Why can't you be more specific on your release dates?

While our dates are not specific, we are striving to be as accurate as possible. It is extremely difficult to announce a specific date when a product is still months away from completion, but we do feel that by giving release windows we have found a fair way to relate our expectations for a product's release. We don't want to disappoint our customers by missing a date that simply cannot be precisely estimated at this point in time. As we get closer to the release of a game, we will update the expected release window.

Why does Blizzard Miss Release Dates?

Blizzard sets "release windows" to let people know when we expect a game to be finished. However, our goal at Blizzard is to not release a game until it's ready. While we could release a lower quality product to meet a specific date, we instead choose to work on a game until it meets the high standards that we know Blizzard fans and our development teams demand. When you see release windows coming from Blizzard, keep in mind they will be updated as time goes on -- at first being very vague and becoming more specific as the game nears completion. When you see release dates from other sources, keep in mind that those are simply guesses as to when we will be finished and are also in no way a concrete release date. We encourage you to check the official Blizzard.com website for updates regarding release dates.

What does it mean when a game "Goes Gold"?

This means that a Gold Master has been released to the CD plant for replication. Within a few days silver proof CDs are sent from the plant to our QA group where we do a final check to ensure that no anomalies have been inadvertently introduced into the CD or the code. When the silvers are approved, then the replicator starts pressing the CDs that are then shipped to our operations plant for insertion into the final box. Once the completed package comes off of the production line, it is shipped to stores.

What is Blizzard’s policy on Patches?

Our patches are designed mainly to address bugs or technical issues in the game. Additionally, patches can contain balance changes, new content and performance updates to Battle.net.

How does the Patch process work?

We create a new patch or "build" of the game. We then pass this patch on to our Quality Assurance department that thoroughly tests the patch, running it through a series of detailed check lists. Testing on patches is very important, as we do not want to introduce any additional problems with the release of a patch if at all possible. If Quality Assurance finds a problem with the patch, a new patch (addressing the bugs) is created. This process is continued until a version of the patch that we feel meets Blizzard’s high standards of quality are achieved. Often, patches go through many versions before release.

Why don’t you provide release dates for patches?

It’s very difficult to tell when a patch will be ready. There are several variables that can affect how long it will take to complete a patch, such as:

• How many versions of a patch will be required before it is ready for release?
• Is this the patch we will release, or will we find problems, which will require a new version?
• How long will it take us to fix these new bugs that were discovered in the current patched version?
• Will any other issues come up which will delay us from working on the patch?

While we can make internal estimates on when we believe the patch will be completed, we cannot with 100% certainty predict when it will truly be ready. We do not want to disappoint players by issuing a patch release date or an estimation that we cannot meet. As soon as a patch is ready, we put it up.

Can you give us regular updates on the patch process?

While we realize that some people would like to be involved and informed about every phase of the development of a patch, we do not typically give regular updates on the status of patches. It is not that we want to keep players in the dark, but - just as with all our products - we are constantly fine-tuning even our patches; what is in one day might not be in the next. We do not have the resources to respond to individual status-update requests, but we’ll do our best to post statements about large bugs that affect the whole community should they arise. As always, as soon as a patch is ready, we put it up without delay.

Why do you sometimes announce patches and other times do not mention them until they are released?

We make announcements concerning patches when a major problem or bug is discovered and want to let players know that we are aware of the problem and are working to fix them. If we are working on minor bugs, we tend to simply get them fixed and not announce every aspect of the game on which we are working.

Can you tell me what the current status of a bug is, are you aware of it, or when will it be fixed?

It would simply be too overwhelming to respond to every inquiry we receive and so, we cannot provide status reports on specific bugs. We do appreciate our community helping us tune the game after it has released and ask that all bugs be reported to Blizzard Technical Support.

Do you have any plans to make a StarCraft Movie or any other movies?

We are very interested in taking our worlds and characters into other realms of entertainment, but as with any of our projects, we seek to work with the best talent available. While we would love to bring StarCraft, Warcraft and Diablo to the screen, we will do so only when we find the right partners.

Do you have any plans for more Expansions to StarCraft?

No.

Where is the best place to find information on Diablo II: Lord of Destruction?

Diablo II: Lord of Destruction information can be found at the Arreat Summit.

Where is the best place to find information on StarCraft and StarCraft: Brood War?

The StarCraft FAQ at http://www.battle.net/scc/faq/ is a great source of information. StarCraft Strategy can be found in our StarCraft Compendium (http://www.battle.net/scc/). If you are having problems with the game, head to http://www.blizzard.com/support/ for updated StarCraft technical support. Any other questions regarding StarCraft should be sent to Blizzard Technical Support.

Where is the best place to find information on Warcraft II?

Warcraft II strategy can be found in The Dark Portal (http://www.battle.net/war2/) If you are having problems with the game, head to http://www.blizzard.com/support/ for updated Warcraft technical support. Any other questions regarding Warcraft should be sent to Blizzard Technical Support.

Can I use the Dos Version of Warcraft II to play on Battle.net?

No. To play Warcraft II on Battle.net, you will need Warcraft II Battle.net Edition.

How does Blizzard feel about Hacking and Cheating?

We have always received numerous questions about Blizzard's stance on cheats and hacks. And we want to clarify our position about the cheating that takes place over Battle.net. We believe that multiplayer cheats and hacks undermine the basic rules of fair play and detract from the spirit of true competition.

Since Battle.net launched with Diablo over three years ago, we have remained dedicated to attacking cheating on multiple fronts. We know that our first line of defense is to make our games more secure. With each new game, we make great strides towards creating games that cannot be cracked.

Our top priority is to continue to evolve Battle.net and our products to minimize the use of cheats. With the release of Diablo II, we introduced a new Client/Server model called Realms to the Battle.net architecture designed to address many of these issues. Additionally, since we believe that these cheats may violate our end user license agreement as well as federal copyright law, we are taking a much more aggressive approach to stopping the proliferation of cheats and hacks over the Internet.

Much of Battle.net's success has been rooted in the strength of its community. We encourage players not to use cheats and hacks on Battle.net. Also, if you know of a webpage developing or hosting hacks, please let us know via hacks@blizzard.com. We believe that through our ongoing efforts to eliminate cheating combined with the Battle.net community taking a zero-tolerance stance, we can minimize the effects of cheating on Battle.net now and in the future.

How does Blizzard feel about StarCraft Total Conversions, or Diablo mods?

We've seen some very polished and fun conversions for our games, and have no problems with total conversions, so long as they are for personal use and do not infringe our End User License Agreement included in our games, nor the rights of any other parties including copyrights, trademarks or other rights. If you have any other legal questions regarding Blizzard Entertainment or our products, please see our Legal FAQ (http://www.blizzard.com/legalfaq.shtml)

Where do I report Ladder Disconnectors and Abusers?

Go here for details.

Can I submit a map I have built to be the Blizzard Map of the week?

We are not currently accepting user created maps for our official Map of the Week. Users can submit maps to our Authorized maps sites:

• Authorized StarCraft Maps Site (http://www.starcraft.org/scums/maps.shtml)
  

What happened to Warcraft Adventures?

Following an intensive and very serious review of the game, Blizzard decided to stop development on Warcraft Adventures. We determined that, given the game's status and the rapidly changing technology of the industry, it would not be possible to complete development of the title within a reasonable time frame.

While this was an extremely difficult decision, we firmly believe that we cannot release a game that does not meet the exceptionally high standards that both our customers, and we, expect from the Blizzard label.

Stopping development on this game was not a decision that was taken lightly. It was a hard call to make, but each of us knows that it was the right choice. We hope that Warcraft fans will consider our track record and trust our judgment on ending the project.

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