Diablo 3 launch overloads servers

Turns out, Diablo III is pretty popular. So popular, in fact, that the servers have been overloaded by the flood of clickmaniacs. Still, there as some good news, as Blizzard is helping out Australian pre-orderers after retailer GAME ditched them but kept their money.

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Turns out, Diablo III is pretty popular. So popular, in fact, that the servers have been overloaded by the flood of clickmaniacs trying to play when it launched at midnight. As Diablo III requires players be online to play, even by themselves, there are a lot of sullen faces around this morning, staring glumly at 'Error 37' messages. Still, some are able to play.

There's a little good D3 news in that Blizzard is helping out Australian fans who pre-ordered from GAME, after the failing retailer said it wouldn't honour their orders but would keep their money.

"Due to high concurrency the login servers are currently at full capacity. This may cause delays in the login process, account pages and web services," a Blizzard representative said of Error 37. "We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience while this is being resolved."

A message on the login screen notes, "We're also aware of issues affecting character creation and are working to resolve them at this time." Hang in there, then.

As for the land down under, after GAME entered administration earlier this week, it told Diablo III pre-orders that they wouldn't receive their game, but nor could they get a refund. Blizzard kindly stepped in to save them, explaining that those with proof of preordering can buy a digital copy through Battle.net then submit their GAME receipt for a refund. You'll need to buy before May 21, and send your receipt in by June 30, though.

We'll be bringing you diaries from our adventures in Diablo III--once we can get past Error 37.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    May 15, 2012 2:40 AM

    John Keefer posted a new article, Flood of Diablo 3 players crushes Battle.net.

    The descent into hell took a decidedly different turn early this morning as a the flood of users trying to get into Blizzard's just launched Diablo 3 forced the shutdown of Battle.net for a brief time.

    • reply
      May 15, 2012 2:46 AM

      Good job everybody, our work is done.

    • reply
      May 15, 2012 2:53 AM

      Surprise?

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      May 15, 2012 3:09 AM

      DDOS..........of PROFIT$$$$!$!$!$

    • reply
      May 15, 2012 5:53 AM

      Anyone of the Blizzard-defense-squad wanna come into -this- chat and apologize to me for arguing with me when I was completely right?

      • reply
        May 15, 2012 5:55 AM

        uh. this was practically a given. i'm surprised it didn't last longer.

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          May 15, 2012 6:04 AM

          You can say uh and it was a given all ya want, but just a few weeks ago after the Beta debacle, the BDS were shouting "IT'S JUST A STRESS TEST, THIS DOESN'T REFLECT THE END GAME HUR HUR" and trying to make it out that their best god-kings Activision were going to make everything super-perfect at launch. It was pathetic.

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            May 15, 2012 6:07 AM

            Grow up. Pathetic? Are you mad? A game this popular there are BOUND to be issues when EVERY single clown who pre-ordered the Digital Download tries to log in at the same time. You just don't grasp the enormity of it do you?

            What's pathetic is whining about it like a spoiled kid.

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              May 15, 2012 6:11 AM

              Actually, I logged in just fine ;3

              And I'm not whining, I'm just pointing out they were wrong, and I was right. You sound like the mad one. So mad you couldn't even typed out the -e- in your name when you registered. Just slamming those keys down, huh buddy?

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              May 15, 2012 7:38 AM

              I'm laughing at all you people here who are raging against GigilECheshire.

              "Oh no, GigilE is complaining about a game that I love so much!
              I MUST Criticize him and tell him that he is WRONG for wanting an apology!"


              And you tell HIM to grow up?

              LOL

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                May 15, 2012 7:41 AM

                Most of us are laughing and mocking So mad you couldn't even typed out the -e- in your name when you registered. Just slamming those keys down, huh buddy?

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                May 15, 2012 7:41 AM

                [deleted]

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                May 15, 2012 7:42 AM

                I don't see anyone raging. I see people laughing and making fun of him being dumb.

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                  May 15, 2012 7:49 AM

                  IAWTIDSARISPLAMFOHBD!

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                  May 18, 2012 2:08 AM

                  Well aside from the fact that he did have a reasonably fair point to make...

              • reply
                May 15, 2012 7:44 AM

                its a problem that existed for maybe an hour or two and no longer exists

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                  May 15, 2012 7:51 AM

                  I think the baby tantrum of "I TOLD YOU SO OMG" hasn't run its course yet.

                  we know that server clustering and load balancing technology to support 5 bazillion turbo clicking nerds all at the same time DOES NOT EXIST yet.

                  the scope of these new game launches is just beyond so many folks' comprehension, and the I want it now generation will just never stop to think of what's going on because the world needs to revolve around them

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                May 15, 2012 7:47 AM

                I wish people used the word 'raging' more on the internet when attempting to troll. I don't see it hardly enough.

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                May 15, 2012 7:50 AM

                [deleted]

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                May 15, 2012 7:54 AM

                Jesus, front pagers are out in full force today.

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                May 15, 2012 7:57 AM

                lol

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                May 15, 2012 9:37 AM

                TO THE RSCUE!

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            May 15, 2012 6:24 AM

            why would anyone take it at their word about that? the original WoW and expansions were nothing but server issues in the first week.

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              May 15, 2012 9:22 AM

              And it was a better launch than any other MMO i'd played.

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            May 15, 2012 2:26 PM

            I got this theory, and it serves me well. SHIT... HAPPENS. They can promise whatever they want, it doesn't mean it is going to happen.

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        May 15, 2012 6:25 AM

        Dude, let it go. You don't deserve a cookie, let alone an apology.

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        May 15, 2012 6:38 AM

        whoa check out nostradamus over here. guy predicted server crashes on one of the biggest releases of all time. looks like we've got some kind of badass over here. a maverick, even.

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        May 15, 2012 6:45 AM

        [deleted]

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        May 15, 2012 7:43 AM

        I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry. PLEASE forgive me. My heart will ache until I hear you say it's okay - I was wrong but it's okay and you still love me and this hasn't tainted our love for one another. I was wrong to ever doubt your insight, your almost supernatural sense of video game launch scenarios. I'M CRYING HERE PLEASE SAY SOMETHING DON'T LEAVE ME LIKE THIS PLEASE I WILL DO ANYTHING PLEEEEASE!!!!!!!

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          May 15, 2012 7:55 AM

          Jesus Christ GigiLeCheshire , Say something already. its getting awkward for everyone.

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        May 15, 2012 7:47 AM

        this happened with half-life 2, didn't it? and the portals? and every major MMO like WoW and SWTOR, right?

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        May 15, 2012 7:52 AM

        Seriously though, everyone is being pretty mean but we really all appreciate you for what you did. Way to be right about the servers crashing. I think I can speak for everyone when I say we apologize.

        What's yoru steam account? I'm sure we'd all like to give you a little something for what you did. nice work again *ass slap*.

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        May 15, 2012 9:39 AM

        You're like an internet soothsayer!

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        May 15, 2012 10:54 AM

        You were right. Now go away. Shoo.

      • reply
        May 15, 2012 1:22 PM

        Other predictions by GigiLeCheshire

        1) There will be a political argument thread on Shack today.

        2) Someone will die in Hardcore and lose their level 7 Wizard.

        3) Water will be wet.

        4) Someone will say "bro" to someone who is not, in fact, their brother.

        Holy cow, this guy's 5 for 5.

      • reply
        May 15, 2012 2:58 PM

        [deleted]

    • reply
      May 15, 2012 5:54 AM

      [deleted]

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      May 15, 2012 6:00 AM

      Hmm, came in the post about an hour ago, installed while I made some food, linked it to my BNet, logged in no problem.

      Shame I can't actually play 'till later today as I have shit to do.

      UNHAPPY FACE!

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      May 15, 2012 6:13 AM

      Not surprised.

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        May 15, 2012 7:37 AM

        Yep, glad I didn't bother to stay up until midnight - it was inevitable that this was going to happen, regardless of any level of preparedness that Blizzard might have been at.

    • reply
      May 15, 2012 6:46 AM

      John Keefer is now Alice O'Connor? I KNEW IT ALL ALONG!

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      May 15, 2012 7:04 AM

      Frooooonnnttt ... pagggaaaaahssssssss

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        May 18, 2012 2:09 AM

        Because the chatties are so chock-full of civility and intelligence? Really?

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      May 15, 2012 7:25 AM

      I predict thousands of people get fired from work tomorrow

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      May 15, 2012 7:46 AM

      about 90 minutes of frustration, then 6 hours of happiness, played with my group of bros with no hiccups, lag or any problems. Had a blast, haters gonna hate.

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      May 15, 2012 8:51 AM

      The GAME thing is pretty awesome of Blizzard to cover.

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      May 15, 2012 9:12 AM

      I predict this will never be a problem for The Elder Scrolls Online.

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      May 15, 2012 9:44 AM

      Bummer, but it was already unplayable in single-player with my Hughes satellite internet connection when I played the beta. 3-5 seconds between clicking on something and seeing the action.

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        May 15, 2012 10:30 AM

        umm... satalite is = to dialup...

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          May 15, 2012 10:35 AM

          pretty ridiculous for him to expect to play a single player game without a fiber-optic connection imho

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          May 15, 2012 10:56 AM

          I used to be able to play WoW on Dialup. True story.

    • reply
      May 15, 2012 10:36 AM

      [deleted]

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      May 15, 2012 10:42 AM

      I'm happy my Cheap Ass decided to not pay for Overnight Delivery. Hopefully everything will be sorted when my copy arrives tomorrow.

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      May 15, 2012 10:51 AM

      Oh Blizzard, never change.

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      May 15, 2012 11:31 AM

      Well can't Diablo have some revenge

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      May 15, 2012 3:02 PM

      How about they let people play single player off-line. Fuckers.

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      May 15, 2012 3:07 PM

      Best single player game EVAH!! I haven't had this much fun since I started masturbating with a cheese grater.

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      May 15, 2012 9:22 PM

      When the game works its great. So far however it is really hit and miss. Dealing with random disconnects, emergency maintainence, and lag issues is kind of unacceptable for this type of game.

      This game is suffering all of the problems of a major MMO launch and then some. You would think Blizzard would have been ready for these types of problems given the beta and experience with running online games.

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