Guild Mum

It’s very exciting and all that, but what effect will it have on people? I mean, it looks like it’s scheduled for a 2010 release, but when is likely? I can’t see it happening before about September myself. Sure if it beats the summer lull, then great, but the French all go on holiday for a month in July / August don’t they, so I can’t see a launch happening before then. We need a few months of beta testing. If you’re basically re-writing the world from scratch then it’s going to need a fair bit of testing. So - we’ve got a whole year yet.

As an example, I was showing my sister how to play. We started from scratch and even showed the cinematic at the start. It mentions Stormwind’s child King Anduin. Well, durr … he’s not there any more is he? They’ve had aaaages to correct that and haven’t. Anyway, I digress….

What effect will the announcement have on people? Already I’ve heard some say what’s the point of playing now because it will all change and there will be new stuff and things to do once the X-pac hits. That to me is a kind of facepalm moment. You have to live in the NOW. Yes, you can look to the future, but if you want to carry on playing and enjoy WOW for all it is, then we will have to fight Arthas, we will need some new gear and stuff. Relax people and enjoy what we have. We still have things in the Coliseum to do and then 12 new bosses in Icecrown. Reading about that worries me a bit though - flying and vehicles and stuff again!

This is the quote from Blizz…

Icecrown Citadel

* The Icecrown Citadel will also feature a 5-man dungeon.
* It has 3 different wings and feature 8 bosses in total. You will have to unlock the 2nd and 3rd wings through an epic questline.
* You will fight alongside Horde and Alliance heroes.

Now that sounds exciting to me. And that is NOW (well soon-ish) and is actually part of and the name of THIS expansion. I mean - what is the point of “The Wrath of the Lich King” if we don’t get to fight him? We’re not done yet. I’m feeling cheated on this expansion and the next is already announced.

Anyway - what other bits of Cataclysm do I like the sound of so far? I like the guild achievement stuff. To be rewarded with your friends for teamwork sounds appealing to me. I’m vaguely interested in Worgen, but probably won’t go very far with one because I doubt I can make them pretty enough. Goblins? No thanks. I like the sound of the changes to the old world mainly because the places I’ve heard that are changing are the ones I didn’t like very much - Desolace, Darkshore (apart from the music), The Barrens.

I’m keen to have another go at Ragnaros. I have some great memories of Ragnaros fights. I really, really hope they keep the same music there - I still get a fluttery feeling in my tummy when I hear the music you get as you run round the spiral towards Ragnaros. I’m looking forward to Onyxia again. She was scary. You really had to be on your toes. Well, as a rogue I did anyway. It will be nice to experience these old bosses on my priest now I’m totally committed to her

So basically - yes, it all sounds very good, but to me it all feels a bit premature and in my view might send people off to Aion (or whatever the next new big thing is called), rather than keep them here. I have a feeling that some players might abandon WOW until Cataclysm comes out rather than enjoy all the new content that will come before it is ready. Personally I think Blizzard have made a mistake in how they announced it. I think they should have made a big song and dance about Icecrown and held off on Cataclysm until a month after Aion hit.

I had a go at the beta last time round, but I did not level anything in it. I did not want to face doing it again for real, so I went in, found the fun things like pets and haircuts and Dalaran and that was about it. Ofc if I get the chance I’d like to experience the beta next time, but all I’m likely to do will be to familiarise myself with things to make the first month or so of the expansion go easier. I like to know where I am going, to plan ahead a bit. All in good time.

So - give me Arthas and give him to me now. Shut up about Cataclysm until it’s a bit more ready and the end is in sight, not over a year away. Am I being a grumpy old woman, or can others see my way of thinking too?