Patch 5.4 patch notes
Virtual Realms feature revealed
The Proving Grounds are coming
The latest patch 5.4 newsDiablo III releases May 15, free Diablo III Annual Pass deal ends May 1
by Mathew McCurley 
Mar 15th 2012 at 9:08AM
Signing up for the World of Warcraft Annual Pass requires a one-year commitment to World of Warcraft to acquire and keep rewards associated with the commitment.
Free Diablo III annual pass ends May 1, 2012
World of Warcraft players interested in getting Diablo III for free can still get in on the World of Warcraft Annual Pass, but the promotion will be ending at 12:01 a.m. PDT on May 1, 2012.
Filed under: Blizzard, News items
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
Peter Mar 15th 2012 1:21PM
Sorry for the ignorance, but I'm still slightly confused. Right now I'm paying monthly (stupidly, I suppose). I'd like to sign up for the annual pass and do 6-month payments. After my current month is done, it'll charge me for 6 months. Then, when that's done, it'll charge me for a second 6 month period. Can I cancel at that time? It'll be less than a year from now, but it would have billed me for two 6 month periods at that point.
Twill Mar 15th 2012 1:52PM
This is what I did:
Signed up for annual pass way back in October 2011. Thus, I'll complete mine in October of this year. The cheapest, hassle-free thing to do is buy one of those visa gift cards at a convenience store for the cost of two 6-month installments, and set up your account to use that. One year later, cancel and go back to what you're doing now. I like this method because I don't have to worry about WoW until I'm done with the year.
Narayana Mar 15th 2012 2:17PM
@Peter
Since you'd already be paid up through the end of your annual commitment, then you should be able to freeze your subscription after your second 6 month charge is made.
emberdione Mar 15th 2012 2:17PM
peter-
Yes, that's fine. Here's why. You are committing to paying for your wow sub for a year. If you sign up, switch to a 6 mo sub, and get charged now, then again in September, you can cancel any time after you are charged in September. Because you have already paid for a year. Your account is cancelled, but paid out through the end of the commitment. (And active until your second 6 mo sub runs out.)
Revnah Mar 15th 2012 9:22AM
YES!!!!!!! Best news I've had all year!
Sorry, too excited to be coherent right now... :-)))
coolestintentions Mar 15th 2012 9:26AM
YAYYYYYYYY!!
Emma Marie Mar 15th 2012 9:30AM
Well, good thing I've already done all I need for the midsummer festival! I'll be click click clicking for a good long while! :)
ChaseHammerJ Mar 15th 2012 9:39AM
too bad I wasnt a subscriber back in October, i cant sign up.
Abbadon Mar 15th 2012 9:40AM
I had my doubts from my initial experience with the Beta in November, decided I was glad to be getting it free through the Annual Pass, and canceled my CE order on Amazon. I went back to the Beta a couple days ago. I've put in about 8 hours and am having a lot of fun this time around. (It's turned out to be a much needed break from WoW.) I decided that the CE would be worth it again afterall, only to find it now sold out on Amazon... :-( Luckily, Best Buy and Target still have it up for pre-order!
And while it's detailed in the specifics of the Annual Pass, for those that aren't aware:
What if I purchase the Diablo III Collector's Edition?
If you decide to purchase the Diablo III Collector's Edition when it's available, and then choose to add your Collector's Edition license key to the Battle.net account associated with your existing World of Warcraft Annual Pass promotion, you will receive all of the benefits associated with the Collector's Edition, plus receive four months of World of Warcraft game time which is eligible towards your 12-month subscription commitment. After you purchase the Diablo III Collector's Edition you just need to input the product key into the Battle.net account associated with your World of Warcraft 12-month commitment and that account will then receive the next 4 months of World of Warcraft game time for free. For example, if you already had a month of game time on the associated World of Warcraft account when you input your Diablo III Collector's Edition product key, it would then be 5 months until your next subscription payment was due.
Simpsons Rule Mar 15th 2012 9:53AM
http://www.amazon.com/Diablo-III-Collectors-Edition-Pc/dp/B0050SZC5U/
Amazon still has the pre-order available.
Abbadon Mar 15th 2012 10:05AM
How odd...
When I searched yesterday, it wasn't available directly from Amazon, and I was only shown the marked up copies from the scalpers.
SunGod228 Mar 15th 2012 10:18AM
Venders pulled there official listings last week, most likely back up now that release date is final.
Congratulations, you are not crazy!
jfofla Mar 15th 2012 10:20AM
Thanks for the tip! CE ordered at Amazon
Drakkenfyre Mar 15th 2012 2:59PM
Many people forget Wal-Mart (on walmart.com) also does preorders. I was able to get the collector's edition of Zelda: Skyward Sword while everyone else was sold out.
Walmart.com has the Collector's Edition of Diablo 3 listed, and as far as I know, has never been shown out-of-stock. Preordering is just like Amazon, however the shipping may be a day or two longer, depending on what shipping option you chose.
Skarn Mar 15th 2012 5:16PM
I went with Amazon and am going with the cheap free shipping. I've got the Annual Pass so I'll have the game downloaded and be playing already before the box even comes in the mail. O_o
Molly Mar 15th 2012 10:22AM
Woot! And the day after my SO's birthday, too. I guess we'll have to keep the birthday celebrations going for a second day with Diablo III :)
Joe Mar 15th 2012 10:32AM
So, shall we read the tea leaves for MoP then?
I can't see MoP coming out before D3. And I would think that Bliz would want to give D3 some breathing room. So I think we can rule out May and June for MoP release. So I'd say the D3 date establishes July as the earliest possible month for MoP.
slim1256 Mar 15th 2012 11:28AM
I... uh... did anyone really think there was any chance for Mists to release in May?
I mean - I think August is probably the earliest realistic date for Mists, and that's assuming they are ready to announce the Beta kicking into gear by early April...
Joe Mar 15th 2012 12:31PM
Oh, back in January and February (and earlier), there were definitely people who were suggesting a May or even April release. Didn't seem realistic to me, but some people did say it.
malaika Mar 15th 2012 1:49PM
First, it makes sense for Blizz to announce D3 during the weeklong NDA for MoP press tour. I was expecting it on Tuesday though.
I expect MoP to come out before Brewfest. They'll have to revamp Brewfest for the Pandaren right? Can someone check the ingame calendar? The week before Brewfest is when I think MoP will hit. Then all the Azerothians can celebrate the arrival of their new Panda friends with a 2 week orgy of drinking unhealthy amounts of Titan-worthy golden elixir! (hic!)
/cheers