Diablo II Final Beta Testing Monday

Yesterday, Blizzard announced plans to begin stress testing Diablo II's Battle.net. This will be the final phase of Diablo II beta testing, and the company's largest public beta test to date. Beginning on May 1, 100,000 players will have their chance to register for this final Battle.net test, prior to the launch of Diablo II. You may signup here starting Monday.

The beta signup is scheduled for a seven-day period exclusively on ZDNet's site, GameSpot beginning on Monday, May 1 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific and ending Sunday, May 7 at 9:00 p.m. Pacific. Worldwide applications will be accepted. Only one submission per person will be allowed, and selected testers will be notified via email.

The beta will only be playable over Battle.net and will include the Barbarian character, as well as portions of the game's first act. The purpose of this stress test is to ensure the stability of Battle.net servers worldwide.

Diablo II is the second installment of Blizzard's Diablo. Players return to a dark world plagued by evil forces. "After possessing the body of the hero who defeated him, Diablo resumes his nefarious scheme to shackle humanity into unholy slavery by joining forces with the other Prime Evils, Mephisto and Baal. Players face a new series of quests to rid the world of Diablo and his vile brethren forever."