Blizzard Begins Closed Beta Testing for Diablo 3
The closed beta for Diablo 3 has begun. 'Nuff said.
Tuesday Blizzard announced that the closed beta test for Diablo 3 had officially begun, and that the first wave of invitations were on the way. But don't fret if an invite doesn't appear within the next day or so: additional participants will be added over the course of the beta test. Unfortunately, Blizzard hasn't released an official beta test schedule, so there's no telling when the second wave of invitations will begin.
"This closed beta test is an important milestone for us as we enter the final stages of development on Diablo 3," said Blizzard CEO and co-founder Mike Morhaime. "Our goal is to create the best action role-playing game experience to date, building on everything we've learned since the release of Diablo 2 and incorporating the powerful features of the new Battle.net platform. We hope players enjoy participating in the beta test and we look forward to hearing their feedback."
According to the studio, beta participants will be able to fight their way through part of Act I as any of the five hero classes -- barbarian, witch doctor, wizard, monk, and demon hunter -- and go head-to-skull against the Skeleton King, taking him on alone or playing cooperatively with other adventurers. They'll also get to meet up with some of the artisans, followers, and other key characters from Sanctuary, and try out the game's skill and crafting systems.
Feeling jealous? Of course you are.
If anything, the beta means that we're getting closer to an actual Diablo 3 launch. Blizzard said that the beta will be English-only, and that release timing and region-specific details such as pricing and supported languages will be announced at a later date. For more information on Diablo III, please visit the official website here. Additionally, here is Blizzard's overview of the game which came with the beta announcement:
Diablo 3 will continue the epic Diablo storyline, with players playing their role in the ongoing struggle to save the world of Sanctuary from the corrupting forces of the Burning Hells. Diablo 3 will also be the definitive action role-playing game, with players adventuring through rich and varied settings, engaging in combat with hordes of monsters and challenging bosses, growing in experience and ability, and acquiring items of incredible power. As the sequel to Diablo 2, the game will feature the easy-to-use interface, fast-paced action, and visceral gameplay that Diablo players have come to expect and enjoy. Designed from the ground up to leverage the power of Battle.net, Diablo 3 will also provide gamers with industry-leading matchmaking and communication tools; convenient character- and inventory-management options; and the Diablo 3 auction house, which will support a robust player-driven economy.
Speak for yourself
If Diablo 3 doesn't do it for me, at least Neverwinter will be out later this year as well.
Gimme beta please.
From streams i saw, it looks like ... "Torchlight" moreless.
Same here, agree 100%
Problem is though, happy players don't go online to "rant about how happy they are."
I agree 100%, the people that bid are the ones who used trainers/hacks/dupes. I played a few characters to level 99 legit and actually like the constantly online thing to prevent hacks.
I also love the people saying this will not stop hackers....Yes it will. If someone uses a dup, the Bnet servers run checks constantly with the information your computer sends them. If hacking/duping you will be caught and your Bnet account will have the Ban hammer dropped on it.
Not really, I am undecided if I will even buy the game which is a shame because I love the series. But that real money auction house sort of kills the spirit of the game. Knowing that Blizzard themselves support people paying for the best gear rather than through finding it or trading.
This whole DRM "i'm never going to buy your games" stuff makes you sound like you're a 5 year old that didn't get his way. You can rant and rave on every article about d3 on Toms but they aren't going to change it so you might as well put a sock in it. True d1 and d2 players will more than likely play this game. Latecomers and torchlight fanboys will complain.
Also- Blizzard isn't supporting buying items. Buying items with cash outside the game was going to happen either way, just like it did in d2. They are just making it easy to do it this way so people don't get ripped off and have a bad experience with the game. PEOPLE BUY ITEMS EITHER WAY
Apparently you haven't read about the problems when the servers are down and you can't play the game you paid for anymore. There is no way I will buy any game with this poor excuse for DRM. There is also no reason for having a single player game forced to be online to play. What I want to do in my single player game is my own business and keep your limits/controls off my game.