Shippin' Out Dec. 5-11: World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
New release slate championed by Blizzard Entertainment's third expansion to popular MMORPG; Brunswick Pro Bowling for Kinect; Tron: Evolution, Yogi Bear film tie-ins also out.
The first full week of December welcomes a short list of new titles, and one shouts louder than the rest.
Leading the pack this week is Blizzard Entertainment's World of Warcraft: Cataclysm. The third expansion to 2004's massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Cataclysm adds a host of new features to the title. Chief among the changes is the total overhaul of the in-game environment. Azeroth has been ravaged, and popular locales have been drastically altered, making the old new again. The expansion also ups the level cap to 85 and adds two new races to the title: goblins and worgen.
Cataclysm follows 2007's Burning Crusade and 2008's Wrath of the Lich King. Before releasing Burning Crusade, Blizzard said its goal was to release annual expansions for the franchise, but the release cycle has been closer to one every two years since then; there was a 22-month gap between Burning Crusade and Wrath of the Lich King, and 23 months will have passed since Lich King's release when Cataclysm hits retail.
The Warcraft franchise will have been around for just over 16 years when Cataclysm reaches eager gamers Tuesday. Talking to GameSpot around the time of the franchise's 15th birthday, Blizzard lead designer Jeff Kaplan said, "I honestly believe that there are enough compelling ideas to keep WOW going for as long as the Internet is up."
Also out this week is film tie-in Tron: Evolution. Detailing the events between the original Tron film--released theatrically in 1982--and the forthcoming movie Tron: Legacy, Evolution features a story that further fleshes out the franchise's universe. Disney has positioned it as an integrated companion piece, where the film will reference events that occur in the game. However, the publisher also noted that both the film and the game operate just as well as stand-alone experiences.
Microsoft recently announced it has sold more than 2.5 million Kinect units since the product was released a month ago. The tech launched with 17 titles, but now it's getting a licensed bowling game. Brunswick Pro Bowling is due out on Tuesday. The title sports six distinct alleys, five modes, authentic Brunswick gear, and a bumper bowling option for those new to the sport.
Tron: Evolution isn't the only film tie-in out this week, though. Yogi Bear: The Video Game comes to the Wii and DS this Tuesday. The title is based on the live-action CG film starring the voices of Dan Aykroyd and Justin Timberlake. From publisher D3, the game sees players controlling the famous bear throughout Jellystone National Park completing a number of whimsical missions.
For further details on the week's games, visit GameSpot's New Releases page. The full list of downloadable games on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Live Marketplace, and Wii Shop Channel will be revealed later this week. Release dates are based on retailer listings and are subject to change.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7
7 Wonders II--DS--Avanquest Software
Alien Breed 2: Assault--PS3--Team 17
Bejeweled 3--PC--PopCap
Blimp: The Flying Adventures--PSP, PS3--Craneball Studios
Brunswick Pro Bowling--X360--Crave Entertainment
Fireplacing--Wii--Korner Entertainment SL
Fluidity--Wii--Nintendo
Learn Science--DS--Dreamcatcher
Majesty 2: Monster Kingdom--PC--Paradox Interactive
NewU Fitness First Mind Body, Yoga & Pilates Workout--Wii--SouthPeak Games
SBK X: Superbike World Championship--X360, PS3--SouthPeak Games
Sniper Elite--Wii--Reef Entertainment
The Flying Hamster--PSP, PS3--The Game Atelier
TouchMaster Connect--DS--Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Tron: Evolution Battle Grids--Wii--Disney Interactive Studios
Tron: Evolution--X360, DS, PS3, PSP--Disney Interactive Studios
Venetica--PS3--Atari
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm--PC, Mac--Blizzard Entertainment
Yogi Bear: The Video Game--Wii, DS--D3
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's: Duel Transer--Wii--Konami
@-Unreal- Your'e right. But I think everybody got the meaning of my statement.
Go GO blizzard got cata , i want diabloo 3 fast :)
@Rougehunter Dont disgrace worgens with that Twilight stuff. Besides Jacob in Twilight is in fact not a werewolf, he is a wolfwere(where a wolf turns into a human). He even explains that his tribe is descended from wolves...Crap now people know I saw that movie and paid some attention to it...Don't worry everyone it was only the first one and I just wanted to see the hype and couldn't find it!!! :)
Ok Blizz, now for the love of all things hack-n-slash, get on to Diablo III's final stretch and ultimate release.
glad i waited a couple weeks cause the other 2 expansions went on sale for $5 and $10.. it's not like we're actually paying for the game, it's just a code to unlock it...they've already made us download all the content that's in the expansions before we've even paid for them. i don't think it should even cost anything....maybe $20 at most but we're already paying $15 a month and i would think new content should be included. oh well. i'll get it eventually.
@covertgamer78 Upgrade your PC, they've upgraded the graphics.
@Gomtor You played WoW before it was an MMO? Maybe you mean Warcraft the RTS games. WoW has always been an MMO.
If WoW was not a MMO, I would have bought it. I played it before it became MMO and it was great. I dont buy for MMOs. If I do I miss out on all the other games + I dont pay games by way of instalments.
@InsaneRippedGuy Or perhaps some people happen to like a game you don't? Christ, are you some sort of dictator, demanding everyone have the same tastes? No one's making you buy the expansion. You can freely walk past it and let it fade into the past. You're welcome to openly dislike something, but you don't need to be a prick about it.
i don't get what makes this different from other games . but people seem to play it that much more. Maybe people like wasting money?
[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]
I've got exams. They're going to decide my future and college acceptances... So much for that then :) Cata, here I come
I wasted a year of my life on that damn game. Cataclysm can go die... Or something. Anyway, I hope those that are still playing, enjoy it.
They need to overhaul the graphics like they did Everquest. That will give the game much more longevity.
Dragon Age 2, Shogun 2 Total War, SW:TOR, GW2, and Brink, im going broke 2011.
Looking forward to Dead Space 2...opps that's January
[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]
maybe one day I'll go back to my Orc Huntard, but for now, enjoy Cataclysm all you crazy WoW fans.
[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]
WOW and Bejeweled 3
I'm defintely getting it the new quests and featrues are amazing.. Finally I acutally enjoy quests
Can't wait for midnight. Already have Cataclysm purchased and loaded on my computer.
Bejeweled 3? Yes! A Yogi Bear video game? Hell no.
@ tommynj.. I give any gamer two months sometimes less, to get bored of any MMO.. Every MMO has the same fault and it will never change no matter how hard dev's try.. What important is that fresh content continue coming in and you keep the core audience happy.. I must give credit to blizz though, unlike past mmo's they actually listen and take into account what people said on forums and so on and help that to shape there game.. Don't knock wow for what it has been doing good for the core of its audience, knock other dev's for still sucking after 5+ years..
Cant wait to roll a my lil green killing machine.
Go team Jacob! Oops I mean go worgen.
played WoW for a couple months, not bad as far as MMO's go, but still the same old grindfest. Not worth the monthly subscription fees. I'll stick to the free MMO's that I play once in a while... EQ2 is now f2p...
yay bejeweled 3!!!
Duel Transer comes out this week? Oh well, I'm content with Tag Force 5.
WoW, The game that keeps on gaming :)
Getting my collector's edition tommorow! :)
the wow pack looks sick! and i really want it. but not as sick as i will feel after a few mnths playing and knowing how much time i wasted on it. it just aint worth it imo
Goblins. Goblins .... haha
yay worgens will keep me busy for a while during the months before the next game i want comes out
@tommynj Like how people got bored with vanilla, BC, and Wrath? Don't forget all the other MMOs that were going to dethrone WoW.
[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]
[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]
@tommynj you have no clue what your talking about.. This isn't defending blizzard for the sake of it, but the fact that its more then jut a revamp of old quests.. In fact the majority of old quests are absent, just about every zone has wildly new quest lines ones that have taken the mechanics of WOTLK with creating new quest types.. Well outside the fact they are releasing two new races, and a whole slew of end game stuff and mechanics it isn't the same thing.. Now you may dislike WoW, good for you.. But please don't say utter bs.
I'll give people 2 months before they get bored again. All they did was give it a new coat of paint and revamp the old quests in a different way. Same old song and dance since 2005.
Already digitally bought :D
im looking forward to Cataclysm and bejeweled 3
12 hours to go; so excited. I have tomorrow off work coincidently :D.
just like the week SC2 released, everyone scared to death when Blizz's game is out, so nothing but Cataclysm!
goblins ftw
@lilboicookie Really? Split/Second was a pretty fun game.
just wait until feb and march folks, that's when all the games are coming out :)
i was thinking about the tron game but once i read ''Disney Interactive'' i just said >.> nope
blizzard is awesome. their titles are always a hit.:D
i think that we can all agree that the yogi bear game is going to suck
The Flying Hamster.
Content you might like…
-
Sniper Elite V2 - I Can Wait All Day

By incorporating sandbox level designs, varied weapons, and other tricks, Rebellion looks to deliver a different action experience with Sniper Elite V2
- Jan 23, 2012
Users who looked at this article also looked at these content items.
Hot Stories
Newsmakers
-
Reckoning staff unpaid since May 1, health care runs out - Report
Source says 38 Studios employees miss payroll this month, now without health care; company CEO and SVP jump ship; Kingdoms of Amalur outperforms projections, selling 1.2 million. Full Story
- Posted May 24, 2012 6:22 am PT
Featured Stories
-
New Star Wars game coming to E3
LucasArts to offer first look at new project May 31 on Spike, with gameplay debut slated for June 4 during annual Los Angeles tradeshow. Full Story
- Posted May 25, 2012 1:14 pm PT
-
Reckoning dev lays off entire staff - Report
[UPDATE]: Source says beleaguered 38 Studios and Big Huge Games sent out pink slips to all employees, believed to number close to 400. Rhode Island governor calls Kingdoms of Amalur a "failure." Full Story
- Posted May 24, 2012 1:59 pm PT
-
Skyrim adds mounted combat
Update now live for PC version of latest Elder Scrolls title that allows players to do melee and ranged damage while on a horse; console release TBA. Full Story
- Posted May 25, 2012 7:04 am PT
-
Diablo III servers not hacked - Blizzard
Dev says number of reported potential account compromises "extremely small," real money auction house delayed again; working "around the clock" to address issues. Full Story
- Posted May 24, 2012 1:30 pm PT
-
Xbox 360 should be banned in US, says judge
[UPDATE] ITC judge recommends US import ban on 4GB and 250GB Xbox 360 slim consoles amid ongoing patent dispute with Motorola; Microsoft confident board will rule in its favor. Full Story
- Posted May 23, 2012 7:17 am PT
Related Game
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
Follow for the latest news, videos, & tips from experts & insiders
- Publisher(s): Blizzard Entertainment
- Genre: Role-Playing
- Release: Dec 7, 2010 (US)
- ESRB: T






