Breakfast Topic: How are you buying Wrath of the Lich King?
by Robin Torres 
Nov 7th 2008 at 8:00AM
In less than a week, at 12:01 AM on 11/13/08, Wrath of the Lich King will be available and (hopefully) live on the servers. If you, like many of us, are planning to get the expansion immediately, how are you going to get it? After all, there are so many options:- Pre-Order for in-store pickup: You can pre-order your copy and then pick it up when it is available. This works great if you are going to a Midnight Launch or you just want to make sure it is available when you are able to get to the store.
- Pre-Order for delivery: You can pre-order your copy to be delivered to your door. Amazon even gives an option to have it delivered before midnight. Though if you want the Collector's Edition, you have to catch Amazon during one of the brief windows it is available.
- Midnight Launch: You can wait to buy it at any of a number of Midnight Launches. Many stores will have copies of both the regular and Collector's Edition available for people who show up at the event but have not pre-ordered. Even select 7-Eleven locations will be participating in the midnight events.
- Wait for the Digital Download: This may be the only option for many. Though Blizzard will offer a Digital Download eventually, it will not be available immediately. (Update: It seems it may be available launch day.)
- Shop after launch: Another option, particularly if you want the Collector's Edition, but have been unable to pre-order one, is to see what is available after the 13th. Burning Crusade Collector's Editions were available long after launch and it is likely Blizzard produced enough this time as well.
Filed under: Blizzard, Breakfast topics, Expansions, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
ROB13 Nov 7th 2008 8:03AM
I got my copy from Amazon when they first started selling collecters editions, as for how I'm going to get it, I'm coming to my doorstep with only socks on to pick it up
Rick Nov 7th 2008 8:32AM
I got mine pre ordered from GameStop on the day that CE was posted. Got to the store to find out I was the Last CE pre ordered allowed. So I will be at my local game stop at midnight, well ok before midnight because I want my game and then since I'm horde I will snub everyone and rush home to install and then go to bed because as of 0600 Thurday Morning I will be off for a week and a half to power level!!! Ahh I miss the days of the old 20 hour shifts of wow! Thank god I have an A/C Compressor class wednesday until 2130
Naix Nov 7th 2008 9:30AM
I say good luck to you sir. There is soooo many factors that could delay shipment.
1. They run out of copies and promise to ship yours soon.
2. The delivery person knocks, you don't answer, and he/she sends it back.
3. Your order got canceled.
4. Your credit card used to purchase the item was flagged as stolen and your order has been canned.
Just drive to the closest game stop, target, bestbuy, walmart and pick it up.
Cashavelli Nov 7th 2008 4:07PM
Just got an E-Mail that the CE is available at Circuitcity.com. Not sure how long it will be available.
Touryn Nov 7th 2008 8:05AM
http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/11/07/wrath-downloadable-on-release-day-after-all/
Guys, come on, at least read the other articles...
rosencratz Nov 7th 2008 8:14AM
Who're you talking to and what do you mean?
That you intend to purchase/download it digitally on the night?
Mandrill Nov 7th 2008 8:28AM
Maybe you should FINISH reading the other articles- 4 hours before you posted, the article was updated to say Wrath will NOT be available for download immediately.
Ed (Sindarin, Hydraxis US) Nov 7th 2008 8:55AM
No, it doesn't say that. To quote the blue that the post referenced to:
"There have been no announcements made regarding the digital download release of Wrath of the Lich King (including my own). My statement simply declared there should be no expectation for it to be available on launch day. No expectation =/= 'Unavailable' "
So there's still hope. I just wish Blizzard would be less secretive about things like this, so I know what my options are as a Brit playing on the US servers.
Robin Torres Nov 7th 2008 10:37AM
Yawn! This is what happens when news breaks at 4am. I updated the post, though I wouldn't hold my breath that the Digital Download will be available immediately.
Cronum Nov 7th 2008 8:05AM
pre-order delivery ftw^^
Hasteur Nov 7th 2008 8:06AM
Pre-reserved (and paid in full for) my Collectors Edition 2 days after the announcement of the Collector's Edition. Picking it up at my local game shack at midnight so that by around 2 to 3 AM I can start playing in the new world.
Rhaycen Nov 7th 2008 8:07AM
Will be picking up all 3 copies for our household after work, already paid for them in full at the local game-store.
Jeff Nov 7th 2008 8:06AM
Got mine pre-ordered at the local GameStop and plan on grabbing it at midnight.
h8rain Nov 7th 2008 8:45AM
I had a gift card to Gamestop, and I pre-ordered (paid in full with gift card). I just have to walk up at midnight and grab my copy. I generally am not a fan of Gamestop, but I have a friend that works at the one near my house.
Nick S Nov 7th 2008 10:08AM
GameStop, though generally vaguely evil, is doing a really smart thing with the midnight launch in at least the locations I've heard about.
You reserve the game ahead of time and pay some portion of the price (I don't know what the minimum is, but I believe there is one) then on the night of the release you come between 10 and 11 to get a ticket (and finish paying if necessary.) Then the door opens at midnight and everyone walks through trading tickets for boxes.
They did the same thing for the Wii when I preordered it, and it went incredibly smoothly, especially compared to how the XBox 360 preorder distribution went. A line of about 30 Wii-buyers got through the door and out again in less than ten minutes.
Sadly, I was on the bubble, and the last machine went to the person two spots in front of me, so I didn't get my Wii... nevertheless, the system works.
airwalke Nov 7th 2008 12:00PM
Did GameStop change their pre-order methods? I went in for the BC launch and waited in line until about 1AM before I was able to pay for my copy. Same with Super Smash Brothers Melee.
Because of this, I'll just go to Wal-Mart and grab my copy at midnight, like several others did nearby for BC. 15 minutes into the midnight launch, and they walk in with copies of Burning Crusade. Wish I did that...
Nick Nov 7th 2008 8:07AM
Just like last time, Myself and 5 friends are hitting the line early at the store. I met so many people. I couldnt believe the diverse amount of people who play WOW. Young, old, nerd and jock alike so many people talking about their toon and how they started playing.
It was like an event you get it while watching people play on their laptops on the mall floor. Good times.
Laiqua Nov 7th 2008 8:07AM
Pre-ordered the CE from Gamestop with overnight delivery. Rawr.
lsschwartz Nov 7th 2008 8:08AM
Pre-ordered at my local GameStop for Pick up.
MusedMoose Nov 7th 2008 8:07AM
Pre-order for in-store pickup; I ordered mine when I went to pick up Fable 2, which was a wedding gift for two friends. Yes, everyone I know is a geek. *grin*