#unboxing
From CVG comes video of the lavish collector's edition of StarCraft II, pawed at breathlessly but an eager fan, three weeks ahead of the game's official release date. More »
#betawatch
A new patch for the StarCraft II beta test has hit Europe, raising hopes that the promised phase two of the test will be starting shortly. More »
While StarCraft 2 may benefit from a "robust new 3D graphics-rendering engine," we didn't know until recently that the game would be receiving a post-launch patch enabling that other kind of 3D (read: the "needs glasses" kind). In an interview with IGN at a South Korean media event -- where, no joke, a StarCraft 2 logo-emblazoned Korean Air plane was unveiled -- production director Chris Sagaty explained, "We will be releasing 3D in the first few months, for those Nvidia cards and screens that support it."
For what it's worth, an Nvidia rep also told IGN that it's "optimising for all systems," so that the 3D support would work on as many systems as possible. We might try to get it working ourselves, if it wasn't for our sheer terror at the thought of a Zergling flood coming through the screen.
#starcraft
It's hard to believe, but after over a decade's wait Starcraft II is finally upon us. It's something Blizzard is only too happy to remind us of with this cinematic commercial for the game. More »
Originally set to end on Monday, June 1, Blizzard is extending the StarCraft II beta test until Monday, June 7, in order to prepare for the final round of beta testing. Whatever, more StarCraft II! More »
Blizzard tells VideoGamer it has spent more development time focusing on "content and cool features" than on anti-piracy tech. What's more, DRM is described as a "losing battle". This attitude, however, sounds like a winning one. More »
Ubisoft is the latest company to attach DRM to its PC games in an effort to curb piracy -- an initiative that has had basically the opposite of its intended effect in keeping out people who bought the games. Blizzard's Frank Pearce told VideoGamer that it's not the strategy Blizzard intends to implement in StarCraft II, with the company opting instead for a compelling Battle.net that will make people want to stay online in single-player, rather than requiring it. It's still a form of DRM, requiring online authentication, but it's also meant to serve other, gameplay-enhancing purposes.
"If we've done our job right and implemented Battle.net in a great way," the StarCraft II producer said, "people will want to be connected while they're playing the single player campaign so they can stay connected to their friends on Battle.net and earn the achievements on Battle.net."
Pearce called DRM "a losing battle for us," noting that the group of people who want to crack DRM is always "larger than our development teams." Pearce said "We need our development teams focused on content and cool features, not anti-piracy technology" -- something with which those of us patiently waiting for StarCraft II will agree.
#censored
Fearing an adults only rating would hamper sales in one of the game's biggest markets, Blizzard is censoring the South Korean version of StarCraft II, recoloring blood and removing vulgar language to secure a more family friendly rating. More »
#battlenet
StarCraft II players currently on the free multiplayer gravy train are in for a bit of good news/bad news. First the bad: StarCraft II's multiplayer beta is nearing its end and will shut down May 31. The good news? More »
#blizzard
Isn't the Collector's Edition of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty gorgeous? It's already sold out at several major retailers, but we've found a few places where the $99 package can still be secured. More »
#clips
Blizzard's Galaxy Editor for StarCraft II does more than custom maps and Mario Kart-style mods, it does screen-filling bullet hell shooters too! Want proof? See how hellish this Touhou-style shoot 'em up mod performs. [via GameSetWatch] More »
Plans for a subscription-based StarCraft 2 are in the works for Latin America, Asia and Russia. While here in the US, on July 27, all gamers will need only fork over a one-time fee to harvest all the Vespene Gas they could ever desire, gamers abroad will be offered two different ways to play: subscription or an all access fee.
A press release detailing plans for localization in Latin American Spanish for Mexico, Argentina, Brazil and Chile details the subscription model. By picking up the title for $299 MXN / $119 ARS / $13,900 CLP -- about $30 USD -- gamers will be given access to the single player and multiplayer portions of the game for 60 days. Once that period ends, they can then re-up their subscription for a fee (which hasn't been disclosed yet). The other option is to download the game direct from Blizzard, for a one-time fee of $59.99 USD, which will grant permanent access to the title. During Activision's annual investors call yesterday, Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime confirmed that Blizzard would pursue a similar pricing structure for Asian and Russian territories, our sister site Big Download reports.
It may seem like it's not that great of a deal, but we'd say most people will find out they're either not skilled enough to play the game online or that it's not their cup of tea within the first two months of owning the game anyway, so paying half the price for a trial period doesn't seem like it's totally a bad thing. But, hey, maybe that's just us. We'll leave the decision up to the inevitable internet petitions.
Source - Official press release Source - Big Download confirms Asia and Russia inclusion
#internationalpricing
StarCraft II fans south of the border will have two ways to pay for the game, with Blizzard revealing a less-expensive, time-limited version of the game for players in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. More »
#releasedate
Blizzard isn't in the habit of handing out game release dates until they're good and ready, so when they say StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty will be hitting store shelves worldwide in late July, they damn well mean it. More »
#blizzard
Attention, my fellow second class Mac gaming brothers: the StarCraft II multiplayer beta is now available to download from Battle.net—if, of course, you have access to the beta for Blizzard's sci-fi real-time strategy game. [Battle.net - thanks, Corey!] More »
#blizzard
Blizzard is creating a wildly different experience for those who choose to play StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty's single-player campaign, adding units, vehicles and upgrades that you just won't see in multiplayer, from the familiar Firebat to the bizarre Predator. More »
#clips
For a video companion to our new hands-on preview of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty's single-player campaign, this seven minute long video of hot SCV on mineral action and giant laser drill management is just what the doctor ordered. More »
#preview
While the rest of you are enjoying multiplayer scraps in Blizzard's StarCraft II beta, we recently had an opportunity to go hands-on (again) with the single-player side of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty. What has changed since last year? Plenty. More »
