Blizzard announced today that the launch of Diablo III has been pushed back to early 2012. The company was originally planning to release the game by the end of this year, but it appears that "'soon' was too soon" for that launch window. Here's a comment from Blizzard co-founder and CEO Mike Morhaime:

"With every game we make, the temptation is always very strong to launch as soon as possible. However, we didn't put so many years of work into Diablo III to release a game that was almost ready. The beta test is going very well, and we look forward to making the most of the extra time we're taking to deliver an experience that lives up to our vision for the game and the expectations of our players. Next year is going to be an incredibly busy one for Blizzard, and we hope an incredibly fun one for Blizzard gamers."

As Morhaime mentioned, this move means that the Diablo III beta will be extended. The beta just kicked off this week, and Mike B. aka Fony focused on it in his latest BFF Report. Watch BFF Report Episode 82: Diablo III Beta to see the game in action and hear Fony's thoughts on his beta experience.

Mike B. aka Fony got into the Diablo III beta that launched this week, so you know it's the focus of his latest BFF Report. Fony played some co-op with TankSpot's Josh "Lore" Allen and gives an overview of his beta experience. He also discovers what he considers to be some rather curious design flaws involving the new stat/skill system and, in true BFF Report format, demonstrates them accordingly.

Click here to watch BFF Report Episode 82: Diablo III Beta!

UPDATE: Blizzard just announced that the Diablo III launch has been pushed back to early 2012, which means the beta will be extended.

Blizzard has released a preview of the Paladin Tier 13 armor set that will be available in World of Warcraft Patch 4.3. You can click on the above image to view a larger version. Here's their description of the Battleplate of Radiant Glory:

"Design requested a set to ‘key off the Guardian of Ancient Kings summon,’ and I though the concept of ‘feathered’ plate mail, rendered in silver and gold, would create an aggressive, yet sweeping and powerful silhouette. The previous paladin raid set had a good deal of cloth, but we wanted this set to be entirely platemail.

The key to a strong paladin tier is hitting a balance between martial prowess and elegant grace -- tapping into that classic Arthurian knight archetype."

In addition to the Tier 13 reveal, Blizzard has posted a visual guide to paladin Tiers 1-12 for Transmogrification purposes. You can view the paladin's armor history after the jump, and check out Wowhead's guide to find all your old tier gear. Also, be sure to browse through all of the currently released Tier 13 previews.

Blizzard just announced that the Diablo III beta test is officially under way! The team will be selecting players who have opted in via their Battle.net accounts, and they'll also be providing keys through promotions and giveaways. The testing process will occur in phases, so there's still time to sign up!

If you get into the beta, you're free to openly discuss your gameplay experiences and share in-game footage since there isn't a non-disclosure agreement. If it's in the beta, it's fair game!

Of course, Blizzard reminds all players to be wary of phishing attempts related the the beta. If you think you'd received an invite, log into your Battle.net account and check your status instead of clicking any suspicious links. if you were sent a key, attempt to add it manually by going to the Add or Upgrade a Game section of the Battle.net account management page.

Are you ready to take the fight to Deathwing? We hope so, because that's what you'll be doing in World of Warcraft Patch 4.3. Blizzard has released detailed blog entries outlining the three 5-player dungeons that will take you through time and lead to an epic raid and the assault on Deathwing himself.

The three level 85 Heroic 5-player instances will have you traveling into both the future and past to steal the Dragon Soul and use it against Deathwing. Players must quest through these dungeons sequentially to unlock access to them in the Dungeon Finder, ultimately leading to the 10- and 25-player raid with three levels of difficulty. Here's a brief overview:

1. End Time (5-man dungeon): Before you can travel to the past to find the Dragon Soul, you'll be whisked to a desolate future to see firsthand what happens to Dragonblight if Deathwing emerges victorious. You'll even fight familiar leaders like Sylvanas, Tyrande, Jaina and Baine.
2. Well of Eternity (5-man dungeon): Players will travel 10,000 years into the past to Azshara's palace to assist the much younger Tyrande and Illidan in a battle against the Highborne and Burning Legion. It's your job to fight bosses like Azshara and Mannoroth and obtain the Dragon Soul that's floating above the Well of Eternity. Of course, you can't stop the chain of events that lead to the Great Sundering and the creation of the Maelstrom.
3. Hour of Twilight (5-man dungeon): You'll then make your way back to present-day Dragonblight, which is now under a full invasion by the Twilight's Hammer. Players must escort Thrall and the Dragon Soul safely to Wyrmrest Temple, where the assault on Deathwing is to commence.
4. Dragon Soul (10- and 25-man raid): The remaining Dragon Aspects have gathered at Wyrmrest Temple to empower the Dragon Soul in an attempt to stop Deathwing. Players must thwart the attacking forces long enough for Thrall to charge the Dragon Soul. You'll have to defeat six bosses before you can take on the behemoth himself. The Deathwing fight is comprised of two unique encounters; the first will take place mid-flight, and the final encounter will be held in the depths of the Maelstrom.

Blizzard has released a preview of the Rogue Tier 13 armor set that will be available in World of Warcraft Patch 4.3. You can click on the above image to view a larger version. Here's their description of the Blackfang Battleweave:

"A 'bat-themed' armor set for rogues seems like a no-brainer, but we were careful to skirt the more obvious inspirations. World of Warcraft often makes playful references to pop culture, but it’s important -- particularly with player gear -- that what we create has integrity within our universe. Rogues look good in close-fitting masks, collars, and cowls rather than elaborate armored helms. It also helps reinforce the rogue's sneaky silhouette if the shoulder pads have a streamlined shape... even if that shape has sharp, bladed details."

In addition to the Tier 13 reveal, Blizzard has posted a visual guide to rogue Tiers 1-12 for Transmogrification purposes. You can view the rogue's armor history after the jump, and check out Wowhead's guide to find all your old tier gear. Also, be sure to browse through all of the currently released Tier 13 previews.

Yarrr! Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and Blizzard is once again celebrating in World of Warcraft with the Pirates' Day in-game event. The festivities will only be held today, September 19, so be sure to log in and head to Booty Bay to share a drink with Dread Captain DeMeza. Completing this act will give you a 12-hour pirate costume buff and The Captain's Booty achievement.

If you want truly want to embrace this international holiday, take a moment to learn how to talk like a pirate. Shiver me timbers!

Blizzard has released a preview of the Mage Tier 13 armor set that will be available in World of Warcraft Patch 4.3. You can click on the above image to view a larger version. Here's their description of the Timelord Regalia:

"It’s fun to put a spin on any caster class that moves it away from the usual wizardly archetype, and this set provided the perfect opportunity to do just that. Gnomish clockwork technology is an established part of the Warcraft universe, but it’s not something we’ve incorporated into a tier of player armor before. The combination of moving cogs, quilted fabric, and lots of buckled straps give the set an intriguing 'techno-mage' flavor."

In addition to the Tier 13 reveal, Blizzard has posted a visual guide to mage Tiers 1-12 for Transmogrification purposes. You can view the mage's armor history after the jump, and check out Wowhead's guide to find all your old tier gear. Also, be sure to browse through all of the currently released Tier 13 previews.

Blizzard has released a preview of the Shaman Tier 13 armor set that will be available in World of Warcraft Patch 4.3. You can click on the above image to view a larger version. Here's their description of the Spiritwalker’s Vestments:

"The best shaman sets are a mix of the animal and the elemental. This tier combines huge wolf-skull shoulder pads, bone fetishes, and fur with glowing shards of amber crystal. The entire set is lashed together with lengths of rope and heavily stitched leather, which lends the set a savage bearing."

In addition to the Tier 13 reveal, Blizzard has posted a visual guide to shaman Tiers 1-12 for Transmogrification purposes. You can view the shaman's armor history after the jump, and check out Wowhead's guide to find all your old tier gear. Also, be sure to browse through all of the currently released Tier 13 previews.

The recently launched Diablo III community site was just updated with all sorts of new content! The Game section of the site now includes an overview of Diablo III, class rundowns and a skill calculator. Here's a list of the new features you'll find:

• The “What’s New in Diablo III?” section: Are you new to the Diablo series? Did you play Diablo or Diablo II? Are you curious about what's different in Diablo III, and what's stayed the same? Then be sure to read this section.
• The Game Guide: This now includes everything you need to know about Diablo III's hero classes such as active skills, passive skills and key class features. It also has a wealth of screenshots, gameplay videos, artwork, lore, unique equipment breakdowns, armor progression previews, and resource overviews.
• Skill Calculator: Explore unique builds for your favored class by selecting active skills, Runestones, and passive skills. Once you've created your build, you can share it with your friends.

Blizzard also just announced that "in most regions, PayPal will be our payment-service partner for the Diablo III auction house, allowing players who trade with real-world currency the ability to cash out the spoils of their battle-torn adventures via a PayPal account. PayPal will also soon be added in several regions as a payment option on Battle.net, providing another convenient and secure payment method for digital purchases of Blizzard products and services."