Mists Release Date

So if you didn’t hear the big reveal yesterday, Mists of Pandaria, the next expansion in the World of Warcraft saga, will be released on September 25, 2012. In about 3 weeks time Blizzard will be releasing the CGI trailer (something I always look forward to) and I suspect the pre-patch will be available shortly after to prepare us for the storyline to come. It should be a lot of fun with the addition of the monk class, a complete overhaul of the talent systems and pet battles for all those companions collected over the years. The regular and Collector Edition are available to order on Amazon now (order now, pay when it ships – and you usually get it the day of release which is super nice!) and the digital version of these are available from the Blizzard store:

We’ll definitely be getting the CE version to add to our collection of deluxe box sets. As well as the pet and mount (that come with the Deluxe Digital Edition) the hard box set includes:

• Behind-the-Scenes DVD and Blu-Ray: Learn about the creation of Pandaria with this two-disc set featuring over an hour of commentary, insider interviews, and developer roundtables.
• Collector’s Edition Soundtrack CD: Experience 20 orchestral pieces from Mists of Pandaria.
• The Art of Mists of Pandaria Book: Explore this 208-page hardcover tome featuring never-before-seen pieces from the expansion, from early concepts to final 3D renderings.
• Chen Stormstout Mouse Pad: Equip your desk with this special-edition mouse pad featuring the legendary pandaren brewmaster.

I can say, without a doubt, that the art book and CD have always made the CE worth it. I just started using my Cata mousepad a couple of days ago and my wife has used her Wrath mat at home and Cata mat at work. The DVD (a Blu-Ray as well this time) has always been informational and worthy of a watch to get a peek inside the Blizzard HQ and it is fun to see the passion that the developers have for the game. You get a real sense that it isn’t just job but a hell of a lot of fun too! Check out the preview trailer from BlizzCon after the cut: 

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