While not quite an open beta, players aspiring to check out all the new changes that Cataclysm will bring can get a glimpse of what to expect on the public test realm.
Much like with expansions of the past, players can expect the 4.0 patch to be deployed on live servers some time before the expansion is actually released. While this patch will not include the new level cap, flight in azeroth, or any of the new zones, dungeons or raids it will revamp the game as significantly as 2.0 and 3.0 did in the past. This will provide a testing ground for players to get used to all the new changes to the game before the expansion is released.
The 4.0 patch will include (among other things) talent tree revamps, the new mastery system, a revamp of the levels many spells are acquired, item statistic revamps, loot currency revamps and many achievement adjustments. The full patch notes can be found here.
With the push of this patch to the public test realm many folks have begun speculating that the release date for Cataclysm, though still not officially announced, will be a lot closer than we may have expected. Boubouille of mmo-champion.com predicts that the expansion will be targeted at the first week of November and though he isn't always right when it comes to WoW release predictions, he's not usually more than a week or two off the mark.
So let's all cross our fingers and hope he's hit the mark once again! In the meantime you can head on over to the WoW public test realm to get a crack at all the new changes, or head over to any of the following local retailers to pre-order the expansion:
GameStop
(317) 423-3362
49 West Maryland St
IIndianapolis, IN 46204
Best Buy
(317) 216-2354
4625 Lafayette Rd
Indianapolis, IN 46254
GameStop
(317) 888-4951
1251 US 31 N
Greenwood, IN 46142
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