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StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm beta expanded

Eddie Makuch
By Eddie Makuch, News Editor

Trial period for Blizzard Entertainment's RTS now open for those who preordered game through Battle.net prior to December 18.

Blizzard Entertainment has expanded the beta for StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm. Those who preordered a digital copy of the real-time strategy game on or before December 18 are now able to try out the game ahead of its scheduled release next year.

Gamers who digitally preordered StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm after December 18 will be added into the beta on a weekly basis. All can download the game's beta client, but only those whose accounts have been flagged for access will be able to log in.

Blizzard also noted that certain retailers, including Amazon, are offering preorder beta key codes for Heart of the Swarm. The company suggested players should check with these retailers for more information.

Heart of the Swarm is due March 12, 2013 at $40. A Collector's Edition that will include a behind-the-scenes DVD and Blu-ray disc, a soundtrack CD, a 144-page art book, and a Zerg Rush mousepad will also be available.

Heart of the Swarm is the second installment in the Starcraft II three-part series. It will follow 2010's Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty and precede the final entry, Legacy of the Void.

Eddie Makuch
By Eddie Makuch, News Editor

Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.

102 comments
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GreySeven
GreySeven like.author.displayName 1 Like

I'd pay $10, maybe $15 for this.  Blizzard products are simply not worth the royal price tag anymore.

justinka777
justinka777

im not the only one that remembers they were going to originaly release all 3 campains at once am i? but i suppose anyone would get work done faster if they didnt have their thumbs up their but hole, its very hard to type that way.

This comment has been deleted

enoslives7
enoslives7 like.author.displayName 1 Like

I love Starcraft more than life itself. Unfortunately, Activision has turned it into Greedcraft. After the Diablo 3 disaster, I will never give another dime to Blizzard. It's sad and anger-inducing to watch one of the greatest game companies on this planet get dismantled by greed.

 

Activision had turned Blizzard into it's b1tch.

jlefebre6001
jlefebre6001 like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @enoslives7 1) activision does not own blizzard. vivendi owns activision and blizzard

 

2) sc2 does not have a RMAH so what the hell are you talking about?

Sardinar
Sardinar like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @enoslives7 What ... ? Diablo lll was affected by bad management decisions not outright greed. It's a bad game but I don't know why the hell you're relating it to SC2. So many pessimists. 

 

Just because Diablo lll sucks doesn't mean Starcraft 2 is 'greedcraft.'

makryu
makryu like.author.displayName 1 Like

It's coming out at the same time as HL2: Episode 3

Choad-Warrior
Choad-Warrior

Beta testing a game that is already released...well played...well played... 

SythisTaru
SythisTaru

Why is it taking so long for an expansion? And why is it going to be the same price as a full game :X

Sardinar
Sardinar like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @SythisTaru It's taking so long for an expansion because no one wants a shit expansion.

x-TwilighT-x
x-TwilighT-x

 @SythisTaru 1: The "Expansion" was originally a stand alone game, because it features a campaign the same length as the original "Wings of Liberty" Thus the lengthy release period. Also the SC Team has been working on other side projects as well.

 

2: The price of Wings of Liberty was 60$ for the Standard game.

Wensea10
Wensea10

There is so much expansions with this game that no wonder it is respected.

starduke
starduke

I'll be waiting until they actually have the whole game, with all three races, in one package to get Starcraft 2.

x-TwilighT-x
x-TwilighT-x

 @starduke As in a trilogy pack? You get "All 3 races" in multiplayer and vs AI. It's simply the campaign that differs.

starduke
starduke

 @x-TwilighT-x I don't play Starcraft for the multiplayer! Also, the Protoss are my favorite race, so it sucks that they have the last campaign.

starduke
starduke like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @x-TwilighT-x Ah, but it isn't the Protoss! Also, I'm betting they'll have a Starcraft 2 battle chest or something, like they did for Starcraft 1.

x-TwilighT-x
x-TwilighT-x

 @starduke As far as I know they have no plans to release a single game, containing all 3. However, the campaign in each release is as long as the first game was alone. (About 32 missions)

olegavi323
olegavi323

 @starduke Well you gonna wait a long time! It took them 3 years to get this first expo XD

prismtech
prismtech

if Starcraft were to turn into a live action movie who would be the best actress to play Kerrigan?

nini200
nini200 like.author.displayName 1 Like

Whats up guys, this iiissss H to the Usky Husky bringing you some more Heart of the Swarm gameplay here featuring the Protoss favorite, WhiteRa!!

 

Husky ROCKS!!!!

 

Anyway on topic, I am really liking this game, the only thing that is keeping me away from it is the limited selection of races.  3 seems like not enough in my opinion.  This game should have at least 5 races in my opinion.  I've never played Starcraft but from what I've seen on it (battles and tournament videos), it looks like soooo much fun.

Kabbalistica
Kabbalistica

 @nini200 Don't get me wrong though... more of a good thing is always better! Just don't let the lack of races ruin this unbelievably excellent and addictive game for you. Just try it, it's really good.

Kabbalistica
Kabbalistica

 @nini200 If you tried SC2, I don't think you would feel that way about there being "only three races". You'll most likely end up really liking one race over the others (like me) and not really use the other races anyway. I like the Protoss. I almost never use the other races. If there was five races, I would just have four unused races hanging about, LOL.

akdiuuuryttt
akdiuuuryttt

 @nini200 no 3 is fine dont be a noob

nini200
nini200

 @akdiuuuryttt I'm definitely a noob in this game seeing as how I don't even own the game lol but 3 just seems limited.  I understand balancing but 5 shouldn't be difficult to balance.

 

As I stated, I really like the game from what I've seen of it, the 3 races only is keeping me from purchasing it though.

x-TwilighT-x
x-TwilighT-x

@y3ivan True, it did. However, as I said there are a lot of reasons right now, maybe later, but right now There should only be 3.

x-TwilighT-x
x-TwilighT-x

 @SythisTaru  @nini200  @akdiuuuryttt There are a ton of reasons as or right now that 3 races should be the only option for Starcraft. I haven't the time to list them, however, a comment like that comes from someone who doesnt play the game ;/

rushisurf
rushisurf

 @SOKOLEK Supreme Commander was pretty sweet, the ranges of attacks were amazing. It did feel limiting when playing the Terran Thor in Starcraft.

KratosHump3R
KratosHump3R

Anyone actually would like the idea of them bringing back the Heroes Altar from Warcraft III?  Now thats LEVELING UP!

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y3ivan
y3ivan like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @SOKOLEK try SOASE: Rebellion. It takes the good use of your tactical skills and less micromanagement

x-TwilighT-x
x-TwilighT-x like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @SOKOLEK Too much micro? That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard, next to supreme commander being a good game. Seriously. GTFO.

Sardinar
Sardinar like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @SOKOLEK You don't like Starcraft 2 for being different? 

Fowsed
Fowsed like.author.displayName 1 Like

Added new harrasing units to protoss like the oracle.. Pppppfffff, and removed warping units on highground.

Fowsed
Fowsed like.author.displayName like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 3 Like

hAHAHAHHA.. Leveling up,... are you fucking stupid? Starcraft doesnt need gimiks like that. You "level up" your skills by playing and developing strategies

x-TwilighT-x
x-TwilighT-x like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Fowsed I like the EXP system in HoTS. It adds a lot of new content, and allows you to track stats. Vs Which race, and On Which map. It's kind of genius...

Sardinar
Sardinar like.author.displayName 1 Like

 @Fowsed It's meant to appeal to casual players. 

PyroTempest
PyroTempest like.author.displayName like.author.displayName 2 Like

 @Fowsed 

The leveling up system is for unlocking portraits and etc, essentially replacing the win x many games for y reward. This way if you're ever on a losing streak for whatever reason you''ll still have an overall sense of progression as opposed to thinking "i probably shouldn't have played today".

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