Behind closed doors, Blizzard has settled on a date to start the upcoming StarCraft II Closed Beta ... but isn't ready to say when exactly it'll be.
According to SC2 fansite StarCraft Wire.net, RTS Community Manager Xordiah spoke with fans at an event in Vienna this weekend and leaked the news: Not only is the multiplayer portion of the game "basically done," but the day when fans will be able to get their hands on the game via the closed beta might not be that far away - Blizzard has settled on a date.
Of course, Blizzard won't actually say what that date is.
Given that this is the same company that managed to keep StarCraft II's very existence a secret for almost five years, I don't think anyone should be surprised. Perhaps keeping the beta date a secret for now is Blizzard's way of supporting the South Korean economy in these fiscally-dreary times - wouldn't want too many people booking days off all at once, now would we?
One wonders how exactly Blizzard will go about selecting beta participants. BlizzCon attendees did receive a card that - among other things - let them register for an "upcoming beta test," which is likely this, so that's one way. For Wrath of the Lich King, there was the random opt-in draw, but you needed to have an active WoW account to participate, and could only enter once. Perhaps it will be tied it to a Battle.net account? (In which case, I'll have to dig up my old SC1/Brood War CD Keys)
The report on StarCraft Wire goes into detail about some of the specific changes in the latest SC2 build, so if that's your thing, you might find it interesting - Xordiah is a "Protoss Fetishist" ... who knew? - but for everyone else, the knowledge that we're getting ever closer to getting our hands on the game might just be enough to tide us over until the day comes.
CantFaketheFunk: Perhaps keeping the Beta date a secret for now is Blizzard's way of supporting the South Korean economy in these fiscally-dreary times - wouldn't want too many people booking days off all at once, no?
The South Korean economy will shut down completely in the month that Starcraft 2 will be released, and I, for one, find this amazing. Starcraft should be classified as, if it isn't already, the most popular game in the world and Starcraft 2 could possibly be the most anticipated game ever.
I cannot wait for this game to be released and I pray that, by some miracle, I get an invite to the beta.
Still I agree with Pedro. In my opinion blizz is probably thinking: We'll release the beta when its ready.
But oh well lets turn the optimistic side and think that its only a few months until we get something better and more addictive then all the drugs known to man (or a complete disappointment)
I would think the Blizzard Accounts will be up and running before the beta starts for Starcraft II. Probably a beta opt-in too to kick off the new one-account for all games feature.
CantFaketheFunk: Perhaps keeping the Beta date a secret for now is Blizzard's way of supporting the South Korean economy in these fiscally-dreary times - wouldn't want too many people booking days off all at once, no?
The South Korean economy will shut down completely in the month that Starcraft 2 will be released, and I, for one, find this amazing. Starcraft should be classified as, if it isn't already, the most popular game in the world and Starcraft 2 could possibly be the most anticipated game ever.
I cannot wait for this game to be released and I pray that, by some miracle, I get an invite to the beta.
*crosses fingers for summer 2009 release date*
I believe that SC2 has beaten Halo for the throne of Most anticipated game of all time.
Viteus: Still I agree with Pedro. In my opinion blizz is probably thinking: We'll release the beta when its ready.
But oh well lets turn the optimistic side and think that its only a few months until we get something better and more addictive then all the drugs known to man (or a complete disappointment)
It won't be a complete disappointment, Because if Blizzard would even for a tiny inch think that the game would disappoint anyone, They would cancel it. They've done it before you know.
CantFaketheFunk: Perhaps keeping the Beta date a secret for now is Blizzard's way of supporting the South Korean economy in these fiscally-dreary times - wouldn't want too many people booking days off all at once, no?
The South Korean economy will shut down completely in the month that Starcraft 2 will be released, and I, for one, find this amazing. Starcraft should be classified as, if it isn't already, the most popular game in the world and Starcraft 2 could possibly be the most anticipated game ever.
I cannot wait for this game to be released and I pray that, by some miracle, I get an invite to the beta.
*crosses fingers for summer 2009 release date*
I believe that SC2 has beaten Halo for the throne of Most anticipated game of all time.
Honestly, I never even qualified Halo as one of those games.
CantFaketheFunk: Perhaps keeping the Beta date a secret for now is Blizzard's way of supporting the South Korean economy in these fiscally-dreary times - wouldn't want too many people booking days off all at once, no?
The South Korean economy will shut down completely in the month that Starcraft 2 will be released, and I, for one, find this amazing. Starcraft should be classified as, if it isn't already, the most popular game in the world and Starcraft 2 could possibly be the most anticipated game ever.
I cannot wait for this game to be released and I pray that, by some miracle, I get an invite to the beta.
*crosses fingers for summer 2009 release date*
I believe that SC2 has beaten Halo for the throne of Most anticipated game of all time.
Honestly, I never even qualified Halo as one of those games.
You can't say that it wasn't highly anticipated though, anticipation has nothing to do with quality.
Lord_Ascendant: I though Blizzard had ascribed to the "keep games in development until gamers invade our offices and hold us for ransom" release policy.
Are we in a mirror universe or something?
Perhaps they don't see being held for ransom as a positive?
Lord_Ascendant: I though Blizzard had ascribed to the "keep games in development until gamers invade our offices and hold us for ransom" release policy.
Are we in a mirror universe or something?
Perhaps they don't see being held for ransom as a positive?
Who wouldn't want to be held for ransom? I mean sometimes you gotta know how important you and your product is and a good invasion and ransom notice is the only way.
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StarCraft II Beta Date Set; Blizzard Won't Tell
Behind closed doors, Blizzard has settled on a date to start the upcoming StarCraft II Closed Beta ... but isn't ready to say when exactly it'll be.
According to SC2 fansite StarCraft Wire.net, RTS Community Manager Xordiah spoke with fans at an event in Vienna this weekend and leaked the news: Not only is the multiplayer portion of the game "basically done," but the day when fans will be able to get their hands on the game via the closed beta might not be that far away - Blizzard has settled on a date.
Of course, Blizzard won't actually say what that date is.
Given that this is the same company that managed to keep StarCraft II's very existence a secret for almost five years, I don't think anyone should be surprised. Perhaps keeping the beta date a secret for now is Blizzard's way of supporting the South Korean economy in these fiscally-dreary times - wouldn't want too many people booking days off all at once, now would we?
One wonders how exactly Blizzard will go about selecting beta participants. BlizzCon attendees did receive a card that - among other things - let them register for an "upcoming beta test," which is likely this, so that's one way. For Wrath of the Lich King, there was the random opt-in draw, but you needed to have an active WoW account to participate, and could only enter once. Perhaps it will be tied it to a Battle.net account? (In which case, I'll have to dig up my old SC1/Brood War CD Keys)
The report on StarCraft Wire goes into detail about some of the specific changes in the latest SC2 build, so if that's your thing, you might find it interesting - Xordiah is a "Protoss Fetishist" ... who knew? - but for everyone else, the knowledge that we're getting ever closer to getting our hands on the game might just be enough to tide us over until the day comes.
...whenever it is.
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