Patch 5.3 interview with Ghostcrawler
Mystery of the Unborn Val'kyr
The latest patch 5.3 news
All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsThe Queue: Predicting the Cataclysm release date
by Adam Holisky 
Sep 2nd 2010 at 11:00AM
The above image is what the new Cataclysm launcher looks like. It's shown in mid-patch, with enough data downloaded that I can play the game at least respectably. It really looks quite slick, and I love the additions of the amounts that need to be downloaded.
Lagothan asked:
"Soooo, any predictions on the release date for Cataclysm? Please don't say 'soon' or I will be a sad panda."
First, we really don't have any inside info on this one. Even the people we talk to often aren't saying anything.
That being said, I think a November release seems likely. I'm thinking Nov. 9, 11 or 16. This will feel like it's coming up relatively "soon."
Thundarcraker asked:
"Will the Zul'Gurub mounts still be available by other means?"
We don't know yet. However, if you wanted them and haven't gotten around to farming one (or both), I would suggest you start now, just to be safe. If I had to guess, I'd say they're going to be removed -- but that's just a guess. I don't know either way.
I'll also take a minute to say how scared I am about what's going to happen to the price of the turtle polymorph tome ... I could see that going well over 100,000g eventually. If you have one and haven't used it, now would be the time to save it and forget about it until it becomes a super rare item of yet-unknown demand.
Mister Rik asked:
"In the reworking of the Old World, are they getting rid of the existing runners and tightly packed groups of mobs?"
More or less, yes. The running behavior is still exhibited, but you won't find tons of clusters packed together in short range of each other that will lead to chain pulling of large groups. I haven't seen any like that in my travels, and after talking to a few people who have leveled through, they haven't, either.
Gjohnson asked:
"So far, what do you think is the coolest, most awesome, mind-breaking thing/person/event that you've seen in Cataclysm?"
Deepholm.
"Conversely, what did you expect to be really epic in the beta, but it turned out to not be nearly as cool as you thought?"
The worgen starting zone. When you play the goblin area, and then play the worgen area, the worgen starting zone is underwhelming and not nearly as awesome.
Have questions about the World of Warcraft? The WoW.com crew is here with The Queue, our daily Q&A column. Leave your questions in the comments, and we'll do our best to answer 'em!Filed under: The Queue
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 14)
EaterOfBirds Sep 2nd 2010 12:00PM
i think it'll be like this:
its not that the worgen area is bad, in fact its probly quite awesome. however, when compared to the explosive madness of the goblins, it just cant quite measure up.
initially i was dissapointed that alliance got worgen due to their badassery (NOT 'unmitigated' of course) but now im stoked to roll a few goblins, and you can keep your mutts ^ ^
Herman Sep 2nd 2010 12:30PM
well if you love lore and such, worgen are awesome, but goblins start out right off with grand theft Kezan and then proceed to blow 2 islands up, so iits a different wort of awesome that some people like more.
Cliff Sep 2nd 2010 2:20PM
I play mostly Horde so when I got a Beta invite a friend suggested I start with Worgens since I'd likely not see that content til well after release anyway. The starting zone was fantastic! Very fun and evocative of the whole SFK vibe...and the Worgen just look so cool.
Then I played through the Goblin area, and again, and again...I was doing quests over and over again after finishing them because they were so funny and different from any other starting zone in WoW currently. Seriously, so well done.
This will likely be the first expansion release that I don't rush to level my max level toons first, I'll start a Goblin launch night.
Kevlar Sep 2nd 2010 11:06AM
predition - November 3rd.
Kevlar Sep 2nd 2010 11:07AM
*c
Magma Sep 2nd 2010 11:08AM
I'm agreeing, November will be the release.
Hades Sep 2nd 2010 11:08AM
"The worgen starting zone. When you play the goblin area, and then play the worgen area, the worgen starting zone is underwhelming and not nearly as awesome."
Interesting to hear a differing opinion on the starting zones. Every guildie in the beta has said they are both great, but the Worgen zone is better.
What exactly makes the Worgen starting zone feel so lackluster after playing through the Goblin zone?
DeathPaladin Sep 2nd 2010 11:23AM
It's probably just a case of personal preference. Some people seem to prefer the Goblin zone because they feel the Worgen zone is too GRIMDARK, while others prefer the Worgen zone because there is more lore stuff in it while they find the Goblin zone to be too silly.
Fingal Sep 2nd 2010 11:27AM
In the goblin starter zone, it's like you're playing GTA. racing around in cars, lots of action, etc.
In the worgen starter zone it's all about mood, no real action. you do things like gathering supplies, and getting granny her nice clothes so she can travel.
I think you need to really immerse yourself in the RP of it (the near descent into madness, coming to terms with the fact that you're now a monster, etc.) for it to be entertaining.
jealouspirate Sep 2nd 2010 11:34AM
@Fingal
The Worgen zone isn't as 'wacky' or crazy action as Goblins, but I think it's really unfair to say there's not much action.
You fight a desperate war against the Worgen.
Then ANOTHER desperate war against the Forsaken, including an epic battle against Sylvanas, forcing her to retreat.
You fight off an army of Orcs that came to help the Forsaken
You hijack a Horde gunship (Orgrim's Hammer model) and crash it into a Forsaken army.
I mean, damn. That's pretty cool if you ask me.
Thundrcrackr Sep 2nd 2010 11:46AM
I, for one, will probably think the exact opposite and prefer the Worgen zone.
I have never been a huge fan of all "technology" in the otherwise fantasy world of WoW (sure its fun and sometimes even hilarious) but its never been what i've found most interesting about WoW. Duskwood has always been one of my favorite zones, with all the dark, scary, creepiness in it. If the Worgen starting zone shares that feeling in any way i will probably love it.
So yeah, i'd say it will come down to personal preference rather than actual design quality of the zone. Do you prefer silly/fun stuff or dark/spooky stuff more?
Oni Stardust Sep 2nd 2010 12:02PM
"In the goblin starter zone, it's like you're playing GTA."
At the risk of being downvoted into oblivion, I never liked the gameplay in GTA.
I specifically say gameplay because that's all I've tried. I played around on a friend's copy to get a feel for the gameplay and didn't get into the story (which I've heard is pretty good).
I'm not trying to put the game down or anything, but it just wasn't to my liking. Being able to interact with the world so much was cool, but I just couldn't get into a game about stealing cars, running from the police, killing hookers, etc etc.
That said I've seen videos from both new races starting zones online. And although I've yet to see either all the way through from what I've seen I've gotta say the Worgen starting zone is tons more awesome than the Goblin one (although the Goblin experience is pretty cool too).
Pyromelter Sep 2nd 2010 12:28PM
"What exactly makes the Worgen starting zone feel so lackluster after playing through the Goblin zone?"
I would guess it's like going to see a Michael Bay movie, and then watching some kind of award winning drama film. Lot's of dialogue and character exposition, and then you are like, why isn't more stuff blowing up?
Skrotus Sep 2nd 2010 12:52PM
Michael Bay? Oh god, it can't be that bad surely!
niko Sep 2nd 2010 11:09AM
yeah, the goblin starter zone was pretty effin sweet.
it's going to be like the DK starter zone in Wrath was - you need to roll a goblin just so you can experience it, it's just that awesome.
Icewolf4785 Sep 2nd 2010 11:14AM
November 9th is the targeted date of release within Blizzard. This information is from a person working on Cataclysm. You don't have to believe me though. :P
Jorges Sep 2nd 2010 11:52AM
I don't have to believe you, but I could gladly do it :D
Noyou Sep 2nd 2010 12:03PM
@Icewolf
Oh really? They are going to release it the same day as Call of Duty? I'm not an expert at these things but I am going to say no to November 9th. Unless they bump up or move back the CoD release date. The 9th makes a lot of sense because that is 2 weeks before Thanksgiving in the US. It would seem most likely that they will announce the date at Blizzcon and that date could be 1-4 weeks after. That's my best guess.
Pyromelter Sep 2nd 2010 12:32PM
@Noyou
Why the hell would blizzard move their release date because of some shooter game? There is probably more days in a calendar year where a new shooter game doesn't come out. I can't imagine there would be that much crossover of players from the genre, and if there was, I'm pretty damn sure that a new expansion of the most popular MMO of all-time would be far preferred over the 90 zillionth first person shooter.
Nina Katarina Sep 2nd 2010 12:50PM
Since the game stores will probably stay open late for midnight releases of both games, releasing them on the same day will generate some entertaining stories and allow the games stores to avoid paying two days of overtimes.