On my trip to Blizzard HQ, I got quite a lot of impressions, as well as time to talk with the developers. I wrote this StarCraft II preview that you will find very interesting!

Here is a snip:

Battle.net 2.0 is just nickname given to Blizzard's updated Battle.net by the fans, but is still a good description of the project. Blizzard has a dedicated development team working on Battle.net, aiming to revolutionise online gaming with technical solutions as well as community features.

Most features have not been revealed, but the new network will be more user-friendly and community-focused than the original. Personal avatars, friends lists with added functionality, clan-making, replay database and other ideas are on the table, but exactly what features will be available at release and what will be added later through expansions has yet to be announced.

Gaming networks like Steam and Rupture, as well as general social networking websites like MySpace, Facebook, and "plenty of others" have helped shape Battle.net according to lead producer Chris Sigaty. Sigaty clarified that Blizzard is "very aware of technology" around them, implying it's on top of the latest social networking as well as gaming-related networks. Much of the content from the Battle.net web page will also be available directly from the game client.

Head over to IncGamers for the full StarCraft II preview.

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