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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsAmazon just sent out a bunch of emails about Cataclysm's release date
by Adam Holisky 
Sep 25th 2010 at 11:10PM
Amazon is not a reliable source for release dates. They are often wrong. But it is "odd" that they're saying something now, so close the date. We've previously heard a rumor that Nov. 2 might be another release date, and we know that Cataclysm is on track for a 2010 release, barring something nuts.
Until Blizzard announces the date itself, we don't know exactly when Cataclysm will be released. So until then, just grab a towel and don't panic.
And let me just make it real clear: WoW Insider is not claiming Nov. 23 is Cataclysm's release date. We're just reporting on what has happened with Amazon emails.
Filed under: Cataclysm
Reader Comments (Page 8 of 8)
Nent Sep 26th 2010 11:53AM
Talaamu -
Your ideas are correct, but for the wrong reason.
As someone who writes software, the idea of producing the product and then continuing to work on it as you ship it is fairly standard practice (perhaps unfortunately).
Consider this: Given the MILLIONS of DVDs that need to be stamped, boxed up (with other contents, including the Collections edition goodies), that is a production run that will take a couple of months or more. I would be very surprised if that hasn't already begun.
These copies would have the graphics, animations, zones, maps, etc and a buch of other stuff at ready or close-to-ready versions. Meanwhile they will continue to work on testing and fixing the game engine (server, database, items, stats, spells, procs, etc) until the release.
The alternative is to try to test everything (which never works, there are always more bugs that show on live, especially load-based ones), then wait 2 or 3 months for the production run while your development team sits on its hands.
As for the release dates, Nov 2nd seems early still with the amount of engine-level stuff that seems to be needed still (even accounting for Blizzard's internal builds).
- Nov 23rd is an unrealistic date for two reasons: 1 - It is before a major US holiday, and Blizzard is a US company, 2- That is the anniversary day, and releasing something that will have the servers down all day, or most of the day, on that date will muck with people getting that. That being said, that is a closer day to the probable release date for giving time for last patches.
As a side note, I don't think anyone has noted that the Beta build has the 6th Anniversary ach, but the PTR builds do not. Suggests that Cata would have to be in place for the 6th Anniversary.
I also think that we will see a longer-prelude time with the x.0.1-patch than usual (usual being 30-40 days). I think that with their biggest overhaul of the game engine they will give more time to tweak it and see how it performs on live before activating Cata itself. My personal bet is that 4.0.1 goes live a week Tues...
Pyre Sep 26th 2010 9:05PM
To confirm @Nent - Lich King release provides ample evidence for that; 3.0.2 was pushed to live servers before release, then the installation took us back to 3.0.1 and we had to patch back up to .0.2 before we could play.
As for the release date: the Amazon page linked in the article currently says "Official pricing and release date have not been announced by the publisher. These are estimates only and subject to change." I don't see a definite release date listed anywhere on either the normal or CE product pages.
North Sep 26th 2010 10:34AM
I'm pretty sure Amazon is doing this announcement as a safety net.
Amazon has a good reputation of delivering anticipated products on release day. But with the holiday season they know there is no way of that happening. So there sending this email to warn hose who has pre-ordered that if it comes out on this date they will have to wait.
EbeneezerGoode Sep 26th 2010 11:01AM
Regarding all the speculation around the Pre-Cata patch, it is at least two weeks away since closing of the current Arena season hasn't been announced yet.
There is a standing commitment to provide 2 weeks notice for Arena season completion, and the chances of the current season completing after 4.0.1 goes live is 0 to none.
supersaint Sep 26th 2010 11:03AM
Blizz has never done anything on this scale before, it's going to be a huge bug-pain for awhile. I have a hard time believing they would release it during Thanksgiving week.
arrowrest Sep 26th 2010 12:31PM
Comparing the two possible dates, Nov. 2nd or Nov. 23rd, the latter seems the more probable date given Blizzard's history with the two previous expansions. One, Blizzard has both times announced the release date of an expansion approximately 2 months before release — Crusade announced Oct. 24th, released Jan. 16th; Wrath announced Sept. 15th, released Nov. 13th). With only five weeks to go until Nov. 2nd and no announcement, I think you can discount that date. I think that's why MMO-Champion talked about it as a "target" date not a "release" date when they discussed it. It probably was the internal planned date but events have left that date behind.
There is precedent for releasing on Nov. 23rd since that was the release date for original WoW. Personally, I wouldn't want that to be the release date given its the holidays either for myself or the Blizzard employees. However, business being business, if Blizzard feels they need to get it out by that date, then it will be out on that day, holiday or not.
Damonii Sep 27th 2010 1:43AM
I work for a retailer and our suppliers have informed us that the shipments will be arriving in store on Nov 1st and that the release date for the product will become "public knowledge" at a later date. But assure us we will have "sufficient time" to stock the shelves.
bjc Sep 26th 2010 1:38PM
As for blizzard not wanting to release the expansion on 23rd of November as it is around a US holiday "Thanksgiving" doesnt really hold much weight. We already know that vanilla wow was released 23rd November 6 years ago. I agree that there may be support issues with people being on holiday during this time, Blizzard though is a global company not a US one anymore. What percentage of the overall player base are US players 10-20%? if that is the case then then other 80% wont care if it is thanksgiving or not. Now should blizzard hold back because 20% of its players want a holiday, or should it carry on according to the 80%.
So as i said above apart from support issues over the period for the 23rd November i cant see why blizzard would not release it.
It has been pointed out that the 6th year anniversery achievement is in a recent build so, it looks like cata will either be released around 0001 23rd November, or possible the week before. Depends on what blizzard decide to do for the majority of teh player base and if teh thanksgiving hliday would impact its operations too much.
dannyflorida Sep 26th 2010 3:12PM
Well, as of Sunday afternoon, the November 23 release date statement apparently has been removed from Cataclysm's product page at Amazon.com.
KythasRythe Sep 26th 2010 3:59PM
I sure hope it isn't the 23'rd. My 21'st birthday is on Thanksgiving. As much as I love WoW; family, food, and booze take priority.
S.O. Sep 26th 2010 5:35PM
Amazon.CA says the 30th for the Collector's edition....
Milkyway Sep 26th 2010 5:44PM
There is a lot of things that actually make november 23rd a plausible date.
First of all this is without a doubt the biggest expansion in the games history - We've never seen so many changes in both geography(Every single zone is remapped) and class changes, not to mention the overall design goal for Cataclysm shows a change compared to previous expansions.
Second, the original game was released on november 23rd as well and this would be an excellent way for Blizzard to celebrate the 6 year anniversary.
Third, november 23rd is also a very good date to release the game on just in time for the christmas shopping which is usually quite a huge increase in sales for a lot of games, not the least of one of the most anticipated expansions in gaming history.
MMO-Champion has reported a rumour about november 2nd - That date is just ay to close to be realistic. The current state of the PTR and the beta is really really messed up to say the least - Probably one of the most messed up PTR's Blizzard have released so far and if you look at the huge changes that goes on from release to release then it's obvious they aren't even close to balancing things yet. One week they nerf an ability like crazy and a few days later the boost the same ability past the original point of the nerf.
We also have to receive patch 4.0 at least 2-3 weeks before the final release of Cataclysm which would mean that Blizzard only have 1-2 weeks left to balance every single class and fix the insane amount of bugs that can be found in the PTR.
So all in all, november 23rd sounds like a plausible release date - November 2nd is completely unrealistic unless Blizzard is willing to accept to make 12 million players seriously pissed off due to the broken state of the PTR and beta.
scott.kelley04 Sep 26th 2010 7:07PM
My girlfriend works at bestbuy and they have the ninth set aside for the midnight release.
Pyre Sep 26th 2010 9:11PM
Bestbuy.com says it'll be available on, and Walmart.com says preorders should arrive on or just after, Dec. 31 2010. Oi.
icepyro Sep 26th 2010 10:48PM
Hrmm.. the biggest thing I have against the Nov 23rd date is the fact that is the anniversary. While that sounds like awesome timing, how will they award the achievement when everyone will have problems logging in? ><
Bethontheharbor Sep 27th 2010 9:30AM
Amazon dates are pure crap!
I pre ordered a Sylvanas figure from Amazon themselves and was told it had a release date of June 5th. Come jun 5th that was changed to July 6th.
Come july 6th, August 25th.
Sept 15th they asked if i wanted to keep my order.
Sept 25th they canceled it as they couldn't get a vendor to supply them.
What happened.. they presumed a released date the first 2 times, the second fudged one, and the third and final time they gave a date was based on the real release date.
Funny too I went on after the order was canceled to find a vendor there with them in stock.
Amazon half the time doesn't even know when things come out, or what stock they have.
Bethontheharbor Sep 27th 2010 9:32AM
P.S. I'm going to guess Nov 9th for the release date. With presale copies at Blizzcon of the collectors edition.
I'll shoot Oct 12th for Patch 4
JustinM Sep 27th 2010 11:30AM
FWIW, I preordered and I did NOT get this e-mail.
I'd take it with a liberal sprinkling of salt.
musiclover123 Sep 27th 2010 3:54PM
I just read online from MMO that the November date has been possibly pushed back
http://www.mmo-champion.com/content/1989-Cataclysm-Release-Dalaran-Portals-Cataclysm-Epic-Stats
They are thinking early to mid December
ChrisB Sep 29th 2010 11:49AM
ya i was just gonna post that when i saw yours we get cata zones around nov.10 and it releases around dec. 7 or 14