In less than a month, a lost continent in the World of Warcraft will be discovered by millions of players worldwide for the first time.
Mists of Pandaria, the latest injection of life into the eight year old Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG), is an expansion that introduces new mechanics, overhauls others, and raises the level cap from 85 to 90.
To start off with, gamers will be able to explore the land of Panderia as a new race known as the Pandaren. Those who have seen the Dreamworks film Kung Fu Panda will undoubtedly be familiar with the aesthetics of the latest World of Warcraft Update. Environmentally, Blizzard has announced three new raids, nine new dungeons, and four new battlegrounds.
Adding another wrinkle to the Player vs. Player (PVP) mode is a new Monk character class. In terms of Player vs. Enemy (PVE) gameplay, new challenges and scenarios are being added to the mix.
Players will notice that the talent system has been reworked, replacing the 41 point talent trees with tiered talents that reward the player every 15 levels.
Mike Morhaime, CEO of Blizzard Entertainment stated that "A lot of hard work and long hours went into making Mists of Pandaria a truly epic expansion."
The standard edition of the game will costs $39.00, but Blizzard will provide a $60 digitial deluxe edition, and a $79.99 Collector's Edition.
The digital deluxe edition will feature an exclusive pet, an exclusive flying mount, and also provide panda themed items for Blizzard's other games, Diablo III and Starcraft III.
The Collector's edition includes a behind the scenes Blu-Ray of the game's development, a soundtrack CD, a 208-page hardcover book of concept artwork, an Imperial Quilen flying mount and cub pet, and a mouse pad.
Those who pre-order World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria at Amazon before September 17 will gain access to the game's beta 5 days after their order is placed.
Blizzard's expansion releases on September 25,2012.
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