I would rather have won the random $10,000 that I signed up for, but this is ok...

I got the CD today, and have begun a Druid character. The morphing is pretty cool, but I'm working on building the elemental skills (can't wait to see what a dang hurricane looks like). Anyone else get in here?

Don't beta testers have a confedidentiality[sp?] agreement with the software publishers? I know there were some times where I tried out games before they came out and I had to "digtally" sign a contract saying I won't reveal the name of the game.

Unless it's a public beta, in which case I blush.

Sweet, let us know how it goes...

Actually, it depends on the company, I've seen some games where you couldn't talk about anything you saw to anyone, it was basically play in a closet with no one watching. But then I've also seen companies who don't care what you say about the game while it's company details you can't talk about like giving passwords to post on their beta forums and such.

Cartman, let us know how you like it. I really want to get this if it is any good.

So far the Druid is pretty fun to use, I'm summoning ravans and wolves right now, but you can get out bears and such as well. They've also got some really cool vine things that will grow and grab enemies that get in their path. I can only shape shift into a werewolf right now, and am pretty weak, but others that are stronger really kick some butt transformed. I also assume the high level elementals do some good damage (tornado, hurricane, etc). The new items are also rather cool. You just keep charms in your inventory, and they boost your abilities. You also get a bigger chest, and two weapon inventories (you can switch them on the fly). So far, so good (now if I could just get to frickin act 5!).

Wow this sounds cool indeed .

are the graphics the same or a bit better

The graphics are the same, but you can boost the resolution to 800X600 which sharpens them a LOT, and gives you a larger view of your surroundings, but you've got to have a pretty nice system to suffer no slowdown (I've got a PIII 450, and was suffering with 5 people online).

well if my p3 800 overclocked to 880 can't take it then I guess I will just have to get that new 1.3 Ghz athlon

I got my CD on Friday last week and have been playing quite a bit. Hadn't played regular Diablo II for a while so I had to start a new character, and chose the Assasain. So far the graphics are much better at 800x600, and the new characters, and items are great. I'm running a P3-700 overclocked to 933MHz with a Voodoo 3500 and haven't noticed any problems.

ok i promise this is the last time i respond to this. does anyone know when this expansion cd is coming out

EB World has it as 6/28/2001

Lucky Bastards i can't get enough screens a day from my various sources to fill the desire I have to play this ehancement to already great game

again lucky bastards

Where do you go to find out if you can be a beta tester for games? Is there a website or something, like betatesters.com??

Yeah, what he said

I just go to the pc section of http://www.gamespot.com and click on beta center where they list betas... oddly enough, they didn't list this one so evidentely not all betas are listed.

I think this one is filled and done with .

oh well another month and a half of waiting left

You signed up for this beta on blizzard's web site, and they chose 2500 (I think) randomly from all those who entered. I don't think I'm gonna get to try act 5 .

I know you guys must be busy trying out the new characters. But has anyone checked how the character balances are now? I heard rumors that barbs will be toned down in the expansion. Personally I'd love to see that because I think they're way over-powered comapred to the other four characters.

Can't wait for the release of the expansion set.

PAL

Same here...I'm looking forward to this expansion.

I signed up for the beta testing....but didn't get chosen

Well, I can't comment on the 5th act, but the new characters are fun to play, and the 800X600 mode makes it looks a LOT better. The addition of new items and "charms" are also a nice touch. Would I pay the $40 retail for it? No. Would I pay $25? Maybe. $20? Yes.