Battle.net is now offering presales of the digital Cataclysm upgrade for World of Warcraft, Blizzard's MMORPG. Those who choose to get the expansion in this manner will be able to play the game as soon as it launches on December 7 at 3:00 am EST, as the new content will download in the background between now and then when you play the game or have the launcher open. Blizzard offers a FAQ on the process, which follows.

Q. When will my credit card (or other payment method) be charged?
A. You will be charged on the day that you place your pre-order for World of Warcraft: Cataclysm.

Q. Why do I need to log in to the game once after I’ve upgraded?
A. The first time you log in after pre-ordering, your account will become eligible to begin receiving the Cataclysm data when it’s available. The data will automatically download in the background while you play World of Warcraft or while you have the Launcher window open.

Q. Can I pre-order a physical copy of Cataclysm and have it shipped?
A. Not from Blizzard Entertainment, but many retailers offer pre-orders of physical boxes and Collector’s Editions.

Q. In what regions is the Cataclysm pre-sale available? What day/time is Cataclysm launching in my region?
The pre-sale is available in the following regions, with realms scheduled to launch at the following times:

     · Americas, Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia - December 7 at 12:01 a.m. PST
     · Europe and Russia - December 7 at 12:01 a.m. CET

Q. Will a digital version of the Collector's Edition, with the exclusive pet, be available?
A. No. The World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Collector's Edition is exclusive to physical retail copies. The digital version consists of the standard edition.