Blizzard prepares for switch to Battle.net accounts
by Alex Ziebart 
Nov 11th 2008 at 9:00PM
It states that in the future, Blizzard intends to switch over from World of Warcraft accounts to a centralized account system for Battle.net. Which means that you'll create one account and you'll be able to use it for all of Blizzard's games with online capabilities in the future such as Diablo III and Starcraft II.
The hook is that you cannot upgrade your Burning Crusade account to a Wrath of the Lich King account without accepting the fact that you may be required to open a Battle.net account at some point in the future. You can still play WoW, but you can't upgrade your account for Wrath.
This sounds scary, but it really isn't. If you were in the Wrath beta, you may remember that beta testers had to do something like that. It seems we were not only beta testing Wrath of the Lich King but also the implementation of Blizzard/Battle.net accounts. We logged in using our e-mail address, not our account name. And for our efforts, they awarded us with Chilly the Penguin. It was a pretty smooth transition from using one to the other once it was in place.
So when you see this when you're upgrading your account, I wouldn't worry about it. Go ahead and accept it, and enjoy Wrath of the Lich King. For the average WoW player, when the switchover happens it will probably only take five minutes over your time to plug in your information and you'll never even need to think of it again. If you're a diehard Blizzard fan and will be buying Diablo III, Starcraft II, and whatever other games come our way from them, this will actually be more convenient for you. This is also how achievements will be tracked across all Blizzard games like they have mentioned they want to do.
Plus, they'll probably still give out those adorable penguin pets when they go through with it. So cute!
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Blizzard, News items, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Cazz Nov 11th 2008 9:03PM
I hope so they give out Chilly when they implement this. Best pet, evar.
Sjolden Nov 11th 2008 9:17PM
I have a possible issue with this that maybe you guys could help me out on. I bought this account from one of my buddies, but it is in his email account. Every tie I have tried changing the account info or email, I cannot without having to verify it by them sending ut a email to his email address. I do not know his email address.. What could I do?
kuri Nov 11th 2008 9:23PM
...Call up said "buddy"?
outforprophets Nov 11th 2008 9:25PM
If he's truly your friend then he'll tell you the e-mail address he used and check it for you then change the e-mail address to yours.
Fuerion Nov 11th 2008 9:28PM
i smell e-bay
Mitawa Nov 12th 2008 1:18AM
"Every tie I have tried changing the account info or email, I cannot without having to verify it by them sending ut a email to his email address."
It's been awhile since I had to change my e-mail but... I thought you do this over the phone, and not by using any e-mail system. More secure that way. Call them to do it.
Rex Nov 11th 2008 9:04PM
I do think this will streamline our access to future games.
jurandr Nov 11th 2008 9:04PM
Well, I've already got a battle.net account so I guess I'm gonna be OK :)
Kellerune Nov 11th 2008 11:20PM
I don't think its the same. The Battle.net accounts you use for WC3 SC and Diablo are oversimplified. The NEW Battle.net accounts will probably have a lot more information on them, because they will be our new WoW accounts.
Cutler Nov 11th 2008 9:04PM
Cool
carldudut Nov 11th 2008 9:05PM
The hook is that you cannot upgrade your Burning Crusade account to a Wrath of the Lich King account without accepting the fact that you may be required to open a Battle.net account at some point in the future. You can still play WoW, but you can't upgrade your account for Wrath.
is that means we cant upgrade our BC to Wrath tmr? without doing this? x_x
sorry didn't really got this
Olicon Nov 11th 2008 9:13PM
You can upgrade. It just means that you are acknoledging an agreement that at some point in the future, your WoW account will become your Bnet account too.
This would do wonder when it comes to banning people.
Legather Nov 12th 2008 7:16AM
I recall hearing at one of the events this year that they were investigating charging for Battle.net's use. I wonder if they would be decent enough to waive such a hypothetical charge if we are already paying a WoW subscription.
samutz Nov 11th 2008 9:05PM
I got no such message when upgrading my account. But I used the "Upgrade Account" button provided by the install DVD rather than the page in the Account Management area of the main site.
Link to page provided by install DVD:
https://upgrade.worldofwarcraft.com/installer/index.xml?product=WLK&locale=enUS&trial=0&promo=0
It has a EULA, but no mention of Battle.net.
Vorgas Nov 18th 2008 8:23AM
Your locale is enUS, and the article text clearly says this happens in Europe. And yes, I am playing in Europe, and this is true, we have to tick that checkbox before we can upgrade our accounts.
Ailian Nov 11th 2008 9:05PM
Sneaky Blizz. They made us Beta Test two things at once! /gasp!
Kor Nov 11th 2008 9:05PM
Hmm ok sounds like...-_-..system crash..overload..overload..Blizzard removing gamer life support... OMG Blizzard is part of the matrix..(This sentence was brought to you by epic randomness and online realm withdrawal)
Ahwahanee Nov 11th 2008 9:06PM
Sounds kinda like the system Valve has with Steam. Would be nice to have the ability to download old Blizz games without having to buy a CD copy of it
Riley Nov 11th 2008 9:12PM
you do know you can already do that, right?
Nightmareic Nov 11th 2008 9:07PM
woot :D