Patch 5.4 patch notes
Virtual Realms feature revealed
The Proving Grounds are coming
The latest patch 5.4 newsCataclysm digital upgrade now available for pre-order
by Robin Torres 
Oct 28th 2010 at 2:30PM
So it looks like I'll be installing my collector's edition while digital download people are dealing with rolling restarts and emergency maintenance. Oh yes, I went there.
The full Cataclysm digital pre-sale FAQ is after the break.
SlorkuzQ. When will my credit card (or other payment method) be charged?
A. You will be charged on the day that you place your pre-order for World of Warcraft: Cataclysm.
Q. Why do I need to log in to the game once after I've upgraded?
A. The first time you log in after pre-ordering, your account will become eligible to begin receiving the Cataclysm data when it's available. The data will automatically download in the background while you play World of Warcraft or while you have the Launcher window open.
Q. Can I pre-order a physical copy of Cataclysm and have it shipped?
A. Not from Blizzard Entertainment, but many retailers offer pre-orders of physical boxes and Collector's Editions.
Q. In what regions is the Cataclysm pre-sale available? What day/time is Cataclysm launching in my region?
A. The pre-sale is available in the following regions, with realms scheduled to launch at the following times:
Americas, Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia - December 7 at 12:01 a.m. PST
Europe and Russia - December 7 at 12:01 a.m. CET
Q. Will a digital version of the Collector's Edition, with the exclusive pet, be available?
A. No. The World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Collector's Edition is exclusive to physical retail copies. The digital version consists of the standard edition.
A. You will be charged on the day that you place your pre-order for World of Warcraft: Cataclysm.
Q. Why do I need to log in to the game once after I've upgraded?
A. The first time you log in after pre-ordering, your account will become eligible to begin receiving the Cataclysm data when it's available. The data will automatically download in the background while you play World of Warcraft or while you have the Launcher window open.
Q. Can I pre-order a physical copy of Cataclysm and have it shipped?
A. Not from Blizzard Entertainment, but many retailers offer pre-orders of physical boxes and Collector's Editions.
Q. In what regions is the Cataclysm pre-sale available? What day/time is Cataclysm launching in my region?
A. The pre-sale is available in the following regions, with realms scheduled to launch at the following times:
Americas, Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia - December 7 at 12:01 a.m. PST
Europe and Russia - December 7 at 12:01 a.m. CET
Q. Will a digital version of the Collector's Edition, with the exclusive pet, be available?
A. No. The World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Collector's Edition is exclusive to physical retail copies. The digital version consists of the standard edition.
Filed under: Blizzard, News items, Cataclysm
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 7)
Grovinofdarkhour Oct 28th 2010 2:58PM
Ohnoyoudidn'tOHYESSHEDID!
bdew Oct 28th 2010 3:01PM
Even if you'r buying a box you can save yourself some time... Just download the expansion (The official torrent will be all over the internet a few weeks before launch)
Once 4.0.3 hits you can install it and keep playing, once you get your box simply go to account management and upgrade your account with the CD key.
I've done it for BC and WotLK without any issues.
Itanius Oct 28th 2010 3:18PM
I love the antiquated abbreviation for midnight (12:00mn) used in the header image!
Monocerus Oct 28th 2010 3:27PM
Oh yeah, buyed without problems and now my battle net stats are:
Product Level
Cataclysm
(Upgrade Complete)
Standard Edition
I think you get a error because the servers must be hammered with a intire world buring the xpack :(
good luck with!
Skarn Oct 29th 2010 12:14AM
Hey! You answered my question before I could even ask! Thanks!
So if you buy the Digital Download, your account is flagged for Cataclysm right away. Now Blizzard needs to flip a switch on their end to allow you to use that access. It's probably a Digital-only switch, meaning anyone on the East Coast that picks up a boxed copy at Midnight can go home and start playing right away.
We'll see!
SpaceGoatPriest Oct 28th 2010 3:33PM
All of the fun on "launch night" is seeing and meeting all the other crazy WoW people that live in my town. It's so funny because someone might only live a mile from you, but there are so many servers you might not ever cross them in game. There was about 100 people at the Wrath launch in my town, and only one other person played on Kael'thas, but they were Horde.
CritYourFace Oct 28th 2010 3:53PM
For the... oohh yea.. right Alliance don´t have ne battle cry! :(
Noyou Oct 28th 2010 4:09PM
@CritYourFace
Meet me dwarf hunter- For Khaz Modan! And he won't be runnin out of ammo now! Or ale :p
Sinfulle Oct 28th 2010 3:33PM
All done downloading for now, 689 MB downloaded, averaged 900KB/s. So glad I was able to get an expansion this way. I live in a small out of the way town. Nearest midnight release store would be a three hour drive, that's just to get there. Delivery service, even paying for faster delivery, would see me getting the box copy days late. I know there will be long queues and unanticipated down time, but I can rest safe knowing I have the data.
Amaxe Oct 28th 2010 3:58PM
That's it? 689 MB?
PistolPeet Oct 28th 2010 4:53PM
Downloading now :D 1.7 MB/sec
It's 689 MB so far, I imagine that as it's a digital download they'll patch in all the data as it gets finalised.
Also, don't forget, you downloaded a whole new client for 4.0.1 including all of new azeroth (OldWorld.mpq vs world.mpq, I think) so the cata files should be the 80-85 zones only.
Sinfulle Oct 28th 2010 8:47PM
@Amaxe
I believe PistolPeet has it right, we downloaded almost 5GB prior to 4.0.1 so we shouldn't have too much left. I know on MMO-C people were talking that if you wanted to break the TOS you could alter some files and see the changed old world on live(and risk a ban). Blizzard stated that all the pre-cata events are on our hard drives right now they just have to be switched on by the servers. They will probably be adding more data in the coming weeks but I wouldn't expect gigabytes.
I noticed when I took a quick look earlier the Cataclysm cinematic is now selectable from the list of cinematics when I start WoW. Unfortunately I think I have to wait until Cataclysm release for the new log in screen. :( waaaaaaaaaaaaah
@PistolPeet My download started out about 1.6 but as it got toward the end the speed lowered, and I was feeding hungry peers by then also. brainnnnnnnnnnnnnns
Amaxe Oct 28th 2010 9:57PM
Hmm, 689mb would not be that hard for my bandwidth... (that was the reason for my question)
But I guess I'll get the disc anyway. I'm hoping to get a new computer with my tax refund come January and it would be easier to just install WoW from disc than to have to redownload things.
Thanks for your answers
Aaron Oct 28th 2010 3:45PM
I've seen what was said at Blizzcon. IMO there is room for interpretation. I would like a stronger statement from blizzard regarding it.
Rihahn Oct 28th 2010 3:45PM
Done and done.
Between $100 Blizzcon tickets, $40 Blizzcon TV tickets, and $40 digital pre-sales, I'd guess the next thing to be installed on the Blizzard campus will be a swimming pool filled with money.
Noyou Oct 28th 2010 4:11PM
Yeah but they have to shell out a lot in expenses for those. The real money comes in subscriptions and selling sparkle ponies :)
CritYourFace Oct 28th 2010 3:48PM
Baaaam..!!! upgraded and ready to go! :)
Darkdust Oct 28th 2010 4:00PM
Hmph. Tags for the story say "4.0.2". Has it been renumbered? If not, will there BE a v4.0.2?
Itanius Oct 28th 2010 4:06PM
No, there won't be a 4.0.2. It's probably a case of fat fingers.
Yendor Oct 29th 2010 9:03AM
Loving the fact that the UK (and Ireland) are getting Cataclysm A WHOLE DAY before the rest of the world. Well, 59 minutes before the rest of Europe anyway. 6th December here we come!