Remember the confusion about a Diablo 3 open beta with a starter edition? What about all those reassurances from folks that Blizzard likely wouldn’t have an open beta? Well, I’m just going to leave this here …
Diablo® III Open Beta Weekend
We’re pleased to announce the Diablo III open beta weekend, which offers open access to all players with a valid Battle.net account! Beginning this Friday everyone is invited to log in and help us put the game and servers through their paces in this three day stress test as we march toward the games release on May 15. You can begin downloading the Diablo III client right now.
From Friday, April 20 at 12:01 p.m. PDT (noon), until Monday, April 23 at 10:00 a.m. PDT you’ll be able to log in, team up with friends, and play each of the five heroic classes to level 13 as you fight to save the world from the impending demonic invasion.
FAQ
What steps do I need to take?
- Log in or create a Battle.net account at http://www.battle.net
- Create your BattleTag™, which is required to play Diablo III (What is BattleTag?)
- Download the game client, install, and play between 12:01 p.m. PDT April 20 and 10:00 a.m. PDT April 23
I don’t have a Battle.net account – can I still play?
Absolutely! Just visit http://www.battle.net to create a free Battle.net account. Next, download the client fromhttps://us.battle.ne…nload/index.xml and install it. Create your BattleTag, and then log in to the game using your Battle.net account name (email address) and password to begin slaughtering the demonic hellspawn that dare stand in your way.Are there any differences for stress test participants versus invited closed beta testers?
Stress test participants will only be able to access the beta between Friday, April 20 at 12:01 p.m. PDT (noon), and Monday, April 23 at 10:00 a.m. PDT. In addition, stress test participants will not have access to post in the beta forums and will not be provided Beta Bucks for use in testing the currency-based auction house.Can all regions/countries participate?
Due to regional differences and features of the stress test client, Korean players will not be able to partake in the stress test weekend. However, beginning the week of April 23, we will be conducting a separate, invitation-only closed beta test that will give players in Korea a chance to try out the game, along with players in the regions of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau.What if the service is down/laggy/disconnecting me?
It’s very possible that players connecting to the stress test could experience issues with the service. While not ideal this is exactly why we’re having a stress test. We want to catch and analyze as many bugs as possible during this stress test period, so that we can try to ensure a smooth launch on May 15.I’m having an issue, how can I get help?
Due to the limited window of the stress test we encourage you to visit the Technical Support or Mac Technical Support forums if you’re having any issues running the game, and checking the Known Issues list if you’re running into a bug. As a stress test participant you will not be able to post in the beta forums.What platforms and languages do you support?
For the stress test we’re offering the client in English, French, and German for both Windows and Mac. At release the game will be fully localized into English, Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, European Spanish, Italian, Polish, Korean, and Traditional Chinese for Windows, and English, French and German for Mac.I’m an invited closed beta tester, what happens after the stress test weekend ends?
As an invited closed beta tester you’ll continue to have access until the beta ends on May 1.
I’m not sure if this is a one off or a 1st in a two part series (we’ve only one weekend to go after this before the beta closes) of stress test weekends – that’ll probably become clear in the coming days. All the same, I think there are a few of you who will have a particularly great weekend this week! 
Ray
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
OMG OMG OMG This day couldnt get any bettterr!!!!!!! Im the happiest person on earth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Haha, yes I thought this news would please a few people
I advise that you download the client well in advance!
Client downloaded — CHECK!
Finished Work — CHECK!
Turned off phone — CHECK!
6 pack of Red Bull — CHECK!
Start Playing — ETA: 30 mins!!!!!!
Damnit! We have to wait util evening.
It would almost make you opt for a power nap before it’s available and a play through the night
Actually, not a bad idea. I`ll think about that.
Oh please… can i say it!! “told ya so”
You may say it, you may! You called it.
AWWW man… Can’t believe I have to work on Saturday
(
Same here dude
Off Sunday though!
Woop!
ive been waiting for the install for several hours and now it wont let me log in….
the button is unclickable
i have an account
but no play ; {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{
I think login is taking a pounding
My internet has chosen tonight to play up – I need to get it sorted before launch. Seeing I’ve been in beta for months now I can accept this without raging (though I wanted to play).
Also, you guys might get some ‘stress test’ side effects – in other words it’s possible beta server(s – at least I hope they’ve got more waiting) will crumple under millions of logins and Blizz will spend hours fixing it.
Have a book handy too, or booze. Just giving a fair warning!
Okay, I tried to log in yesterday evening right after the server start (GMT+1) but I wasn’t really sucessful (I saw at least 3 different error messages like ‘server is busy’, ‘no beta access’ and my personal favourite: ‘player got disconnected’). After 2 hours of trying I managed to create my character but right after that I got disconnected again. The capacity of the servers is a bit questionable… I hope to have more success today afternoon and I also hope the will put more iron together for the launch…
Blizzard guys, YOU WERE NOT PREPARED!
Roden the whole idea of a stress test is to overwhelm the servers so that all different posible errors can be found
If they prepared with a super server and stuff a stress test wouldnt find much errors and wouldnt be as successful 
the more errors you get the better that means you wont get them on lauch whitch is what counts hehe
I’m a programmer so I know what a stress test is
I had been pretty sure that I won’t be able to join right after the server starts, just wanted to give it a try. Also these are the US servers only so hopefully it will take only the half of it’s current load… maybe a bit more since not everyone plays the beta who wants to buy the game.