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| {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2017}} | |||
| {{Infobox software | |||
| | name = Battle.net | |||
| | logo = Blizzard_Battle.net_logo.png | |||
| | logo caption = The Battle.net logo | |||
| | screenshot = | |||
| | caption = Battle.net running on ]. | |||
| | developer = ] | |||
| | latest release version = 1.8.0.8554 | |||
| | genre = ]<br />]<br />] ]<br />] | |||
| | license = ] | |||
| | alexa = {{Increase}} 237 ({{as of|2017|3|30|alt=April 2017}})<ref name="alexa">{{cite web|url= http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/battle.net |title= Battle.net Site Info | publisher= ] |accessdate= April 27, 2017}}</ref> | |||
| | website = {{url|http://www.battle.net/}} | |||
| }} | |||
| '''Blizzard Battle.net''' is an Internet-based ], ], and ] platform developed by ]. Battle.net was launched on November 30, 1996, with the release of ]'s action-] '']''. | |||
| Battle.net was the first online gaming service incorporated directly into the games that make use of it, in contrast to the external interfaces used by the other online services at the time. This feature, along with ease of account creations and the absence of member fees, caused Battle.net to become popular among gamers and became a major selling point for ''Diablo'' and subsequent Blizzard games. Since the successful launch of Battle.net, many companies have published online game services mimicking Blizzard's service package and the ]. | |||
| ] officially unveiled the revamped Battle.net 2.0 on March 20, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5176394/blizzard-unveils-new-battlenet |title=Blizzard Unveils New Battle.net |publisher=Kotaku.com |date=March 20, 2009 |accessdate=July 8, 2010}}</ref> It later revealed further details of the Battle.net revamped features at ] 2009 which supported '']'', '']'' and '']''. The original Battle.net was then renamed to Battle.net Classic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5342994/upcoming-blizzard-battlenet-feature-draw-from-warcraft-xbox-live-life |title=Upcoming Blizzard Battle.Net Feature Draw From Warcraft, Xbox Live, Life |publisher=Kotaku.com |date=August 21, 2009 |accessdate=July 8, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| The Battle.net Launcher was officially renamed to Blizzard App in March 2017, as part of a ] to retire the Battle.net name; however, Blizzard later reversed this in August 2017, and opted to use the merged name Blizzard Battle.net. The app currently supports storefront actions, social interactions, and matchmaking for all of Blizzard's current games including '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']'', as well as '']'' from its corporate sibling ]. | |||
| In September 2017, Blizzard released the Battle.net application for ] and ]. The app includes the ability to chat with and add friends in addition to seeing what games they are currently playing.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blizzard.messenger | title = Blizzard Battle.net - Stay connected with your friends wherever you are | date = September 27, 2017 }}</ref> | |||
| == History == | |||
| ===Battle.net Classic=== | |||
| When the service initially launched with '']'' in November 30, 1996, Battle.net offered only a few basic services like chatting and game listings. Players could connect to the service, talk with other gamers and join multiplayer games of ''Diablo''. Besides user account data, no game data was stored on the Battle.net servers. When a player connected to a game, they would be connecting directly to the other players in the game. No data was sent through the Battle.net servers. While this made the service quick and easy to use, it quickly led to widespread ] since players using cheats could modify their game data locally. However, since there was an option to create private games, many players ended up playing with people they knew. | |||
| ] | |||
| The release of '']'' in 1998 increased usage of the Battle.net service significantly. Features such as ladder ranking and game filters were added to the service. Battle.net grew even larger after the release of the expansion pack '']'', with tens of thousands of players logged on at any given time (even in the present day). ''StarCraft'' Battle.net was especially successful in ], where the number of players logged on was often many times that of the ]. | |||
| ''StarCraft'' also brought with it a new ] scheme using ]s. Under ''Diablo'', Battle.net would allow any client to connect to the service. With ''StarCraft'', only those players with a valid and unique CD key – a generated 13-digit number distributed with each boxed game – were allowed onto the service. Only one person could connect to Battle.net using a specific CD key at a time. CD-Keys could also be muted (unable to chat in channels or whisper), voided (restricted to ''The Void'' channel), jailed (both muted and voided) or banned from Battle.net entirely. Every Blizzard game since ''StarCraft'' has used the CD key system to connect to Battle.net. ''StarCraft: Brood War'' used as its CD-key whatever CD-key was found on the original ''StarCraft'' on that computer, and was thus only installable if the original was already installed. With the release of the Gateway system in ''Brood War'' (selectable regional server clusters), two players can play at the same time, as long as they are on different gateways. Given how the gateways are expectedly separate from each other, each with their own games list and user accounts that are not shared across the other gateways, it is still maintained that they cannot play in the same game nor chat with each other, etc. | |||
| '']'' was released in 2000 to much fanfare. The main highlight of ''Diablo II'' as it relates to Battle.net was that the game used the ]. The game was no longer simulated on each player's computer, but instead was run on Blizzard's server. This also meant that all of the character data for the game was stored on the Battle.net servers. The game also has an open character feature on Battle.net which stored the player's character on the client. This allowed players to play characters locally or on a ], and then use those same characters on Battle.net. However, any open games played on Battle.net were not protected from cheating by other players since they could have modified their characters locally. ''Diablo II'' also had a unique feature that would show the players in the Battle.net chat room as ]s who looked like their characters did in the game. It also used a different Battle.net interface than previous games, where previously there were mainly only color differences. There was also expanded ladder support including a "Hardcore" ladder which listed players whose characters would be removed permanently if they died in-game. Again, with ''Diablo II'' usage of Battle.net increased steadily, climbing even higher with the release of the expansion pack '']'' in 2001. | |||
| '']'' was released in 2002 and its expansion pack, '']'', was released in 2003. The release of these two games brought with them a number of new features to the online service. The most significant feature to be added was probably the concept of Anonymous Matchmaking. This feature allowed a user who wanted to play a game to simply press a button and automatically be matched up with one or more other players who were similar in skill (based on ranking) and also wanted to play a game. This allowed for people to get into games quickly and easily. It also reduced win-trading, where two people would purposely win and lose games to artificially raise their rank on the ladder. The matchmaking concept was also expanded to team games in a feature called "Arranged Teams". In an arranged team game, you could make a team with one or more friends, which was then anonymously matched up with another team of the same size and rank. However, a strategy was introduced on how to cheat the automated 'fair' matchups, called 'Abusing', simply by someone losing the Arranged Team Games intentionally with one ally so that with another ally (who wants to gain wins easily) won't find it difficult because the automatic matchups would put the two players up against relatively unskilled players. Automated tournaments were added in the expansion, where players would compete to be crowned tournament champion in a series of games played throughout the day. In addition to the new game styles, a slew of other features were added including selectable chatroom icons unlocked based on the player's number of wins, a friends list, and clan support. | |||
| ===Battle.net 2.0=== | |||
| ''Battle.net'' was revamped by Blizzard in 2009 and officially unveiled on March 20, 2009, it was further elaborated on during ] 2009. The new Battle.net contains three unique sections. The first allows players to connect all Battle.net accounts, World of Warcraft characters and friends list together and integrate them into a unified single Battle.net account. Players can also unlock achievements in-game which would in turn unlock avatars and decals which would be shown on the player's profile, the decals can also be seen in-game on the player's units.<ref name="New B.net">{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5342994/upcoming-blizzard-battlenet-feature-draw-from-warcraft-xbox-live-life |title=Upcoming Blizzard Battle.Net Feature Draw From Warcraft, Xbox Live, Life – Blizzcon 09 |publisher=Kotaku.com |date=August 21, 2009 |accessdate=July 8, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| The second section consists of making Battle.net into a competitive platform for players which involves a new improved matchmaking system, simplifying the process of players organizing games. The ladder system has also been revamped; the system classifies players into certain leagues according to their level of competitiveness. Players would then compete against others who have a similar skill level to their own, albeit across leagues. There is also a special practice league to practice and hone skills, where game speed is reduced and maps are designed to create a slower pace of the game. The party system works similar to that of ''World of Warcraft'' where players with friends would join together and enter games as a party.<ref name="New B.net"/> | |||
| The final section involves the new chat system which involves a new system similar to ] across games. Players may communicate with friends across games, servers, and characters.<ref name="New B.net"/> | |||
| Another new element is the use of an online marketplace which allows player or map makers to create and sell their maps online through Battle.net, players can also browse and search through maps online and rank them by player ratings as well as download both free and paid maps. This is however not implemented yet.<ref name="New B.net"/> | |||
| '']'' initially did not support ''Battle.net'', having separate accounts from ''Battle.net'' once until the revamp of ''Battle.net'' on March 20, 2009 which forced players to merge their '']'' accounts with the new ''Battle.net'' accounts. The features of ''Battle.net'' utilized in '']'' include allowing players to engage in cross-realm, cross-faction and cross-game chat, which allows players to talk with their friends on their ] friends list, from other factions, other servers as well as other games such as '']'' and '']''.{{cn|date=January 2016}} On November 11, 2009 ] made ''Battle.net'' a mandatory feature for '']'' players.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/news/rss-11-2009.xml |title=Wow -> Archived News -> November, 2009 |publisher=Worldofwarcraft.com |date= |accessdate=July 8, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100508013658/http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/news/rss-11-2009.xml| archivedate= May 8, 2010 | deadurl= no}}</ref> | |||
| '']'' is the first game to natively support the new revamped Battle.net online interface. It is split into three installments: the base game with the subtitle ''Wings of Liberty'', ] '']'', stand-alone expansion pack '']'' and ] mission packs '']''.<ref name="StarCraft II split into trilogy">{{cite web|accessdate=October 10, 2008|url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/starcraft2/news.html?sid=6199172&mode=news|title= StarCraft II split into trilogy |publisher=GameSpot|date=October 10, 2008}}</ref> The new Battle.net was planned with a marketplace for StarCraft II which would allow players to download both free and paid maps, but this feature has not yet been implemented. Instead, regular and custom maps are available for everyone and sorted by a popularity system based on total playtime. The new interface includes a chat service which is similar to that of ] which allows players to interact across different games. Initially not having been shipped with regular, channel-based chat rooms, this was later added in a patch after both community and gaming media noted the lack of the feature. The game also supports ] for players.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.battle.net/forums/thread.aspx?fn=sc2-general&t=22772&p=1&#post22772 |title=StarCraft II General Discussion |publisher=Battle.net |date= |accessdate=July 8, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/08/21/blizzcon-2009-battle-net-2-0-features-revealed/ |title=BlizzCon 2009: Battle.net 2.0 features revealed [Update] |publisher=News.bigdownload.com |date=August 21, 2009 |accessdate=July 8, 2010}}</ref> | |||
| On May 5, 2010, ] revealed that Battle.net 2.0 would be integrated with social networking site ], "linking the world's premier online gaming platform with the world's most popular social platform". | |||
| ===Blizzard Battle.net Desktop App=== | |||
| {{Expand section|date=May 2017}} | |||
| In August 2013, Blizzard released an open beta for the Battle.Net Launcher.<ref>http://www.pcgamer.com/blizzards-battle-net-desktop-launcher-enters-open-beta/</ref> The launcher is a desktop application which allows players to purchase, install and patch their games, and provides access to the friends list and messaging. It also provides access to some account management and game services. Blizzard launches its own cross-game voice chat service in October 2016. Blizzard Voice is integrated into the Battle.net application.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.wowhead.com/news=257055/new-battle-net-patch-blizzard-voice-chat-channels-patch-notes | title = New Battle.net Patch: Blizzard Voice, Chat Channels, Patch Notes | date = October 20, 2016 }}</ref> | |||
| In February 2017, Blizzard introduced the ability to obtain Blizzard storefront credit by trading in "WoW Tokens" from ''World of Warcraft'', bought through the use of in-game gold and initially used as a means of trading credits between players of ''World of Warcraft''. These credits could be used to purchase other Blizzard games or content, such as card packs for ''Hearthstone'' or loot boxes for ''Overwatch''.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2017/2/6/14525352/wow-tokens-battle-net-convert-overwatch-hearthstone | title = World of Warcraft will now let you convert gold into Overwatch, Hearthstone items | first = Charlie | last = Hall | date = February 6, 2017 | accessdate = May 18, 2017 | work = ] }}</ref> | |||
| The Windows version of '']'', developed by ] and published by corporate sibling of Blizzard, ], will be exclusively sold and launched through the Battle.net on its release in 2017 as well as used to support the game's matchmaking capabilities, making it the first non-Blizzard game supported by the launcher.<ref name="destiny 2">{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/18/15659404/destiny-2-battlenet-blizzard-activision-exclusive-pc-online-gameplay | title = Destiny 2 will exclusively be available on PC through Blizzard’s Battle.net | first= Chaim | last = Gartenberg | date = May 18, 2017 | accessdate = May 18, 2017 | work = ] }}</ref> Blizzard affirmed that players can use ] in ''World of Warcraft'' to generate credit towards their Blizzard account that they can use towards purchase of ''Destiny 2''.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.vg247.com/2017/05/18/destiny-2-on-pc-will-skip-steam-and-use-blizzards-service-instead/ | title = Destiny 2 on PC will skip Steam and use Blizzard’s Battle.net service instead | first = Stephany | last = Nunneley | date = May 18, 2017 | accessdate = May 18, 2017 | work = ] }}</ref> Blizzard said that they are also "potentially evaluating needs or opportunities for future Activision games" to be supported by the Battle.net,<ref name="destiny 2"/> but do not plan to extend similar support to other third-parties, fearing it would weaken their quality control with the product.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-05-19-dont-expect-other-non-blizzard-games-on-its-platform | title = Don't expect other non-Blizzard games on its platform | first = Chris | last = Bratt | date = May 19, 2017 | accessdate = May 19, 2017 | work = ] }}</ref> | |||
| ===Blizzard Battle.net Mobile App=== | |||
| In September 2017, Blizzard released Battle.net application for ] and ]. The app provides simple social networking features with a user's friends on Battle.net, including accepting and sending friend invitations and chatting with friends.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/28/blizzard-launches-battlenet-app-for-ios-and-android |title = Blizzard Launches Battle.net App for iOS and Android | first= Jordon | last = Oloman | date = September 28, 2017 | accessdate = September 28, 2017 | work = ] }}</ref> | |||
| ===Rebranding=== | |||
| On September 21, 2016, Blizzard Entertainment announced<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/20297652/battlenet-update-9-21-2016|title=“Battle.net” Update - WoW|website=World of Warcraft|access-date=September 22, 2016}}</ref> it would be retiring the Battle.net brand to focus on Blizzard as their main brand for all current and upcoming services. Blizzard pushed the name "Blizzard Tech" as a replacement to describe the underlying Battle.net networking and matchmaking service, while the Battle.net Launcher was officially renamed to Blizzard App on March 24, 2017.<ref name="apprename">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-03-24-blizzard-says-cheerio-to-battle-net-branding|title=Blizzard says cheerio to Battle.net branding|first=Robert|last=Purchese|date=March 24, 2017|publisher=|accessdate=March 24, 2017}}</ref> Blizzard identified the need to rebrand as "there's been occasional confusion and inefficiencies related to having two separate identities under which everything falls".<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.destructoid.com/the-battle-net-launcher-has-become-the-blizzard-app--427137.phtml | title = The Battle.net launcher has become 'the Blizzard app' | first = Jordan | last = Devore | date = March 24, 2017 | accessdate = March 24, 2017 | work = ] }}</ref> Blizzard made an exception in the case of the ''Destiny 2'' announcement in May 2017, using "Battle.net" to identify the existing service, though all features would still be through the common Blizzard App.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2017/5/19/15659366/battle-net-name-blizzard-launcher-destiny-2 | title = What's up with Blizzard using the Battle.net name again? | first = Allegra | last = Frank | date = May 19, 2017 | accessdate = May 19, 2017 | work = ] }}</ref> Kyle Orland of '']'' postulated that Activision and Blizzard wanted to make sure ''Destiny 2''{{'}}s matchmaking was tied to the well-established "Battle.net" name, but considered this move confusing and shows Blizzard's trepidation in dropping the recognized name.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/05/battle-net-isnt-battle-net-anymore-even-if-blizzard-calls-it-battle-net/ | title = Battle.net isn’t Battle.net anymore, even if Blizzard calls it Battle.net | first = Kyle | last= Orland | date = May 23, 2017 | accessdate = May 23, 2017 | work = ] }}</ref> | |||
| By August 2017, Blizzard stepped back from the full rebranding, and announced that going forward, they would call the service and application "Blizzard Battle.net".<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.destructoid.com/we-liked-the-name-battle-net-so-much-that-it-s-coming-back-454876.phtml | title = We liked the name Battle.net so much that it's coming back | first = Brett | last = Madedonski | date = August 14, 2017 | accessdate = August 14, 2017 | work = ] }}</ref> | |||
| ==Development== | |||
| ===Security=== | |||
| ] | |||
| To help users protect their Battle.net accounts, Blizzard implemented a ] option for the service. Launched in 2008, this was initially through a separate device that could be purchased from Blizzard, encoded with the user's credentials. The device fit on a keychain and would generate pseudorandom numbers linked to the player's account, which they would enter when logging into Battle.net to affirm their identity.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://kotaku.com/5019890/secure-your-wow-account-with-the-blizzard-authenticator | title = Secure Your WoW Account With The Blizzard Authenticator | first = Mike | last= Fahey | date = June 26, 2008 | accessdate = June 20, 2016 | work = ] }}</ref> Later, Blizzard introduced the Battle.net mobile application for ] and ] platforms in 2009, replicating the same functionality.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/2009/03/27/iphone-authenticator-now-in-app-store/ | title = iPhone authenticator now in app store, for free | first = Eliah | last = Heich | date = March 27, 2009 | accessdate = June 20, 2016 | work = ] }}</ref> An update during June 2016 simplified the process, allowing the user, when logging into their Battle.net account from a computer, to simply press a single button on their connected mobile device to affirm their authenticity.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/articles/blizzard-has-made-it-easier-to-protect-your-battle/1100-6441046/ | title = Blizzard Has Made It Easier to Protect Your Battle.net Account | first = Chris | last = Pereira | date = June 20, 2016 | accessdate = June 20, 2016 | work = ] }}</ref> Though not required to use Battle.net, some game aspects require the user to enable two-factor authentication through either the device or mobile app, such as ''Diablo III''{{'}}s Auction House (which uses real money transactions).<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/2012/06/08/diablo-3-authenticator-required-for-real-money-auction-house/ | title = Authenticator now required for Diablo's Real-Money Auction House | first = Robin | last = Torres | date = June 8, 2012 | accessdate = June 20, 2016 | work = ] }}</ref> | |||
| ===Growth history=== | |||
| By November 1997, Blizzard claimed that ''Battle.net'' had 2.2 million games played, 1.25 million different users, and averaged 3,500 new users each day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/features/19971128/battlenet_01.htm |title=Features – "Battle.net Defines Its Success: An Interview with Paul Sams of Blizzard" ]s.<ref>{{cite web |last=Conason |first=Joe |url=http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/1999/04/21/battlenet/index.html |title=Salon Technology | Online gaming's store-shelf chains |publisher=Salon.com |date=April 21, 1999 |accessdate=July 8, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090528051815/http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/1999/04/21/battlenet/index.html |archivedate=May 28, 2009 |deadurl=no |df=mdy-all }}</ref> By September 2002, their active user count had jumped to 11 million.{{Citation needed|date=April 2016}} By September 2004, their active user count was up to nearly 12 million, spending more than 2.1 million hours online each day, and they had an average of 200,000 concurrent users, with a peak concurrent user count of 400,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eff.org/sites/default/files/filenode/Blizzard_v_bnetd/appellees_brief.pdf |title=Appellees Brief | Electronic Frontier Foundation |publisher=Eff.org |date=September 30, 2004 |accessdate=July 8, 2010}}</ref> In 2006, Blizzard claimed that Battle.net, when combined with the ''World of Warcraft'' subscriber base, was a leader of online gaming, noting that "even ] is not even close to us".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=19286 |title=GC: WOW Factor // |publisher=Gamesindustry.biz |date=August 25, 2006 |accessdate=July 8, 2010|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616130240/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=19286|archivedate=June 16, 2007 }}</ref> | |||
| ===Community content=== | |||
| A community of ] has arisen around Battle.net. Many unofficial ] are available for Battle.net, and most of the ] used by Battle.net-enabled games has been reverse-engineered and published by volunteers. | |||
| Also, several communication tools have been made, like a "whisper" tool, so that a player could talk to their friends even if they are in a game. | |||
| Custom games (using maps that were not made by Blizzard) have helped build the community, and now are a substantial portion of the games played. Among the most popular of these games in ''Warcraft III'' are tower defense maps and Hero solo maps (like '']'', and arena maps) or pure RTS games like Civilization Wars, where the player develops their economy, tech, and unit diversity but the player has no control of their units. | |||
| ==Controversy== | |||
| ===bnetd=== | |||
| {{main|bnetd}} | |||
| A group of gamers ] the network protocol used by Battle.net and Blizzard games, and released a free (under the ]) Battle.net emulation package called ]. With bnetd, a gamer is not required to use the official Battle.net servers to play Blizzard games. | |||
| In February 2002, lawyers retained by Blizzard threatened legal action under the ] (DMCA) against the developers of bnetd. Blizzard games are designed to operate online exclusively with a set of Blizzard-controlled servers collectively known as "Battle.net". Battle.net servers include a ] check as a means of preventing ]. | |||
| Despite offers from the bnetd developers to integrate Blizzard's CD key checking system into bnetd, Blizzard claims that the public availability of any such software package facilitates piracy, and moved to have the bnetd project shut down under provisions of the DMCA.<ref>, February 21, 2002</ref> As this case is one of the first major test cases for the DMCA, the ] became involved. For a while negotiations were ongoing to resolve the case without a trial. However, the negotiations failed and Blizzard won the case on all counts: the defendants were ruled to have breached both StarCraft's ] (EULA) and the ] of Battle.net.<ref>, September 30, 2004</ref> | |||
| This decision was appealed to the ], which also ruled in favor of Blizzard/Vivendi on September 1, 2005.<ref>, September 19, 2005.</ref> | |||
| === Privacy and Real ID === | |||
| On July 6, 2010, Blizzard announced that they planned to change the way their forums worked to require that users identify themselves with their real name.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forums.battle.net/thread.html?topicId=25626109041&sid=3000&pageNo=1 |title=Battle.net – English Forums -> Battle.net Update: Upcoming Changes to Forums |publisher=Forums.battle.net |date= |accessdate=July 8, 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100709053633/http://forums.battle.net/thread.html?topicId=25626109041&sid=3000&pageNo=1 |archivedate=July 9, 2010 |deadurl=yes |df=mdy }}</ref> The reaction from the community was overwhelmingly negative with multiple game magazines calling the change "foolhardy"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=254846 |title=News: Fans rage over Blizzard forum plans |publisher=ComputerAndVideoGames.com |date= |accessdate=July 8, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100710045341/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=254846| archivedate= July 10, 2010 | deadurl= no}}</ref> and an "Epic Fail".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/07/07/why-blizzard%E2%80%99s-new-forum-plan-is-an-epic-fail/ |title=Why Blizzard’s new forum plan is an epic fail |publisher=video gamer |date=June 14, 2010 |accessdate=July 8, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100711005942/http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/07/07/why-blizzard%E2%80%99s-new-forum-plan-is-an-epic-fail/| archivedate= July 11, 2010 | deadurl= no}}</ref> It also resulted in the largest user response ever on the Blizzard forums.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/10543100.stm |title=World of Warcraft maker to end anonymous forum logins |publisher=BBC News |date= July 7, 2010|accessdate=July 8, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100708040322/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/10543100.stm| archivedate= July 8, 2010 | deadurl= no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kuchera |first=Ben |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/07/blizzard-post-about-starcraft-2-use-your-real-name.ars |title=Blizzard: post about StarCraft 2? Use your real name |publisher=Arstechnica.com |date= |accessdate=July 8, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100709020744/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/07/blizzard-post-about-starcraft-2-use-your-real-name.ars| archivedate= July 9, 2010 | deadurl= no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalsomething.com/news/2990.html |title=Blizzard's Real ID Removes Anonymity From Their Forums |publisher=DigitalSomething.com |date= |accessdate=July 8, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629212618/http://www.digitalsomething.com/news/2990.html |archivedate=June 29, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Oli|last=Welsh |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/blizzard-forums-to-require-real-names |title=Blizzard forums to require real names MMO News – Page 1 |publisher=Eurogamer.net |date= |accessdate=July 8, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100710125644/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/blizzard-forums-to-require-real-names| archivedate= July 10, 2010 | deadurl= no}}</ref> This included personal details of a Blizzard employee who gave his real name "to show it wasn't a big deal".<ref>{{cite web|last=Northrup |first=Laura |url=http://consumerist.com/2010/07/you-want-your-real-name-publicly-associated-with-your-world-of-warcraft-account-right.html |title=You Want Your Real Name Publicly Associated With Your World Of Warcraft Account, Right? |publisher=The Consumerist |date= |accessdate=July 8, 2010}}</ref> Shortly after revealing his real name, personal information was posted that included his phone number, picture, age, home address, and other details.<ref name="autogenerated1"/><!--I am not listing the sources for the employee's information here for privacy reasons, but these details have been released on multiple forums--> | |||
| Some technology media outlets suggested the change was a good idea and would benefit both Battle.net and the Blizzard community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kombo.com/article.php?artid=15106 |title=News: Blizzard's Real ID Puts Names to Trolling, Underage Lesbianism |publisher=Kombo.com |date=June 21, 2010 |accessdate=July 8, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081117211650/http://www.kombo.com/article.php?artid=15106 |archivedate=November 17, 2008 |df=mdy }}</ref> Others worried that Blizzard would open their fans up to real-life dangers<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Counter-Strike-FPS-Knife-Fight,10543.html |title=Counter-Strike Gamer Hunts Down, Stabs Man |publisher=Tomshardware.com |date=May 28, 2010 |accessdate=July 8, 2010}}</ref> such as stalking, sexual predators, and employment issues, since a simple Google search by a user's employer would reveal their online activities.<ref name="autogenerated1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/55728/Is-Blizzards-Real-ID-Safe-Or-A-Playground-For-Sexual-Deviants |title=Is Blizzard's Real ID Safe, Or A Playground For Sexual Deviants? – Voodoo Extreme |publisher=Ve3d.ign.com |date= |accessdate=July 8, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100628055329/http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/55728/Is-Blizzards-Real-ID-Safe-Or-A-Playground-For-Sexual-Deviants| archivedate= June 28, 2010 | deadurl= no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geekingoutabout.com/2010/07/06/21st-century-digital-redacted/ |title=Geeking Out About… » 21st Century Digital REDACTED |publisher=Geekingoutabout.com |date=June 28, 2010 |accessdate=July 8, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100710154407/http://www.geekingoutabout.com/2010/07/06/21st-century-digital-redacted/| archivedate= July 10, 2010 | deadurl= no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.techeye.net/security/blizzard-forces-users-to-show-real-names |title=Blizzard forces users to show real names – Internet security they have heard of it |publisher=TechEye |date= |accessdate=July 8, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100710213846/http://www.techeye.net/security/blizzard-forces-users-to-show-real-names| archivedate= July 10, 2010 | deadurl= no}}</ref> There was also concern that this would lead to real-life harassment and safety concerns, especially for women and transgender gamers who are already harassed quite often in-game.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Real ID Debacle: What We’ve Learned|url=http://www.geekosystem.com/blizzard-real-id-what-weve-learned/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=True names: identity, safety and Blizzard’s Real ID|url=http://www.metaversejournal.com/2010/07/08/true-names-identity-safety-and-blizzards-real-id/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Aftershock: Blizzard's Real ID policy gaffe rattles on|url=http://www.techworld.com.au/article/352907/aftershock_blizzard_real_id_policy_gaffe_rattles}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Blizzard forces users to show real names|url=http://www.techeye.net/security/blizzard-forces-users-to-show-real-names}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Was Blizzard’s real name decision nothing more than a PR stunt?|url=http://gaming.icrontic.com/article/was-blizzards-real-name-decision-nothing-more-than-a-pr-stunt/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Homophobia and Harassment in the Online Gaming Age|url=http://xboxlive.ign.com/articles/106/1060720p1.html}}</ref> | |||
| Blizzard initially responded to some of the concerns by saying that the changes would not be retroactive to previous posts, that parents could set up the system so that minors cannot post, and that posting to the forums is optional.{{cn|date=January 2016}} However, due to the huge negative response, Blizzard President ] issued a statement rescinding the plan to use real names on Blizzard's forums for the time being.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?sid=1&topicId=25968987278|title=World of Warcraft Forums|publisher=|accessdate=March 24, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Blizzard backs down over gamers using real names|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8806623.stm|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=July 19, 2010 | date=July 9, 2010| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100716002428/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8806623.stm| archivedate= July 16, 2010 | deadurl= no}}</ref> | |||
| ===2012 hacking=== | |||
| During 2012, Blizzard suffered a number of incidents related to security. In May 2012, shortly after ''Diablo III''{{'}}s launch, they discovered a number of accounts that had been hacked using traditional means through password knowledge, with affected game characters being stripped of in-game possessions that could be sold for money. Blizzard noted at this time that those accounts affected did not use their authentication option, and made changes to try to improve security, such as the above authentication requirement for the game's Auction House.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-05-22-blizzard-addresses-diablo-3-account-hacks-outlines-security-measures | title = Blizzard addresses Diablo 3 account hacks, outlines security measures | first = Wesley | last =Yin-Poole | date = May 22, 2012 | accessdate = June 20, 2016 | work = ] }}</ref> A few months later on August 4, 2012, Blizzard reported that their Battle.net servers had been hacked into, with the perpetrators gaining access to some personal information, including user e-mail addresses, answers to security questions, and scrambled passwords, but not enough for user accounts to be compromised, according to Blizzard.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-08-10-battle-net-has-been-hacked-e-mails-compromised | title = Battle.net has been hacked, e-mails compromised | first= Jeffrey | last = Matulef | date = August 10, 2012 | accessdate = June 20, 2016 | work = ] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2408311,00.asp |title=Blizzard's Battle.net Servers Hacked, User Info Stolen |author=Albanesius, Chloe |publisher=] |date=August 10, 2012 |accessdate=August 14, 2012}}</ref> Blizzard required all players on Battle.net in North America to change their password and suggested all users change their security questions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/securityupdate.html |title=Important Security Update |publisher=Blizzard Entertainment |date=August 9, 2012 |accessdate=August 14, 2012}}</ref> | |||
| These security breaches led to a ] against Blizzard in November 2012, claiming that the company was making a profit from the sale of Authenticator devices rather than using the money to enhance the security of their own servers, and that they failed to notify affected users about the August data breach in a timely manner.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-12-blizzard-slams-lawsuit-over-player-security-and-sale-of-battle-net-authenticators | title = Blizzard slams lawsuit over player security and sale of Battle.net Authenticators | first = Wesley | last = Yin-Poole | date = November 12, 2012 | accessdate = June 20, 2016 | work = ] }}</ref> Most of the claims in the suit were summarily dismissed in favor of Blizzard in July 2013, primarily as the plaintiffs could not show any harm they suffered from these breaches, and the remaining claims related to Battle.net Authenticator promotional claims were resolved through mediation. The case was ultimately closed in February 2014.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.classdefenseblog.com/2013/08/failure-to-allege-harm-narrows-data-breach-suit/ | title = Failure to Allege Harm Narrows Data-Breach Suit | first = John | last = Nadolenco | date = August 9, 2013 | accessdate = June 20, 2016 | work = Class Defense Blog | publisher = ] }}</ref> | |||
| == Games by Battle.net version == | |||
| ] | |||
| '''Battle.net Classic''' | |||
| * '']'' | |||
| ** '']'' | |||
| * '']'' | |||
| * '']'' | |||
| ** '']'' | |||
| * '']'' | |||
| ** '']'' | |||
| '''Restricted Chat Functionality''' | |||
| * ''Diablo Shareware'' | |||
| * ''Diablo Spawn'' | |||
| * '']'' | |||
| * ''StarCraft Shareware'' | |||
| * ''StarCraft Spawn'' | |||
| * ''Japanese StarCraft'' (] of a Japanese version of ''StarCraft'') | |||
| * ''Japanese StarCraft Spawn'' | |||
| '''Battle.net 2.0''' | |||
| * '']'' | |||
| ** '']'' | |||
| ** '']'' | |||
| ** '']'' | |||
| ** '']'' | |||
| ** '']'' | |||
| ** '']'' | |||
| * '']'' | |||
| ** '']'' | |||
| * '']'' | |||
| ** '']'' | |||
| ** '']'' | |||
| * '']'' | |||
| * '']'' | |||
| * '']'' | |||
| * '']'' | |||
| * '']''<ref name="polygon-battlenet">{{cite web|title=Destiny 2 is coming to Blizzard’s Battle.net|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/5/18/15657886/destiny-2-blizzard-battle-net-pc-exclusive|website=Polygon|publisher=Vox Media|accessdate=18 May 2017}}</ref> | |||
| == See also == | |||
| * ] | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{reflist|colwidth=30em}} | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| * {{official website|http://www.battle.net/}} | |||
| {{Blizzard Entertainment}} | |||
| {{StarCraft}} | |||
| {{Software digital distribution platforms}} | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||