Multiple sources are confirming that the Blizzard background downloader is now beginning to download patch data for the upcoming
patch 4.3, Hour of Twilight. We have been hypothesizing a release date of the next and final
Cataclysm content patch around the late November/early December mark. Having the background downloader active now means that a good portion of the content for the patch has been finalized and is loading into our games as we speak. Now it is up to Blizzard to tweak numbers and encounter design rather than add new objects, art, and so forth to the patch.
As we learn more about the patch and its release date, we will be sure to let you know.
Brace yourselves for what could be some of most exciting updates to the game recently with patch 4.3. Review the official patch notes, and then dig into what's ahead: new item storage options, cross-realm raiding, cosmetic armor skinning and your chance to battle the mighty Deathwing -- from astride his back!
Tags: background, background-downloader, downloader, patch-4.3, world-of-warcraft-patch-4.3, wow-patch, wow-patch-4.3, wow-patch-4.3-news, wow-patch-news
Filed under: Cataclysm
Nov 4th 2011 at 4:22PM 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
busuan Nov 4th 2011 4:26PM
Seriously, Blizzard should remove all obsolete content data. A "patch" of 15.2GB is too big of a patch.
Hollow Leviathan Nov 4th 2011 4:30PM
You start at ~14.3 in that progress bar, so it's more like a 900MB patch.
Anne Stickney Nov 4th 2011 4:31PM
I don't think the patch is actually 15GB. When I went to download it, I was already at 14.5 or so GB out of 15.
Mettus Nov 4th 2011 4:34PM
General consensus is that it's 700mb of new content.
Manawa Nov 4th 2011 4:38PM
I was hoping not! I don't have room for them to keep dumping huge packs on us!
Amaxe Nov 4th 2011 8:57PM
Yeah I hope it's not that big... my bandwidth cap is 17gb a month, and other people use the ISP.
bluespacecow Nov 5th 2011 2:20AM
It's actually around 800 MB of data. There should be 2 new patch files in your Data folder.
Hollow Leviathan Nov 4th 2011 4:27PM
I am so ready for 4.2 to be outdated content.
Narshe Nov 4th 2011 10:28PM
I haven't seen them offer data like this ahead of time since before Cata was released. It will be nice to have some of the patch pre downloaded like they used to let us do, instead of everyone forced to download the full patch on release date.
KataSamoes Nov 4th 2011 4:28PM
Yay!
I'm genuinely excited.
xvkarbear Nov 4th 2011 4:33PM
So.. they haven't even touched the Darkmoon Faire on the ptr..
Are they keeping it for a surprise?
(cutaia) Nov 4th 2011 4:39PM
I'm hearing the barkers on the PTR are telling us it'll be up on Sunday.
Noyou Nov 4th 2011 5:47PM
The DMF wouldn't be the first time they have rolled something out without putting it on the PTR. It is pretty much a holiday even for all intensive purposes. This news is inline with my prediction that 4.3 will drop in the next 2 weeks ;)
Noyou Nov 4th 2011 7:26PM
@Cutaia
Were you scanning Blizzard's web site when you heard that? :p
kingoomieiii Nov 4th 2011 7:41PM
"intensive purposes."
Intents and purposes.
Or, if you prefer, Extensive Porpoises.
jfofla Nov 4th 2011 4:35PM
Deathwing...I choose you!
bdew Nov 4th 2011 4:38PM
My money for it's release date is right near SWTOR launch (20/12/11), if it's actually ready by then.
johnthediver Nov 4th 2011 5:35PM
Not sure why you were down rated. I think that is exactly what they would/should do. They are going to need to do something to steal a bit of SWTOR tunder. (Not saying it is a "WoW Killer" but it is definitely the title Blizzard is watching for strategic planning of their next releases.
Schadenfreude Nov 4th 2011 5:59PM
I'm sure it will be done sooner than Dec. 20th since the hard parts (encounter design) are nearly done. I think we can expect the *MoP beta* on Dec. 20th.
Jonathan Nov 4th 2011 7:59PM
I hope not. I want to get some 4.3ing done before TOR drops since I plan on taking a break from WoW for it (Not rage-quitting or anything, Tor beta was just a ton of fun and I could do with a change for a while).