We'd like to thank everyone who has participated in the Diablo III beta. You've done an admirable job of testing, and we greatly appreciate all of the feedback you provided during this critical phase of development.

In preparation for the launch of Diablo III on Tuesday, May 15, the beta servers will be brought offline on Tuesday, May 1. At that time, all beta accounts and character information will be reset. Leading up to Diablo's May 15 launch date, players will only be able to create comments and forum posts on the official Diablo III community site if they have pre-purchased Diablo III or have a StarCraft II or an active World of Warcraft game license attached to their Battle.net account. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to stay tuned to this website for exciting news and updates regarding the upcoming release.

Thank you again for your participation, and we'll see you soon on Battle.net!

Blizzard is also working on a shareware version of the game: Diablo 3 - Starter Edition.
This version is available to everyone for free but has certain limitations.

You can* play this shareware version using the beta launcher. You must first create a battletag (via battle.net account profile). If your account isn't flagged for beta access, you will automatically log in as the starter edition. You can only play with people with starter edition.

Download link (launcher)
+ Show Spoiler +

Update: This work-around using the beta launcher was not intended. You will more likely have to wait for May 15 before you can play using the Diablo 3: Starter Edition.

Sorry for getting your hopes up!

Coutcha

Canada519 Posts

April 18 2012 11:55 GMT

Confirmed!

ShivaN

United States933 Posts

April 18 2012 12:15 GMT

So what is this..? Just the beta content made available for everyone, or is there more to it?

ezk

Canada239 Posts

April 18 2012 12:18 GMT

On April 18 2012 21:15 ShivaN wrote:
So what is this..? Just the beta content made available for everyone, or is there more to it?

I haven't run trough all of it yet, but I believe its the same content (if not less).
Blizzard is just testing their shareware version prior to release.

Luzar

Denmark2 Posts

April 18 2012 12:23 GMT

Can we play with the Beta client or do we have to use the download link that has been posted here?

remodemo

Germany120 Posts

April 18 2012 12:24 GMT

i was able to play for like 5 minutes, then i was kicked from the server and everytime i try to log back on i get the error 3005. so if this was just a bug that has now been fixed by blizzard, i hope you havent gotten your hopes too high. for as it seems right now, the open access for everyone lasted only 3 hours.

ezk

Canada239 Posts

April 18 2012 12:24 GMT

You can play with the beta client. The link is there only for people that can't access it trough their battle.net account (not flagged for beta). It's the same launcher.

Toshirotl

Portugal128 Posts

April 18 2012 12:25 GMT

Cant login anymore either

ezk

Canada239 Posts

April 18 2012 12:27 GMT

On April 18 2012 21:24 remodemo wrote:
i was able to play for like 5 minutes, then i was kicked from the server and everytime i try to log back on i get the error 3005. so if this was just a bug that has now been fixed by blizzard, i hope you havent gotten your hopes too high. for as it seems right now, the open access for everyone lasted only 3 hours.

Yep, same disconnect error 3005 on the Starter Edition Account.
The account flagged for beta doesn't work anymore either.
Maybe servers crashed or Blizzard temporarily removed access. Waiting for bluepost

Klapdout

United States282 Posts

April 18 2012 12:28 GMT

#10

Yea its been fixed, at least I got to run through with the wizard =)

EDIT: now its (error 33) Battlenet down for maintanance, maybe its just temporary.

Luzar

Denmark2 Posts

April 18 2012 12:29 GMT

#11

I'm so exicted! Wow.. Praying to get a sneak peak before the full version is released!

ezk

Canada239 Posts

April 18 2012 12:39 GMT

#12

Nethaera (Blue Poster) on 2012/04/18 12:36:00 PM (Source)

The Diablo III beta is currently unavailable while we work to resolve an issue. We do not have a current ETA for when the beta will be available, but will provide further updates in approximately 2 hours.

Garnet

Vietnam9047 Posts

April 18 2012 12:44 GMT

#13

sources? I see no news on battle.net.

village_idiot

2436 Posts

April 18 2012 13:03 GMT

#14

I hope this is true.

Finally in the beta! I have been waiting for this.

CruelZeratul

Germany4588 Posts

April 18 2012 13:04 GMT

#15

As it seems that was a mistake on Blizzards part and they are fixing it/it is fixed.

Shockk

Germany2269 Posts

April 18 2012 13:10 GMT

#16

Would be too good to be true so I don't expect to see the access remain after they've "fixed the issue". But hey, who expects EU users to see a glimpse of the Beta anway.

kongoline

6318 Posts

April 18 2012 13:14 GMT

#17

so there wont be any open beta?

Mettyman

Denmark132 Posts

April 18 2012 13:17 GMT

#18

Doesn't look like it. Blizzard shut down the servers to fix an issue. Let's just hope that issue isn't the fact that the doors temporarily were open to everyone.

Avean

Norway449 Posts

April 18 2012 13:18 GMT

#19

So this was a joke or what ? All i get trying to install this is that D3 hasnt been released yet. And no official words on this at all.

shineq

United Kingdom1453 Posts

April 18 2012 13:24 GMT

#20

On April 18 2012 22:18 Avean wrote:
So this was a joke or what ? All i get trying to install this is that D3 hasnt been released yet. And no official words on this at all.

You're trying to use the release client, there is a different client for the beta.