SC2 launches on 27th July – WoW Track gives away Beta CD key
Written by Wildchild.
As most of you already noticed (hard to miss, since it’s highlighted in WoW launcher), SC2 is due in July. I’m sure that there are many of us that are pretty much excited about it. In case you have your doubts, and would like to try out the game before you pre-order, i’ll give you the chance to WIN the beta cd key. At the moment, i have ONE cd key to give – EU region, but you can activate it from other continents without problem, you’ll just have to play against EU people – , but i’m pretty sure i’ll have another few in the next few days. Might as well be for US. We’ll see 
What you need to do in order to have your chance:
- In the comments of this article, write a wow related joke. Something like, ”You know you played too much wow, when your Microwave dings, and you say GRATS” etc etc, use your imagination, be creative, or just funny
- The one that gets most thumbs up, will get the cd key. In case i get more of them (and im pretty sure i will) the second cd key is going to go to the second best joke, etc.
- Be sure to enter real email adress, in order to receive the key should you win.
- There will be ONE cd key per email. So if you have top 5 jokes, you are going to get only one cd key. Don’t try to scam me 
I’ll be checking out IP’s and other useful info ^^
- I will be announcing Winner(s), and send the key(s) on Saturday, 22th May.
Good Luck. For The Hive!!
*EDIT* Fixed the date of the Launch date, it’s July, not June. And to add, i like some of the jokes already, keep it goin’
PTR Up! – 3.3.5 – Patch notes
Written by Wildchild.
World of Warcraft PTR Patch 3.3.5
The latest patch notes can always be found at http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/patchnotes/
The latest test realm patch notes can always be found at http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/patchnotes/test-realm-patchnotes.html
General
- The Ruby Sanctum, an all-new 10- and 25-player raid featuring normal and Heroic difficulties, is now available for testing! Players will find the dungeon entrance below Wyrmrest Temple in Dragonblight.
- Copied Test Realm characters are not copied with their achievement history in order to better facilitate the character copy process.
User Interface
* Chat Frame
o Players can now right-click on any chat type (Whisper, Trade, General, Party, Raid, etc.) and choose the Pop Out Chat option. This will move that chat type to a separate tab in the Chat frame which can be undocked and moved anywhere on the screen.
+ Using the Pop Out Chat option on a Whisper will place the conversation with that player in a separate tab.
+ Any time a conversation with another player is put into its own tab, the tab will glow when a new message is received.
o Hovering over the Chat Frame and using the mouse wheel will allow players to scroll through chat text.
o Players can select Classic Mode under Interface Options to keep the Chat Frame functionality closer to what it was prior to patch 3.3.5.
o The Simple Chat User Interface option has been removed.
* Friends List
o A new icon has been added to the top left of the Chat Frame which will open up the Friends list.
o In addition to its current functionality, the Friends List will now allow players to add Battle.net accounts (Real ID). Players will have to confirm that they are friends in order for a Real ID to be added. Once Real ID friends, players can communicate cross-game, cross-faction and cross-realm.
o A new Pending tab has been added where players can accept or decline a Real ID friend request, or select the Report Spam or Block Communications buttons.
o Players can now select from three statuses which will be visible to their friends: Available, Away and Busy.
o A Broadcast window has been added to the top of the frame. Players can use this to broadcast a message to all of their Real ID friends online. This message will also be displayed under the broadcaster’s Real ID information in each friend’s list.
* For additional notes on Lua and XML changes please visit the UI & Macros Forum: http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/board.html?sid=1&forumId=11114
(Source)
Cataclysm Preview: Halls of Origination
Written by Wildchild.
In the wake of Deathwing’s return, the powerful mysteries of Uldum sheathed within the mountains of southern Tanaris will be left vulnerable to discovery. Those who ascertain the purpose of the ancient titan Halls of Origination might just be able to unearth knowledge of Azeroth’s very origins, or harness the capacity to bring about its end. Learn more about this new level-85 dungeon coming in World of Warcraft: Cataclysm here:
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/cataclysm/features/origination.html
(Source)
Battle.net: Real ID
Written by Wildchild.
We’ve just released a new preview of our upcoming Real ID feature, (http://www.battle.net/realid/) a new, optional way to connect with your friends on the revamped Battle.net. When you and a friend agree to become Real ID friends, you’ll have access to a number of options designed to enrich your social gaming experience, including cross-game chat, broadcast messages, the ability to keep in contact with your friends without having to keep track of their different characters across realms or across games, and much more. Check out our new Real ID page here. http://www.battle.net/realid/
(Source)
Link for EU players: http://eu.battle.net/realid/
Cataclysm: Alpha Test Up & Running
Written by Wildchild.
Just to confirm and reiterate what we have already said about this in our US forums: the Friends & Family phase of Cataclysm testing began yesterday and not before. Those who are participating in this phase are doing so only through acceptance of a confidentiality agreement. The closed beta phase has not yet begun and we will endeavour to provide more details on that at an appropriate time. Once the testing has been opened up further and at the time of our choosing, the NDA will be rescinded. Until that time, however, it remains in place.
(Source)
Wryxian is referring to this post, where Zarhym confirmed that Alpha is up and running.