View source for Battle.net

{{Stub/Other}}
{{Infobox website
 | width = 
 | name = Battle.net
 | logo =  Logo_battlenet.png
 | logosize = 150px
 | url = http://battle.net
 | alturls = [http://us.battle.net http://us.battle.net] (US)<br>[http://eu.battle.net http://eu.battle.net] (EU)
 | type = Account Mgmt, Database, Forum, Info, News
 | registration = Free<sup>&Dagger;</sup><br/><sup>&Dagger;</sup> ''some features not available without active game subscription''
 | created = 
 | maintainer = [[Blizzard Entertainment]]
 | alexa = 525
 | alexadate = 14-Mar-2011
}}
{{Blizz Official|size=40px}}
'''Battle.net''' is [[Blizzard Entertainment]]'s centralized account system for all their online games including ''[[World of Warcraft]]''. For the {{texttip|time being|Last checked September 12, 2015}} the old site is still online for usage at [http://classic.battle.net/ classic.battle.net] (the EU version is no longer available).

== Upcoming ==
[[File:Badge_battlenet.png|right]]
{{Sectionstub}}

== Less Battle.net, more Blizzard ==
{{sectionstub}}
[[Blizz]]ard is moving away from using the "Battle.net" name for feature branding purposes and using "Blizzard" instead. Some early examples are "[[Blizzard Streaming]]" and "[[Blizzard Voice]]".<ref name="bnetBrandingTransition">{{ref web|work=WorldofWarcraft.com (US)|url=https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/20297652/battle-net-update|title=“Battle.net” Update|author=[[Blizzard Entertainment]]|date=21-Sep-2016}}</ref> The new name for Battle.net hasn't been formally announced.

Due to the slow transition away from using the Battle.net brand for some form of "Blizzard" branding, it is not clear how much of [[Blizz]]ard web properties will stay and how much will transition to some other name.<ref name="ditchingBattleNet">{{ref web|work=PCGamer.com|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/blizzard-is-ditching-the-battlenet-name-in-favor-of-blizzard-tech/|title=Blizzard is ditching the Battle.net name in favor of "Blizzard tech"|author=[http://www.pcgamer.com/author/anchalk/ Andy Chalk]|date=21-Sept-2016}}</ref><ref name="battleNetUpdate">{{ref web|work=WorldofWarcraft.com|url=https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/20297652/battle-net-update|title=“Battle.net” Update|author=[[Blizzard Entertainment]]|date=21-Sept-2016}}</ref> However, as of mid-late 2017, the transition will feature a "Blizzard Battle.net" brand of some sort before Battle.net disappears, which may add confusion before clarity.<ref name="blizzBnetUpdate">{{ref web|work=WorldofWarcraft.com|url=https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/20972461/blizzard-battle-net-update|title=Blizzard Battle.net Update|author=[[Blizzard Entertainment]]|date=14-Aug-2017}}</ref> The preventing of comments to the announcement article<ref name="blizzBnetUpdate" /> and lack of detail makes it anyone's guess what the changes will look like. The gaming media consensus appears to think that Blizzard is pulling back from the rebranding.<ref name="vergeReviveBnet">{{ref web|work=The Verge|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/8/14/16147102/blizzard-entertainment-battle-net-pc-gaming-online-service-rebranding|title=Blizzard revives Battle.net and admits it made a mistake with rebranding|author=[https://www.theverge.com/users/nickstatt Nick Statt]|date=14-Aug-2017, 8:10pm EDT}}</ref><ref>https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/08/blizzard-brings-back-the-battle-net-name-it-never-really-got-rid-of/</ref><ref>https://www.gamespot.com/articles/blizzards-battlenet-gets-a-new-name-again/1100-6452520/</ref><ref>https://www.polygon.com/2017/8/14/16145854/blizzard-battle-net-name</ref>
[[File:Blizzard_logo_and_Battle-net_logo.jpg|thumb|center|480px|Top of Battle.net website as of Aug 2017]]

== Battle.net API ==
{{main|Battle.net API}}
A way to programmatically get data from Battle.net via the web.

== Battle.net Balance ==
{{main|Battle.net Balance}}
Starting with the [[Diablo franchise|Diablo III]] beta test, a new feature called [[Battle.net Balance]] is available to store virtual currency purchased with real money to buy game-related services ([[Paid character transfer service|character transfers]], digital products like [[companion]]s and [[mount]]s, and previously to purchase items in Diablo III's now removed real-money auction house).

== Battle.net desktop app ==
{{main|Battle.net desktop app}}
A multi-launcher hub for [[Blizz]]ard games that gives new and status info.

== Battle.net Gift Card ==
{{main|Battle.net Gift Card}}
A plastic or virtual gift card for use in recharging your [[Battle.net Balance]].

== Battle.net Mobile Authenticator ==
{{main|Battle.net Mobile Authenticator}}
A mobile authenticator app for [[Blizz]]ard games.

== Battle.net Shop ==
{{main|Battle.net Shop}}
Online store for Blizzard virtual goods. See [[Blizzard Gear]] for info on the store for physical goods.

== World of Warcraft ==
=== Account merge available ===
Since spring 2009 ''[[World of Warcraft]]'' players can merge their accounts with their [[Battle.net]] account. The procedure is as followed, note that it cannot be reversed:

''These steps may have changed.''
#Create a Battle.net account
#Click the "Merge World of Warcraft account"
#Enter your ''[[World of Warcraft]]'' details
#Click the confirm button
#You now login with your Battle.net account in ''[[World of Warcraft]]''.

=== Required merge ===
On Oct. 12, 2009, it was announced that WoW accounts would need to be converted into Battle.net accounts within 30 days. This is mandatory, as a Battle.net account will be required to log into the game after Nov. 11, and anyone who wants to start a new WoW account has to make a Battle.net account first. Anyone who had converted their account before Nov. 11 would be mailed in-game a new [[penguin]] [[companion]] in thanks for converting early, starting later the week of the announcement.<ref>{{blizzforumlink|topicId=20433765714|postId=203017518385|sid=1#0|subject=0. WoW Battle.net Conversion Coming|datetime=10/12/2009 12:01:06 PM PDT|author=Bornakk}}</ref> The first {{item|icon=|Unhatched Mr. Chilly}} companions were mailed to players three days later, on Oct. 15, 2009.

Once your WoW account has been converted, the current expansion that you play will show up as a 'merged game' in your Battle.net account. If your WoW account has an [[authenticator]] attached to it, it will also be transferred over.

=== New Community Sites ===
On Dec. 4, 2010, it was announced that the World of Warcraft community sites (previously at <tt>http&#58;//www.worldofwarcraft.com</tt> and <tt>http&#58;//www.wow-europe.com</tt>) would now be hosted on Battle.net:<ref name="EUannounce">[http://eu.battle.net/wow/en/blog/1091062 The New World of Warcraft Community Site] by Blizzard Entertainment // 04-Dec-2010 07:48:09 UTC</ref><ref name="USannounce">[http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/1334974 The New World of Warcraft Community Site] by Blizzard Entertainment // Dec 4, 2010 7:05:40 AM UTC</ref>
* <tt>http://us.battle.net/wow/en</tt>
* <tt>http://eu.battle.net/wow/en</tt>

=== Change of look ===
Around mid-January 2014, the look of the front page blog listing and the bylines on the {{wow-inline}} <tt>battle.net</tt> community sites. The listing added larger thumbnails on the left and the bylines were simplified (originally in the US form "by ''author'' ''month'' #, ''year'' ''hh:mm'' AM/PM ''TZ''" and changed to "''author'' ''MM''/''DD''/''YYYY''"; EU form "by ''author'' # ''month'' ''YYYY'' ''hh:mm'' ''TZ''" and changed to "''author'' ''DD''/''MM''/''YYYY''").

== Old Games ==
If you still have your old [[Blizzard Entertainment|''Blizzard'']] games, you can add ([https://us.battle.net/account/management/add-game.xml US], [https://eu.battle.net/account/management/add-game.xml EU]) their (CD-)key to your Battle.net account so the both are linked together.

== Starcraft II beta opt-in ==
When the [[StarCraft franchise|''Starcraft II'']] beta was upcoming, [[Blizzard Entertainment|''Blizzard'']] allowed people with a battle.net account to opt-in for it. However they require you to have at least 1 [[Blizzard Entertainment|''Blizzard'']] game linked with your battle.net account.

== Store ==
Your Battle.net account is directly linked to your [[Blizzard Store]] account and purchases should show up on your Battle.net account. So far [[Battle.net Balance]] cannot be used to purchase from the Blizzard Store.<ref name="bnetBalanceFAQ">{{ref web|work=[[Battle.net Support]] (US)|url=https://us.battle.net/support/en/article/battle-net-balance-faq|title=Battle.net Balance FAQ (Article ID: 783)|author=[[Blizzard Entertainment]]|date=8-Mar-2013}}<br/>&nbsp; &nbsp;{{ref web|work=[[Battle.net Support]] (EU)|url=https://eu.battle.net/support/en/article/battle-net-balance-faq|title=Battle.net Balance FAQ (Article ID: 783)|author=[[Blizzard Entertainment]]|date=09-Mar-2013}}</ref>

== Criticisms ==
* Many features of the old community sites have not been added back.
** There were many pages describing basic aspects like item quality, intros to in-game holiday events, zone level recommendations, and maps.
* Not all lore pages on the old community sites have been added back.
** Some examples are short stories like [[The War Effort]], [[Rise of the Lich King]], and [[Glory]]
** Also missing are background lore like the [[Troll Compendium]] and the [[Warcraft Encyclopedia]].
* Search has less functionality in some areas than old community sites.
** There is no advanced search (not requiring special codes) for the forums.
* New versions of previous [[Blizz]]ard single-player games (Diablo III, StarCraft 2) are now force to connect to Battle.net for authentication continuously while playing the game, even when no actual gameplay content is being provided over the network.

== Media ==
=== Videos ===
;Account security&#58; General tips - World of Warcraft (WoW) / Battle.net
''By [http://www.youtube.com/user/BlizzardTutorial BlizzardTutorial]''
[[File:Account security General tips - World of Warcraft (WoW) Battle.net|320px]]

== Notes ==
* Chrome 50 (through 53?) cannot log into <tt>battle.net</tt>.<ref>http://us.battle.net/forums/en/wow/topic/20749266448#post-19</ref><ref>https://bugs.chromium.org/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=580770</ref>
* For previously single-player games, Battle.net also serves as the authentication web site to play recent [[Blizz]]ard games.{{fact}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== See also ==
* [[Battle.net API]]
* [[Battle.net Balance]]
* [[Battle.net desktop app]]
* [[Battle.net Gift Card]]
* [[Battle.net Mobile Authenticator]]
* [[Battle.net Shop]]
* [[Official forums]]
* [[Official site]]
* [[Support]]

== External links ==
<!-- Read http://www.wowwiki.com/WoWWiki:External_links before posting your links here.

Links that do not conform to the rules will be DELETED.
Repeat violations may result in a BAN.
Have a nice day. :) -->
{| style="background-color:#222; padding:12px;"
|- valign="top"
|style="background-color:#111;" width="55%"|
=== Main site ===
|style="background-color:#111;" width="45%"|
=== Support ===
|- valign="top"
|style="background-color:#222;"|
;US
{{elink|icon=bnetwowus|site=New Battle.net World of Warcraft community site|link=http://us.battle.net/wow/en/|desc=(US)}}
;EU
{{elink|icon=bnetwoweu|site=New Battle.net World of Warcraft community site|link=http://eu.battle.net/wow/en/|desc=(EU, en)}}
|style="background-color:#222;"|
;US
{{elink|prefix=&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;|icon=bnetus|site=Battle.net|link=http://us.battle.net/support/en/|desc=Support (US)}}
;EU
{{elink|prefix=&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;|icon=bneteu|site=Battle.net|link=http://eu.battle.net/support/en/|desc=Support (EU, en)}}
|- valign="top"
|style="background-color:#181818;"|
=== FAQs ===
|style="background-color:#181818;"|
=== Security ===
|- valign="top"
|style="background-color:#282828;"|
;US
{{elink|icon=bnetus|site=Battle.net|link=http://us.battle.net/en/faq/|desc=Battle.net Account FAQ (US)}}
{{elink|prefix=&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;|type=bnetsupportus|link=https://us.battle.net/support/en/article/creating-a-battle-net-account|desc=Creating a Battle.net Account|bydate=<br/>Updated: Jul 20, 2012; Article ID: 599}}
;EU
{{elink|icon=bneteu|site=Battle.net|link=http://eu.battle.net/en/faq/|desc=Battle.net Account FAQ (EU, en)}}
{{elink|prefix=&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;|type=bnetsupporteu|link=https://eu.battle.net/support/en/article/creating-a-battlenet-account|desc=Creating a Battle.net Account|bydate=<br/>Updated: 23-Feb-2012, Article ID: 300567}}
|style="background-color:#282828;"|
;US
{{elink|prefix=&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;|icon=bnetus|site=Battle.net|link=http://us.battle.net/en/security|desc=Security (US)}}
;EU
{{elink|prefix=&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;|icon=bneteu|site=Battle.net|link=http://eu.battle.net//en/security|desc=Security (EU, en)}}
|- valign="top"
|style="background-color:#111;"|
=== EULA ===
|style="background-color:#111;"|
=== Old ===
''End-User License Agreement''
|- valign="top"
|style="background-color:#222;"|
;US
{{elink|type=blizzus|link=http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/legal/eula.html|desc=BATTLE.NET&reg; END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT|bydate=Last Revised: August 1st, 2013}}
;EU
{{elink|type=blizzeu|link=http://eu.blizzard.com/en-gb/company/legal/eula.html|desc=BATTLE.NET END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT}}
|style="background-color:#222;"|
;US
<span id="classic">{{elink|prefix=&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;|icon=classicbnet|site=Classic.Battle.net|link=http://classic.battle.net/|desc=Old Community Site (US)}}</span>
{{elink|prefix=&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;|icon=bnet|site=Battle.net Forums (old)|link=http://forums.battle.net/|desc=(US and EU English)}}
;EU
{{elink|prefix=&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;|type=blizzard|link=http://eu.blizzard.com/en/battlenet/|desc=<s>Old Community Site (EU)</s><br/>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;|bydate=''no longer available''}}
{{elink|prefix=&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;|icon=bnet|site=Battle.net Forums (old)|link=http://forums.battle.net/index.html?sid=3001|desc=(EU, Fran&ccedil;ais/French)}}
{{elink|prefix=&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;|icon=bnet|site=Battle.net Forums (old)|link=http://forums.battle.net/index.html?sid=3002|desc=(EU, Espa&ntilde;ol/Spanish)}}
{{elink|prefix=&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;|icon=bnet|site=Battle.net Forums (old)|link=http://forums.battle.net/index.html?sid=3004|desc=(EU, Deutsch/German)}}
|-
|colspan="2" style="background-color:#181818;"|
=== News ===
|- valign="top"
|colspan="2" style="background-color:#282828;"|
{{elink|icon=theverge|site=The Verge|link=https://www.theverge.com/2017/8/14/16147102/blizzard-entertainment-battle-net-pc-gaming-online-service-rebranding|desc=Blizzard revives Battle.net and admits it made a mistake with rebranding|bydate=by [https://www.theverge.com/users/nickstatt Nick Statt] Aug 14, 2017, 8:10pm EDT}}
{{elink|type=newwowus|link=https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/20972461/blizzard-battle-net-update|desc=Blizzard Battle.net Update|bydate=by [[Blizzard Entertainment]] August 14th, 2017}}
{{elink|icon=blizznewsus|site=Blizzard News (US)|link=https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/blizzard/20972460/blizzard-battle-net-update|desc=Blizzard Battle.net Update|bydate=[[Blizzard Entertainment]] August 14, 2017}}
{{elink|icon=theverge|site=The Verge|link=https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/18/15659404/destiny-2-battlenet-blizzard-activision-exclusive-pc-online-gameplay|desc=Destiny 2 will exclusively be available on PC through Blizzard’s Battle.net|bydate=by [https://www.theverge.com/users/Chaim%20Gartenberg Chaim Gartenberg] May 18, 2017, 2:11pm EDT}}
{{elink|icon=pcgamer|site=PCGamer.com|link=http://www.pcgamer.com/the-story-of-battlenet/|desc=The story of Battle.net|bydate=By [http://www.pcgamer.com/author/wes-fenlon/ Wes Fenlon] December 6, 2016}}
{{elink|icon=pcgamer|site=PCGamer.com|link=http://www.pcgamer.com/blizzard-is-ditching-the-battlenet-name-in-favor-of-blizzard-tech/|desc=Blizzard is ditching the Battle.net name in favor of "Blizzard tech"|bydate=By [http://www.pcgamer.com/author/anchalk/ Andy Chalk] September 21, 2016}}
{{elink|type=newwowus|link=https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/20297652/battle-net-update|desc=“Battle.net” Update|bydate=[[Blizzard Entertainment]] September 21st, 2016}}
{{elink|type=bnetwowus|link=http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/7298255/Battlenet_Account_Security_Refresher-9_20_2012|desc=Battle.net Account Security Refresher|bydate=by {{blizz}} [[Lylirra]], Sep 20, 2012 7:00 AM PDT}}
{{elink|type=bnetwowus|link=http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/7315729/%E2%80%9CAppear_Offline%E2%80%9D_Option_Coming_Soon_to_Battlenet-9_20_2012|desc=“Appear Offline” Option Coming Soon to Battle.net|bydate=by [[Blizzard Entertainment]], Sep 20, 2012 6:00 AM PDT}}
{{elink|type=bnetwoweu|link=http://eu.battle.net/wow/en/blog/5891817/%E2%80%9CAppear_Offline%E2%80%9D_Option_Coming_Soon_to_Battlenet-20_09_2012|desc=“Appear Offline” Option Coming Soon to Battle.net|bydate=by [[Blizzard Entertainment]], 20 Sep 2012 13:58 BST}}
{{elink|icon=bneteu|site=Official Diablo III Community site (EU)|link=http://eu.battle.net/d3/en/blog/3746120/PayPal_Now_Available_on_European_Battlenet-23_02_2012|desc=PayPal Now Available on European Battle.net|bydate=by [[Blizzard Entertainment]], 23 Feb 2012 15:02 UTC}}
{{elink|type=bnetwowus|link=http://us.battle.net/wow/en/blog/4067072/Coming_Soon_Battlenet_Balance-12_9_2011|desc=Coming Soon: Battle.net Balance|bydate=by [[Blizzard Entertainment]], Dec 9, 2011 8:28 AM PST}}
{{elink|type=bnetwoweu|link=http://eu.battle.net/wow/en/blog/3389813/Coming_Soon_Battlenet_Balance-09_12_2011|desc=Coming Soon: Battle.net Balance|bydate=by [[Blizzard Entertainment]], 09 Dec 2011 19:00 UTC}}
{{elink|site=TeamLiquid.net StarCraft 2 forum|link=http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=128252|desc=A short history of Activision Blizzard or how B.Net 2.0 came to be|bydate=by [http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/profile.php?user=D3xter D3xter] May 30 2010 05:49}}
|}

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[[Category:Battle.net| ]]
[[Category:Blizzard Entertainment]]