After a minor delay, Blizzard has today confirmed that World of Warcraft: Shadowlands is coming on November 24, 2020.
Shadowlands is the game’s eighth major expansion and was originally scheduled to launch on October 27 but Blizzard chose to push the release back slightly to allow for some finishing touches due to most of their employees currently working from home during the global COVID-19 Pandemic.
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands got its scheduled pre-patch on the 14th of March which reverted everyone back to level 50 in preparation for the new level 60 in the expansion, and you can read more about that in our coverage here.
To help pass the time until the game’s new release date, Blizzard has released a minute-long World of Warcraft: Shadowlands story trailer which you can check out below:
Through the Jailer, Sylvanas Windrunner plans to seize control of fate itself—but at what cost? World of Warcraft: Shadowlands—Coming Soon.
Blizzard also revealed the dates for several Shadowlands content packs that will arrive around the time of the launch:
The Scourge Invade Azeroth 11 November AEDT/NZDT – With the Helm of Domination torn apart and the sky over Icecrown shattered, the undead Scourge make a resurgence—and Azeroth’s heroes must confront this Death-born threat before it consumes the mortal world of Azeroth. This Shadowlands pre-expansion event goes live starting 11 November.
The Gates of Castle Nathria Open 9 December AEDT/NZDT – Castle Nathria, the first epic 10-boss raid of Shadowlands, will be available starting 9 December. The opening of the raid also signals the start of Shadowlands Raid, Mythic Dungeon, and PvP Season 1.
Here are the official World of Warcraft: Shadowlands global release times:
The eighth World of Warcraft expansion sends players on a journey into the Shadowlands, a realm of infinite afterlives where mortal souls go to find new purpose—or suffer eternal torment at the mercy of the Jailer in his Tower of the Damned. As players explore this otherworldly frontier, they’ll discover the fates of Warcraft legends, forge a bond with one of four Covenants who rule over the Shadowlands’ disparate domains, and ultimately confront a threat shrouded in darkness with designs to unmake the cosmos.
“Since we first told you about our decision to delay, we’ve used the time to further polish the expansion and shore up the endgame, including overhauling the combat and rewards in the Maw, and reworking the Covenant systems to make your choice more immediately impactful and have clearer long-term goals. Now the team is in a great position to get things the rest of the way to the finish line before November 23—and as always, we’re committed to working with you to improve the game for as long as you’re out there playing it.” said Executive Producer of World of Warcraft John Hight.
“Now that we have our launch date, we’re also excited to tell you that our pre-launch event will kick off November 10, so steel yourselves to take on a flood of the Scourge. In addition, we’ve set a December 8 date for the opening of our first raid, Castle Nathria—which takes players into the heart of Sire Denathrius’ lair in Revendreth—along with the start of Shadowlands Season 1.”
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands will arrive on November 24, 2020, stay tuned to Rocket Chainsaw for more coverage closer to launch, and for more information, head to the official Shadowlands website.
