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Slashdot.org is one of many sources reporting that the USEast Battle.net Hardcore 'ladder' for RPG Diablo II has become nothing short of a graveyard after a major hack into Battle.net's Realms servers; while the details are unknown. The hack itself seems to be related to the server reset that was due for the non-hardcore ladder yesterday. Unknown hackers are logging in as any manner of character, hardcore or regular, stripping them of their items and then summarily executing their characters, leaving the ladder in a total state of disarray. Blizzard has just released a statement that states they will attempt to revive certain characters that died between the 19th of December and today. Here is an excerpt:

During the past week, some players have experienced character
losses. Instances have ranged from hardcore characters dying, to
the loss of items, skill points and experience in normal
characters.

As of this morning, we can confirm that the problem causing these
losses has been fixed. We recognize that the loss of a hardcore
character or unique items is a cause of great concern to players.
To remedy the situation, we are taking the following steps:

1. Monday, January 8, we will be reviving all hardcore characters
who died between December 19th and January 1st. The restored
hardcore characters will be revived with the experience, skills
and items possessed as of Tuesday, December 19th. This restore
will be automatic and players do not need to contact Blizzard to
request that their character be restored.
Note: Only dead hardcore characters that died between December
19th and January 1st will be revived.

2. In the event that players believe they have lost items, skill
points or experience, we will be providing a mechanism by which
players can manually flag their character to be restored as well.
The restore will occur on Monday, January 8, and will rollback
characters to the way they were saved as of December 19th. Please
check this forum on Wednesday January 3, where we will be posting
information on how you can flag your character to be included in
the rollback.

We apologize for any inconvenience or frustration that this
problem may have caused players. We believe that these solutions
address the majority of losses that have occurred. Please contact
support@blizzard.com if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank You,

Blizzard Entertainment

Blizzard Statement on US East Realm Hack

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