[Update: Bear in mind this affects the DIGITAL version. If you buy boxed retail, you’ll be a’ight in Blizzard’s eyes. Not that it makes it better at all.]
As part of its latest endeavors to combat thieves and cheats, Blizzard will be forcing new digital Diablo III players into a 72-hour Starter Edition trial before letting them play the full game. This “review” period has been established to “combat fraud and other malicious activities that can weaken everyone’s play experience.”
The Starter Edition of the game allows users to play up to the Skeleton King boss battle, reach level 13, and play co-op with other Starter Edition users, albeit not globally. Access to the Auction House is prohibited until the “review” is complete and the full version unlocks.
Blizzard did say that, although 72 hours is the estimated time, the process can end sooner. OOH, FINGERS CROSSED!
Ladies and gentlemen, I do believe Diablo III‘s online shenanigans have now entered the glorious period known as the, “Complete and total farce” era.
