The Starcraft 2 image gallery has been updated with 5 new screenshots.
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The scale and the team size needed for a StarCraft 2 MMO puts a chill down Frank Pearce's spine he confesses after WoW's "very long and arduous journey." Pearce jokes that in comparison to a MMO project it makes "an RTS like StarCraft 2 seem very achievable". WoW has made MMO bar entry "very high".
Blizzard's revival of the cult classic real-time strategy StarCraft won't be stuffed in the back of Santa's sleigh this year but will hopefully arrive in '09. This is in no way a definite certainty though as Blizzard are sticklers for quality and won't release early, or at the behest of Activision Blizzard, if they don't want to.
The Starcraft 2 image gallery has been updated with 3 new screenshots.
Much to the surprise of many, Blizzard's upcoming RTS StarCraft II will in fact be split into three bits with each adding a piece to the whole. Producer Chris Sigaty explains that each release will "come with upgrades and changes to the multiplayer." Each expansion will also have a fully fledged single campaign.
Now that the community has braced itself for the idea that StarCraft II will be split into three chapters, Blizzard's Rob Pardo hopes it no more than a year between them. He explains that while they'll feel like expansions the campaigns themselves are "going to feel like full, independent stories."
Blizzard are struggling a little to get their message across that each chapter of StarCraft II isn't just your average expansion, they're self-contained epic campaigns. As each releases they'll add to the sequel experience as a whole like new features and other goodies, and they'll take as long as is needed to get the job done.
The beta phase for the highly anticipated RTS StarCraft II will commence in a few months time, and will include the new Battle.net architecture. Those who made the pilgrimage to BlizzCon 2008 received a beta voucher giving them access. Blizzard is still remaining elusive to a date for the long time awaited sequel.
StarCraft II lead designer Dustin Browder has indicated that the game isn’t too far from a full release. "We don’t want to lie about the Beta, and we don’t even want to lie about the next Battle Report," said Browder when responding to a FAQ about the upcoming beta test. "When we know a date (for anything) for certain, we’ll let you know. Hang in there. We’re in the final stretch."
Blizzard has confirmed the existence of a Collector's Edition for the upcoming real-time strategy sequel, but they also want questions from the fans. This Q&A will be "aimed specifically at the developers" toiling on the game, and included in a Behind the Scenes bonus DVD. Blizzard's Kevin Yu says all departments are on the table.
The registration process for StarCraft II's beta has started, those interested need to sign-in with a Battle.net account and own at least one Blizz game. For now a problem exists for European fans, World of Warcraft accounts and Battle.net aren't linked like they are in the US. Blizz plan to "merge" them before the Euro beta phase.
Blizzard president Mike Morhaime confirmed last night that the StarCraft II beta test will begin sometime this summer. "This summer we will be opening up external beta testing, and while we haven't announced a release date yet, this phase will also signal the final stretch of development on the game," revealed Morhaime during last nights Activision Blizzard conference call.
Activision is once again sitting at ESA's table which means they're buddies with E3 again, sort of anyway. Acti-Blizz held their press event yesterday. Aside from the usual corporate self-back patting, they reveal Call of Duty is going to be expanding beyond the first-person shooter and StarCraft II will see a release date this year, possibly.
While team Blizzard are yet to let us scribble away in our calendars for the beta start date, it's been confirmed no NDA surrounds StarCraft II. That means when things finally kick off anyone in the beta can spill their guts about everything they see, and post a tonnage of media goodies. Friday; something Zerg this way comes?
While not giving us an exact date to put many out of their misery, Blizzard man Chris Sigaty did hint that they'll launch the StarCraft II beta "very soon." The studio is knuckling down and they're "getting very, very close" to unleashing the thing, the producer teases were "not years away", adding were "not even quarters away at this point."
Blizzard's Rob Pardo has revealed that StarCraft II's development was held up because a "fair amount of the design team" were conscripted to 'finish off' WoW. StarCraft II lead producer Chris Sigaty concurs their team "got sucked" into World of Warcraft, saying he too "was called off". Late '05 or early '06 StarCraft II was "legitimately playable."
Blizzard has confirmed what many fans disbelieved, StarCraft II is without any form of LAN in favour of the new Battle.net, to deliver "quality multiplayer" and fight piracy. They are "encouraging everyone" to use Battle.net as much as possible to "get the most out" of the game. Blizzard are building Battle.net as the "ideal destination" for all future titles.
The major issue on fan lips right now is the decision to remove LAN support for StarCraft II, with community man 'Karune' responding to criticisms thrown at them. Chief among the arguments is piracy, which "often times tie in closely with LAN." Meanwhile the "four to six" month long beta will likely mean a release in the "fiscal '10 period," says analyst.
Activision is as pumped for Infinity Ward's release of Modern Warfare 2 as we fans, so much so that they are pushing back Singularity so it doesn't get hurt. StarCraft II has been optimistically slated for a late '09 release, but with its beta already held up, and Acti left doubtless Modern Warfare 2 will over shadow everything, it too could see 2010.
Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter praises Blizzard on the "phenomenal job" they did with World of Warcraft's beta period, says StarCraft II likely "polished" already. It's "highly likely" there's few bugs or issues, it's just now down to fine tuning balance through "a large scale beta". Modern Warfare 2 sales will offset a possibly delayed StarCraft II.