Battle.net Desktop Client - Services Activated and Beta Test Opt-in

[chaud]

Gul'dan Emotes, Card Races

Battle.net Desktop Client - Services Activated and Beta Test Opt-in
Blizzard finally flipped the switch on the new Battle.net desktop client and it is now available to people selected for the beta. A couple extra features have emerged:

• You no longer have to log in to WoW, SC2, or D3, as clicking play will automatically log you in.
• A list of your BattleTag and RealID friends is now shown in a small window in the client.
• Chat is disabled for this phase of testing, but you will be able to chat with your BattleTag and RealID friends in the future.

Battle.net Launcher Update: Testers Wanted

We're continuing the Battle.net®-related testing we mentioned previously. As part of this, we're now inviting beta testers to help test and refine a new desktop app for Battle.net designed to improve the launcher experience for all Blizzard games and streamline the ability for players to get into their games.

If you’d like to help us with the testing, head to your Battle.net Beta Profile and opt in to at least one of the game universe beta tests (if you haven’t done so already). We’ll be inviting players to the beta test in waves—if you’re selected, your Battle.net account will be flagged automatically and you’ll receive an email with additional details.

For more information, check out the FAQ or visit the beta test forums.

Launcher Update Testing FAQ

When does the beta test begin? How do I opt-in?
The beta test is now underway. If you’d like a chance to participate, first make sure you’ve created a BattleTag, and then head to your Beta Profile Settings and opt in to any of the Warcraft, StarCraft, or Diablo beta tests. See the Beta Opt-In Instructions for a helpful walkthrough. If you have already opted in for a previous Blizzard beta, you don’t need to opt in a second time.

What platforms and languages are supported?
The Battle.net desktop application is available for Windows and Mac in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Russian, Polish, traditional Chinese, and Korean.

What regions can participate?
Players in the Americas and Oceania, Europe, Korea, and Taiwan can participate. Players in mainland China will not be able to participate in this beta test. We’ll have more information to share about our plans for the Battle.net desktop app in mainland China in the future.

Is there a non-disclosure agreement?
There is not a nondisclosure agreement for this beta test. Those invited to play are free to take screenshots and discuss the app. Participants can give us feedback in the beta test forums.

How does game patching work through the Battle.net desktop app?
When you’re logged in to the Battle.net desktop app, it automatically downloads and installs updates for all supported games as they become available. You can patch one game at a time; the Battle.net desktop app also allows you to pause the patching process for one game in order to patch another, if needed.

Which Blizzard games are supported in the Battle.net desktop app?
The Battle.net desktop app allows you to launch Diablo III, StarCraft II, and World of Warcraft. Classic Blizzard games such as Diablo II, StarCraft, and Warcraft III are not currently supported, though we’re looking into the possibility of adding support for these games in the future.

I want to use the game-specific launcher for one of my games. How do I do that?
During the beta, you can switch to the previous launcher by uninstalling the Battle.net desktop app. As long as the Battle.net desktop app is installed on your system, you will not be able to access World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, or Diablo III through their standard launchers.

Can I log in to the Battle.net desktop app on multiple computers?
Yes, although the original login will expire if your account is logged in from another computer.

Can I still access the Battle.net website in my browser?
Yes, the Battle.net website will stay the same. The Battle.net desktop app provides a quick, convenient way to access your Blizzard games and certain features of Battle.net account management without opening a web browser.

Will everyone’s launchers eventually be updated to the Battle.net desktop app?
Yes — in the future, every Blizzard gamer will need to use the Battle.net desktop app to play their favorite Blizzard games. The Battle.net desktop app will replace the individual game launchers for World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, and Diablo III, and will act as your gateway to accessing future Blizzard games.

We’ll let players know in advance when we plan to roll the app out to everyone.

I'm having an issue—how can I get help?
Check the Known Issues List or visit the Battle.net desktop app beta forums to see if your issue is mentioned there. During the beta test, if you’re unable to resolve the issue and it’s preventing you from accessing your games, you can uninstall the beta client at any time to go back to using a game’s standard launcher.

[moveth]

Instalogin? Im ok with this.

[Ammonex]

Instalogin? Im ok with this.

Me too! I would love to try this out. I think it's a FANTASTIC idea!

[moveth]

They are basically taking what Steam does and applying it to their games, which is a fantastic idea for those of us that play multiple blizzard games.

[Nuvuk]

They are basically taking what Steam does and applying it to their games, which is a fantastic idea for those of us that play multiple blizzard games.

I dont have steam but I have origin and this feels the same. I like the Idea lets just hope it can get off the ground in a good way.

[dirtside]

Because to hell with Linux users, amirite? It's already a periodic battle(.net) dealing with Blizzard's weird infrastructural changes. Let's hope the WINE team figures this crap out PDQ.

[tideki]

Instalogin? Im ok with this.

Me too!. Now if someome can calculate how much time i have spent typing my name and my password.

5 logs in's a week. about 5 seconds per log on atleast. Someone do the maths. Its 00.09am and i cba. XD

[Maruka]

anyone want to bet they take this and make it eventually cost 15 dollars a month. they will take the wow sub off and just make a general sub to play any of their games.

[Pariah]

It'd be great if they would add Linux support.

[Tziva]

It's pretty nice; I like it for the brief time I've fiddled with it.

It does look very much like Steam, but that's a good thing because Steam's interface is pretty well-designed.

Chat seems to be disabled right now, but hopefully that's temporary.

[Azgraal]

anyone want to bet they take this and make it eventually cost 15 dollars a month. they will take the wow sub off and just make a general sub to play any of their games.

As a WoW player who already pays that fee i wouldn't mind that move AT ALL.

I imagine that SC2 players who don't own WoW and therefore don't pay any monthly fee would fire up their torches and polish their pitchforks...

---------- Post added 2013-06-11 at 12:18 AM ----------

It does look very much like Steam, but that's a good thing because Steam's interface is pretty well-designed.

As long as companies don't start suing eachother for every single damned thing, using what has been proved to work and apply it to your products is a great thing.
Blizzard's costumers are the ones winning from this move.

[Bryce]

Why is it I can't ever get into these early beta tests =/.

The concept looks really nice, would love to get ahold of it and test it for myself though.

[JunkHead]

This is great. The only thing more I can ask for is the ability to chat with WoW guildmates (And I guess the equivalent for SC2 and D3) like you can with the WoW Phone App. It has guild chat, but not realid chat. It'd be amazing to have both in one app.

[Tziva]

Why is it I can't ever get into these early beta tests =/.

The concept looks really nice, would love to get ahold of it and test it for myself though.

Blizzard's last few releases have had open beta. It wouldn't surprise me if that happened here. But dunno!

This is great. The only thing more I can ask for is the ability to chat with WoW guildmates (And I guess the equivalent for SC2 and D3) like you can with the WoW Phone App. It has guild chat, but not realid chat. It'd be amazing to have both in one app.

Yes, that would be really nice.

[azurrei]

Looks pretty slick...but, when it comes to Battle.net there is only one feature I'm interested in - "Appear Offline"

[Narshe]

Any voice chat feature? I remember Chaud pointing out months ago some client strings related to voice chat functions.

[kassy]

gimme dat betaaaaaaaaaa

[Sastank]

Ahem. BLIZZARD PLS.

[markdall]

$5 says it wants to launch when you log in to Windows, because if there's something I need it's yet another Steam client. Every company has to have one you know.

[Azgraal]

$5 says it wants to launch when you log in to Windows, because if there's something I need it's yet another Steam client. Every company has to have one you know.

Refer to my previous post please.

As to booting with the OS, there's always a way to stop those programmes from doing that, Bnet's Client won't be any different.