Blizzard previews character, guild, and arena team APIs
by Mathew McCurley 
May 11th 2011 at 6:00PM
Blizzard's opening up of these information feeds is pretty cool, and you will likely see some ambitious applications of this data being used in the near future. One of the illuminating aspects of this preview is that after finding the right way to do it, the devs are thinking about opening up quest ID information so that you can see what quests characters have or have not completed. There are tons of applications of that data out there and I'm sure the community is really excited to make use of this API information. Check out the full preview after the jump.
Blizzard Community API Preview
As previously announced, we are planning to expand the Community Platform API with feeds for the 3 different types of profiles currently available on the website: characters, guilds, and arena teams. We'd like to share our current plans (may change, not a promise) with all of you as we look forward to providing a robust API that meets the needs of the community.
Each of the feeds below will be accessed by using a realm and name. The feeds will always contain basic information by default, and will have optional fields that can be requested via a parameter – making it possible to retrieve all the data in a single request. A locale parameter will also be available for localized strings. In addition, the feeds will support the Last-Modified HTTP header to help with caching. Just like with the realm status feed, region will be specified using the subdomain (e.g. eu.battle.net/api/.. for European realms), and both json(p) and protocol buffer output will be supported.
Character
URL: /api/wow/character/{realm}/{name}
Basic information: name, level, class, race, gender, faction, guild, achievement points
Optional fields: equipped items, stats, reputation, primary and secondary skills, achievements/statistics, talents, appearance, titles, collected mounts and companions, Hunter pets, PvP information
Guild
URL: /api/wow/guild/{realm}/{name}
Basic information: name, level, achievement points
Optional fields: members (roster), achievements
Arena Team
URL: /api/wow/arena/{realm}/{size}/{name} (size being 2v2, 3v3 or 5v5)
Basic information: name, ranking, rating
Optional fields: members (roster), weekly/season statistics
Optional fields would be requested using the 'fields' parameter, where you specify everything you need using a comma-separated list. e.g:
/api/wow/character/realm-name/grotako?fields=items,talents,mounts,titles
Sample feeds will soon be provided as we'd also like feedback on the data format. In the meantime, let us know what you think!
p.s: We'll have more details on the Auction House and Arena Ladder APIs to share in the coming weeks.
Each of the feeds below will be accessed by using a realm and name. The feeds will always contain basic information by default, and will have optional fields that can be requested via a parameter – making it possible to retrieve all the data in a single request. A locale parameter will also be available for localized strings. In addition, the feeds will support the Last-Modified HTTP header to help with caching. Just like with the realm status feed, region will be specified using the subdomain (e.g. eu.battle.net/api/.. for European realms), and both json(p) and protocol buffer output will be supported.
Character
URL: /api/wow/character/{realm}/{name}
Basic information: name, level, class, race, gender, faction, guild, achievement points
Optional fields: equipped items, stats, reputation, primary and secondary skills, achievements/statistics, talents, appearance, titles, collected mounts and companions, Hunter pets, PvP information
Guild
URL: /api/wow/guild/{realm}/{name}
Basic information: name, level, achievement points
Optional fields: members (roster), achievements
Arena Team
URL: /api/wow/arena/{realm}/{size}/{name} (size being 2v2, 3v3 or 5v5)
Basic information: name, ranking, rating
Optional fields: members (roster), weekly/season statistics
Optional fields would be requested using the 'fields' parameter, where you specify everything you need using a comma-separated list. e.g:
/api/wow/character/realm-name/grotako?fields=items,talents,mounts,titles
Sample feeds will soon be provided as we'd also like feedback on the data format. In the meantime, let us know what you think!
p.s: We'll have more details on the Auction House and Arena Ladder APIs to share in the coming weeks.
The news is already rolling out for the upcoming WoW Patch 4.2! Preview the new Firelands raid, marvel at the new legendary staff, and get the inside scoop on new quest hubs -- plus new Tier 12 armor!Filed under: Blizzard
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bazwyn May 11th 2011 6:06PM
What about an Auction House API feed? This is useful to everyone on such a gigantic scale!
MrJackSauce May 11th 2011 6:18PM
Didn't quite make it to the end? ;)
Skarn May 11th 2011 6:24PM
Read the "PS." They said it's coming. :)
ToxDrawace May 11th 2011 6:47PM
I read it as a "What was that about an Auction House API feed?"
wutsconflag May 11th 2011 6:11PM
A real Auction House API would be an interesting addition for those players who pay their monthly fee to play the Auction House.
Pata May 11th 2011 6:15PM
"p.s: We'll have more details on the Auction House and Arena Ladder APIs to share in the coming weeks."
It's coming :)
Pata May 11th 2011 6:16PM
This was suppose to be a reply to Bazwyn :< Comment fail.
thedoctor2031 May 12th 2011 2:13AM
Yes. It's coming. Soon™.
Homeschool May 11th 2011 6:19PM
As a fun note, if you try to access said API now, you get a simple response:
{"status":"nok", "reason": "When in doubt, blow it up. (page not found)"}
Dude May 11th 2011 6:47PM
Stop spying on me Blizzard! I don't want people to know I've just spent all my time doing thousands of dailys. Arrrrgh.
dahboyo May 11th 2011 7:08PM
whats an API? :S
Keith May 11th 2011 7:21PM
An Application Programming Interface. It's a published specification that programmers can follow to use interface their code with Blizzard's.
wow May 11th 2011 7:26PM
You make it sound as if these APIs for the most part don't already exsist, both the guild and character APIs are already available via the old armory (how else do you think sites light wow-hereos work?). Granted these are updated versions of those APIs seemingly with JSON over XML.
Granted having a more shiny (and hopefully documented!) API can't be a bad thing.
Arturis May 11th 2011 8:54PM
Well the data was available by hijacking the XML response, sure, but thats not technically an API. This is specifically meant for us to use.
And use it I shall bwahahaha....
Docseuzz May 11th 2011 9:06PM
Now if they can only add in equipment manager sets as part of the character feed, it'll help when I log out in my off-spec... :)
STHedgeHog May 12th 2011 3:54AM
I really like this idea, it works well for EVE online allowing players to plan a skill queue out of game so they can look at diffrent ideas. So an out of game, dare i say it, "Quest Helper" style program would be a nice feature.
Also being able to pull information direct from your character, rather then via the armoury, would speed up alot of equipment optimizers out there (and give them the ability to read stuff in your bags too :D)