I don't know if this has been put up before, so I'll go ahead and post it. I'm sorry if it's a repost.
Cataclysm Basic Info
The World of Warcraft's third expansion is due for release late 2010, presumably around November. The game will feature new additions, such as: Maximum level cap increased to 85, a new Alliance race, Worgen, and a new Horde race, Goblin. New zones are yet to be announced, but what we know now is that Mount Hyjal will be available, alongwith the new underwater zone, Vashj'r. Also, the old world of Kalimdor and Eastern Kingdoms are being revamped. They are destroyed do to Deathwings return into Azeroth. There is one new profession, archeology. A new talent system called Mastery, is yet to be revealed. Guilds will be given a leveling system, along with guild achievements, and player achievements. Rated battlegrounds return, featuring the return of honor titles.
General Info&Leaked Info
Cataclysm's first patch will be an in game event, much like the crates right before Wrath of the Lich King's release. This is the story so far: While the heroes of Azeroth were busy fighting of the terrors of Arthas, Deathwing was recovering in the depths of Deephome. Gradually over time, he regained his strength, and burst through the crust of the world, altering everything. The Barrens was affected by this, by being cracked into two parts. The north side belongs to the Horde, while the southern side belongs to the Alliance. Orgrimmar has been destroyed [and from what I've heard, Garrosh takes over] and forcing Garrosh to try and rebuild it, along with wanting to form more Horde outposts throughout the continents. Desolace's shores were cracked open, allowing water to return life to the zone. Auberdine was destroyed and flooded, making the Night Elves head northward. The Goblins' home island, Kezan, had a volcanic eruption underneath it. A trade prince then sold the Goblins into slavery while attempting to escape the island. While their ship traveled the great seas, they were accidentally caught in a battle between Horde and Alliance forces, they are washed onto the shores of an off coast island, where they become allies with the Horde. After being locked behind the Greymane wall for a decade, the Gilneans are exposed to what they are. After summoning the Worgen to fight off the Scourge during the third war, they are quickly surrounded by them, thus spreading the curse that spawned them throughout the kingdom unknown. When they are attacked by the Forsaken that have traveled from the north to claim the land for themselves, they realized they needed two things: a cure for the lycanthropic curse, and a helping hand in this battle. The Night Elves promise to aid them, thus welcoming the Worgen into the Alliance. War is raging on between the Horde and Alliance, more desperate than ever for survival. Nothing will ever be the same.