It has been two years since WoW's last expansion Cataclysm. Blizzard launched the game at midnight CET on 25 SeptemberLianna Brinded
It has been two years since WoW's last expansion Cataclysm. Blizzard launched the game at midnight CET on 25 SeptemberLianna BrindedIn a mass coordinated effort, Blizzard threw launch parties that spanned the globe.Lianna BrindedReminiscent of an iPhone launch, queues to get into the launch party started two days before the event. By the day of release, fans trailed across Chinatown and Leicester Square.Lianna BrindedFans donned newly created WoW race, Pandarens, hats for the launch in the cold London weather.Lianna BrindedCrowds were entertained by performers on stilts, dressed in traditional Chinese clothing to celebrate the launch of Oriental inspired characters Pandarens.Lianna BrindedWorld of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria transformed the London nightclub into a China themed oasis for gaming geeksLianna BrindedCountdown monitors laced the walls and occasionally switched to live streams of launch parties around the world.Lianna BrindedFans welcomed a number of Blizzard employees to the stage to celebrate their creation. Competitions and prizes were also given outLianna BrindedTo celebrate the launch, some of the creators were ready to sign hundreds of copies of the latest expansion packLianna BrindedAs soon as it reached midnight CET, fans were able to snap up their copy of Mists of Pandaria and various epic pieces of merchandiseLianna Brinded
The wait is finally over. As of 25 September, gamers rejoiced for the new expansion pack of the biggest MMPORG in the world, World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria.
Since it has been two years since WoW's last expansion pack, Cataclysm, fans have been chomping at the bit for the newly created world, characters, lore and storylines, as well as improvements on existing dungeons and battlegrounds.
Charged with the task of shocking and awing the global gaming community, Blizzard simultaneously threw launch parties around the world, including the US, Paris, London, Cologne, Stockholm, Milan, Madrid, Moscow and Shanghai, which was all streamed live on the group's YouTube channel.
As yours truly has been lucky enough to interview some of Blizzard's developer superstars and, of course, attend the launch party in London, I thought it would only be appropriate to share some of the best moments at possibly one of the most exciting events in online gaming history.
Lianna Brinded is a senior business writer with IBTimes UK
