Blizzard has released a preview of Battle.net 2.0 on the official StarCraft II site.

	Blizzard Quote: (Source)
	Battle.net is about to undergo the greatest update in its long and storied history as one of the world's most successful online gaming services.

The new page consists of an overview of the new Battle.net system. We are given details regarding the three main pillars of the new multiplayer infrastructure:

Always being connected: Having a persistent character linked to your account online and in the campaign. Showing off the portraits and decals you've unlocked through achievements.

A competetive arena for everyone: So that even beginner plays can have a level of competetion suitable for their skill level.

Connecting the Blizzard community: Being able to communicate with fellow gamers fluently and easily. Including cross-game chat, in-game text chat, and voice chat.

We also get 8 new screenshots and a video interview with Greg Canessa, project director of Battle.net 2.0. Hit the jump to see all the new screenshots showcasing the Battle.net 2.0 interface.

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Filed Under: Battle.net, Beta, Multiplayer, StarCraft 2

The convention-hopper and writer Keith R.A. DeCandido is attending the Farpoint 2010 this coming weekend. He will be autographings and book-selling at various points throughout the weekend. A good chance to get your Starcraft: Ghost Nova and Starcraft: Ghost Academy signed. If you are into Farscape, he will be selling and signing the Farscape comic book.

Saturday

11:00 am: Boogie Knights concert (Main Ballroom - Greenspring 2/3/4)
1:00 pm: An Hour with Keith R.A. DeCandido (Dulaney 2)
5:00 pm: 2009 Comics in Review (Chesapeake 1)
6:00 pm: Comics to Movies (Chesapeake 1)

Crowne Plaza Hotel - Baltimore North, located in Timonium, Maryland off Timonium Road, at Interstate 83 exit 16

Crown Plaza Hotel (view map)
2004 GREENSPRING DRIVE
BALTIMORE, MD 21093 UNITED STATES

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I'd be lying if I said I haven't started to regain a great deal of last year's beta hype.

I mean, we have had a LOT of activity lately, coming from an almost standstill to this. Is it just that the EU team don't have many events to plan, so they have time for community work, or is it the beta? We know it's "soon", but it's been "soon" and "the final stretch" for a loooong time (almost exactly a year).

In just the last week we've now found out a great deal of stuff, including increased interest for fansites, third party scammers sensing a budding beta, possible open beta (may or may not be true), non-major info updates, new model updates (Nullifier & Infested Terran), a new character bio, BlizzCon 2010 in planning, gaming media comments, and even more from the previous few weeks of StarCraft 2.

We try to collect it all in the StarCraft 2 Beta Centre, so check that out!

Now, something that might or might not be related to the weird Battle.net/WoW forums maintenance is the appearance of the StarCraft II Beta Forums.

Clicking the link will get you here, but you end up in a redirect loop, and nothing happens. We assume this is not intentional, and we're likely not even supposed to see that link yet, but there is actual connection to the forums. It's just not available for us yet, but IT'S THERE!



UPDATE:
As you can see in the image to the left, once in a while, some fans get to see some actual coding behind it. Very buggy, and using the olf WoW forum styling and images, but still very clear. It appears we'll be getting Beta forums for:

• General
• Technical Support/Bug Reports
• Suggestion/Balance

(Thanks Guardian Angel for the screenshot and links)


There's also a host of other forums started in preparation for the beta - the international ones:

	Blizzard Quote:
	http://forums.battle.net/maintenance.html?sid=5011 http://forums.battle.net/maintenance.html?sid=5012 http://forums.battle.net/maintenance.html?sid=5013 http://forums.battle.net/maintenance.html?sid=5014 http://forums.battle.net/maintenance.html?sid=5015 http://forums.battle.net/maintenance.html?sid=5016 http://forums.battle.net/maintenance.html?sid=5020 http://forums.battle.net/maintenance.html?sid=5021

So, what's your current StarCraft 2 Beta Release date bet?

Thanks Brettrick for this wonderful tip.

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Today a battle.net forum member asked about the rules of new fansites and how beta keys would be handled if you want to create your own fansite for StarCraft II.

I am in the process of making a new sc2 strategy fansite. It’s a pretty ambitious project with really good features that’ll distinguish itself. How do I register to become an official fansite or affiliate? Also, what is the policy or providing beta keys to fansites? I already have 2 keys, but I will need beta testers to help me with documentation. I am not doing this to try to get free beta keys, and I’ll unveil the site once I have something up and running. Thanks.

Xordiah responds:

	Blizzard Quote: (Source)
	For EU fansites, you can use the following webform: http://eu.blizzard.com/rtswebform/rts.html If I see a US fansite sign up there, I can pass it along. We don’t have the RTS fansite program as fleshed out as we would like it to be, so don’t worry if you don’t hear back from us. We are keeping tabs on all sites that are signed up there and checking in on them quite regularily. If we have any opportunities we will get in contact with you. We will hopefully get something a bit more permanent up before launch, including also a list of fansites on the website. Until then, we really appreciate all the work all the fansite staff has put into their sites.

So if you have a passion for fansites perhaps working on it could increase your chance to get a beta key but it is not garanteed.

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See Leord Die. Literary.

I had the pleasure to play some Global Agenda beta together with Elly, Rushster and Maticus (who actually lurks around here but she mostly does MMO news for our parent site, IncGamers.com). We thought it would be fun to record some of these gun-slinging adventures, and discuss the gameplay. After long time of playing, and putting together the video, and giving it a voice-over; this is the result.

Well worth a look, if nothing else then to see myself, Elly, Rushster and Maticus die repeatedly, and/or to hear how me and Maticus sound IRL! What are you waiting for, check it out here:

• Global Agenda Co-op Video

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That Jace Hall StarCraft II visit might have more substance to it than we first thought! The Diablo III visit, in the latest episode, actually unveiled the very real female Diablo 3 Monk. The Diablo 3 community has been awaiting these pics for ages, so it's a fairly major exclusive to IGN and Jace Hall (albeit in a slightly humorous way).

This fact in itself is very promising for the next episode where the StarCraft II team gets a visit from Mr Hall. Especially considering they have already "leaked" a "Welcome to StarCraft 2 Beta" shot. With the first episode released, we also have a "leaked" StarCraft II Beta Battle.net 2.0 shot (thanks MatiMaster for the spot)! We added them to our Blizzard HQ Pictures gallery, for your convenience.

I REALLY don't want to get people's hopes up too much for what really is a JOKE SHOW related to gaming, but... It's definitely possible that Blizzard has struck a deal with giant entertainment network IGN and might actually make that "fake shot" become a real shot when the next episode is airing. Obviously with loads of humour and sarcasm, but never the less... Not saying it WILL happen, but it's definitely within the realms of possibility.

Even if we don't get the jackpot, we're hoping to get more shots of Battle.net 2.0, the very reason for the delayed beta, some cool gameplay pictures, or perhaps some cool joke units, like the Tauren Marine!

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Xordiah is on a role today of addressing beta-related rumours. After warning us about fake beta e-mails she has clarified the recent news about an open beta test for StarCraft II. If you have been following the news here at StarcraftWire.net you'll know that the Korean CM Kicho made a comment that has been interpreted to mean there will be an open beta for StarCraft II. However, Xordiah addressed this interpretation by clarifying what Kicho meant in his initial post:

	Blizzard Quote: (Source)
	The only thing this actually means, is that everyone with a Battle.net account can opt in and that players of all franchises can be chosen from that pool of people who opted in to the beta. The beta test is not limited to VIP or press or pro gamers but anyone can get chosen to join. If you want to know more about the opt in, check out the thread in the stickies: StarCraft II Beta Test Opt-in

Don't be distressed though if you have no key. If you read carefully, Xordiah never explicitly says that there will be no open beta phase. If you look to the past you'll notice that many games hold open beta tests in order to stress test their servers. If StarCraft II's launch coincides with the launch of Battle.net 2.0 they will certainly want to see how much strain the new multiplayer network can handle. However, if there is an open phase to the StarCraft II beta, it will likely occur at the very end of the closed beta; probably within weeks of the games release.

As always, stay tuned to StarcraftWire.net for all the StarCraft II news as it is released. Don't forget to keep your eyes on the Beta Centre for all the updates regarding the game's final testing phase. There you can also find an article on How to Opt-in to the StarCraft II Beta if you haven't already.


UPDATE!
Xordiah clarified further about the beta. She is confirming, as we thought, that:

	Blizzard Quote:
	Actually it is just clarification about the opt-in and that we have not said anything about an open beta.

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Today Community Manager Xordiah responded to one of the claims we have heard many times over the past few years: "Hey, I just recieved by beta invitation e-mail from Blizzard!" Unfortunately, Blizzard has not sent any e-mails out (besides the ones sent to BlizzCon key-holders telling them to wait patiently). Xordiah provides this word of caution to anyone who has recieved such an e-mail:

	Blizzard Quote: (Source)
	If anyone recieves mails from Blizzard and is unsure if they are legit, they should contact their contact person at Blizzard. If you do not have a contact person at Blizzard, then the probability that the mail is not legit is quite high as long as we do not have any official "Beta has started" threads and information here on the forums. Also everyone might want to check out this site: http://eu.battle.net/security/types.html#phishing Please refrain from posting further mails you might have gotten or not gotten or mails a friend or a friend of a friend has gotten here in the forums. Thank you.

So be careful. I know seeing "StarCraft II Beta Download" in your mailbox would be extremely exciting. However, exercise a bit of caution when dealing with such e-mails. If there is no news of the beta on StarcraftWire.net then you have most likely recieved a forged e-mail.

To make sure you get a chance at receiving that wonderful e-mail be sure to opt-in with your battle.net account. Instructions on how to do so can be found here.

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The CM Zhydaris responded to a number of questions regarding the options available to someone viewing a replay. It was asked if there was any viewing speed slower then 1/2. This could be useful in breaking down some intense micro when watching from the first-person perspective of the player. However, Zhydaris responded with a negative of that one:

	Blizzard Quote: (Source)
	At this moment the slowest speed is 1/2 of the normal one.

Secondly, it was inquired as to whether or not you could see the click-by-click perspective of one of the players in the replay. If you've been following StarCraft 2 development as closely as us here at StarcraftWire you would know that this has already implemented it. Yet Zhydaris confirms that it is still an available option:

	Blizzard Quote: (Source)
	I can confirm that you will be able to see what units are being selected and the camera will move exactly as the player moved it during the game, plus you will see all the clicks made by the player. You won't be able to see the mouse cursor itself though.

Lastly, the CM confirms that we will be able to jump to any point in the replay as well as rewind. This will nullify the need for an "Are you sure you wish to restart the replay?" prompt.

	Blizzard Quote: (Source)
	You can jump instantly to a specific moment in the replay and you can rewind it. There's no "Are you sure you want to restart" button simply because you don't really need it

Some of these tools will potentially make for very interesting VODs. It will be much simpler for independent commentators to put in the first-person persepective and maybe even throw in some instant replays or highlight reels at the end of the match.


UPDATE (by Leord):
Fortunately for us, these replays will be quite small!

	Blizzard Quote: (Source)
	Yes, replay files are very small. A few hundred KB at most for a longer match. Since none of the artworks, models, maps etc. need to be stored in a replay it doesn't take a any more space than a StarCraft: Brood War replay needed.

Quite impressive amount of questions answered about replays. I'm unhealthily hyped up by now, so I'm not even gonna share my thoughts on it!

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Karune has provided us with a new screenshot of the Zerg Infested Terran which got an redesign update. The Starcraft II Team continues to polish and update units in preparation to beta testing, and no doubt more updates will continue to happen before the game reaches gold status.

You can view previous model artwork in our Starcraft II Unit Model gallery.



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StarCraft have changed quite a bit ever since the professional scene started to emerge. I have choosen a special match betwen NaDa vs Flash becouse NaDa rerpesent more of the old style of play while Flash represent more of the new generation of StarCraft players.

More after the break.

 

 

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There has been some speculation online if the StarCraft 2 beta would start out as an exclusive Friends & Family beta that only Blizzard people, press and other VIPs like pro gamers would get in to. Kicho at the Korean Battle.net forums have cleared this out for us. He said "the Beta test will not just involve industry experts and other VIPs but rather will involve all fans of the franchise".

This could mean there will be an OPEN beta period of testing after the initial one that only some have keys for!

Full quote after the break.

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The convention-hopper and writer Keith R.A. DeCandido is a guest of the 8th Annual Emerald City Comic Con (ECCC) which takes place this upcoming March 13th - 14th, 2010 at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, WA.

Bring your copies of Starcraft: Ghost Nova (Pocket Books) and Starcraft: Ghost Academy (TOKYOPOP) for book signing.

Keith R.A. DeCandido can be found back and forth between the 402 and the 502 booths which are across each other under the BOOM! Studios banner. The booths are located in front of the main entrance of the Emerald City ComicCon. You can view it at the bottom of the Show Floor Map (PDF).

You can pre-order admission tickets here. There are select retailer alternatives to get the tickets from listed in that page, and you can get them at the door for a higher price.

Washington State Convention Center - See google map
800 Convention Place
Seattle, WA 98101

(206) 694-5030

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The Starcraft II team is getting hot lately with updates and bios. This time Jim Raynor's second-in-command Matt Horner is in the spotlight. You can now read his background story at the official Starcraft II website.

We keep seeing Starcraft: Ghost Nova nods here and there. Matt Horner is revealed to have been born in Tyrador IX, son of a minor merchant. Tyrador IX is one of the planets in the Tyrador system used as a resort and tourism hub used by the Old Families and the rich people of Tarsonis for vacation or to send off their children often as a safety haven when problems arised on Tarsonis. In Nova's case, she was sent to Tyrador IX in a shuttle ship, but she abandoned the ship before launch when she sensed her parents were in danger.

Tyrador IX's resorts, shops and estates were manned by people who had serious debts with the Old Families and the Confederacy, where they basically worked as slaves to pay off their debts with insane interest. We can see why Matt Horner could join the Sons of Korhal and later Jim Raynor's team as one who experienced closely injustice and oppression since childhood. You can read Matt Horner bios here.



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Today a blue post emerged to respond to a fan who asked if you cast the neural parasite on a unit and then what would happen if you put that unit in a transport.

	Blizzard Quote: (Source)
	I was actually waiting for someone to think about that, as I was curious about it myself a few weeks ago. You cannot load any units affected by the parasite into overlords.

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IncGamers.com reports another big game designer has joined Blizzard, and most likely the StarCraft II team:

Jonny Ebbert from the Warhammer 40,000 Series has left Relic to join Blizzard.

It seems Blizzard must have a very strong pull on game industry designers as Ebbert originally worked as a Lead Designer at Relic for the Dawn of War (DoW) series (including Dark Crusade, Dawn of War and Chaos Rising) and has stepped down to be a "regular" game designer at Blizzard.

As recruitment goes he is not the first; Dustin Browder, Lead Designer of StarCraft II, is well known for his previous work on the Command & Conquer series before joining Blizzard and the StarCraft II team. While Ebbert did not land such a glamorous title, he is one of many to join Blizzard's ever growing development team in the last few years.

Since Ebbert has worked on DoW to such an extent, it seems likely he is assigned to the StarCraft II development at Blizzard, but could possibly be a new figure in the Battle.net team. Regardless, both projects involve StarCraft II to some degree, so his experienced hands will definitely help this slightly delayed Blizzard RTS.

The news seem a little unsure about whether or not Ebbert is part of the StarCraft II team. This is understandable, since Blizzard is such a big company now, but looking further probably reveals the answer... A quick set of googling shows his main Facebook friends seems to be the StarCraft II team, including David Kim and Matt Cooper!

Some fans have been worried that "external influences" like Browder would be bad for the game, but considering that Dustin has done a pretty good work, I dare say I'm not afraid of what ideas Jonny Ebbert might bring to the table!

Thanks Playsc2.fr for the tip!

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Kalos' Chronicles >> Kalos Comments: Blizzard's 'StarCraft 2 Specs' >> (page 1) | (page 2)



They were leaked and denied, but that does not have to mean they are not real. However, StarCraft: IncGamers has sent its tech-spech blood hound at the specs, and he has found out just what's wrong with the specs, and why we were given incorrect ones.

If you want to have just a tad of an insight into the technical aspects of the game and hardware, and enjoy a little dry techie-humour, you should check out Kalos Comments: Blizzard's 'StarCraft 2 Specs'!


Kalos has previously made an in-depth analysis of the StarCraft 2 system requirements, and discussed many topics surrounding the hardware aspects of the game. We were all rewarded with a massive leak in the summer of 2008 containing the StarCraft 2 graphics requirements and much of the requirements for the game is now known. If you were unaware of this, we strongly recommend you check out these articles and Kalos' collected Chronicles.

While these mentioned leaked specs were a bit low, the real StarCraft 2 specs are not horribly harsh either...

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Well, we've been here before folks with the rumour not long ago that Las Vegas was to be this year's venue for BlizzCon. That went by the by and wasn't to be more's the pity, especially for the one guy were heard book a flight. eek!

Earlier today another convention centre slipped up with their diary page listing dates for BlizzCon 2010, but ever the eagled-eyed lot you are it did not go unnoticed and Eldorian nabbed the image below. As you can see The Anaheim Convention Center cited October 22-23 as the 2-day extravaganza.

We immediately contacted Blizzard and awaited their denial response.

	Blizzard Quote:
	Blizzard Entertainment has not announced any details about the next BlizzCon. We recommend that players refrain from making any BlizzCon-related travel plans at this time.

And, as if by magic, the convention centre page was wiped clean of the dates.



Bear in mind it's not even been confirmed that there will be a Blizzcon this year. In 2008 it was held in October and last year was August so it's around the time slot they favour at least. There's plenty to show too. Whether or not the beta will have started beforehand is still an interesting question, despite all the recent StarCraft 2 beta activities.

Of course, if you are interested in Diablo 3 at all, there is the ranger final class to be announced and other goodies for the anticipated Action RPG. By then Cataclysm should also be in public beta, so it'll require maximum buzz to give it the column inches it no doubt deserves and BlizzCon can dominate the blogosphere convincingly.


Sources:
IncGamers.com and WoW: IncGamers

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If you somehow missed the IncGamers podcast, make sure to tune in now!

This week, Andy waxes sycophantic about 2K’s Mafia II, Tim explains his love for Counter-Strike and everyone moans about Sony refusing to name the motion controller. The appearance of the Lich King and Mortal Online are covered in MMO news while Tim once again trawls the dregs of the internet in Rebel Without a Clue. Also, we talk to EA’s Peter Moore about the new motion controllers and whether he thinks they will revolutionise gaming.

• Click to listen to the IncGamers Podcast

As always, lend us your support by subscribing on iTunes - it’s free and easy!

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Meet the new Sentry unit. If you think it looks a lot like the Nullifier, then you're spot on, it's a graphical and grammatical update, showing once again the level of detail currently being updated in the StarCraft II team.

	Blizzard Quote:
	The #StarCraft2 nullifier has been renamed to sentry and also received a cool new model update.

You can compare the two after the break!

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