Patch 5.4 patch notes
Virtual Realms feature revealed
The Proving Grounds are coming
The latest patch 5.4 newsMists of Pandaria beta opt-in and official FAQ
by Alex Ziebart 
Mar 21st 2012 at 1:10AM
To opt in, you will need a Battle.net account with at least one Blizzard game attached to it -- I'm sure everyone reading this has one of those, right? You can read the full FAQ on Battle.net or behind the cut below.
This FAQ does detail how and when Annual Pass holders will be entering the beta, so those of you who have signed up for that should take a look.
Mists of Pandaria Beta Opt-in and FAQ
We're very close to beginning beta testing for World of Warcraft®: Mists of Pandaria™! Over the course of the beta test, we'll be inviting Annual Pass holders, press, fansites, friends and family, and opt-in beta testers to participate. As there's no NDA for this test, you're likely to start seeing lots of screenshots and new video around the web. Please keep in mind that the game is still in development, and what you'll see during the beta test is not necessarily representative of the final game.
If you're wondering how you can help us test Mists of Pandaria, or how the test works, look no further than the paragraphs directly below this one.
How do I opt-in?
Once you've set up a Battle.net account and have attached at least one Blizzard game, you can choose to opt in to our beta tests from the Beta Profile page. You'll need to select which franchises you'd be interested in helping test, as well as download and run the System Check tool to attach your computer's specifications to your beta profile. Once that's complete it's simply a matter of waiting for an invite.
How will I know if I'm selected?
We'll send you an email letting you know when you're selected, but please be aware of phishing attempts. Some unscrupulous individuals send out falsified emails purporting to be from Blizzard, but are in fact meant to steal your login credentials. For more information on how to identify these emails please refer to our Battle.net Security site. One easy way to ensure your invite is legit is to avoid clicking on links in any invite emails you receive, and instead log in to your Battle.net account and see if you have a Mists of Pandaria beta license attached. If there's no license, you can be sure the email you received was not from Blizzard.
I am participating in the World of Warcraft Annual Pass promotion; when do I begin testing?
We're inviting Annual Pass holders in waves over the course of the beta test, and will be ramping up the number of invites we send as quickly as possible. We'll be inviting Annual Pass holders based on several factors, including how long your World of Warcraft account has been active and when you signed up for the Annual Pass. Keep an eye on your Battle.net account and email for your invite to join the beta test.
How many players do you plan to invite to the beta test?
Our primary focus will be ensuring that all of the players who signed up for the Annual Pass are invited over the course of the beta test. The number of additional players we invite will be based on our testing needs. If during the course of testing we determine we need more players to participate, we'll invite more.
Is there an NDA?
There is no Non-Disclosure Agreement for the Mists of Pandaria beta test. Those invited to play are free to take screenshots, movies, or stream the game content. Please be aware that the game is very much still a work in progress, and we appreciate your understanding when you encounter bugs, graphical errors, or other issues.
How long will the beta test last?
We have not determined an exact date for the end of the beta test. We'll post a notice when the beta test is nearing completion.
If you're wondering how you can help us test Mists of Pandaria, or how the test works, look no further than the paragraphs directly below this one.
How do I opt-in?
Once you've set up a Battle.net account and have attached at least one Blizzard game, you can choose to opt in to our beta tests from the Beta Profile page. You'll need to select which franchises you'd be interested in helping test, as well as download and run the System Check tool to attach your computer's specifications to your beta profile. Once that's complete it's simply a matter of waiting for an invite.
How will I know if I'm selected?
We'll send you an email letting you know when you're selected, but please be aware of phishing attempts. Some unscrupulous individuals send out falsified emails purporting to be from Blizzard, but are in fact meant to steal your login credentials. For more information on how to identify these emails please refer to our Battle.net Security site. One easy way to ensure your invite is legit is to avoid clicking on links in any invite emails you receive, and instead log in to your Battle.net account and see if you have a Mists of Pandaria beta license attached. If there's no license, you can be sure the email you received was not from Blizzard.
I am participating in the World of Warcraft Annual Pass promotion; when do I begin testing?
We're inviting Annual Pass holders in waves over the course of the beta test, and will be ramping up the number of invites we send as quickly as possible. We'll be inviting Annual Pass holders based on several factors, including how long your World of Warcraft account has been active and when you signed up for the Annual Pass. Keep an eye on your Battle.net account and email for your invite to join the beta test.
How many players do you plan to invite to the beta test?
Our primary focus will be ensuring that all of the players who signed up for the Annual Pass are invited over the course of the beta test. The number of additional players we invite will be based on our testing needs. If during the course of testing we determine we need more players to participate, we'll invite more.
Is there an NDA?
There is no Non-Disclosure Agreement for the Mists of Pandaria beta test. Those invited to play are free to take screenshots, movies, or stream the game content. Please be aware that the game is very much still a work in progress, and we appreciate your understanding when you encounter bugs, graphical errors, or other issues.
How long will the beta test last?
We have not determined an exact date for the end of the beta test. We'll post a notice when the beta test is nearing completion.
It's open warfare between Alliance and Horde in Mists of Pandaria, World of Warcraft's next expansion. Jump into five new levels with new talents and class mechanics, try the new monk class, and create a pandaren character to ally with either Horde or Alliance. Look for expansion basics in our Mists FAQ, or dig into our spring press event coverage for more details!Filed under: Mists of Pandaria
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 5)
Magma Mar 21st 2012 3:14AM
One would think no because the pass guarantees entry. But if you were interested in beta I don't see why you would have those boxes unchecked to start with.
Skarn Mar 21st 2012 3:18AM
No, you do not. It can't hurt though. :)
amkosh Mar 21st 2012 3:16AM
There's no real surprises here. I didn't think they would bring in all of the season pass people at once. I still wonder if they'll do something like testing weekends, and what not.
*IF* the beta does start in the next week or two, then it does put some creds on a early fall (Aug/Sep) release. But I don't really think so. I still suspect we'll see Nov/Dec at best, and more likely Feb/Mar of 13. The previous statement assumes that no feature of MoP will be cut before launch.
The main reason is that even if this game really is as polished and "done" as people say, no game has survived its beta period intact. Everyone makes changes. Take Diablo 3 for example. In fact Diablo 3's beta is probably the major reason why I say Feb/Mar.
From what I heard/saw is that Diablo 3 was pretty much ready for release back in Nov. In fact I saw a bunch of comments that said that D3's experience was less buggy and more ready that SWTOR's. And I honestly don't doubt it. Blizz leads in quality, and they do LEAD. So on that, with the amount of systems changing, and the ones being added, this will take time. It will be a ton of iterative development and iterative testing.
Of course the assumption I made before could be faulty, they could cut systems or content, and bring it in a later patch. That could bring in an earlier release, but for me, I think I'd just skip and wait for the the thing to be feature complete, letting my sub lapse.
After all, this year there will be a bunch of swtor patches, D3, STO updates, plus Guild Wars 2 is likely launching. Plus I still have a ton of Skyrim and Mass Effect 3, so I don't really need WoW.
Noyou Mar 21st 2012 3:42AM
You do realize if the Beta starts in the next 2 weeks it will be almost 3 months earlier than Cata right? Cata came out December 7th. Subtract 3 months from that and you get September 7th (we'll say 9/11 since that is the next Tuesday) for a probable release date. They already said character models will most likely not be ready at launch, so that won't hold them back.
Carune Mar 21st 2012 3:55AM
I have no idea how you are getting a release of next year. 5/7 zones are basically done with mobs and quests. By the looks of it several of the dungeons are near complete or are complete. In addition it should take less time then the cata beta due to no 1-60 revamp.
Jebediah54 Mar 21st 2012 4:20AM
Diablo III was essentially a new game for Blizzard, whereas Mists is an expansion of an already established game. Really all they're testing is if the computer can still remember to carry the 2, dot the i's, and of course test the new systems they're introducing. I could see launch as early as August or September considering their progress since Blizzcon.
ravyncat Mar 21st 2012 4:30AM
There is no way at all they will delay MoP until 2013. To do that really would be business suicide. They will not run almost a year long beta and keep subscribers especially not when people are already tired of Dragon Soul.
MoP will launch before the first wave of Annual Pass members run out so that is October at the latest. My bet is much much earlier than that.
I think we will be surprised (and I certainly hope we will be) at how soon we will be playing in Pandaria.
Snuzzle Mar 21st 2012 6:00PM
You really think they need amost a full year of beta? Really? That would be unprecedented for WoW, I don't even think classic beta was that long.
Skarn Mar 21st 2012 3:21AM
- Account created Nov 2004.
- Annual Pass activated Oct 2011.
Think I'll get in the beta?
/shifty eyes
Noyou Mar 21st 2012 3:31AM
"Our primary focus will be ensuring that all of the players who signed up for the Annual Pass are invited over the course of the beta test."
Magic 8 ball says, yeah. The question is not IF for annual pass members, it's when ;)
WanderingNomad Mar 21st 2012 6:57AM
Just wondering..../played = amount of time spent on a particular charachter...how do I go about seeing when I actually created my account? Thanks =)
jimforbes40 Mar 21st 2012 9:51AM
Log in to your battle.net account, click on the cataclysm account then click view account history. 9th May '07 here.
Skarn Mar 21st 2012 1:33PM
The /shifty eyes is supposed to indicate that I'm trying to gloat while attempting to not rup it in. Ah text communication! :)
Better question is: How fast will I get in?
Snuzzle Mar 21st 2012 2:45PM
Jan '05 activation, 10/21 AP signup. Hope we get to be beta buddies!
DonSerrot Mar 21st 2012 3:22AM
Woohoo! Been playing since mid BC, and as soon as the Annual Pass was announced I was mashing F5 on Battle.net till I could hit it. This is actually some pretty good timing for them to put out the beta info, just checked and next month will be 6 months since the Annual Pass started. Right in the middle of the announcement was my sub renewal. I can imagine there are probably a few people who signed up for it and are now thinking they may just quit it anyways, but this'll stop a few of em I'm sure.
Me personally, I had a blast testing out the start zones in Cata (I decided to leave most of the actual end content for others to test) and I can't wait to get into it again! UNDERGROUND QUEST NPCs HERE COMES DON! :D
Spider Mar 21st 2012 3:27AM
I'm surprised they mentioned opt-ins at all. With the amount of people they're already obligated to give beta to, I wouldn't think they needed additionals.
Jebediah54 Mar 21st 2012 3:45AM
Not everyone that's in the beta will test everything. A lot of people will take it as a chance to play around with the new class, roll a Pandaren, maybe do a bit of questing, and/or just try out the dungeons and raids. I can see a good portion of the people not even trying the beta (having just done the Annual Pass for DIII) or just dipping a toe in to test the waters. IMO, it's a good call to get some insurance testers.
Noyou Mar 21st 2012 3:49AM
Not everyone who signed up for AP is even interested in the Beta aspect. I am still kicking the idea around but as excited as I was to read the info, I will probably be checking it out. As they said, if they need more people they will add them ;)
Shrikesnest Mar 21st 2012 10:06AM
They like to test on lots of different hardware configurations; high-end, low-end, different graphics cards, different resolutions, etc. Annual pass subscribers are at least 95% video game enthusiasts, who are likely to have nicer machines than the general public. Ergo, more invites.
Plus, twenty bucks says that beta participation drops like a rock after the first rebuild. People who are expecting to play a perfect, finished game months in advance are going to be sadly mistaken.
Lipstick Mar 21st 2012 4:23AM
You can still sign up for Beta via the annual pass until May 1st I believe.