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This page follows the timeline from the release of ''World of Warcraft'' through present day as it applies to the players.
{{stub/Lore}}
 
{{battle
 
|image=WC3x-U08.jpg
 
|name=A Symphony of Frost and Flame
 
|prev=[[Ascent to the Upper Kingdom]]
 
|next=[[To Tame a Land]]
 
|conflict=[[Legacy of the Damned]]
 
|date=
 
|place=[[Icecrown Citadel]], [[Northrend]]
 
|result=[[Scourge]] victory
 
|side1=*[[Undead]] [[Scourge]]
 
|side2=*[[Illidan's forces]]
 
*[[Blood Elves]]
 
*[[Illidan's Naga]]
 
|commanders1=*[[Arthas Menethil]]
 
*[[Anub'arak]]
 
|commanders2=*[[Illidan Stormrage]]
 
*[[Kael'thas Sunstrider]]
 
*[[Lady Vashj]]
 
|forces1=*1 [[Death Knight]]
 
*1 [[Crypt Lord]]
 
*[[Acolyte]]s
 
*[[Ghoul]]s
 
*[[Crypt Fiend]]s
 
*[[Abomination]]s
 
*[[Necromancer]]s
 
*[[Banshee]]s
 
*[[Meat Wagon]]s
 
*[[Obsidian Statue]]s
 
*[[Obsidian Statue#Destroyer Form|Destroyers]]
 
*[[Gargoyle]]s
 
*[[Frost Wyrm]]s
 
*[[Shade]]s
 
*[[Skeletal warrior|Skeleton Warriors]]
 
*[[Skeletal mage]]s
 
|forces2=*1 [[Demon Hunter]]
 
*1 [[Blood Mage]]
 
*1 [[Naga Sea Witch]]
 
* [[Blood Elf]] [[Blood Elf Worker|Worker]]s
 
* [[Blood Elf]] [[Blood Elf Swordsman|Swordsmen]]
 
* [[Blood Elf]] [[Archer]]s
 
* [[Blood Elf]] [[Priest]]s
 
* [[Blood Elf]] [[Sorceress]]es
 
* [[Blood Elf]] [[Spellbreaker]]s
 
* [[Blood Elf]] [[Dragonhawk]] [[Dragonhawk Rider|Riders]]
 
* [[Blood Elf]] [[Glaive Thrower]]s
 
* [[Mur'gul]] [[Slave]]s
 
* [[Mur'gul]] [[Mur'gul Reaver|Reavers]]
 
* [[Naga]] [[Siren]]s
 
* [[Naga]] [[Myrmidon]]s
 
* [[Naga Royal Guard]]s
 
* [[Couatl]]s
 
* [[Snap Dragon]]s
 
* [[Dragon Turtle]]s
 
|casual1=*Heavy
 
|casual2=*Very Heavy
 
}}
 
{{Warcraft III}}
 
'''A Symphony of Frost and Flame''' was the final battle between the Lich King's [[Scourge]] led by King Arthas, and Kil'jaeden's agents led by [[Illidan Stormrage]].
 
   
  +
(After all, {{Achievement|What A Long, Strange Trip It's Been}}!)
==Introduction==
 
{{stub/Lore}}
 
''Moments later, at the Scourge stronghold, King Arthas and Anub'arak make their final plans to defend the Lich King's [[Throne Chamber]].''
 
   
  +
==2001==
King Arthas:
 
  +
'''September 2''' - ''[[World of Warcraft]]'' announced<ref>Web Archive - Fusion NET: {{ref web|title=Blizzard Entertainment Announces World of Warcraft|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20071103122615/http://www.games-fusion.net/press/content/blizzard_entertainment_announc.php}}</ref>
Time's running out, Anub'arak. We've got to get inside the Throne Chamber before Illidan does.
 
   
  +
==2004==
Anub'arak:
 
  +
[[File:Login screen Classic.jpg|thumb|The original [[loading screen|login screen]]. This was the longest-running login screen, being the login for two years and one month.]]
The Throne Chamber lies within the frozen peak at the center of the valley. It can only be opened by activating the four enchanted obelisks that surround it. Illidan's forces have already entrenched themselves near two of them. We'll need to drive them back and reactivate the obelisks ourselves.
 
  +
'''Febuary''' - ''[[Beta#World of Warcraft|World of Warcraft Beta Test]]'' begins.
   
  +
'''November 23''' - ''World of Warcraft'' launches in North America, Australia and New Zealand.
''Meanwhile, Lady Vashj and Prince Kael approach Illidan.''
 
  +
* Starting [[level cap]] is 60
  +
* Only [[Eastern Kingdoms]] and [[Kalimdor]] available at launch.
  +
* Starting races:
  +
** Alliance: [[Human (playable)|Human]], [[Dwarf (playable)|Dwarf]], [[Night elf (playable)|Night Elf]], [[Gnome (playable)|Gnome]]
  +
** Horde: [[Orc (playable)|Orc]], [[Troll (playable)|Troll]], [[Undead (playable)|Undead]], [[Tauren (playable)|Tauren]]
   
  +
'''November 24''' - WoWWiki Launched<ref>Wikipedia: {{ref web|title=WoWWiki|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WoWWiki#History_and_description}}</ref>
Lady Vashj:
 
We're sorry to interrupt your meditation, Master, but all our forces are in place.
 
   
  +
'''December 18''' - [[Patch 1.2.0]]
Prince Kael:
 
  +
* [[Maraudon]] added
Once the chamber is open, we will destroy the Frozen Throne as promised.
 
   
  +
==2005==
Illidan Stormrage:
 
  +
[[File:Talismanofbindingshard.jpg|thumb|The first ever legendary item drop.]][[File:Leeroy Jenkins Jeopardy clue.jpeg|thumb|What is ''World of Warcraft?''.]]
Then the hour has come at last. After today, the Scourge will meet its end! Can you hear me out there, Arthas? Its end!
 
   
  +
'''February 11''' - ''World of Warcraft'' launches in Europe
''Arthas and Anub'arak are watching the situation from above.''
 
   
  +
'''March 7''' - [[Patch 1.3.0]]
King Arthas: Illidan has mocked the Scourge long enough. It's time we put the fear of death back in him.
 
  +
*[[Dire Maul]] added
   
  +
'''March 23''' - The first [[legendary]] item ever to appear to players in the game drops, {{loot|Legendary|Talisman of Binding Shard}}. It is immediately hotfixed out of the game.
   
  +
'''April 8''' - [[Patch 1.4.0]]
==Prelude==
 
  +
*PvP [[Honor System]]
   
  +
'''May''' - The [[Leeroy Jenkins (video)|Leeroy Jenkins video]] becomes popular<ref>Wikipedia: {{ref web|title=Leeroy Jenkins|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leeroy_Jenkins}}</ref>
After forcing their way past the horrors of the dark catacombs of [[Azjol-Nerub]], [[Arthas]] and [[Anub'arak]] rendezvoused with their army at the peak of [[Icecrown Glacier]], with the intention of claiming the [[Frozen Throne]] in the name of [[Ner'zhul]]. They were dismayed to find that [[Illidan]]'s forces had already arrived, were well entrenched around the pinnacle of ice which contained the [[Lich King]], and were poised to claim the four [[Icecrown Obelisk]]s which when activated would open the prison. Final defeat for [[Arthas]] and [[Ner'zhul]] seemed all but assured.
 
   
  +
'''June 7''' - [[Patch 1.5.0]]
==The battle==
 
  +
*[[Battlegrounds]] introduced
  +
**[[Warsong Gulch]]
  +
**[[Alterac Valley]]
   
  +
'''July 12''' - [[Patch 1.6.0]]
Arthas and his army quickly wiped out a small [[naga]] outpost to the south west of the [[Frozen Throne]] and used the resources gathered from the ruins of [[Azjol-Nerub]] to establish their own base. From there Arthas and Anub'arak launched their attack against [[Illidan]], [[Kael'thas Sunstrider|Prince Kael]] and [[Lady Vashj]]. The battle raged back and forth across the glacier, with both sides taking and re-taking each of the obelisks. Although the undead were outnumbered, the biting cold and [[Arthas]]' considerable military prowess eventually turned the tide against [[Illidan]]. The [[blood elves]] and the [[naga]] were routed, and Arthas claimed all four obelisks, allowing him to approach the Frozen Throne. In a last desperate effort to stop him, Illidan confronted the death knight at the entrance; after a short fight Arthas cut the betrayer down, leaving him badly wounded in the snow. The Scourge had triumphed.
 
  +
*[[Blackwing Lair]] added
  +
*[[Darkmoon Faire]] added
   
  +
'''September 13''' - [[Patch 1.7.0]]
==Aftermath==
 
  +
*[[Zul'Gurub]] added
  +
*[[Arathi Basin]] battleground added
  +
*[[Stranglethorn Fishing Extravaganza]]
  +
*[[Corrupted Blood]] begins as the result of a glitch in Zul'Gurub<ref>Wikipedia: {{ref web|title=Corrupted Blood Incident|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corrupted_Blood_incident}}</ref>
   
  +
'''October 28–29''' - [[BlizzCon 2005|BlizzCon]]
[[Arthas]] destroyed the [[Frozen Throne]], and merged with [[Ner'zhul]] to become the new [[Lich King]]. From his Icecrown fortress, the Lich King made plans to rebuild his forces and conquer the rest of the world. [[Illidan]] was apparently driven mad by the encounter; he crawled back to [[Lady Vashj|Vashj]] and [[Kael'thas Sunstrider|Kael]], who retreated with their remaining forces back to [[Outland]]. He brooded in his [[Black Temple]] until a brave band of adventurers, assisted by [[Maiev Shadowsong]] and [[Akama]], finally killed him, ending his reign over Outland.
 
  +
*''[[Burning Crusade]]'' announced
   
  +
'''October 10''' - [[Patch 1.8.0]]
==Trivia==
 
  +
*Corrupted Blood fixed
*The name is possibly inspired by the fantasy series "A Song of Ice and Fire" written by George R. R. Martin.
 
   
  +
'''November 16''' - ''World of Warcraft'' is featured in a question on the game show ''Jeopardy!''
[[Category:Battles|Icecrown]]
 
  +
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o8g8GIya_I None of the three players knew the answer.]
[[Category:Campaign chapters]]
 
  +
  +
'''November 23''' - [[WoW Insider]] launches.<ref>WoW.com: {{ref web|title=The Queue: A trip down memory lane|url=http://wow.joystiq.com/2009/11/11/the-queue-a-trip-down-memory-lane/}}</ref>
  +
  +
==2006==
  +
[[File:Make-love-not-warcraft.png|thumb|The Characters of ''South Park'' in [[World of Warcraft on South Park|Make Love, not Warcraft]]. L to R: Stan, Kyle, Cartman, Kenny.]]
  +
'''January 3''' - [[Patch 1.9.0]]
  +
*The [[Ruins of Ahn'Qiraj]] added
  +
*The [[Temple of Ahn'Qiraj]] added
  +
*[[Gates of Ahn'Qiraj]] event begins
  +
*Faction-Linked [[Auction Houses]]
  +
  +
'''January''' - Blizzard comes under scrutiny by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT LGBT] groups for prohibiting advertising a guild as being LGBT-friendly.<ref>Error Macro: {{ref web|title=Gay Rights Within World of Warcraft|url=http://www.errormacro.com/2006/01/gay_rights_within_world_of_war.php}}</ref>
  +
  +
'''January 23''' - [[Server:Medivh US|Medivh-US]] becomes the first server to open the Gates of Ahn'Qiraj<ref>About.com: {{ref web|title=Gates of Ahn'Qiraj Opened|url=http://internetgames.about.com/b/2006/01/24/gates-of-ahnqiraj-opened.htm}}</ref>
  +
  +
'''March 28''' - [[Patch 1.10.0]]
  +
*[[Dungeon Set 2|High-Level Armor Set Upgrade Questlines]]
  +
*Quest Experience to Gold Conversion at Level 60
  +
*[[Weather]] Effects
  +
*Linked [[Flight paths]]
  +
*Widescreen monitors supported
  +
  +
'''April''' - The "-50 DKP/More dots" [http://technorati.com/videos/youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DHtvIYRrgZ04 Onyxia Wipe Animation] becomes popular.
  +
  +
'''April 30''' - [[WoWRP]] is launched.
  +
  +
'''June 20''' - [[Patch 1.11.0]]
  +
*[[Keyring]]
  +
*[[Naxxramas (original)|Naxxramas]] added
  +
  +
'''July 7''' - [[Wowhead]] website launched
  +
  +
'''August 22''' - [[Patch 1.12.0]]
  +
*[[Cross-Realm Battlegrounds]]
  +
*[[World PvP]] Objectives
  +
  +
'''September 11''' - ''Burning Crusade'' announced to be released on January 16, 2007
  +
  +
'''October'''
  +
* ''[[Beta#The Burning Crusade|The Burning Crusade Beta Test]]'' begins
  +
* [[World of Warcraft Trading Card Game]] released
  +
  +
'''October 4''' - The TV show ''South Park'' features a Warcraft-themed episode, [[World of Warcraft on South Park|Make Love, not Warcraft]].
  +
  +
'''December 5''' - [[Patch 2.0.1]]
  +
*[[Looking for Group]] Interface Tool
  +
*PvP [[Arenas]]
  +
  +
'''December 14''' - ''Burning Crusade'' cinematic trailer released
  +
  +
==2007==
  +
[[File:Login screen The Burning Crusade.jpg|thumb|The ''World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade'' login screen debuted with patch 2.0.1 and was the game login screen for one year and 11 months.]]
  +
'''January 9''' - [[Patch 2.0.3]]
  +
*[[Dark Portal Opens]] event
  +
**[[Kruul]] begins attacking places in Azeroth
  +
  +
'''January 16''' - ''[[World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade|The Burning Crusade]]'' Expansion released
  +
*[[Level cap]] raised to 70
  +
*[[Outland]] added
  +
*[[Draenei]] and [[Blood Elf]] Races Added
  +
*[[Eye of the Storm]] Battleground added
  +
*Launch was plagued by server crashes and a huge percentage of the player base questing in [[Hellfire Penninsula]], all at the same time.
  +
  +
'''May 22''' - [[Patch 2.1.0]]
  +
*The [[Black Temple]] added
  +
  +
'''August 3–4''' [[BlizzCon 2007|BlizzCon]]
  +
*''[[World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King|Wrath of the Lich King]]'' Expansion Announced
  +
  +
'''September 27''' - [[Patch 2.2.0]]
  +
*[[Voice Chat#World of Warcraft Voice Chat|Voice chat]] introduced.
  +
  +
'''October''' - Toyota's [[Four Wheels of Fury]] commercial airs, featuring a fictional truck mount ingame.
  +
  +
'''November 13''' - [[Patch 2.3.0]]
  +
*[[Zul'Aman]] added
  +
*[[Guild Banks]]
  +
*[[Mudsprocket]] quest hub added to [[Dustwallow Marsh]]
  +
  +
'''November 20''' - Blizzard advertises ''World of Warcraft'' on television with ads featuring William Shatner and most notably Mr. T talking about his [[Night Elf Mohawk]].
  +
  +
==2008==
  +
[[File:Earthquake.JPG|thumb|In July 29, 2008 a [http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/eqinthenews/2008/ci14383980/#details magnitude 5.5 earthquake] struck near Blizzard's offices, causing them to post a message on their login screen about the effect on their in-game and telephone support.]]
  +
[[File:Login screen Wrath of the Lich King.jpg|thumb|The ''World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King'' login screen. This login screen debuted in patch 3.0.2. It was the second longest such screen for the game, existing as login for two years and ten days.]]
  +
'''January''' - World of Warcraft gets to 10 million subscribers globally<ref>Blizzard Press Release {{ref web|title=World of Warcraft Reaches New Milestone: 10 Million Subscribers|url=http://eu.blizzard.com/en-gb/company/press/pressreleases.html?080122}}</ref>
  +
  +
'''March 25''' - [[Patch 2.4.0]]
  +
*[[Isle of Quel'Danas]] added
  +
*[[Magister's Terrace]] added
  +
*[[Sunwell Plateau]] added
  +
* The [[Shattered Sun Offensive]] begins.
  +
  +
'''April 3''' - [[Server:Proudmoore US|Proudmoore-US]] becomes the first server to complete the Shattered Sun Offensive<ref>WoW.com: {{ref web|title=Proudmoore server hits Phase 4 first|url=http://wow.joystiq.com/2008/04/13/proudmoore-server-hits-phase-4-first/}}</ref>
  +
  +
'''July 17''' - ''[[Beta#Wrath of the Lich King|Wrath of the Lich King Beta Test]]'' begins.
  +
  +
'''August 5''' - [[Recruit-A-Friend]] program introduced.<ref>http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/news/rss-08-2008.xml (News archive from September 2008)</ref>
  +
  +
'''August 21''' - ''Wrath of the Lich King'' cinematic released.
  +
  +
'''September 15''' - ''Wrath of the Lich King'' release date announced to be November 13, 2008
  +
  +
'''October''' - The "[[Additional instances cannot be launched, please try again later.|Additional instances cannot be launched]]" issue begins on high-population servers. This continues to be an intermittent problem until after the dungeon finder is introduced in patch 3.3.0, the next year.
  +
  +
'''October 14''' - [[Patch 3.0.2]]
  +
*[[Achievements]]
  +
*[[Inscription]]
  +
*[[Barbershop]]
  +
*Several changes were made to the gameworld to prepare for ''Wrath of the Lich King'':
  +
**The [[Naxxramas (original)|original Naxxramas]] removed
  +
**[[Dalaran Crater|Dalaran]] removed
  +
**Alliance [[boats]] rerouted
  +
**[[Stormwind Harbor]] added
  +
**New Horde [[Zeppelin tower|Zeppelin Towers]]
  +
  +
'''October 23'''
  +
*The [[Zombie Infestation]] heralds the start of the [[Scourge Invasion#Zombie Infestation - Scourge Invasion Vol.2|Second Scourge Invasion]]
  +
  +
'''November 10'''
  +
*The [[Scourge]] begin regular attacks on [[Stormwind City]] and [[Orgrimmar]]
  +
  +
'''November 13''' - ''[[World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King|Wrath of the Lich King]]'' Expansion released
  +
*[[Level cap]] raised to 80
  +
*[[Northrend]] added
  +
*[[Death knight]] Class Added
  +
*[[Strand of the Ancients]] Battleground added
  +
  +
'''November 23''' - All players logging in are awarded [[Baby Blizzard Bear]] and {{achievement|WoW's 4th Anniversary}}
  +
  +
==2009==
  +
[[Image:MTN_DEW.JPG|thumb|right|"Game Fuel". Wild berry for Alliance, citrus cherry for Horde]][[File:Splashscreen.JPG|thumb|During the countdown to the Battle.net merger, Blizzard offered a [[Unhatched Mr. Chilly|companion pet]] to accounts that merged before the deadline.]]
  +
  +
'''April 14''' - [[Patch 3.1.0]]
  +
*[[Ulduar]] added
  +
*[[Argent Tournament]] added
  +
*[[Dual Talent Specialization]]
  +
  +
'''Late April''' - a player is banned for [[exploit]]ing the game after using a mistakenly-mailed [[Game Master]] [[artifact]] called {{loot|Artifact|Martin Fury}}.<ref>Examiner.com: {{ref web|title=The WoW Martin Fury scandal|url=http://www.examiner.com/x-3327-Newark-MMORPG-Examiner~y2009m5d1-The-WoW-Martin-Fury-scandal}}</ref>
  +
  +
'''May 15''' - The Mountain Dew Game Fuel [[Choose Your Side]] promotion begins.
  +
  +
'''August 4''' - [[Patch 3.2.0]]
  +
*[[Crusaders' Coliseum]] added
  +
*[[Isle of Conquest]] battleground added
  +
*[[Instance Lock Extension]]
  +
  +
'''August 20''' - The Mountain Dew [[Choose Your Side]] promotion ends.
  +
  +
'''August 21–22''' - [[BlizzCon 2009]]
  +
*''[[World of Warcraft: Cataclysm|Cataclysm]]'' Expansion Announced
  +
  +
'''September 2''' - [[Faction Change service]] offered.
  +
  +
'''September 22''' - [[Patch 3.2.2]]
  +
*[[Onyxia's Lair]] revamped to level 80
  +
  +
'''October 12''' - Announcement that all [[account|World of Warcraft accounts]] must be merged with [[Battle.net]] accounts.<ref>WoW.com: {{ref web|title=Battle.net accounts required by November 11th|url=http://wow.joystiq.com/2009/10/12/battle-net-accounts-required-by-november-11/}}</ref>
  +
  +
'''October 27''' - [[Race Change service]] offered
  +
  +
'''November 11, 12''' - The deadline passes for account mergers with Battle.net for US, EU players.
  +
  +
'''November 22''' - All players logging in are awarded [[Onyxian Whelpling]] and {{achievement|WoW's 5th Anniversary}}
  +
  +
'''December 8''' - [[Patch 3.3.0]]
  +
* [[Frozen Halls]] added
  +
* [[Icecrown Citadel]] raid added
  +
** The [[Lower Spire]] is open at release.
  +
* Cross-Server Instance grouping
  +
* Improved [[Dungeon Finder]]
  +
  +
==2010==
  +
[[File:ChinaWoWundead.jpg|thumb|In China, bones are covered up as with this [[Forsaken]]. This led to the need for a massive graphical overhaul before ''Wrath of the Lich King'' could be approved.]]
  +
[[File:Launcher-v4.0.1.12857.png|thumb|Previously, you could not play the game until the entire patch was uploaded.]]
  +
[[File:Login screen Cataclysm.jpg|thumb|The Cataclysm Login Screen debuted in Patch 4.0.3a.]]
  +
  +
'''January 5''' - The [[Plagueworks]] of Icecrown Citadel opens.
  +
  +
'''January 19''' - The [[Crimson Hall]] of Icecrown Citadel opens.
  +
  +
'''February 2''' - [[Patch 3.3.2]]
  +
* The [[Frostwing Halls]], the final wing of Icecrown Citadel, opens.
  +
* [[Lich King (Icecrown Citadel tactics)|The Lich King]] encounter is implemented.
  +
  +
'''February 12''' - The People's Republic of China approves ''[[World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade]]'' for release, three years after its release everywhere else.
  +
  +
'''March 23''' - [[Patch 3.3.3]]
  +
* The random battleground system is implemented, and the [[honor system]] is overhauled to account for the removal of battleground [[Mark of Honor|Marks of Honor]].
  +
  +
'''May 3''' - The Friends & Family phase of the ''World of Warcraft: Cataclysm'' alpha begins.<ref>{{ref web|url=http://blue.mmo-champion.com/t/24690639017/cataclysm-alpha-has-begun/|accessdate=2010-07-01|publisher=MMO-Champion|title=Cataclysm Alpha has begun!}}</ref>
  +
  +
'''June 22''' - [[Patch 3.3.5]] in North America.
  +
* [[Real ID]] is implemented.
  +
  +
'''June 30''' - ''[[Beta#Cataclysm|Cataclysm Beta Test]]'' begins.<ref>{{ref web|url=http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/press/pressreleases.html?100630|accessdate=2010-06-30|publisher=Activision Blizzard|title=Blizzard Entertainment Begins Closed Beta Test for World of Warcraft®: Cataclysm™}}</ref> Patch 3.3.5 in Europe.
  +
* The [[Ruby Sanctum]] opens.
  +
  +
'''July 6''' - Blizzard announces their intention to have [[Real ID]] names visible when posting on the official forums.<ref>http://forums.battle.net/thread.html?topicId=25626109041</ref> This resulted in a massive outcry against the idea, based primarily on concerns about privacy issues and potential harassment.
  +
  +
'''July 9''' - Due the overwhelming flood of criticism, Blizzard rescinds their plan to put Real ID names on the official forums.<ref>http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=25968987278&sid=1</ref>
  +
  +
'''July 27''' - Blizzard releases ''[[StarCraft franchise|Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty]]'', notable in that it was Blizzard's first non-Warcraft related game in ten years, since 2000's ''[[Diablo franchise|Diablo II]]''. Many were curious what the effect would be on the player base, but the implementation of the Real ID system ensured that players playing ''Starcraft'' could keep up with their friends in ''World of Warcraft''.
  +
  +
'''August 10''' - The People's Republic of China approves a heavily edited ''Wrath of the Lich King'' two years after its general release.<ref>{{ref web|url=http://wow.joystiq.com/2010/08/10/china-is-finally-getting-wrath-of-the-lich-king/|publisher=WoW.com|title=China is finally getting Wrath of the Lich King}}</ref>
  +
  +
'''September 7''' - The first in-game events leading up into the ''Cataclysm'' Expansion begin, with [[Operation: Gnomeregan]] (Alliance) and [[Zalazane's Fall]] (Horde).
  +
  +
'''October 4''' - ''Cataclysm'' release date announced to be December 7, 2010<ref>{{ref web|url=http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/press/pressreleases.html?101004 |publisher=Blizzard Press Release|title=WORLD OF WARCRAFT®: CATACLYSM™ IN STORES STARTING DECEMBER 7}}</ref>
  +
  +
'''October 7''' - ''World of Warcraft'' reaches 12 million players<ref>{{ref web|url=http://eu.blizzard.com/en-gb/company/press/pressreleases.html?101007|publisher=Blizzard Press Release|title=World of Warcraft subscriber base reaches 12 million}}</ref>
  +
  +
'''October 12''' - [[Patch 4.0.1]]
  +
*[[Blizzard_Launcher#Cataclysm|Cataclysm Launcher Update]]
  +
*[[Reforging]]
  +
* Complete talent and ability overhaul for all classes
  +
* Removed from game: [[Emblems]], [[Badges]], [[Mark of Honor|Marks of honor]]
  +
  +
'''October 17''' - All but one of WoWWiki's active administrators leave Wikia forming [[Wowpedia]]. Over the next couple weeks, most of the active users follow.
  +
*''World of Warcraft Cataclysm'' cinematic trailer released.
  +
** Parts of the trailer were aired on television in the second quarter of the Dallas Cowboys/Minnesota Vikings football game on the same day. The commercial asked, "Where will you be when the Cataclysm begins?"
  +
  +
'''October 22-23''' - [[BlizzCon 2010]]
  +
* Announcement that Cataclysm will be available for direct digital download, rather than having to buy a DVD.
  +
  +
'''November 1''' - [[Elemental Unrest]] [[Elemental_Unrest#Phase_1|Phase 1]] begins.
  +
  +
'''November 8''' - Elemental Unrest [[Elemental_Unrest#Phase_2|Phase 2]] begins.
  +
  +
'''November 12''' - Elemental Unrest [[Elemental_Unrest#Phase_3|Phase 3]] begins.
  +
  +
'''November 15''' - Elemental Unrest [[Elemental_Unrest#Phase_4|Phase 4]] begins.
  +
  +
'''November 23''' - [[Patch 4.0.3a]] "[[Shattering|The Shattering]]"
  +
* Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor changed
  +
* Specific Troll and Gnome starting areas
  +
* New race/class combinations available
  +
  +
'''November 30''' - All players logging in are awarded {{achievement|WoW's 6th Anniversary}}.
  +
  +
'''December 7''' - ''[[World of Warcraft: Cataclysm]]'' released
  +
* Level cap raised to 85
  +
* [[Archaeology]] profession.
  +
* [[worgen (playable)|Worgen]] and [[goblin (playable)|goblins]] races added
  +
* Rather than introducing a new [[Northrend|continent]] or [[Outland|world]], several zones were added across Azeroth.
  +
**[[Mount Hyjal]] and [[Uldum]] in [[Kalimdor]]
  +
**[[Vashj'ir]], [[Tol Barad]], [[Gilneas]] and the [[Twilight Highlands]] in the [[Eastern Kingdoms]]
  +
**[[Deepholm]] in the elemental plane of earth.
  +
  +
==2011==
  +
  +
'''January 27''' - Blizzard files complaints with the online service PayPal in an effort to make payment difficult for gold sellers.<ref>{{ref web|url=http://www.curse.com/articles/world-of-warcraft-news/916724.aspx|accessdate=2011-01-27|publisher=Curse.com|title=Blizzard Puts A Stop To Gold Sellers Using PayPal For Payments}}</ref>
  +
  +
'''February 8''' - [[Patch 4.0.6]]
  +
  +
==References==
  +
{{reflist|2}}
  +
[[Category:Timelines|World of Warcraft]]

Revision as of 22:54, 2 May 2011

This page follows the timeline from the release of World of Warcraft through present day as it applies to the players.

(After all, Money achievement What A Long, Strange Trip It's Been!)

2001

September 2 - World of Warcraft announced[1]

2004

File:Login screen Classic.jpg

The original login screen. This was the longest-running login screen, being the login for two years and one month.

Febuary - World of Warcraft Beta Test begins.

November 23 - World of Warcraft launches in North America, Australia and New Zealand.

November 24 - WoWWiki Launched[2]

December 18 - Patch 1.2.0

2005

Talismanofbindingshard

The first ever legendary item drop.

Leeroy Jenkins Jeopardy clue

What is World of Warcraft?.

February 11 - World of Warcraft launches in Europe

March 7 - Patch 1.3.0

March 23 - The first legendary item ever to appear to players in the game drops, [Talisman of Binding Shard]. It is immediately hotfixed out of the game.

April 8 - Patch 1.4.0

May - The Leeroy Jenkins video becomes popular[3]

June 7 - Patch 1.5.0

July 12 - Patch 1.6.0

September 13 - Patch 1.7.0

October 28–29 - BlizzCon

October 10 - Patch 1.8.0

  • Corrupted Blood fixed

November 16 - World of Warcraft is featured in a question on the game show Jeopardy!

November 23 - WoW Insider launches.[5]

2006

Make-love-not-warcraft

The Characters of South Park in Make Love, not Warcraft. L to R: Stan, Kyle, Cartman, Kenny.

January 3 - Patch 1.9.0

January - Blizzard comes under scrutiny by LGBT groups for prohibiting advertising a guild as being LGBT-friendly.[6]

January 23 - Medivh-US becomes the first server to open the Gates of Ahn'Qiraj[7]

March 28 - Patch 1.10.0

April - The "-50 DKP/More dots" Onyxia Wipe Animation becomes popular.

April 30 - WoWRP is launched.

June 20 - Patch 1.11.0

July 7 - Wowhead website launched

August 22 - Patch 1.12.0

September 11 - Burning Crusade announced to be released on January 16, 2007

October

October 4 - The TV show South Park features a Warcraft-themed episode, Make Love, not Warcraft.

December 5 - Patch 2.0.1

December 14 - Burning Crusade cinematic trailer released

2007

Login screen The Burning Crusade

The World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade login screen debuted with patch 2.0.1 and was the game login screen for one year and 11 months.

January 9 - Patch 2.0.3

January 16 - The Burning Crusade Expansion released

May 22 - Patch 2.1.0

August 3–4 BlizzCon

September 27 - Patch 2.2.0

October - Toyota's Truck icon [Four Wheels of Fury] commercial airs, featuring a fictional truck mount ingame.

November 13 - Patch 2.3.0

November 20 - Blizzard advertises World of Warcraft on television with ads featuring William Shatner and most notably Mr. T talking about his Night Elf Mohawk.

2008

File:Earthquake.JPG

In July 29, 2008 a magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck near Blizzard's offices, causing them to post a message on their login screen about the effect on their in-game and telephone support.

Login screen Wrath of the Lich King

The World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King login screen. This login screen debuted in patch 3.0.2. It was the second longest such screen for the game, existing as login for two years and ten days.

January - World of Warcraft gets to 10 million subscribers globally[8]

March 25 - Patch 2.4.0

April 3 - Proudmoore-US becomes the first server to complete the Shattered Sun Offensive[9]

July 17 - Wrath of the Lich King Beta Test begins.

August 5 - Recruit-A-Friend program introduced.[10]

August 21 - Wrath of the Lich King cinematic released.

September 15 - Wrath of the Lich King release date announced to be November 13, 2008

October - The "Additional instances cannot be launched" issue begins on high-population servers. This continues to be an intermittent problem until after the dungeon finder is introduced in patch 3.3.0, the next year.

October 14 - Patch 3.0.2

October 23

November 10

November 13 - Wrath of the Lich King Expansion released

November 23 - All players logging in are awarded Inv pet babyblizzardbear [Baby Blizzard Bear] and Money achievement WoW's 4th Anniversary

2009

File:MTN DEW.JPG

"Game Fuel". Wild berry for Alliance, citrus cherry for Horde

File:Splashscreen.JPG

During the countdown to the Battle.net merger, Blizzard offered a companion pet to accounts that merged before the deadline.

April 14 - Patch 3.1.0

Late April - a player is banned for exploiting the game after using a mistakenly-mailed Game Master artifact called [Martin Fury].[11]

May 15 - The Mountain Dew Game Fuel Choose Your Side promotion begins.

August 4 - Patch 3.2.0

August 20 - The Mountain Dew Choose Your Side promotion ends.

August 21–22 - BlizzCon 2009

September 2 - Faction Change service offered.

September 22 - Patch 3.2.2

October 12 - Announcement that all World of Warcraft accounts must be merged with Battle.net accounts.[12]

October 27 - Race Change service offered

November 11, 12 - The deadline passes for account mergers with Battle.net for US, EU players.

November 22 - All players logging in are awarded Inv misc head dragon black [Onyxian Whelpling] and Money achievement WoW's 5th Anniversary

December 8 - Patch 3.3.0

2010

ChinaWoWundead

In China, bones are covered up as with this Forsaken. This led to the need for a massive graphical overhaul before Wrath of the Lich King could be approved.

Launcher-v4.0.1

Previously, you could not play the game until the entire patch was uploaded.

Login screen Cataclysm

The Cataclysm Login Screen debuted in Patch 4.0.3a.

January 5 - The Plagueworks of Icecrown Citadel opens.

January 19 - The Crimson Hall of Icecrown Citadel opens.

February 2 - Patch 3.3.2

February 12 - The People's Republic of China approves World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade for release, three years after its release everywhere else.

March 23 - Patch 3.3.3

  • The random battleground system is implemented, and the honor system is overhauled to account for the removal of battleground Marks of Honor.

May 3 - The Friends & Family phase of the World of Warcraft: Cataclysm alpha begins.[13]

June 22 - Patch 3.3.5 in North America.

June 30 - Cataclysm Beta Test begins.[14] Patch 3.3.5 in Europe.

July 6 - Blizzard announces their intention to have Real ID names visible when posting on the official forums.[15] This resulted in a massive outcry against the idea, based primarily on concerns about privacy issues and potential harassment.

July 9 - Due the overwhelming flood of criticism, Blizzard rescinds their plan to put Real ID names on the official forums.[16]

July 27 - Blizzard releases Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty, notable in that it was Blizzard's first non-Warcraft related game in ten years, since 2000's Diablo II. Many were curious what the effect would be on the player base, but the implementation of the Real ID system ensured that players playing Starcraft could keep up with their friends in World of Warcraft.

August 10 - The People's Republic of China approves a heavily edited Wrath of the Lich King two years after its general release.[17]

September 7 - The first in-game events leading up into the Cataclysm Expansion begin, with Operation: Gnomeregan (Alliance) and Zalazane's Fall (Horde).

October 4 - Cataclysm release date announced to be December 7, 2010[18]

October 7 - World of Warcraft reaches 12 million players[19]

October 12 - Patch 4.0.1

October 17 - All but one of WoWWiki's active administrators leave Wikia forming Wowpedia. Over the next couple weeks, most of the active users follow.

  • World of Warcraft Cataclysm cinematic trailer released.
    • Parts of the trailer were aired on television in the second quarter of the Dallas Cowboys/Minnesota Vikings football game on the same day. The commercial asked, "Where will you be when the Cataclysm begins?"

October 22-23 - BlizzCon 2010

  • Announcement that Cataclysm will be available for direct digital download, rather than having to buy a DVD.

November 1 - Elemental Unrest Phase 1 begins.

November 8 - Elemental Unrest Phase 2 begins.

November 12 - Elemental Unrest Phase 3 begins.

November 15 - Elemental Unrest Phase 4 begins.

November 23 - Patch 4.0.3a "The Shattering"

  • Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor changed
  • Specific Troll and Gnome starting areas
  • New race/class combinations available

November 30 - All players logging in are awarded Money achievement WoW's 6th Anniversary.

December 7 - World of Warcraft: Cataclysm released

2011

January 27 - Blizzard files complaints with the online service PayPal in an effort to make payment difficult for gold sellers.[20]

February 8 - Patch 4.0.6

References