World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Global Launch Events Planned

Blizzard Entertainment fired over a press release this morning announcing plans to host several worldwide World of Warcraft: Cataclysm launch events at midnight on December 6th. Members of the development team will even be on hand at each launch event to answer fan questions and to sign copies of the expansion pack:

WORLD OF WARCRAFT®: CATACLYSMTM OFFICIAL GLOBAL LAUNCH EVENTS

Blizzard Entertainment to celebrate with players at multiple stores around the world on the eve of new expansion’s 7th December launch

PARIS, France. -Blizzard Entertainment today announced several official launch events to celebrate the upcoming release of World of Warcraft®: Cataclysmâ„¢, the highly anticipated third expansion for the world’s most popular subscription-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game. Starting on the night of the 6th of December, key retail partners in the UK, US, Canada, France, Germany, Russia, Sweden, the Netherlands and the region of Taiwan will welcome gamers who want to be among the first to purchase and play Cataclysm. Members of the World of Warcraft development team will be on hand at each of the events to meet with players and sign their copies of the expansion.

In the UK the launch event will take place, in partnership with GAME, at Sound No.1 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7NA with doors opening at 10:00pm GMT on the 6th of December. Gamers will enjoy an exciting evening of entertainment before the expansion goes on sale, including a costume contest showcasing players’ attire from the game with great prizes for the winning competitors. There will also be an official licensed merchandise showcase, unique photo opportunities, giveaways and much more! For further details on each of the global launch events, visit eu.blizzard.com/company/events/. In addition to the official UK launch event, other retail locations around the country will open at 11:00pm GMT on the 6th of December to support gamers looking to pick up their copy of the expansion the moment it goes live. Please check with your local retailers for further details.

“After two years of development, we’re excited to now be just two weeks away from releasing our best World of Warcraft expansion yet,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “Cataclysm will add a huge amount of new content to the game and change the face of Azeroth forever, and we can’t wait to celebrate this launch with players around the world.”

Attendees at the World of Warcraft: Cataclysm launch events will have the opportunity to purchase the standard edition of the expansion as well as the collector’s edition (while stocks last) which contains the following bonus items in addition to the game disc:

 ‘¢ An exclusive World of Warcraft: Cataclysm behind-the-scenes DVD including over an hour of developer interviews and commentaries
 ‘¢ The World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Collector’s Edition soundtrack CD
 ‘¢ The Art of Cataclysm, a 176-page hardback book featuring never-before-seen artwork from the development process
 ‘¢ Starter pack and exclusive cards for the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game
 ‘¢ Exclusive in-game pet, Lil’ Deathwing
 ‘¢ A special-edition World of Warcraft: Cataclysm mouse pad

The first two World of Warcraft expansions, The Burning Crusade® and Wrath of the Lich King®, each shattered PC game sales records upon their release.* In Cataclysm, the face of Azeroth will be forever altered by the return of the corrupted Dragon Aspect Deathwing. Players will explore once-familiar areas of the world that have now been reshaped by the devastation and filled with new adventures. In an effort to survive the planet-shattering cataclysm, two new playable races – worgen and goblins – will join the struggle between the Alliance and the Horde. As players journey to the new level cap of 85, they’ll discover newly revealed locations, acquire new levels of power and come face to face with Deathwing in a battle to determine the fate of the world.

For more information about World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, visit www.wow-europe.com/cataclysm/. With multiple games in development, Blizzard Entertainment has numerous positions currently open – visit eu.blizzard.com/jobs/ for more information and to learn how to apply.

* Based on internal company records, public data, and reports from key distribution partners.

About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft® and the Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® series, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (eu.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes twelve #1-selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company’s online-gaming service, Battle.net®, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.