Diablo III Beta Announced!

[Dr. Doom]

Blizzard has just recently made an announcement of the Diablo III beta and has decided to answer a few questions people might have. This article was published around noon yesterday in an effort to bring awareness to the community and its chance at being invited.

Diablo III Beta Test Overview

After 10 years of anticipation following Blizzard Entertainment's Diablo II (2000) and its expansion, Diablo II: Lord of Destruction (2001), the iconic action-RPG gameplay of the Diablo series is back with a vengeance in Diablo III. In the upcoming Diablo III beta test, selected participants will be among the first in the world to rejoin the battle against the minions of the Burning Hells as they explore part of the game's foreboding first act.

After hearing all that good news I'm sure most of us are going to be pretty eager to get our hands on one of those lucky few that are going to be chosen to try this beauty of a game. People were curious as to what Blizzard's goals were for the Diablo III beta testing and they replied,

What are your goals for this beta?


The primary reason for the Diablo III beta test is for us to test out our new hardware, see how the server–client infrastructure holds up, and look for bugs in the installer and patcher as well as the game. We’re also looking to get some quality feedback about the beginning game experience and how the different classes feel. The beta test will help us ensure that the release is stable and fun, and that we’re ultimately able to deliver the experience we intend with Diablo III.

As you all probably already expect it, this beta will ensure that we all get to have a great experience with the opening night of Diablo III. I had a chance to test out the game during Blizzards convention, Blizzcon, in 2010. That was one of the main problems they had wanted to tackle, and thats the class balancing. From my experience of what I've played so far, they are going to need a lot of testing on the current class situation.

I'm sure you're all wondering, how do I sign up for this wonderful opportunity?! As most people already know, you enter mainly through Battle.net and attending Blizzcon. Here is a more in-depth answer that was a part of the FAQ.

How do I sign up for the Diablo III beta test?


To sign up for the Diablo III beta test or future Blizzard Entertainment beta tests, you first need to create a Battle.net account. You can then opt-in to the beta test for Diablo III, as well as beta tests for future Blizzard Entertainment games, through the beta opt-in process. To get started, simply click Beta Profile Settings in Battle.net Account Management. Please note that opting in to a beta test through this method does not guarantee that you will be selected.

Of course not everyone will get in, but I can tell you this. Blizzard needs testers from all different perspectives. That's why the opt-in copies your computer specs. They need to test the game for people that have really low end computers, as well as those that have good or great computers. They understand that not everyone can stay up to date, so I am sure those with lower computer specs will be able to get a chance at this beta. As I was saying before, Blizzcon also increases your chances of association with the Diablo III beta. Here is a question someone asked and they replied with,

1,000 Diablo III beta keys were promised at BlizzCon; how do I know if I am a winner?


We will be sending out emails with beta keys to winners along with detailed instructions on how to access the beta test. Players who receive a beta key via email will need to create a Battle.net account, click “Add or Upgrade a Game” in Account Management, and enter the key there. The beta client will then be available for download from within Battle.net Account Management.

A common question a lot asked was when they planned to end the Diablo III beta, here is there reply even though it's very generic.

How long will the beta test last?
We have not determined an exact date for the end of the beta test. We will notify participants when the beta test is nearing completion.

Blizzard is allowing the beta test in all regions where Blizzard games are available. That's good news for those not in the U.S. or more common areas they choose to test at. The only catch is that North America will be the first to receive the chance to play the beta, as they widen their horizon. Here is a question that was asked concerning what regions they plan to allow the beta test.

Which regions will be able to participate in the beta test?


All regions will be able to participate in the Diablo III beta test; however, to keep the process as efficient as possible, and ultimately to release the game as soon as possible, we plan to roll out the beta hardware in waves, starting with North America. This means that players outside of North America who are granted access to the beta test may experience some latency issues. Once the new hardware setup has been optimized, we plan to roll it out in additional regions. This should provide a solid connection experience for beta testers in those regions who are connecting to the new local hardware infrastructure.

We are all really curious as to what we should expect to see in game when they open the doors for those who receive keys. Players were wondering what content they are going to see in the opening of the beta, Blizzard replied,

What game content will be available in the beta?

You’ll be able to try out all 5 character classes and experience the early stages of Diablo III from the start of the game through the Skeleton King encounter. You’ll be able to interact with new and returning characters in New Tristram and fight the reawakened evils emanating from the cursed Tristram Cathedral. You’ll also experience the randomized elements of Diablo III as well many of the new system designs that take many of the core Diablo design elements to a whole new level.

As I'm sure we have all read the article by Unholyshaman, Diablo 3 using in-game gold and real life money. The players asked a question about the Diablo III Auction House system, and they replied,

Will the Diablo III Auction House be available in the beta?

Yes, we plan on testing the functionality of the Diablo III gold-based auction house during the beta phase.

Here is another direct dialect from their "overview" of the Auction House, CONFIRMING that there will be a real life money auction house system! Here is the confirmation.

The Choice Is Yours

Use of either the real-money or gold-based auction house is completely optional -- that decision can be made on a per-item basis, and both versions of the auction house are functionally the same. In addition, players have the option to simply sell the items they obtain to in-game vendors for gold. They can also trade items to other players through a direct character-to-character trading system in the game in exchange for gold, other items, or just an overwhelming sense of goodwill.

As time goes on and we all begin to check our battle.net emails and hope to be greeted with an invite, not all shall be stoked. Those that receive chances at the beta, let us know in the comment section below! What's your opinion on all of this? Do you think the beta will be a successor towards Diablo III being fair and balanced? Speak your mind readers!

UPDATE: Diablo III Beta Profile Update

Just recently, about 35 minutes ago, Zarhym, a Blizzard Community Manager made an announcement for everyone that's interested in any future beta testing, they should probably update their Beta Profile through BNET. Here is the link for the announcement:

http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/2957126089

Credit for the link: Shadowsx



Thanks! Remember all, UPDATE THEM PROFILES!

Update 2: Diablo 3 Beta Screenshots

Again, Shadowsx has given us some great insight on these new screenshots, and shared a wonderful imgur link that shows off the menu's for Diablo 3's Beta. Check 'em out and thanks again!

http://imgur.com/a/bcSET

[MrDoodles]

I'm hopings so badly to get a beta key Been waiting for this a long time

[JD]

Very cool, I can not wait Great article 2 mate!

[phantom325]

Thank you for this, I gave up checking everyday for the Beta a long time ago, now to just wait it out and hope i get a key

[ally4821]

I so ****ing hope I get into the beta, but my social life hopes I don't. I have 2 battle.net accounts now so hopefully that gives me a better chance

[Dr. Doom]

Haha all our social lifes will be demolish ally4821! I'm hoping as well, it'd be sweet!

Thanks for the comments guys, you're great!

[TehVoyager]

Selling soul for Wave1 Diablo 3 beta key.

(i wouldnt rly sell my soul, but close.)

[Dr. Doom]

Lol, -pulls out a contract- sign here

[KRSjr]

Ill give you my soul for a d3 beta key lmk...

Im so pumped been playing diablo series since 1998

[Shaho]

D3 is going to be awesome... Hoping to get in with the first wave of invites!!! Been playing the Diablo series since it came out.

[Dr. Doom]

I've only played since Diablo 2. I played a sorc and pimped her out in all treasure finding gear haha, while my friend played a barb/necro and messed shit up.

[shadowsx]

Found some good quality screenshots of some of the lobby/menus.

D3 menu - Imgur

Hopefully I can get into the beta :>

[Dr. Doom]

Made another update on the images Shadowsx, thanks AGAIN :P

[[Pat]]

can't wait for this beta, hope I can get in it.

Off topic a bit here but.

not sure whats with blizzards new beta profile tool, when they added in internet speed, they must have gotten something wrong, I run a dedicated fiber optic line at 20mb down and 5mb up. their tool on the site says my speed is 458kb/s, anyone else notice this?

[Namor]

can't wait for this beta, hope I can get in it.

Off topic a bit here but.

not sure whats with blizzards new beta profile tool, when they added in internet speed, they must have gotten something wrong, I run a dedicated fiber optic line at 20mb down and 5mb up. their tool on the site says my speed is 458kb/s, anyone else notice this?

Their profile tool doesn't say your internet speed. o.o I'm checking mine right now, it only says:

OS:
CPU:
CPU Speed:
Memory:
Video Card:
Video Driver:
Resolution:
Hard Drive Capacity:
Hard Drive Free Space:
Network Address:

o wait. it does when you submit it. And mine is right, it's at 1.2 MB/s, that's usually what I download things at.