New battle.net FAQ from Blizzard

Blizzard's multiplayer matching service underwent a major revision last week. We've got the details on all the Battle.net changes.

A: As part of our ongoing improvements to Battle.net, we are introducing a centralized account system that will let players manage all of their Blizzard Entertainment games, including World of Warcraft and future games, in one place without having to remember multiple sets of login information.

Q: What are the benefits of creating and using a Battle.net Account?
A: The new Battle.net Account allows you to log in to World of Warcraft, manage purchases at the online Blizzard Store, keep track of CD keys for your Blizzard Entertainment games, access our websites (such as the World of Warcraft Armory), opt in to upcoming beta tests, and more using a single login -- just your email address and a password. In the future, we plan to add more features, including tools to make it easier for friends to communicate between games and to help bring our community of players closer together.

Q: Are these Battle.net Accounts related to Blizzard Accounts?
A: Battle.net Accounts are an evolution of the existing Blizzard Accounts. If you already use a Blizzard Account, you do not need to create a new Battle.net Account -- the Blizzard Account has been automatically converted, and people with existing Blizzard Accounts have received an email containing more information.

Q: I already have a classic Battle.net account that I made for StarCraft, Warcraft III, and/or Diablo II. Can I just use that?
A: No, the new Battle.net Accounts are separate from classic Battle.net accounts for StarCraft, Warcraft III, and Diablo II. To allow for the Battle.net features we have planned, we've built the new Battle.net Account system from the ground up for World of Warcraft and upcoming games such as StarCraft II and Diablo III. In order to play Warcraft III, Diablo II, and StarCraft on Battle.net, you will still need to log in using your "classic" Battle.net login information.

Q: How are World of Warcraft accounts related to Battle.net Accounts?
A: Think of a Battle.net Account as a keyring that can hold up to 8 World of Warcraft accounts. To merge a World of Warcraft account with a Battle.net Account, visit the Battle.net / World of Warcraft Account Merge page and follow the instructions there. Repeat the process for each World of Warcraft account you wish to merge.

Q: I play World of Warcraft using multiple accounts -- why should I merge all of them into the same Battle.net account?
A: One of our long-term goals for Battle.net is to introduce community and communication features that will make it beneficial for players to have all of the accounts and games they play associated with their own, single online identity. Merging all of your World of Warcraft accounts into one Battle.net account will enable you to take full advantage of these features in the future. We'll have more information to share about our plans in the coming months.

Q: My family plays World of Warcraft together. Should we create a single Battle.net account for all of our World of Warcraft accounts?
A: No. Sharing access to a World of Warcraft account, other than by a parent or guardian with a single minor, is a violation of World of Warcraft's Terms of Use. You should create a separate Battle.net account for each family member's World of Warcraft account. In addition, future Battle.net features will make it beneficial for players to have the Battle.net account they use associated with their own online identity. Creating separate accounts for you and your family ensures you will be able to take advantage of these features when they are introduced later on.

Q: How do I log in to the game after I've merged a World of Warcraft account to a Battle.net Account?
A: After you complete the account merge process, you will use the Battle.net Account information (i.e. the email address and password you designated) to log in to World of Warcraft. The old World of Warcraft account name will no longer be used to log in to the game, the World of Warcraft forums, or the Armory.

Q: How do I log in if I've merged multiple World of Warcraft accounts?
A: After you log in to World of Warcraft using the Battle.net Account, you will be prompted to select which of the merged World of Warcraft accounts you wish to play. Players with multiple World of Warcraft accounts are still able to log in and play them simultaneously.