Burning Crusade Alpha Test
by Spencer Callaghan 
Aug 23rd 2006 at 7:30PM
A clue has surfaced into the ongoing debate as to whether we will see the Burning Crusade before the end of the year.If you go follow this link it will take you to the sign-up page for the Burning Crusade Friends and Family Alpha Test.
There has been some question as to the authenticity of this link, so I wouldn't go filling in your username and password, but WoW Insider has done some digging, consulted a team of experts (sent an email around) and determined that the link is probably legit, though possibly not intended for public viewing.
Now as all good frat brothers and sorority sisters know, after alpha comes beta, with a generous amount of malt liquor in between.
Now I am no computer expert so can anyone clue me in as to how long a typical Alpha Test lasts before going to Beta?
Oh and if Auntie Tseric, Grandpa Eyonix or any other members of the extended Blizzard family are reading this, please send an Alpha invitation my way.
[Thanks Dave!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
JimJimBinks Aug 23rd 2006 9:32PM
Any idea how one might find out their game key?
I moved recently and I can't seem to find it. Hell, I didn't think I'd ever need it again after signing up anyway.
Nathaniel Davis Aug 23rd 2006 10:16PM
I tried the link with my key code and this if the message that I got.
Key not expansion key.
So I believe that you are right about it being something that the public isn't suppose to find out about since I can't find where you would get this key.
Michael Aug 23rd 2006 10:16PM
There's no point in signing up. You need to have a specific CD key for the expansion. Filling out the form and submitting it will return a "Key not expansion key." error and not let you continue.
Looks like this upgrade must be performed with a physical copy of the expansion in hand, hence why it's referred to as a "Friends and Family" test.
The site is indeed legit, though. You can type the URL manually into your browser and even verify the SSL certificate assigned to the domain. Everything checks out. Too bad there's nothing to gain from it.
BloodNova Aug 23rd 2006 11:05PM
any1 who bought the collectors edition wanna have a go with their key?
blizzard playing favourites with em?
Gamer_001 Aug 23rd 2006 11:40PM
This is a scam dont do it, blizzard always tells you they will never ask for your account info expecially your freaking CD-key. Not only that but games in the alpha stage will never ever ever have a open testing period this is stupid. Who ever these people are, they are just banking on the fact that people will do whatever they can to feed thier addiction more.
Elüna Aug 24th 2006 3:11AM
No use people. The Alpha test is for friends and family ONLY. Blizzard has long had this thing where close relatives and friends of their employees get a chance to mock around in their new game.
The key you are supposed to use, is the special alpha invitational key. Which you don't have if Blizzard hasn't given it to you specifically.
As for Alpha periods, it depends on what type of trouble they encounter. I would venture a guess and say not long. They have stages of Alpha testing, and if all goes well, we should see the second stage of Alpha which most likely will include people off the press and such. Then you go to closed Beta, then public Beta. Public Beta is a maybe though, as there has been no indication from Blizzard that they will have one, I guess having something to do with "spoiling" the game before it's release.
If all goes well in all stages, we should have the game by years end.. or if we are unlucky, early next year.
Hope that helps.
Luka Aug 24th 2006 5:29AM
Don't expect to have much news:
8. Confidentiality. The existence of the Friends and Family Alpha Test and all elements thereof (including without limitation this Agreement) is confidential, and you agreement to maintain secrecy associated with the Friends and Family Alpha Test until such time that Blizzard releases such information publicly.
L'Emmerdeur Aug 24th 2006 11:23AM
More imporantly, this. Read the comments for juicy tidbits from the Alpha.
L'Emmerdeur Aug 24th 2006 11:24AM
For God's sake:
http://paladinsucks.blogspot.com/2006/08/secret-chat-log.html
Virion Aug 25th 2006 10:57AM
Gamer_001: Kinda hard to scam when the files are all hosted off Blizzard's servers and all refered urls in the page source etc are as well. Yes, Blizzard would never ask you for this unless, as others had mentioned this were really an alpha code, not you actual cd-key.
Also, Alpha tests do sometimes recruit publicly, they're closed though so the recruits are selected from the submission pool. This phase is also very small, so the group recruited isn't large like your late stage betas and open betas. Nothing said it was an 'open alpha', so I don't see that being scam bait.
Andrew Aug 28th 2006 3:56PM
https://beta.worldofwarcraft.com/expansion/downloads/
here is a link to the actual Download if anyone needs it
i dont know if this will help or not but i just thought id post
-daks
Darion DeSode Sep 2nd 2006 7:46PM
Yes but what good is the download if you can't get into the expansion?
Jonas Sep 7th 2006 1:00PM
Well, you can download the BC-test and also download Model viewer and look at the stuff that are "ingame" so far.
JC John SESE Cuneta Sep 12th 2006 1:55PM
Lol, it's legit. How can anyone who wants to scam people post a website under "worldofwarcraft.com" ?? And we are talking about "Blizzard" here. If someone who wants to steal our username and password, as well as CD-Key was able to hack into Blizzard's website, server, AND DOMAIN registry (cPanel for some, WHM for some), then either that guy is very well damn good or Blizzard's security is not as strong as we think it is.
Trowa Sep 22nd 2006 5:25PM
By doing a simple test such as turning on peer gaurdian, I can confirm that the IP addresses hosting the beta pages are blacklisted as belonging to Blizzard Entertainment, therefore they are legit, and secure.
elk Oct 6th 2006 6:31AM
so, is there a way to get a "crack" code for this key?
Dárcy Nov 6th 2006 9:11AM
Hm, i downloaded the Closed Beta, but it don't works with the Model Viewer. I have to download the Alpha Client to use the Model Viewer, but I don't know where I can download it ? On the WoW Europe Page is only the Beta Version which I downloaded :/
Can somebody give me a link where I can download the Alpha Client to use the Model Viewer?