At this point some might consider it torture to show even a second of Diablo 3 in action, but for those who just can't stand the wait another minute, we've got good news. Access to Diablo 3's beta may not be available to every single fan of Blizzard's highly anticipated dungeon-crawler, but at least now we know what to expect. Footage and screenshots of the Beta layout, interfaces, character types and even a few gameplay screenshots have leaked online for the detail-starved masses.

There are few games properties that could be in development for as long as Diablo 3 has been without enraging the loyal fans, but this is no ordinary franchise. Every major MMO developer has learned the hard way that it's nearly impossible to take a bite out of World of Warcraft's player population, yet Blizzard themselves acknowledge that Diablo 3 will do just that.

We won't make any similar predictions just yet, but from the newly leaked footage of the Diablo 3 Beta, it's clear that the sleek and simplistic interfaces the company has become known for are alive and well in the newest installment. We still don't know just when Diablo 3 will be released, but thanks to ForceStrategy we have a much better idea of what to expect.

Have a look at the leaked Beta footage now:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4aYbyso_YE

While the video is likely to raise more questions than it answers among hardcore fans, it does give a good indication of how many of the game's online features will be implemented and accessed by the players. For instance, Diablo 3 requiring an internet connection to play makes a bit more sense when seeing how the game handles its matchmaking. We're not defending Blizzard's decision, just pointing out that the game settings illustrate how integral online play will be fore the series going forward.

The leaked footage also gives a look at the game's main character classes, and no amount of concept art or cinematic trailers can compare against seeing an in-game model. In case new details or glimpses of the game's environments and creatures are too much for you to bear, we'd recommend avoiding the internet for the next few months. Exact release dates are hard to come by with Blizzard, but we'd venture a guess that the publicity surrounding the game is only going to get bigger.

What do you think of the footage so far? Are there any aspects of the game's story or mechanics that haven't been covered enough for your liking? Leave us your thoughts in the comments.

Diablo 3 is currently scheduled for an external beta beginning this quarter, with a 2012 release seeming more and more likely for the PC. As for consoles, we'll have to wait and see.

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Source: ForceStrategy