The new Battle.net

[Qhue]

The new Battle.net Frequently Asked Questions

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Q: What is a Battle.net Account?
A: As part of our ongoing improvements to Battle.net, we are introducing a centralized account system that will let players manage all of their Blizzard Entertainment games, including World of Warcraft and future games, in one place without having to remember multiple sets of login information.

Q: What are the benefits of creating and using a Battle.net Account?
A: The new Battle.net Account allows you to log in to World of Warcraft, manage purchases at the online Blizzard Store, keep track of CD keys for your Blizzard Entertainment games, access our websites (such as the World of Warcraft Armory), opt in to upcoming beta tests, and more using a single login -- just your email address and a password. In the future, we plan to add more features, including tools to make it easier for friends to communicate between games and to help bring our community of players closer together.

Q: Are these Battle.net Accounts related to Blizzard Accounts?
A: Battle.net Accounts are an evolution of the existing Blizzard Accounts. If you already use a Blizzard Account, you do not need to create a new Battle.net Account -- the Blizzard Account has been automatically converted, and people with existing Blizzard Accounts have received an email containing more information.

Q: How are World of Warcraft accounts related to Battle.net Accounts?
A: Think of a Battle.net Account as a keyring that can hold up to 8 World of Warcraft accounts. To merge a World of Warcraft account with a Battle.net Account, visit the Battle.net / World of Warcraft Account Merge page and follow the instructions there. Repeat the process for each World of Warcraft account you wish to merge.

Q: I play World of Warcraft using multiple accounts -- why should I merge all of them into the same Battle.net account?
A: One of our long-term goals for Battle.net is to introduce community and communication features that will make it beneficial for players to have all of the accounts and games they play associated with their own, single online identity. Merging all of your World of Warcraft accounts into one Battle.net account will enable you to take full advantage of these features in the future. We’ll have more information to share about our plans in the coming months.

Q: My family plays World of Warcraft together. Should we create a single Battle.net account for all of our World of Warcraft accounts?
A: No. Sharing access to a World of Warcraft account, other than by a parent or guardian with a single minor, is a violation of World of Warcraft’s Terms of Use. You should create a separate Battle.net account for each family member’s World of Warcraft account. In addition, future Battle.net features will make it beneficial for players to have the Battle.net account they use associated with their own online identity. Creating separate accounts for you and your family ensures you will be able to take advantage of these features when they are introduced later on.

Q: How do I log in to the game after I’ve merged a World of Warcraft account to a Battle.net Account?
A: After you complete the account merge process, you will use the Battle.net Account information (i.e. the email address and password you designated) to log in to World of Warcraft. The old World of Warcraft account name will no longer be used to log in to the game, the World of Warcraft forums, or the Armory.

Q: Will my Blizzard Authenticator still work?
A: Yes. If you use a Blizzard Authenticator, you will need it when merging the associated World of Warcraft account into the new Battle.net Account. The Authenticator will automatically transfer to the Battle.net Account during the merge process, and you will still need it when managing Battle.net Account information and logging in to the game. For more information on the security benefits of the Blizzard Authenticator, visit Blizzard Support.

Q: What happens if I play on multiple World of Warcraft accounts and use Authenticators for each one?
A: When merging each World of Warcraft account to a Battle.net Account, you will need to enter information for each account’s Authenticator. However, once all of the accounts are merged, you will only need the Authenticator used for the first World of Warcraft account you merged. You may give away, sell, store, or dispose of your additional Authenticators, as they are no longer needed.

Q: Can I add a Blizzard Authenticator to a Battle.net account before merging a World of Warcraft account?
A: You must first merge a World of Warcraft account into a Battle.net account before options to add a Blizzard Authenticator will appear in Battle.net Account Management.

Q: How do I log in if I’ve merged multiple World of Warcraft accounts?
A: After you log in to World of Warcraft using the Battle.net Account, you will be prompted to select which of the merged World of Warcraft accounts you wish to play. Players with multiple World of Warcraft accounts are still able to log in and play them simultaneously.

Q: I already have a classic Battle.net account that I made for StarCraft, Warcraft III, and/or Diablo II. Can I just use that?
A: No, the new Battle.net Accounts are separate from classic Battle.net accounts for StarCraft, Warcraft III, and Diablo II. To allow for the Battle.net features we have planned, we’ve built the new Battle.net Account system from the ground up for World of Warcraft and upcoming games such as StarCraft II and Diablo III. In order to play Warcraft III, Diablo II, and StarCraft on Battle.net, you will still need to log in using your “classic” Battle.net login information.

Q: Is creating a Battle.net Account required to play World of Warcraft?
A: Currently, creating a Battle.net account and merging World of Warcraft accounts is entirely optional. However, as we continue to build additional functionality into the new Battle.net, we will eventually require all active World of Warcraft accounts to migrate over to Battle.net Accounts in order to continue playing. Additionally, all future Blizzard Entertainment games such as StarCraft II and Diablo III will require Battle.net Accounts.

Q: Why will Battle.net accounts be mandatory to play World of Warcraft in the future?
A: With the upcoming releases of StarCraft II and Diablo III, having one unified account system allows us to ensure the highest-quality user experience and customer support for our players. In addition, the new Battle.net Account system will give World of Warcraft players access to certain future Battle.net service features and updates (as applicable).

Q: What happens if I change my email address?
A: If you change your primary email address in Battle.net Account Management, the Battle.net Account name will change automatically, and you will log in using the updated email address. All of your game associations and online Blizzard Store purchases will stay linked to the account, and you will not have to create a new account, re-merge any World of Warcraft subscriptions, or repurchase any games.

Q: How will I log in to Blizzard Entertainment forums after creating a Battle.net Account?
A: To access the World of Warcraft forums, you will log in using the new Battle.net Account. After doing so, you will be able to select which merged World of Warcraft account and character you wish to use to post. To access the classic Battle.net forums (including the existing StarCraft II and Diablo III forums there), you will continue to log in as you have in the past. As we add community features to the new Battle.net, our forums will continue to evolve; we’ll be able to share more about our plans in the future.

Q: Sign me up! How do I create a new Battle.net Account?
A: Simply start at http://us.battle.net/account and follow the instructions to create a new Battle.net Account.

Q: Is there a subscription fee or a creation fee?
A: No, there is no subscription or creation fee for creating a Battle.net Account.

Q: Will Battle.net Accounts include parental controls?
A: In the future, we plan to add parental controls similar to the ones now available in World of Warcraft Account Management.

Q: Isn't it a bit risky to link all my games to one password? What if someone steals my Battle.net account?
A: Security has always been one of our top priorities, and that’s true of Battle.net Accounts, too. For related information and security advice, please visit Blizzard Support.

So if you want to sell a WoW account you'll have to sell it along with every other Blizzard account you own, or elect to keep all your accounts on seperate Battle.net accounts and thus forego any cross-linked achievements, bonuses, etc. Pretty crafty.

[Chanur]

I don't care about achievements or anything for battle.net.

[Qhue]

Right but what about if you get special in-game mount or other nifty do-dad as a result of being a multi-game subscriber...

So you buy Diablo III and when you add Diablo III to your account your WoW subscription gets flagged for a special Diablo III mount for example. Most people think this is cool and thus a no-brainer, after all it simplifies things by having all your accounts linked together to ONE password.

Only down the road you think "hey I wanna ditch my 2nd WoW account with that Paladin I never play anymore..." Only now its linked not only to your primary WoW account, but also your Starcraft 2 account and your Diablo III account as well so selling that account info is less desireable an option if you want to keep playing at all...

You can still do it, but it means lots more forethought on your part when first creating the accounts. Not to mention they will almost certainly have a "Station Pass" like setup down the road where you get a financial discount for subscribing to multiple games.

[Chanur]

Yeah that would make it a lot tougher. Crafty they are!

[CylusSoulreaver]

So what's the big deal?

[kasey]

In the future it might be problematic to sell 1 toon alone for 40 $ :P

[Cybsled]

They mentioned beta opt in.

The SC2 forums mentioned beta opt in as a means to get SC2 beta.

Pinky, are you thinking what I'm thinking?

[Dynalisia]

Blizzard should just accept the forces of their market and start allowing official character/currency trades in much the same way as CCP does for EVE. It's just horribly inconvenient there is no really safe aftermarket activity right now.

[Frax]

In the Wotlk beta you did get a penguin pet for singing up. I didn't see anything in my box after i merged my account this morning.

[The Professional]

Good thing I don't sell accounts.

[Sharmai]

Originally Posted by The Professional

Good thing I don't sell accounts.

This.
Though I do have a copy of wotlk CE to sell... to bad there are 112,411,513,515 sellers out there.

[Darph]

Originally Posted by Dynalisia

Blizzard should just accept the forces of their market and start allowing official character/currency trades in much the same way as CCP does for EVE. It's just horribly inconvenient there is no really safe aftermarket activity right now.

Blizzard is the force of the market.

[Zarcath]

I don't like the idea of having both my WoW accounts associated with one login. It somehow feels less safe. I don't care about having all non-WoW related accounts under one roof.

[bobyab]

I wonder if this is phase 1 of Blizzard's ultimate goal of the "All Access Pass". I am sure they are trying to find "advanced" features for SC2 and D3 that would warrant pay-for-online-play. I wouldn't be surprised if we find ourselves paying Blizzard $20 to $25 a month, instead of the current $15, at some point in the future.

Maybe I am reading too much into this, but just seems strange for a company that has had a taste of the monthly fee payments to be content to go back to purely box sales. As wildly successful as WC2, WC3, SC, D1, & D2 were, their total income has to pale in comparison to WoW.

[Sharmai]

Originally Posted by Zarcath

I don't like the idea of having both my WoW accounts associated with one login. It somehow feels less safe. I don't care about having all non-WoW related accounts under one roof.

Until someone defeats these I feel perfectly safe storing my accounts under one name.