:43PM
"It doesn't say if it's Alpha or not.. so my hunch about being an early access to the beta may be right."
The next sentence after the one you quoted says: " The closed beta test phase has not yet started, but we will provide updated information when it does."
----
Correct, but you have to assume...
Closed beta-- to the PUBLIC.
They're doing a closed beta "IN HOUSE" right now.. Working out the final kinks before they present a presentable stress testable model for the closed general public.
Healr May 4th 2010 4:45AM
theminifig,
You guys need to get those "August release" fantasies out of your heads. Did Blizz ever say that? No. Would it make sense to release during summer "online draught"? No.
It's always been intended for November release and the FoF testing arrives predictably on schedule.
Hivetyrant May 3rd 2010 8:55PM
Where do I sign up to be a friend of Blizards? or even join their families?