World of Warcraft: Cataclysm is now on sale in stores throughout Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe, Argentina, Chile, Russia and Southeast Asia. Cataclysm will be available starting December 9 in Korea and the regions of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau.

The expansion can now be purchased at retail stores on DVD-ROM for Windows XP/Windows Vista/Windows 7 and Macintosh at a suggested retail price of $59.95 AUD / $79.95 NZD.

A special Collector's Edition packed with bonus items is also available exclusively from retailers for a suggested retail price of $109.95 AUD / $139.95 NZD. World of Warcraft: Cataclysm is also offered as a digital download through Battle.net account management.

CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment Mike Morhaime said: "Cataclysm adds an incredible amount of new content for players to explore, revitalizing the game world and building on everything we've learned since World of Warcraft launched over six years ago."

"We thank all of our beta testers for helping make this our best expansion yet, and we're looking forward to seeing everyone in the new Azeroth."

Cataclysm marks the return of the corrupted Dragon Aspect Deathwing the Destroyer, originally called Neltharion, the Earth-Warder. His sudden return from the heart of Deepholm tears through the dimensional barrier within Azeroth. This causes a sweeping cataclysm that reshapes much of surface of Azeroth.

In an effort to survive the planet-shattering cataclysm, two new playable races, worgen and goblins join the struggle between the Alliance and the Horde. Cataclysm players can now begin their journey to the new level cap of 85, discover newly revealed locations, acquire new levels of power, and come face to face with Deathwing in a battle to determine the fate of the world.

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm is the third expansion set for the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) World of Warcraft. It follows the expansion Wrath of the Lich King.