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The StarCraft 2 Beta Starts 31 March, 6pm PDT?

Posted 28th Mar 2009 08:28 PM by Leord



We received this tip from multiple sources, including Arziak and Lexus. That some fans are getting a welcome e-mail to the StarCraft 2 beta, claiming it will start on March 31, 6pm PDT. You can read the mail below.

UPDATE!
This mail is confirmed to be another hoax. However, you can read about the Beta release and how to get a beta key in the StarCraft II Wings of Liberty Beta Center

Below you can find the original news item that now is confirmed fake:

Blizzard Quote: (Source)
Welcome to the beta test of Starcraft II!

We're excited to have reached the beta-testing stage for Starcraft II and our upgraded Battle.net service, and we'd be grateful to have you join us during the next few months of fine tuning.

Getting started:
Along with the beta of Starcraft II, we are rolling out our new Battle.net delivery system which will serve as the primary channel for downloading the game and its updates. In order to participate, you will need to use the Battle.net account associated with this email address.

In an effort to test our distribution system in a high load environment, we are giving a few days lead so that a large number of beta testers have the opportunity to read this email first. Our planned activation is Tuesday, March 31st at 6 PM PDT.

To see what time it is in your time zone, please check here:
http://www.timeanddate.com/

After that time, you will be able to login to your Battle.net account at http://us.battle.net and download the "Battle.net Client (Beta)" which adds a host of new features to Battle.net including:


  • A global friends list between all Blizzard games
  • The ability to quickly join or observe your friends' games
  • Detailed statistics and rankings for each game
  • Track the global achievements of you and your friends
  • And much, much more!


In addition, it will serve as the launch pad for Starcraft II and will automatically begin downloading your authenticated copy once you run it for the first time. Once the game is installed, you will be able to access the Battle.net Client from within the game or as a standalone desktop application.

Sending us feedback:
In the bottom left corner of the Battle.net Client (CTRL-SHIFT-B from within Starcraft II) there is a button called 'Feedback' which will bring up a place for you to report any bugs or suggestions. We also welcome feedback on the official Starcraft II forums at http://forums.battle.net/board.html?forumId=12009&sid=3000

Please retain this email for your records. If you experience any technical issues getting started or while playing, please email support at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

We look forward to seeing you online soon!



It's unknown if this is a real mail or not at this time, and we'll find out if more fans get the same e-mail. Please report in to us if you have received a similar e-mail!

Before believing the mail to be authentic, consider the following:

  • The mail is slightly different in style than other mails sent out by Blizzard.
  • Blizzard rarely use third party links in their mails, the time zone link seems out of place.
  • Blizzard likes to make a big thing out of things like their betas, so even considering sending any form of mass mail (even to a small group) revealing the Beta start date is unlikely.


Having said this, contrary to popular fan belief, there is no one style that Blizzard write in. The style is always similar, but minor variations have always existed between different mails or press releases. Sometimes genuine leaked information has been discounted by fans as fake due to their skeptical nature. The fact that local members of the site like Arziak have received the mail would suggest that the mail could be real and the above mentioned third party website is also used by Blizzard on their support pages!

Thanks again, Arziak and Lexus.


Digg!


Comments

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Page 1 of 4 pages  1 2 3 >  Last »
Gibybo
Posted 28, Mar 2009 08:47 PM
(0)
 

This is how these news posts should be, with question marks and skepticism smile

Reply
 
Leord
Posted 28, Mar 2009 08:56 PM
(0)
 

We live and learn wink

Reply
 
PsicoBast
Posted 28, Mar 2009 09:21 PM
(0)
 

Nice fake

Reply
 
whenissc2comingout
Posted 28, Mar 2009 09:37 PM
(0)
 

I hope this is true that would be so sick

Reply
 
Leord
Posted 28, Mar 2009 09:56 PM
(0)
 

Well, if it’s not fake, then it’s pretty well made.

If it IS a fake, we know Arziak is a little trickster wink

Reply
 
whenissc2comingout
Posted 28, Mar 2009 10:30 PM
(0)
 

Well the only thing I do not like is we should of seen another battle report by now because I thought that was supposed to come out first..

Reply
 
Leord
Posted 28, Mar 2009 10:32 PM
(0)
 

Still 2 days of office hours at Blizz before 31st of March.

 
whenissc2comingout
Posted 28, Mar 2009 10:36 PM
(0)
 

Are you thinking battle report in the morning, beta at night?

Reply
 
Edi
Posted 28, Mar 2009 11:08 PM
(0)
 

What if the first countdown is for battle report #2 and the second countdown is for beta announcement !!

raspberry

Reply
 
Leord
Posted 29, Mar 2009 12:58 AM
(0)
 

I'm pretty sure the first counter is for SCLegacy's site revamp. Blizzard never release content on weekends, unless it's BlizzCon/WWI.

 
DemonHunter
Posted 28, Mar 2009 11:50 PM
(0)
 

battle report at sunday 29th, beta at 31th plz :D

Reply
 
Gorog
Posted 29, Mar 2009 12:07 AM
(0)
 

I think it’s fake…
I think if it’s real blizzard create sc2support email before the beta.
I hope it isn’t hoax, but i think it is…

Nedoruceny mail / Undelivered Mail [FAILED(1)]
piece:
FAILED:
Original Recipient:
rfc822;SC2Support@blizzard.com
Final Recipient:
RFC822;SC2Support@blizzard.com
Status:
5.1.1 (bad destination mailbox)
Remote MTA:
dns; mx4.blizzard.com (12.129.251.163|25|90.183.38.135|52367)
Last Attempt Date:
Sat, 28 Mar 2009 23:01:56 +0100
X-ZTAID:
smtp[13239]
Diagnostic Code:
smtp; 550 (No such user [SC2Support@blizzard.com])
Control data:
smtp blizzard.com (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) 65534
Diagnostic texts:
<<- MAIL From:<> BODY=8BITMIME SIZE=504
->> 250 Ok
<<- RCPT To:<SC2Support@blizzard.com>
->> 550 No such user ((JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address))

Reply
 
supertino
Posted 29, Mar 2009 12:17 AM
(0)
 

If that is a real mail header and not altered.. the IP address take me to IRVIN CA (blizzards HQ is located there)

 
supertino
Posted 29, Mar 2009 12:19 AM
(0)
 

oh wait thats not the mail header...ignore me =D

 
Leord
Posted 29, Mar 2009 01:01 AM
(0)
 

I agree. Seems like it could be. OTOH, why would they open the support mail before the beta starts?

 
Blazur
Posted 29, Mar 2009 06:55 PM
(0)
 

I can confirm receiving this e-mail as well. Looks like the test is finally beginning, unless this is all a joke which would be a very cruel one.

 
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