The information provided by MasterPainKiller is correct.

However, to clarify the situation after numerous questions, I will provide a translation of the FAQ for the beta open testing, which was posted on the official UbiSoft forum.

• Testing will begin on 01/23/2006 at 18:00 GMT or 21:00 Moscow time.
• Testing will last for 4 weeks. The first three days are for GameSpy users. On 01/26/2006, the test will be open to everyone, and a large number of keys will be distributed.
• System requirements are exclusively for the beta:

- OS: Windows 2000/XP, DirectX 9.0C
- Processor: Pentium 4 / Athlon 2 GHz or faster
- RAM: 512 MB or more
- Video Adapter: 128 MB AGP GeForce4 Ti4200 or more powerful video card.
- Sound: DirectX compatible PCI 16-bit sound card
- OS: Windows 2000/XP, DirectX 9.0C
- Processor: Pentium 4 / Athlon 3.0 GHz or faster
- RAM: 1024MB, more is always welcome:)
- Video Adapter: 256 MB AGP 8x GeForceFX 5600 or more powerful
- Dolby Surround 5.1 sound system.

• The beta size is 700mb.
• The first 3 days are given to GameSpy users as part of UbiSoft's marketing strategy.
• The beta will be protected by StarForce, and the key sent to the tester will be required for activation.
• If the tester has problems with StarForce protection, they should send an email to StarForce technical support [ support@star-force.com ]
• The beta will only have online Multiplayer through UbiSoft servers.
• The ports that must be open for playing the beta are: 6668, 40000, 40005, 40100, 42000, 44000, 45000.
• Administrator rights are required in Windows to install the beta.
• The beta will have 2 maps.
• DirectX 9c is required to play.

GameSpy subscribers can already download the beta from 21:00 on 01/23/2006 at this link - http://www.fileplanet.com/160065/download/Heroes-of-Might-&-Magic-V-Client-