The StarCraft II drama continues: Over 5,000 people have signed an online petition aimed at getting Blizzard to re-think its decision to not support LAN play in the game. The petition reads, in part:
"We, your most loyal fans, implore you to reconsider adding LAN as a network feature to StarCraft II. This is a response to the announcement that the only multiplayer in StarCraft II will be via Battle.net. We understand you will be adding amazing new features to Battle.net that you can't talk about yet, but regardless of any features you might add online, we would still like to be able to play in a traditional network where no internet connection is needed. For an internet connection might not always be available."
As Brian Leahy reported earlier today, Blizzard seems pretty adamant about not including LAN play, mainly to prevent piracy. In a statement, a Blizzard spokesperson said:
"We felt that moving away from LAN play and directing players to our upgraded Battle.net service was the best option to ensure a quality multiplayer experience with StarCraft II and safeguard against piracy."
Personally, I don't see what the big deal is. Battle.net is free, and, according to Blizzard will remain free, even after it is upgraded. It's reliable, too. And seriously, when was the last time you found yourself unable to connect to the internet?
As Leahy pointed out, Blizzard's plan may well be to allow users to verify their copies over Battle.net, and then play over LAN anyway. If that's the case, there is no downside, other than the mild pain of verifying your games before you play. Either way, it's Blizzard's game. Given Blizzard's amazing track record and reputation, you have to figure the company has thought this through pretty thoroughly, and has decided there won't be LAN support. so if they decide there won't be LAN support, gamers can decide not to buy the game. But I have a feeling few of the 5,000 or so petition signers will really boycott StarCraft II.
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pharaohseven
My thanks to Toneloak for that link.
I've always been mostly a Starcraft fan, and haven't even gotten into it hardcore, but no lan?!
All I needed to do was read the heading before letting out a giant "WTF?!"
Toneloak
This link is for anybody looking for a idea of action to protest.
http://www.reddit.com/r/gami ng/comments/8xiok/if_you_want_ lan_in_scii_heres_how_to_get/
KevinJames23
Apsalus07,
At this rate, Starcraft 4 will be just a box with a piece of paper inside that says "use your imagination."
Apsalus07
Everybody and their mother knows this move was only made to prevent piracy (specifically multiplayer piracy like Hamachi). However, evil always finds a way. The irony is that Blizzard is essentially GIVING UP, saying that there is no way to prevent piracy other than to take out elements of their game from the equation. Think about this: what's next? Will Blizzard stop making single player games altogether because they can easily be pirated? Will Starcraft III be a multiplayer-only game?
Shadowskill11
BTW, I think a good compromise would be to require a Battle.net connection running in the background on each computer to enable LAN connections so people can still enjoy much lower latencies.
Shadowskill11
Periphery and semi-periphery nations ruined it for the rest of us with their piracy. Blame the kid in south-east Asia that got addicted to a core nations recreational activity and doesn't want to pay $200 of their dollars for StarCraft 2 when it comes out. I'll miss the lower latencies of the LAN when I have friends over but I can deal. My wireless router like most others can support at least 4 people wired/wireless so we can still play(also have FIOS broadband). I'll be good but this does hurt people still using crappy dial-up or dsl connections and of course pirates ;)
GamerNx
Regardless of free or not. Internet connections are not problem free. A lot of folks dont know how to maintain a network and open ports etc. Look at Demigod and Sins of a Solar Empire, two great MP games that where plagued by connection issues. Having lan capable games insures you can play with your friends without having to wait for an hour and half to figure out connection problems. While I think a lot of people may still get the initial game, if the story doesn't hold up and make you want to buy the other two, then MP is all you have, and if you have a harder than hell time trying to play online with someone, then you are most likely to stop playing and move to something else. Granted, battle.net has never been problematic like GasPowered is, but still, the possibility is there.
Toneloak
Umm? what is with all the hands on reviewers always touting out the old line "They trust Blizzard Activation". Maybe they have so much invested in that company that a money hungry turn around(think Microsoft) with the company grabbing at every dime there history affords would be too devastating. Well I don't share those compunction. So LAN is a must there is no line of code that's going to stop pirates, all they can do is bid themselves some time(hours mostly). While they alienate most of there market(BTW, people aren't training for those competitions on B-Net).
I get the feeling they want to monitor all user to user gameplay statistics for some reason.
Hawks282
Snook....umm I think you didn't understand my comment. I was stating the there SHOULD BE Lan in SC2, not the other way around. The ignorant fools are the ones that say lan is useless because they don't use it, completely disregarding anyone elses situation.
snookgum123
Hawks282 You are ignorant fools to make that comment. Lan will always be faster than playing online. No lag no nothing. You don't complain becuase you only have one computer and never play lan becuase I can only afford one comp. You're the ignorant fool to not know the benefit of lan...You guys think this will stop hacker please. You can't stop hacking its been around since the start and it will always be around. If I invite my close friends over to play starcraft II and wtf server is down ? Or uhm Maintainence!!! than You have hackers that gets on and play and yes i'm sure there will be plenty of those. My 4 computer on lan being install the same game on all the computer there is no hackers in a lan party.. And if there is that is so easy to be spoted. Beside thats lan party gotta do with hackers!!!
Ewoc
um... Hamachi anyone?... as long as Starcraft 2 was able to let you change your port and change your IP in the options... then it should be ok for Hamachi.....
FuzzyHammer
Over 20,000 signatures now, keep it up.
zealot904
people will always find a way to pirate games, stopping lan will not help
snookgum123
Bashura People bitch, whine complain or what not is there own free rights. That only makes the game better if they listen to what games say. After all who buys the games comsumer or the person making the game ?
cmdluke
yay another stupid petition that won't do anything.
snookgum123
Adding Lan isn't hard to do. They just want more numbers of players on Battle.net thats all. But if there is no lan I probably wont get it. I have 5 computer that is only lan and I like to play starcraft on lan line. Free from maintance, or server being crash on me....etc You guys know what I mean. IF there is no Lan they will lose me as a starcraft fan. Probably alot of those that are petitioning as well.
Bashura
Oh great its Diablo 3 all over again. I swear you people have been playing WAY too much World of Warcraft if you think you can get Blizzard to do what you want just by whining enough. It's THEIR game and they can do whatever they want with it. Just because you love this game and/or grew up playing it doesnt make it in any way YOURS. Millions will play this game while only a few thousand are being whiny fanboys. To think that Blizzard is obligated to listen to your whining is just arrogant and stupid.
johnny126
Really people... really... First Diablo III, then Left 4 Dead 2, now Starcraft 2, have gamers made a game out of petitioning games now?
travelmaps
clearly people that dont understand this dont actually lan... they like to just sit by themselves at their own house and pretend theyre actually hanging out with their friends via ventrilo.
this is why i hate blizzard. self important ea wannabetards. diablo 3 is now WOW and their rts cant even lan.
BUT BLIZZARD IS AWESOME! YAY!
blackdeath5421
This really affects the military alot since most dont have a good internet conection or dont even have any (ie. underway on a ship). Was looking to play a good amount of this underway but guess we will still have to play BW.
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