So, if you haven't heard, Blizzard Entertainment launched the worldwide beta test for StarCraft II, one of the most anticipated games of all time. Along with testing StarCraft II, gamers will get a chance to try out Battle.net 2.0, which will be integrated into all Blizzard games going forward.
It's been a long wait for the beta, which we thought had been ready to go last summer around BlizzCon 2009, but it was eventually delayed while work continued on Battle.net 2.0. At the end of January, we visited Blizzard to get our hands on the beta build and sit down with some very important people at Blizzard.
First up, Greg Canessa, lead designer on Battle.net 2.0, talks at length about the three design pillars of Battle.net 2.0, support for map and mod-makers, eSports plans, and drops some exciting details about the Leagues & Ladders system. Hint: there will be a pro-league that only the best of the best can compete in that comes with special privileges and responsibilities.
Next, lead designer Dustin Browder talks about the launch of the beta, the game's current balance, and how he expects there to be more testing within the first few days of the beta than the last 4 years internally at Blizzard.
Be sure to jump through to see a combo-interview with Rob Pardo, executive VP of game design, and Chris Sigaty, lead producer of StarCraft II, as they talk about the future of Battle.net 2.0 and the beta.
With that said, which of you lucky few got beta access? How many games have you played already? What do you think about the game so far? Discuss it here in the comments section.
Comments
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RockieOllie
En taro Adun Bitches
DragonBreathsFire
It sucks having a Mac but you can actually use BootCampAssistant to install another OS, such as Windows, in which you can boot up normally. Since a Mac is a computer, and a computer can run many different types of operating systems such as Linux, Solaris, and Windows, so can those with a Mac. You can also get Virtual Machine software such as Sun VirtualBox for free to run another OS as an application within the Mac OS X without having to restart your computer, such as if you were to use BootCampAssistant. By doing this you can get the StarCraft Beta (if they pick you to try it out that is).
Zeratul55
he moved his eyebrows Alot, that first guy
nightcabbage
I really love Blizzard, and I think the new Battle.net sounds great... but why didn't they just build on TOP of a service like Steam? Steam already has a lot of these services they are essentially re-creating. If there's one thing that's annoying as a PC gamer, it is having all these separate services. In essence, this defeats the purpose of the service: to connect everyone and make it easier on the consumer. I know Valve and Blizzard have a lot of respect for each other, so I guess I just wish that could evolve into some sort of cooperation. I know the biz side of things makes it hard, but a boy can dream.
In fact, Blizzard hasn't even released their games for purchase through Steam yet. What is up with that?
cas985
What's a man gotta do to play some Starcraft 2?
Gusto181 ShowHide(3 Replies)
Seriously, F this game. How long have they been talking about releasing a 2nd one? I think it's been hyped to the point where it will never meet expectations, and they know that. I think they are terrified of failing so they are going overboard. I'd rather play inferior games than hang on every non descript piece of info Blizzard releases on a game that will most likely be pushed back to 2011. Did they release like 10 beta keys? Sweet.
At least they were honest about Diablo III not coming out this year.
Thanks Blizzard.
LTman86
As much as I like the advancements Blizzard has done for this game, I'm not sure I entirely like the Battle.net centric idea. With the indepth story that Starcraft can provide, how will this be affected if I want to play the single player campaign offline? I know that sometimes servers can have connection issues, your own internet provider can have issues, or your wireless at the local hot spot isn't the best, I'd hate to be playing in a campaign when the connection is interrupted and kick me off the game like I sometimes had with Battle.net.
CrazyRapture89
I got a Beta......YAY!!!!!
Symicide
Mmmm...can only still wish for a Starcraft FPS. Iuno I think it could work, just imagine hoards or zerglings and hydralisks coming at you IN FIRST PERSON! And out of no where some ultralisks come charging from the east. And in the heat of the battle you hear roaring gun fire and its a carrier racing in from the south. Legions of interceptors come flying in...come on you can't say that would be the best thing EVER!
BoydofZINJ
I regret not even trying to get into the beta of Starcraft 2. I gave up, because... i figured I would get 0 chance and I would be beaten up by the hardcore korean SC players.
kappakoin
Holy Crap I got a beta key!!!!! Thanks Blizzard you rock!
paulthebest
Sold. Release this game!!!!!!!
TheSauceMan ShowHide(5 Replies)
I signed up for the beta months ago and submitted my computer that has 2x9800GTs specs and I don't see any invite on b.net for me. Thanks Blizzard =(
linc77
me and my friend actually just stared plying the origina starcraft again.
SaintV
I don't even have the icon in my battle.net account for the beta. Guess I didn't get in.
hoof_hearted4
i just really want this game to come out already, ive been watching and rewatching all the gameplay videos and the early demos, and while i know much has changed since those first terran and toss demos, its still so kick ass to watch. haha place bring me some starcraft 2 soon blizzard!
infamouscole15
HORRIBLE HORRIBLE THINGS lmao. i just hope the actual game will come out this summer the latest but these videos were nice too
DownwithBigBrother
Well no offense but MACs are hella expensive and really arn't designed for games, stuff that blizzard usually stays away from i.e. all their games. The original came out for windows 95 in 1998 so how many people do you think had windows 95 in 1995? And a fast internet and expensive computer but fast forward a few years and almost everyone with a computer(especially Korea) could run it, I know when this was announced 3 or 4 years ago whenever it was announced, my Computer couldn't run SCII but anyway good luck MAC users and everyone, cya online.
Dynamo903
Should'a got a PC. :)
Shrodin
Srsly, what about macs?! It's probably good that mac will come later because I have a lot of work for the next couple months, lol.
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