The third expansion to Blizzard's behemoth MMORPG, World of Warcraft, has been announced at this year's BlizzCon. Hot off the heels of the announcement we've got sixteen screenshots of the upcoming expansion!

Go here for the new shots! Also, don't forget to stop by our full World of Warcraft gallery for tons more screenshots!

Looks Awesome!

 One of the coolest things is that in many cases you know it's a place you've seen before and even adventured in, but has changed so much that you can't quite be sure where it is.

I'm really glad that Blizzard has chosen to advance the world.  One of the big downfalls of persistent world games is that the worlds are just a bit too persistent.  Nothing ever changes.   This is going to mix that up a bit.

I also have to say that this expansion has excited me in a way that previous ones haven't.  The other two had new locations, but it was all merely interesting.  I couldn't really get excited about them because there was no sense of attachment to it.  This expansion is taking places we know and love -- places we've spent five years of our lives in -- and trashing them.  This time, it's personal!

 Won't even non-expansion buyers get the revamps as well? I don't really understand how they would do it otherwise. 

Originally posted by BillBones

 Won't even non-expansion buyers get the revamps as well? I don't really understand how they would do it otherwise. 

 

From MMO Champ:

Q: Will I need the expansion to be able to experience the Cataclysm changes?

A: When the Cataclysm occurs, it will occur for all players, whether they have purchased the expansion or not--you will no longer be to play in the original version of Kalimdor or the Eastern Kingdoms. However, certain features such as the new zones, new races, and new level cap will only be accessible to players who purchase the expansion.

That's what I figured. Thanks for the reply.

Got to give it up for Blizzard - this is a pretty brave move.

 Changing the whole world and stuff is pretty awesome. Blizzard has freedom now, they have a massive game with tiny system requirements so that they can do huge things in it. I want them to go a little crazy, and this seems to be the beginning.

Yeah, I'll re-subscribe for this expansion. WoW was and always will be a well made game :)

Being a fan of the lore and the books specifically, I'll probably come back for this too.  It will be interesting to go through the level process in an altered form.  I've always hated their end game, so this will be something new for people like me who enjoy the leveling process.  It is brave and cool of them to change things up like this.

I suppose there's no point in asking for the ETA on this expansion is there? I mean, being it's Blizzard....I guess the likely answer will be "it will be ready when it's ready," but still....I have to ask. :)  Did they, by any remote chance, elude to even a time frame?

I wonder if any of the expansion's content is helping set up the movie's storyline in any way.

/ponder

Now in 15 years time when people start calling themselves WoW veterans they will always be raving about pre-catalysm gold days of WoW. just like the UO and SWG players before them.

Ohh Im to old.. I dont like changes! =( This yet another NGE?

Game looks epically awsome. cant wait for this expansion only 1 thing urks me about it they go aginst old lore by adding the Mage class to the Nightelves!?!?   Bloodelves and nightelves split from eachother over the nature vs. arcane argument now nightelves are ok with being arcane?!?! the rest of the expansion seems great only that one thing grabed my attention as a big WTF!!

 Could be part of the cataclysm...maybe the cataclysm affects the lands so much that they are limited in access to nature magics and turn to an alternative for survival purposes...who knows. It can work.

Originally posted by mep1982

Game looks epically awsome. cant wait for this expansion only 1 thing urks me about it they go aginst old lore by adding the Mage class to the Nightelves!?!?   Bloodelves and nightelves split from eachother over the nature vs. arcane argument now nightelves are ok with being arcane?!?! the rest of the expansion seems great only that one thing grabed my attention as a big WTF!!

From a sneaky lore thing being added in 3.2.2 (currently on PTR) and some stuff said at Blizzcon, the idea is this:

When most of the Highbourne were exiled after the Sundering, a few sneaky ones snuck down south of Kalimdor (remember the chaps in the Library of Dire Maul.)

They are now pertioning Tyrande fro inclusion in Night Elf society. This is from the PTR stuff.

From Blizzcon it seems that Tyrande is gonna say 'no wai,' but they're going to hover around on the fringes trying to recruit anyway. Remember how the warlock trainers in IF/SW are kinda hidden because they're not really allowed? Night Elf mages are going to be like that.

Oh dear, wolves in armour. Still, don’t you think it's a bit too early to announce a new expansion? I'm an old WoW player, stopped playing during WOTLK, and I’m not the type to be hypocritical after enjoying WoW for many years, but I would feel there was nothing to cling onto now they have announce the level cap increase. Working for gear becomes irrelevant.

" Working for gear becomes irrelevant."

That has to be the most clueless comment in this thread.  The expansion is over a year away.  The are also only increasing the level cap by 5 levels, I don't expect the new gear to be that incredible.  My guess is the top end gear you earn now will be very competitive.

So if they are revamping the original world then I see it as nothing more than a large content patch for most of the info I have looked at like what they have added in the past. I have played for 4 years straight and nothing will after all that time stop me from losing interest. I only play now because my friends in real life play and nothing more.