It’s time to get the crew back together and party like it’s 2007.
I’m sure this was going to be one of the bigger announcements that Activision Blizzard had lined up for tomorrow’s free BlizzConline event, but unfortunately, a press kit leaked early revealing that there will be a World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Classic launching this year.
Blizzard accidentaly released their #BlizzConline press kits before BlizzConline.
We’re gathering all the information in this post, #spoilers ahead.#Warcraft #Shadowlands #ClassicWoWhttps://t.co/flUohvZ5CI pic.twitter.com/Vngx4bUXkR
— Wowhead (@Wowhead) February 18, 2021
Here’s the full description from the press kit for your viewing pleasure.
“Journey through the Dark Portal once again in World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Classic! Originally released in January 2007, The Burning Crusade summoned the heroes of Azeroth to the shattered and fel-scarred realm of Outland to stop an invasion of the demonic Burning Legion.
In 2021, Blizzard Entertainment’s recreation of the first World of Warcraft expansion will give players from around the world a chance to return to Outland as it once was to relive an era of timeless adventure – or experience what awaits beyond the Dark Portal for the first time.”
- Rediscover the Broken World of Outland – Flee the fel reavers who roam Hellfire Peninsula, dive deep beneath the swamps of Zangarmarsh to confront what lurks below, and clash with the demonic agents of the Burning Legion in the shadow of the Black Temple.
- Join the Fight as a Blood Elf or Draenei – The ranks of the Horde and the Alliance grow! Fight for the Horde as the blood elves, seeking a new source of the arcane power that once sustained them, or join the Alliance as the draenei, exiles from Outland in search of a new home.
- The Saga Unfolds Over Time – Content from the original game will roll out in phases, at a cadence paced for the WoW Classic community. Prepare for the opening of the Black Temple, gear up to confront the gods of Zul’Aman, and gather your allies to face the fury of the Sunwell.
- Burning Crusade Features Reborn – Prove your prowess in the Arena PvP system, enhance your gear with the Jewelcrafting profession, take to the skies over Outland on flying mounts, choose whether to seek the aid of the Aldor or the Scryers of Shattrath, and much more.
- Choose Your Era – Prior to Burning Crusade Classic’s release, WoW Classic players can decide whether to advance each of their characters to the Burning Crusade era with the rest of their realm, or to continue playing the original WoW Classic content on new Classic Era servers.
- Included With Existing World of Warcraft Subscriptions – As with WoW Classic, anyone who subscribes to World of Warcraft can also play Burning Crusade Classic at no additional cost, giving players the freedom to enjoy multiple eras of Azeroth at their own pace.
World of Warcraft Classic launched on August 26th, 2019, and witnessed a surge of players coming back to relive the glory days of the groundbreaking MMORPG. Blizzard faithfully recreated the original WOW experience from 2004 and while I found it really cool, I forgot just how time-consuming the gameplay was with that first release. It’d take you a week just to get two boar tusks to give to some old man. Ain’t nobody got time for that. With that said though, I think it’s great to have options. With Burning Crusade Classic on the way, there will be three different versions of World of Warcraft to choose from, and they’re all included with one active WOW subscription. I’m personally waiting for the inevitable Wrath of the Lich King Classic, as that’s the one that got me hooked.
What other games do you think will be announced during BlizzConline this weekend? I’m hoping for a Diablo II remaster since I know Diablo IV is still 70 years away from release.
BlizzConline runs from February 19th-20th and is free for everyone to check out