Bliz just announced the new WoW expansion today during BlizzCon: Cataclysm .



-Level cap will be moved up to 85.

-Goblins are the new race for the Horde, and Worgen are the new race for Alliance. They will have their own unique starting areas and mounts (example: the goblin will have a "steampunk go-kart" kind of mount). Both have unique racial features: example: Goblins have an "assistant" bank pet they can summon every 30 mins, and get the best gold discounts despite their reputation. ...Worgen get movement/attack increase in furry form, and a few other things I can't say because I am typing this as I am watching the live video stream of the Con... lol!

-Old World is going to be totally revamped, with the landscape looking starkingly different as Deathwing has finally awoken, erupting from the Plane of Earth and forever changing the face of Azeroth. Deadmines and Shadowfang Keep will be revamped for Heroic mode. Old races will be able to play new classes (example: gnome priest, human hunter, tauren pally, troll druid). Flying mounts will now be able to fly in Old World.

-There will be some underwater instances and new underwater mounts (undoubtedly, there will be a "yellow submarine" mount)

-Archaeology is a new secondary talent, and unlocks the "Path of the Titans" character customization feature.

...Thoughts? Opinions? I was totally surprised with the goblin race. I guess they won't be neutral anymore...not too sure about the worgen. I can see a lot of furry fans playing this race... ;)

There's a ton more information about this on mmo-champion today. Some of it is fairly impressive. Still, I can't help but exercise a little skepticism, especially since they went back on a few promises in the last expansion but advertised them loudly.

I've always hoped they would re-do vanilla WoW. It was always the best part of the game in my opinion for what made the game a living fantasy, but it was designed with some older EQ style intentions so it came off as staid and empty, particularly as the game got older.

I'm hoping with the re-do of the old content, they'll also think to update the pre-expansion races appearance wise. A good amount of them are just out of place looking at this point. *coughtrollsinparticularcough*

Chernobog
I've always hoped they would re-do vanilla WoW. It was always the best part of the game in my opinion for what made the game a living fantasy, but it was designed with some older EQ style intentions so it came off as staid and empty, particularly as the game got older.

I'm hoping with the re-do of the old content, they'll also think to update the pre-expansion races appearance wise. A good amount of them are just out of place looking at this point. *coughtrollsinparticularcough*

Agreed, I love vanilla WoW and I think it's a smart move of them to revisit & revamp it. The Onyxia Brood riding mount they just showed in the Dungeon/Raid panel a few minutes ago is beautiful.

I like the idea of re-vamping vanilla wow. It almost makes me want to play the game again when it comes out for nostalgia. Almost.

Worgens look cool though.

Chernobog
I'm hoping with the re-do of the old content, they'll also think to update the pre-expansion races appearance wise. A good amount of them are just out of place looking at this point. *coughtrollsinparticularcough*

That would be nice. They should've done it with the last expansion.

They should finally make some high end daggers for rogues that you don't have to have an arena team or raid for :P

Like maybe a really pain in the ass solo quest