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Q u o t e:
So yeah, we're still working on the patch. It's coming along really well. We're getting there. I can't give an estimate or date, we're expecting there to be a good amount of testing required due to the types of changes being made. We want to take our time and put out a solid patch, and that means we don't have a release date right now.

Some exciting news - and it also may be some comfort - due to the types of changes we're making we will be offering the Diablo II 1.13 patch for testing and feedback on a beta server before its release. We'll have more information about how you'll be able to help test it in the coming weeks.

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Splendid. But...


ICE


CREAM


CAKE


WHEREIZZIT

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Q u o t e:
So yeah, we're still working on the patch. It's coming along really well. We're getting there. I can't give an estimate or date, we're expecting there to be a good amount of testing required due to the types of changes being made. We want to take our time and put out a solid patch, and that means we don't have a release date right now.

Some exciting news - and it also may be some comfort - due to the types of changes we're making we will be offering the Diablo II 1.13 patch for testing and feedback on a test realm before its release. We'll have more information about how you'll be able to help test it in the coming weeks.

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Bashiok than may i ask why the heck do you guys announce that the patch might be out at the end of april... get everyone excited... kill the trading market... than announce something like this. Even though i am excited i really think you guys should not do things like this. I don't think the patch and reset won't happened until july or later and now the market has died. It is just the wrong way to approach something corporation wise. It is like telling a kid he is getting a new bike in few weeks than telling him you will get it when we have more money in the future.

Just my 2 sense.

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Q u o t e:
I think the term beta has too many preconceptions attached to it. Revised to "test realm".
I'm told it will be similar if not exactly the same as similar tests that have happened for Warcraft III recently.

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how much time till test realm comes alive?
1 week or more?

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Q u o t e:

how much time till test realm comes alive?
1 week or more?

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and where will you post the information?

And also, for those of us who are not familiar with the recent warcraft 3 testing, what was it like and how will this be similar?

Thanks,
-Riznermatron

I'm a big fan of Diablo 2, I wannabe first to test it !

~Nemy

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Q u o t e:
I'm a big fan of Diablo 2, I wannabe first to test it !

~Nemy

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I'm pretty sure all of us want to be "the first to test it".

However, Blizzard will be the first to test it. :P

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Q u o t e:
So yeah, we're still working on the patch. It's coming along really well. We're getting there. I can't give an estimate or date, we're expecting there to be a good amount of testing required due to the types of changes being made. We want to take our time and put out a solid patch, and that means we don't have a release date right now.

Some exciting news - and it also may be some comfort - due to the types of changes we're making we will be offering the Diablo II 1.13 patch for testing and feedback on a test realm before its release. We'll have more information about how you'll be able to help test it in the coming weeks.

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Awesome, thanks for the update Bashiok. I'm sure all these threads "demanding" anything get kind of old, but it's nice to see you keep your cool and professionalism and still offer up little nuggets of excitement. So thanks again!

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Q u o t e:


Bashiok than may i ask why the heck do you guys announce that the patch might be out at the end of april... get everyone excited... kill the trading market... than announce something like this. Even though i am excited i really think you guys should not do things like this. I don't think the patch and reset won't happened until july or later and now the market has died. It is just the wrong way to approach something corporation wise. It is like telling a kid he is getting a new bike in few weeks than telling him you will get it when we have more money in the future.

Just my 2 sense.

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They never official gave a release date, just a possibility of the earliest time frame and they missed it. So what? Companies do this all the time. Microsoft anyone? I, for one, am glad they're taking their time in releasing the patch and the "test realm" sounds like an awesome idea as well. Players control the trade markets and if they let it die, so be it. I hate to say it, but "it's just a game". Too many people worried about making real money off of the trade markets. It's not Blizzard's job or goal to make sure they maintain trade markets for bot-runners to get rich. It's their job and goal to produce awesome games and updates and that's what they're doing. People "demanded" time frames, Bashiok said as earlier as April and now people are mad it's not here. If you all would just back off and let them do their job and just "play" the game and not worry about trade market values and release dates everyone would be a lot happier. Bottom line is people gambled on unconfirmed information about a release date and they lost. That's the way gambling works. They should've held out for a firm date.

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Q u o t e:
I think the term beta has too many preconceptions attached to it. Revised to "test realm".
I'm told it will be similar if not exactly the same as similar tests that have happened for Warcraft III recently.

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Wow I would love to test it, I quit my job to play ladder reset heh
sounds awesome man!

The whiners don't speak for everyone...I'd much rather have well-advanced knowledge that a reset is coming. Friends and I like to plan ladder rush groups and such.

Clearly, it seems like development is in progress and you guys were hoping for an late April release which obviously you didn't make.. As from any programming stand point, you always plan first. With that in mind, the items to modify/change/add in patch 1.13 are already set in stone.

Since the idea changes have already been set in stone, can blizzard at least give the Diablo II community the patch notes so we know what to expect?

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Q u o t e:
Clearly, it seems like development is in progress and you guys were hoping for an late April release which obviously you didn't make.. As from any programming stand point, you always plan first. With that in mind, the items to modify/change/add in patch 1.13 are already set in stone.

Since the idea changes have already been set in stone, can blizzard at least give the Diablo II community the patch notes so we know what to expect?

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I agree