Prior to Cataclysm’s launch on December 7th, World of Warcraft gamers will receive the Cataclysm intro cinematic in a forthcoming update. Additionally, all other in-game cinematics will be available for download to players who haven’t installed them.
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm goes live at 12 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (3 a.m. Eastern Standard Time) on December 7th, regardless of the version purchased (Direct Download or Retail).
Blizzard has also released an FAQ to help answer questions players may have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. 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.
