The beast gets bigger

By David Hollingworth
16:02 Nov 21, 2008 | 11 Comments
Tags: The | beast | gets | bigger


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There's no limit to the amount of records World of Warcraft can break.

Wrath of the Lich King, the latest expansion to the soul-destroyingly epic MMO World of Warcraft launched this week to much fanfare, and already it's made a huge mark. The game, the second WoW expansion, has broken the record for the biggest single 24 hour sales period - a massive 2.8 million copies of the title were sold in a single day following midnight launches all over the world.

Here in Sydney was no exception, and the event took place at EB Games new George St digs. Hundreds of eager WoW fans turned up for the late night launch, and staggering numbers seen elsewhere made their not all that unexpected appearance.

"Blizzard Entertainment continues to deliver massive titles and results," said Kim Green, PC Buyer for EB Games in Australia. "Wrath of the Lich King is the biggest single format release in EB Games history."

Of course, no launch is without its controversy, and while our resident WoW expert is diligently exploring the new continent of Northrend (it's a hard bloody life at times), some were rather disappointed to find allocation of games at some stores was rather short.

Despite pre-orders having been in place for many months, some stores only had 20 copies allocated to them. To say that this has made some fans kinda cranky is bit of an understatement.

But, by and large, the extensive beta testing has lead to a smooth and very well-received launch. The new game mechanics are working smoothly, and the new areas are proving very popular amongst casual players and hardcore raiders alike. Expect a full review very shortly.

In the meantime, we've got a gallery of pics from the launch, and mighty night it was too. Enjoy!

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11 Comments

colganaitor Nov 21, 2008 4:35 PM	Dammit . . .and I haven't got it yet either. I wants it so bad!!!1!!1eleven!
moofactory Nov 21, 2008 7:17 PM	I knew there was a reason why I left wow.
Lord-Ezekiel Nov 21, 2008 8:26 PM	Wow isn't a game - it's a life-destroyer.
nesquick Nov 21, 2008 9:41 PM	Lol thats a lot of rats running in wheels
ArcaneMagik Nov 21, 2008 11:16 PM	Ding... 77. Now that I have spent all my "non wow" time for the week... back to Northrend and the legions of Tubby gay walrus peoples.
Xap Nov 22, 2008 3:36 AM	I already dinged 80 ^_^ My guild has almost cleared naxx 10. <3ing Northend the quests are unique and fun.
maxamatosis Nov 22, 2008 4:14 PM	It was actually pretty heinous seeing the line form outside the Albert St EB here in Brisbane. Oh they pulled out all the stops, Christmas trees with fake snow, two smoke machines, awful techno. And hundreds of saps lined up, emo kids intermixed with the morbidly obese WoW-lifers coming first, families full of screaming children next and more unassuming WoW patrons taking up the hesitant rear. I finished work at a store up the road at 11pm and looked at the line, I wondered what kind of victory those at the front were really obtaining, when they'd all end up stuck in the same traffic or on the same train out from the city. My cohabitants and I of course did the sensible thing and went to O'malleys instead. Stumbling over to the EB 15 minutes past midnight, the smoke machine packed away, the moronic EB employees finally off their megaphones (woe is the world that let's these idiots take centre stage). I enjoyed a quiet cigarette while the WoW tragics in my entourage went and picked up their copies, catching the parting comments as my friend Napoleon picked up the last of the cans of complimentary V: "Pulling an all nighter hey?" enquired the wide smiling EB worker in a pastel coloured dress shirt. "Haha, yeah, I'm going for 80!" Napoleon joked. "Whoa!" Comes the impressed reply, "Like, 80 hours?" Poor Napoleon almost fell over laughing. So it's true, the people EB employ are so stupid they're a safety hazard.
Ashlar Nov 22, 2008 11:06 PM	"Like, 80 hours?" LMFAO. Yeah, i went and bought it... but have spent like (barely) 1 hour playing it, lol. Mainly wanted to keep up the collection of the Collectors Ed's. I reckon the art books are pretty cool. -A-
pwarren Nov 24, 2008 5:24 PM	< epeen infaltionary statement here, about dings and guild progression and stuff > I've had a lot of fun so far in northrend, levelling up with my wife, girlfriend and others. A bit sad to see all that gear I worked hard for go, but hey, new gear coming right up!
Hawkeye Nov 25, 2008 12:41 PM	Yeah, that happened to me after BC. I'd finally gotten the sword I'd been raiding for for months, a lovely blue one hander. The next week BC came out and my phat lewt was replaced by a quest reward green. In about an hour all the gear I'd bled for was replaced!
Dr Doom Nov 25, 2008 1:36 PM	I were there 4 teh launch chatting to someone who said they were there for Atomic, and yet, not one single picture of me! /Sad /Cry /Gut and Fillet :P

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