Official Blizzard Quote:
You've actually seen some of the first three Acts already, and we probably won't be revealing too much more than what we've already shown. We really want to try to keep as much a surprise for you when you play through the game the first time as possible. We will be announcing all of the game systems though before beta, so there are a few things left as far as reveals go. While beta will obviously be a lot of fun, should you get the chance to get in and help test, it'll only be a small part of the whole game. Some people want to know everything, but we're really trying to preserve the surprise and wonderment (that we hope will come with exploring Diablo III) as much as possible.
Moving onto the next subject at hand, Bashiok mentioned that all of the game systems will be announced before beta starts. The only system we know we are waiting to hear about is the trading system that we will use in Diablo III. There is also no information out yet about how Diablo III will use Battle.net 2.0 and what features that will bring. Any other systems they have in store for us remain a mystery at this point. The real question is though, how and when will they be sharing these last bits of info before we get into beta? With an unknown amount of information to share, this unfortunately gives us no real time frame on beta's release.
The last part from the quote gives us a little bit of information on what will be included in beta. According to Bashiok, it definitely will not be the entire game, although most of us already suspected that. It seems as though the beta will be limited to some previously seen dungeons and areas from videos and screen shots that they have already released. Perhaps a run through of Act 1 and part of Act 2 with major spoilers being edited out. This could be possible since the three artisans are supposed to be gained through about this same amount of gameplay. However, it won't be until we all have our hands on this game that we find out just how this epic trilogy ends (until the first expansion pack comes out).
With no real information on when the beta starts yet, stay tuned as we will share any and all information that comes out regarding beta. As of right now, the only event we know something will be talked about in regards to beta will be the May 9th conference call where Mike Morhaime promised to talk about it.
UPDATE: I asked Bashiok if they had plans on how and when they are going to announce these remaining systems.
It appears as though Blizzard knows exactly what they will be doing up until beta and more importantly, when they plan on starting beta.
@Zerg it was sixen. He assumed it was the fifth because the conference calls had always been on a particular day. However, we got confirmation that it's on the 9th.
Kojain, epic avatar and quote!
Edit: On a more serious note, it really surprises me we aren't going to get the full game or most of the game for beta. I can understand removing cutscenes and perhapse some dialogue story-wise, but they definitely want to be testing all the areas.
Official Blizzard Quote:
@ScyberDragon Yes. Very specifically.
You, sir, win. At life. Diablofans just became the go-to source for D3 news.
Maybe some we aren't even aware of?
Haha! loving this excellent misspelling of my username :-)
I'd like to have some new unrevealed feature in the game, but also some news about how trading will work.
I'm a fan, I love the game, I have plenty of patience but this is a long looong waiting.
A metaphor perhaps....
So this girl says she wants to have sex with you, but you have to wait, and god will you, because she is what you have always wanted.
Years pass, and she is still stringing you along, but you know when you finally get it, it will be worth it.
In the time thats passed, she constantly is teasing you, a dirty text message here and there, and once you start losing hope, I naughty picture comes your way! OK WERE BACK IN BUSINESS!
But still, nothing, just the teasing, and occasional visual to keep you leashed.
It's been 10 years now, and the teasing has become more consistent, more often, and promises of the day soon.....
BUT WHEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????????????
During times like these, you often hit the bar, swallow your pride, and go for the average because it will hold you over for now. But damnit Blizzard! Lose the Chastity belt and let her free!!!!
Were talking about video games by the way......
But seriously, Blizzard has been teasing us way to long with the expectations of a beta release with no satisfying answers as to when. It's getting ridiculous.
It will either be announced at the closing ceremony for the 'con, or put in turnaround for more time at that point. Upper management will probably review the state of things in august and commit to a release window at that point, and there's no reason to make it '11.
Think of it from ATVI's perspective - they could get a boost from d3, Hos, and the next WoW release all in 2012, WITH the new CoD. Seven or eight billion bucks in a year buys alot of stock buyback $$$. They don't care about the upcoming CC - they want the one 7 quarters from now to be super-kaching.
Again, the combination of a beta six months before release (if that is still the case) and a goal for a 2011 release adds up to a summer beta. Even if its on their minds that early 2012 would be an OK outcome, they still would need to get the beta going this summer in order to see whether or not its capable of coming out in 2011. Not to mention the SC2 beta was announced at a similar conference call and released a short time after.