Update
Original
Although Blizzard has remained tight-lipped as usual, rumours that the long awaited Star Craft II open beta is close to going live are swirling about the internet.
The beta was previously thought to be launching sometime last year, followed by the release of the full game. That never happened, obviously, and StarCraft fans are still waiting for Blizzard to say something.
We know that the delay of StarCraft II was due largely to delays in creating the new Battle.net engine. The entire multiplayer component of StarCraft II will operate via Battle.net, so it is obviously important for Blizzard to make sure the system is stable and optimized before launch.
The publisher has posted a preview of the new Battle.net,and states that the big update will soon go live.
“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,” says the site, which also details new features to the service, like cross-game chat, the Real ID service, updated matchmaking and the StarCraft II user mod marketplace. Hey, even Battle.Net has cross-game chat!
Exactly how the new Battle.net will work for local gamers remains to be seen. With no LAN component, SA gamers are hoping that that the service caters to ourgeographic location and internet landscape.
The preview has many anticipating an impromptu beta date announcement any day now. The preview video suggests that the new Battle.net is very close to finished, and we are predicting that the StarCraft II beta will kick off within the next 2 weeks.
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