Add to Bookmarks
Update 17th February 2010
The news item and information below is incorrect. On the 17th of February (when the StarCraft 2 beta started), the real system requirements went live. you can find them here:
The information below is kept here for future reference but is not correct!
Update 20:15 GMT
It seems it was a honest mistake on their side.
Leord Comments 01:30 GMT, 30th: Looking at the stats, and consulting our tech guru Kalos (who is linked below), we find it likely that someone inside Blizzard support were preparing the support pages for the beta, and copied an old article from WoW or one of its expansions. Then changed the text so it was about StarCraft II, and awaiting the official words on system requirements but forgot to set the support article itself to "hidden" rather than "public".
Basically, this was a false alarm by Blizzard, getting us all worked up. However, it DOES mean they are updating support articles (which we know - linked below) AND that they are touching upon details like beta downloads and system requirements, even if the right stats were not added this time. We should be happy we got ANY insight into what is happening, not be disappointed these are not the real system requirements. Most likely, they will be more in line with Kalos' predictions (linked below). More information on this topic will soon be available in a mini-version of Kalos Chronicles.
Also, the following twitter message would indicate the same thing:
Update 18:45 GMT
The US site has support pages for how to download the beta client. I doubt they would add that before it was final HOW the beta will work, meaning Battle.net 2.0 is likely very close to being done, or perhaps been done for a while. (thanks, Quantum)
Original post after the break.
Original post
In July 2008, over a year and a half ago, our tech guru Kalos did what he could to predict the system requirements for StarCraft II. A few weeks later, there was an AMD/Blizzard document that leaked, and confirmed parts of those system requirements. Following that, a little over a year ago, he even sat down and made a StarCraft II hardware guide, as beta seemed imminent in early 2009.
This, however, is the official system requirements for the StarCraft II beta. The fact it's released now is a strong indication they have finalised most of what they need in order to start it. It's all part of the opening of the StarCraft II support pages.
It should be noted, that the specs have only been seen on the EU Support page for Blizzard, not the US. Although this might be because the EU team is working now, while the US team is just getting in to the office.
It's interesting also to see the beta client will only be available for Windows from start. A Mac client will likely come when Battle.net has been stress tested more thoroughly.
If you would like to discuss the requirements and the beta further, you can now access our StarCraft 2 Beta Forum. The privacy limitations on the forums have been lifted today as well. Good timing, huh?
The news item and information below is incorrect. On the 17th of February (when the StarCraft 2 beta started), the real system requirements went live. you can find them here:
The information below is kept here for future reference but is not correct!
Update 20:15 GMT
 Blizzard Quote: |
||
| Bob Calayco (Blizzard PR): "These system requirements are not accurate – the page went up with some placeholder information. We will have more information about beta system requirements once the beta starts." | ||
It seems it was a honest mistake on their side.
Leord Comments 01:30 GMT, 30th: Looking at the stats, and consulting our tech guru Kalos (who is linked below), we find it likely that someone inside Blizzard support were preparing the support pages for the beta, and copied an old article from WoW or one of its expansions. Then changed the text so it was about StarCraft II, and awaiting the official words on system requirements but forgot to set the support article itself to "hidden" rather than "public".
Basically, this was a false alarm by Blizzard, getting us all worked up. However, it DOES mean they are updating support articles (which we know - linked below) AND that they are touching upon details like beta downloads and system requirements, even if the right stats were not added this time. We should be happy we got ANY insight into what is happening, not be disappointed these are not the real system requirements. Most likely, they will be more in line with Kalos' predictions (linked below). More information on this topic will soon be available in a mini-version of Kalos Chronicles.
Also, the following twitter message would indicate the same thing:
| Blizzard Quote: (Source) |
||
| We have not finalized #StarCraft2 beta system requirements yet, but will do so when beta starts. #SCUpdate | ||
Update 18:45 GMT
The US site has support pages for how to download the beta client. I doubt they would add that before it was final HOW the beta will work, meaning Battle.net 2.0 is likely very close to being done, or perhaps been done for a while. (thanks, Quantum)
Original post after the break.
Original post
In July 2008, over a year and a half ago, our tech guru Kalos did what he could to predict the system requirements for StarCraft II. A few weeks later, there was an AMD/Blizzard document that leaked, and confirmed parts of those system requirements. Following that, a little over a year ago, he even sat down and made a StarCraft II hardware guide, as beta seemed imminent in early 2009.
This, however, is the official system requirements for the StarCraft II beta. The fact it's released now is a strong indication they have finalised most of what they need in order to start it. It's all part of the opening of the StarCraft II support pages.
| Blizzard Quote: (Source) |
||
| The minimum system requirements for the StarCraft II Beta are as follows: Minimum Requirements: Operating System Windows XP / XP64 (Service Pack 3) Windows Vista / Vista64 (service Pack 1) Windows 7 Home Premium Processor Intel Pentium IV 1.3GHz AMD XP 1500+ Memory (Windows XP) 512mb (Windows Vista) 1024mb (Windows 7) 1024mb Graphics 3D graphics processor with Hardware Transform and Lighting with 32 MB VRAM such as an ATI Radeon 7200 or NVIDIA GeForce 2 class card or better Hard Drive 15Gb (of free space) - DirectX DirectX9.0c Recommended Requirements: Processor Intel Pentium D AMD 64 X2 Memory (Windows XP) 1024mb (Windows Vista) 2048mb (Windows 7) 2048mb Graphics 3D graphics processor with Vertex and Pixel Shader capability with 128 MB VRAM such as an ATI Radeon X1600 or NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT class card or better In addition to the above hardware requirements, you must have:
The final requirements for StarCraft II have not yet been determined; due to ongoing development the minimum requirements listed above are subject to change at any time. Unfortunately, during this phase a Mac version will not be available. |
||
It should be noted, that the specs have only been seen on the EU Support page for Blizzard, not the US. Although this might be because the EU team is working now, while the US team is just getting in to the office.
It's interesting also to see the beta client will only be available for Windows from start. A Mac client will likely come when Battle.net has been stress tested more thoroughly.
If you would like to discuss the requirements and the beta further, you can now access our StarCraft 2 Beta Forum. The privacy limitations on the forums have been lifted today as well. Good timing, huh?
That’s pretty awesome! I almost fit into the recommended requirements, not just minimum. That hasn’t happened with a new game for a long time.
I’d just have to clean up my disc a little, or better yet plug in my new one at last.