Blizzard have officially confirmed the expansion pack, Wrath of the Lich King, at the expo in Los Angeles.

Details about the new add-on leaked earlier this week were in the main confirmed by official word from the developer, who wouldn't be drawn on a release date, designer Tom Chilton only telling attendees the game will be released 'when it's ready'.

We also learn that the Lich King's new continent, Northrend, will add ten new zones and a new capital - Dalaran. The new continent is larger than the Outland continent added in The Burning Crusade, able to spend more time on adding new zones because the new expansion will not include starting zones for new races.

Lake Wintergrass will be a new outdoor zone dedicated entirely to player-versus-player combat. With regard to final boss the Lich King (paladin Arthas, previously), Blizzard's Jeff Kaplan promises he will be play a major role in the new content: "In Wrath of the Lich King there will be much more interaction with Arthas from the moment you arrive in Northrend."

We're also told that the add-on's hero classes will be added gradually, Blizzard keen not to disrupt the entire game too significantly. Death Knights will be unlocked by a quest chain at level 80, and we're told to expect tanks similar to warriors. Runes on weapons will be used to cast spells, and Blizzard revealed they considered making players destroy their original character in return for a Death Knight, a move they eventually opted against.

As hinted at in original rumours, barbershops are now in the game, and a new raid zone not to mention fresh daily quests will be added via patches released before the game's launch.

More as we get it from BlizzCon.

By Luke Guttridge