BlizzCon 2010: Cataclysm Will Be Available For Digital Download On Launch Day

For the first time in World of Warcraft’s 5+ year history, one of the game’s expansions will be available for digital download at the same time that retail copies launch in stores.

During the opening ceremony of BlizzCon 2010, Blizzard’s Mike Morhaime announced that digital pre-orders for Cataclysm will be available through their website soon. According to WoW Insider, those who pre-order through the site will be able to download the expansion ahead of the launch date, thereby allowing all of those eager little goblins and worgen to flood the servers the second the game launches at midnight Pacific Standard Time on December 7.

Cataclysm is set to retail for $40, or $80 if you prefer the Collector’s Edition.