Could it be the real thing? I'm not so sure myself, but if they're fake, they're pretty good ones. The box design includes clever elements that I didn't consider were I to make a mock-up myself... such as a small disclaimer stating that the game requires The Burning Crusade. The layout of the box closely resembles that of the previous expansion, too, with the exact same font used for the words 'expansion set' and identical placement of logos. One of the most telling signs that point to its authenticity, however, was a printer's mark usually found on print material before they're cut (and made into a box). Nigel smartly states that he didn't take the pictures himself. Check out the pic of the inside flap with the telling printer's mark after the jump.
With all the buzz about the Beta opt-in, it seems like Blizzard is actually getting close to finishing the game. At the very least a playable version of it. Now we've seen possible box designs, as well, which -- if they are authentic -- means that the company is moving full tilt towards a definite, foreseeable release. Who knows? Perhaps we'll actually be trudging around in Northrend by the time Blizzcon rolls around.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
7-06-2008 @ 9:47AM
Camaris said...
No reason to doubt it, I suppose. As you pointed out, it does seem to have all the right details.
I think this time around, we can make much better guesses at a release date, since they seem to be following TBC's pattern very closely: the Beta-Opt In is very much at the same point in development as the earliest TBC beta invitation emails. Taking that into account, I'll place my bets at BlizzCon in October as the moment we will hear an official release date and/or see the cinematic trailer, with a release in October or November.
I don't know if TBC got delayed (a January release date is a bit suspicious ofcourse, they have had it planned for the holiday season?), but going by the current schedule, comparing it to TBC, that's what I'm betting at ;)
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7-06-2008 @ 9:48AM
Camaris said...
I meant to say "They may* have had it planned... ?"
7-06-2008 @ 10:02AM
Dunwich said...
TBC wasn't "officially" delayed, but the general perception at time seemed to be that they were shooting for a Christmas release and missed it for one reason or another.
7-06-2008 @ 12:44PM
jrb said...
if this is the game's final box art, at a printing press, one would expect the ESRB rating to be listed somewhere online.
yet, the offical WotLK faq states it's not been rated with the ESRB (http://www.wow-europe.com/wrath/faq.xml#2_8 ) , and therefore i'm calling shinanigans!
you know, i wonder what drives people to such dedication to pretend to be working at the printing press where the box for a game that's months and months away from being finished let alone going gold, and sent of to manufacturing. I mean, that's some serious calling out for attention there.
7-06-2008 @ 3:46PM
Shefki said...
It's very likely that Blizzard only intends to ship the expansion with a T for Teen rating and has made the box art etc with that in mind.
If for whatever reason the ESRB doesn't give them a T rating they'll just go back and change whatever prevented it.
It's not unusual for movie companies or game companies to have a specific rating in mind and make alterations to the product to make it receive that rating.
7-06-2008 @ 5:50PM
TheWintergreen said...
@jrb
Actually, the ESRB has allowed the developers to withold the rating being released.
http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11025&Itemid=2
While I don't see why Blizzard would choose this, seeing that the product is announced, and they're obviously getting a T rating, it's up to them to decide whether to release the rating early.
I'm guessing this is a real box. The game is coming out in the next few months, and there's nothing to stop them from printing boxes early.
7-06-2008 @ 10:17AM
Rydolomo said...
I dimly remember bugs or other instability which caused a delay from October to Christmas to January. Bugs are unpredictable and can delay a product despite any planning. Blizz said at the time that they wanted to iron out the bugs even if it missed the Christmas deadline which is the best decision imo.
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7-06-2008 @ 10:34AM
Kryptonls said...
Why on earth would someone go to so much trouble if it turned out to be a fake?
Plus if this person works at the printing place - for sure these covers are the real deal. You need to stop doubting your sources so often! ;P
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7-06-2008 @ 10:50AM
Calaana said...
Blizzard have said, a number of times, you will not 'require' TBC to get WOTLK. Leveling issues aside, it's not considered an official requirement.
Also, look at the slant on the picture with the printers mark.. the page goes off at an angle, yet to the mark is very up and down.
Looks cool and all, but I'm going to call fake here. Sorry Zach.
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7-06-2008 @ 11:11AM
hamiltonerics said...
I don't understand how it wouldn't require TBC. "Leveling issues aside". You can't just put them aside..... it's imperative. And they could easily have changed their mind. And even if it is not "technically" required in the code or something to install it, what company wouldn't put that logo on there to save their butts from people who buy it then try to sue them because their little 60 couldn't go kill Arthas.
The Printer's Mark thing... it's hard to tell, because the page is white against a white background, but you might have a point. Looks legit to me, but I dunno.
7-06-2008 @ 11:37AM
tanek said...
I'd be curious to see how they handle this expansion *without* requiring TBC. I'm sure there are ways to do it, I'm just not sure what those ways would be unless more content is being added to get players from 60-70 without going to Outland. That would be nice. :)
7-06-2008 @ 12:09PM
Eternalpayn said...
Without BC you could still make a level 55 DK...
7-06-2008 @ 12:10PM
Dave said...
Please cite a single source that verifies this.
I've never heard anything of the sort and if I can buy vanilla wow + Lich King and go straight to 80 without having to get BC in between and just not be able to go to outland (boo hoo) then that is something I find rather remarkable.
7-06-2008 @ 3:08PM
Eternalpayn said...
Blizzard has stated they weren't sure if it would require BC.
7-06-2008 @ 10:50AM
naixdra said...
This just shows how psyched we are for LK that there would be an article and comments surrounding the BOX ART.
Not saying anything just offering a ride on my roflcopter.
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7-07-2008 @ 11:22AM
s256 said...
Most, if not all game blogs and news sites have stories posted when a box art image is released/leaked. It's nothing unusual.
7-06-2008 @ 11:04AM
Jay said...
It lacks the "Requires internet connection" text, so I'm gonna say fake.
Even if it is fake the box will probably look pretty much like that anyway ;p
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7-06-2008 @ 11:52AM
Gurluas said...
The text is probably at the bottom of the box which is white due to reflections.
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7-06-2008 @ 11:56AM
Slamkovich said...
Looks legit to me except for one thing: the rating. Has WotLK already been rated by the ESRB? It's not even in Beta yet, I don't see how they could.
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7-06-2008 @ 12:10PM
Lunati said...
It might be that they're working with the ERSB to ensure a particular rating, also if they're starting production on the product, they wouldn't put "not yet rated" on them, they'd put the rating they expect it to get.
As far as burning crusade, there's no real doubt that to start in a level 70 zone you'd need burning crusade. BUT, there has been no announcement as to what they'll do with burning crusade. There's a very real chance that they'll just offer a free "upgrade" for all wow accounts who havn't upgraded yet, and discontinue the regular wow and burning crusade boxes, and just keep selling the battle chest with wow/burning crusade. They did something similar for starcraft and broodwar after awhile.