...so likely by mid August we'll have a test up..
1017recon, ignore the short Lyran fellow. The test server for GW5 will probably be up in the next few days. Official kickoff is slated for April 2nd.
He is correct, though, in saying that you will need OP+ 4.0, as most D2 campaigns have a shiplist based off of it, including the GW series. You'll of course need to patch up to 2552. The easiest thing to do is download Pesty's OP Enhancement package. The thread is
here. It's got lots o' nifty stuff, including the patch, OP+ 4.0, and a bunch of other useful items.
Welcome to the D2, brother!