View Full Version : Cool feature I noticed on Blizzard.com
imjustsomeguy
27-07-2008, 04:28
I don't know if this is something new or if I just wasn't aware of it but I signed up for a 'Blizzard Account' today (which is basically registering on Blizzard.com) and noticed they have their released titles available for download. Under your account info there is a games tab which has options to enter cd keys for D2, LOD, WC3, TFT, SC, BW, and the packaged sets also. Once you enter a valid cd key it gets tied to your Blizzard Account and you can now download the games from their site anytime at what appeared to be very fast speeds.
This is a pretty cool feature for someone like me who has had to purchase multiple copies of D2 and WC3 due to lost/cracked disks and cd keys (yeah I'm pathetic). Even for more organized people it's nice not to have to dig out the disks for the installation. I assume the downloadable versions don't require a play disk. Is this something new to the site?
Chances are future titles will be available for DL at launch.
Downloading Diablo II from the website might be the only way I can get it to run without using the cd :)
imjustsomeguy
27-07-2008, 04:53
Downloading Diablo II from the website might be the only way I can get it to run without using the cd :)
Why is that? What OS you using? Latest patch? Copied all the .mpq files over to the D2 directory?
yeah the cinematics cd from diablo 2 classic is funky, broken somehow. I can't copy it's MPQ's
That's all
imjustsomeguy
27-07-2008, 05:11
yeah the cinematics cd from diablo 2 classic is funky, broken somehow. I can't copy it's MPQ's
That's all
Ah, then it would definitely be worth a download :thumbup:
According to this guy:
http://phosidon.wordpress.com/2008/07/18/new-blizzard-accounts-for-all-games/
The next WoW expansion will require players to log on through "Blizzard Accounts". His assumption about SC2 and D3 being included and a steam-like setup in Blizzard future seems likely.
Finally. I was wondering when Blizzard would start copying a good distribution model like Steam. Sure, you can buy games from stores and whatnot, but really, downloading games is sometimes much more convenient. Now, if you only you could also buy official CD keys from Blizzard...
Blizzard has the resources so they should really be putting in more work like this.
Finally. I was wondering when Blizzard would start copying a good distribution model like Steam. Sure, you can buy games from stores and whatnot, but really, downloading games is sometimes much more convenient. Now, if you only you could also buy official CD keys from Blizzard...
Blizzard has the resources so they should really be putting in more work like this.
Hehe I can see it now..
Diablo III has been released and there was much rejoicing! (Yay!)
A few hours after D3's release-
... Uh oh, what the heck?!
http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l4/NKlint/Blizzardnotfoundb.jpg
But I suppose that would only be a problem during it's initial release.
that is indeed a cool and convenient feature :)
imjustsomeguy
27-07-2008, 16:46
Hehe I can see it now..
Diablo III has been released and there was much rejoicing! (Yay!)
A few hours after D3's release-
... Uh oh, what the heck?!
But I suppose that would only be a problem during it's initial release.
No kidding. I hate to think what the download queue would be like on release day. As far as I know D2 is still the 'fastest selling' pc game ever. We could see a coulpe million sales in the first few days for D3.
For most games I've always liked having a physical box, disks, and manual. If a company goes out of business then one would have trouble installing the game 5 years in the future. I somehow don't think that will be a problem with Blizzard though :yes: They also do such a good job with putting up info/lore on their websites that a manual, while maybe a nice collectors item, is not needed. It would be nice if the files could be broken down to fit on DVDs for backup rather than one huge file.
ok i just downloaded the mac installers for classic and lod, but when i try to install it says i need to enter my 26 character cd-key. But diablo 2 cd-keys are only 16 chars...
Is there something i'm missing here?
Edit: Nevermind i figured it out...apparently a new cdkey is generated when u add d2 to your account...
CrimsonBishop
28-07-2008, 04:54
This is a cool feature, I wish I had know about it a few weeks ago when I reinstalled D2. Even though I own 2 copies of the game, both of my play discs are so scratched that my computer has a hard time reading them. The no CD patch was also nice to see.
fledgeling
28-07-2008, 05:28
When I bought my 2nd copy of diablo I smiled so much when I saw that they still include the manuals
Even if it was so useless and outdated.
Ah, I remember a game called Ceasar with a 150+ page manual. I actually read it and never played the game much : )
I've bought diablo2 and the expac 3 times in my lifetime, but I only have 1 set of CD keys with me and a half of a set of discs.
Needless to say I wish they had this sooner.
Blizzard already uses torrent technology for their video downloads. It wouldn't be too difficult to create an official tracker for their games and let the interweb spread the software.
Blizzard already uses torrent technology for their video downloads. It wouldn't be too difficult to create an official tracker for their games and let the interweb spread the software.
If only they had a working tutorial for how to make it work over a network or routers firewall.
Their patch distro system for WoW uses what is essentially torrents also, the thing is their "how to" section doesn't really work to set most people up for the downloading of info.
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