OFFICIAL OO STARCRAFT II RELEASE THREAD OMG

[Chaz]

Great big thread for Starcraft II (because we didn't have one). Actual impressions start on page 3.

OO Battle.net friends list.
Gaming Trend's equivalent.

For those like me who are total noobs to Starcraft MP, two good videos by Day[9] going over some basics of MP technique:

Back to basics.
Plugging leaks in silver-level play.
The complete list of Day[9] Daily videos. Generally, these are replays of very high-level play, but the guy commentating on them is very entertaining, knowledgeable, and generally explains why something that happened was good or bad. While I know I'll never play at that level, watching with commentary is incredibly educational.

Original post:
I swear there was one. Am I blind?

[MonkeyFinger]

This one?

[Chaz]

I can't believe that GT would have an SC2 thread and OO (ie: PC Central) doesn't.

Also, I thought there was a link in it to a Youtube video where someone cut together the SC1 storyline using cinematics, mission briefings, and in-game stuff.

[GreenGoo]

There's one here. I actually thought the link above was to ours, until your last post.

I'll look around in a bit, see if I can find it.

Edit: Here ya go.

[Lorini]

But we need one for the release. Particularly since the campaign was not in the beta.

[Chaz]

I swear there was a more recent one.

[Smoove_B]

Nope. Time is just flying by. I too thought it was odd we didn't have a SC2 thread pegged at the top of this forum, but I've also heard...not good things about SC2 so maybe that's why.

[GreenGoo]

Well, beta threads evolving into release threads was a topic much discussed when the not released forum went away.

I don't believe there is any specific etiquette with regard to threads like that. Keep posting in that one or create a new one for the release. Each has its benefits and drawbacks. I don't think there is an official policy.

Like I said in the other thread, I'll pick this up when it's discounted (as much as blizzard's stuff gets discounted). I'm interested, but not day 1 interested. There were better RTS's around when Starcraft came out. (mostly) More of the same hasn't really grabbed my attention.

[Chaz]

I caved to the hype. I just sold a bunch of DVDs and got $50 in a birthday card, so I pre-ordered the CE for in-store pickup at Best Buy. I am very dumb.

I guess I should just rename this the SC2 release thread.

[GreenGoo]

Sounds good to me. For whatever reason, people here haven't been hugely excited, so the ones that are, are probably doing their talking at some other more focused SC2 site.

Forum effect will probably kick in after release and there will be more discussion.

But yeah, OO has been strangely quiet on SC2.

[JonathanStrange]

Too quiet.

[Chaz]

I'm not even all that interested in Starcraft, and I'm only getting it because I have some mad money in my pocket and am a sucker for Blizzard CEs. How did I wind up the OP on the SC2 thread?

This means that tonight I need to call Blizz and get my account back. My WoW account was hijacked months ago, and I haven't had a need for it til now. Hopefully that's not a painful process.

[Smoove_B]

From what I've read, no it's not. But definitely get the autheticator.

Of course waiting until 3 days before one of the most highly anticipated RTS sequels is released is not working in your favor.

[Chaz]

Yeah, once I get it back, I'm definitely setting up the iphone authenticator app. Eh, if I don't get it back by Tuesday, I'll live.

[tgb]

They're doing Starcraft II? I hadn't heard.

[Apollo]

Sorry, but once you've played a couple dozen RTS games they all seem the same. I would've been a bit excited about this release 10 years ago but now the whole RTS genre just makes me think "Been there, done that"...

[MonkeyFinger]

There's one here. I actually thought the link above was to ours, until your last post.

I'll look around in a bit, see if I can find it.

Edit: Here ya go.

I linked to the GT post as I too could not find any mention here... and now I see why. I was searching for "starcraft" as one word, never thought to make it two words to see what turned up.

I'm in much the same boat as Apollo, having burned out on RTS games many moons ago. Every now and then I buy another one and end up regretting it... almost pulled the trigger on SC2 as it looks really good and the TV commercials were swaying me but then I came to my senses.

[Jeff V]

They're doing Starcraft II? I hadn't heard.

I heard. I don't care, but I heard.

[hepcat]

Sorry, but once you've played a couple dozen RTS games they all seem the same. I would've been a bit excited about this release 10 years ago but now the whole RTS genre just makes me think "Been there, done that"...

I'm usually the same, with the exception of RTS games by Relic (Company of Heroes, Warhammer 40k) who bring something new or compelling to the table every time they do one.

But if there's a company who can equal that ability, it would be Blizzard. I have some Best Buy gift cards and reward zone coupons, so I may bite.

[Smoove_B]

Yeah, my interest in fast spammy RTS games has long passed, but I have to acknowledge the greatness that is Blizzard. Hell, I played through the new Command and Conquer game mostly to see the CGI movies in between missions.

I am rather surprised that it's being sold at full price everywhere. Even my go-to vendor (Amazon) hasn't dropped the price a single $1, which is odd since they're usually good for $5-10 off. I guess they know it's going to sell a billion copies.

I'm interested...just not release day / full price interested.

[Lordnine]

I played in the Beta and its pretty much everything I dislike about a multiplayer real time strategy game. That said I fully expect to enjoy the single player campaign. DoWII will remain my go-to multiplayer RTS.

[xwraith]

That said I fully expect to enjoy the single player campaign.

Yeah, I'm hoping for a good story with the single player part. Multiplayer doesn't hold that much interest for me.

[Debris]

Even though I'm dying for something new to play right now, I'm giving this one a pass. I'm not a big fan of RTS, although I do play them once in a while, and this seems like the same old, same old from Blizzard.

It's almost as if they keep releasing the same games over and over again...

[ScubaV]

An article and video on SC2 single-player for the uninformed:

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010 ... raft-2.ars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYdheOvO ... fzgpx30b-Q

[naednek]

An article and video on SC2 single-player for the uninformed:

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010 ... raft-2.ars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYdheOvO ... fzgpx30b-Q

wow, can't wait for single player!

[Avenger]

Sorry, but once you've played a couple dozen RTS games they all seem the same. I would've been a bit excited about this release 10 years ago but now the whole RTS genre just makes me think "Been there, done that"...

My feelings exactly.

[MonkeyFinger]

An article and video on SC2 single-player for the uninformed:

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010 ... raft-2.ars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYdheOvO ... fzgpx30b-Q

wow, can't wait for single player!

The video is part of the Beginner's Guide at the official site.

[tjg_marantz]

An article and video on SC2 single-player for the uninformed:

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010 ... raft-2.ars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYdheOvO ... fzgpx30b-Q

wow, can't wait for single player!

Hate to say it but same here. I can get through about 3 missions on RTS games and then it all blends into one.

[Tampa_Gamer]

I recall in the original that you could not pause and give orders (ala Company of Heroes). Has this changed with this new one?

[naednek]

I recall in the original that you could not pause and give orders (ala Company of Heroes). Has this changed with this new one?

doubt it. after all it is a Real Time Strategy Game, not Semi-Real Time Strategy Game

[Chaz]

Hooray, got my bnet account back. It was fairly painless. Tried calling throughout last night, but for four hours, the automated thing said their hold queue was full and to try later. They opened up at 10am EST today, so I called about fifteen minutes after that, and the wait time was still about 45 minutes. Yow.

The guy was cheerful for it being 7am PST. Got my name, email, and secret question answer, and that was all the info I was asked for. He said that the authenticator that was on there after teh haxoring had been removed, so he sent me the password reset email. I spent a while on hold while I escalated and waited for an answer back from the un-banning people, and said since it was taking so long (due to the breach happening several months ago?), he'd email me when they got back to him.

A few hours later, I hadn't heard back, but did the password reset and added an authenticator. Now I seem to have my account back and it shows my WoW account as frozen. I guess that's good? Would the status show as banned? Either way, I will now be able to play SC2 on Tuesday. Woo.

Of course, there's a good chance I'll be too tired to play. Crunch time at work is no fun.

[Odin]

Meh. I remember enjoying the original Starcraft, but not enough to get any of the expansions and I'm long past the point where Blizzard RTS games interest me. Particularly after Warcraft 3, which I never even came close to finishing.

[Lorini]

I'm going to a midnight opening myself. I might even go to the Fry's one, but that Fry's is not known for a ton of parking and I'm too old to be waiting for hours.

I really enjoy RTS's and I had a good time in the beta. I like Dawn of War for the factions, SupCom for the tactics and Starcraft II for the interaction between the races. I'm very excited about Starcraft II!

[Chaz]

I'd go to a midnight opening only because I'm at work during the entire time the Best Buy my copy's preordered at is open, except they're not having one, and I likely won't be able to get a CE at the Gamestop near me that is open at midnight. I'd only be going to avoid having to take a long lunch to get it.

[YellowKing]

Anybody else doing Blizzard's digital download option? They let you pre-load so on release day all you have to do is launch the installer and pay/activate. I figured I'd go that route and save myself a trip to the store after work, especially since I don't ever see myself re-selling or trading the game. Just crossing my fingers the activation servers don't crash and burn.

[killbot737]

I am still conflicted. I play SC single player exclusively and I don't want to pay $180 for a complete game.

I suppose I could wait 2 years until the "Complete Pack" gets released.

[naednek]

I am still conflicted. I play SC single player exclusively and I don't want to pay $180 for a complete game.

I suppose I could wait 2 years until the "Complete Pack" gets released.

I'm not conflicted because each release equals what is considered to be a full game. People have the misconception that it's going to be mini packs that adds up to a full game. As that's been said many times before, that's not the case.

[wonderpug]

Have they said how many missions are in this first release?

[Lee]

Preordered because Blizzard makes great games. Hate that you can't give orders while paused though. That means I will play until gets too hard. About 6 missions.

[naednek]

From the FAQ
http://us.starcraft2.com/faq.xml

How long is each of the campaigns?

StarCraft II's terran campaign will consist of approximately 26 to 30 missions, and each expansion set will include a similar number of missions. This means that the complete StarCraft II Trilogy will include as many as 90 single-player missions. This allows us to create a truly epic story experience with a great variety of unique missions and gameplay types.

Seems more is being offered than other RTS games out there. And you'll know that each mission will be balanced and basically near perfect just from their history.