Earlier this month, Blizzard announced that the 1.0.3 patch for Diablo III put in some restrictions to folks who bought the digital edition of the action-RPG. Among those restrictions were limiting players to the Starter Edition content for as long as 72 hours until they are verified. That meant players could not level up beyond level 13 and could only play the game up to Act One and the Skeleton King boss.
At the time, Blizzard said this move was made "... to combat fraud and other malicious activities that can weaken everyone"s play experience." Later, the company backtracked on those original forum posts, claiming that the Act 1 and level 13 restrictions were anĀ "unintended consequence" of their new security policies.
Today, as part of a new 1.0.3a hotfix for Diablo III, the company announced in the game"s official forums. "... Leveling and Act I content restrictions for unverified digital purchasers have been removed ...". That means that people who buy the $60 game via download can access all four acts and level up to the game"s maximum.
Some 72 hour restrictions are still in place for digital download buyers of Diablo III. That includes no access to the game"s auction house, no Global Play access and more.
Source: Diablo III forums