Originally Posted by
ZeroEdgeir
It's cause it's a Beta, they did not want ANYONE downloading the game and putting undue stress on the servers, for people who aren't even able to login. Hence why a valid login to download is needed.
As to the size... it's been known for awhile that this is a BIG game.... it's like taking WoW + TBC, and adding full voice-over acting, and higher res graphics. I played on the 11/11/11 weekend test, and the patch then put out on 11/17/11 was another like 16GB.
The game's install, from a viewing of a Collector's Edition opening at the fan summit, was 4 (FOUR) DVDs to install off of disc. At 4.7GB per DVD, that is 18.8GB, if they use conventional DVDs.... Dual-Layer can double that easily to 37.6GB.
So glad I switched to a 300GB monthly bandwidth provider in the summer.