News

StarCraft II Officially Delayed To 2010

6:36AM August 6, 2009 | Michael McWhertor

It’s official. You won’t be playing StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty this year, as Blizzard has moved the release date of the real-time strategy game to the “first half of 2010.” No, they never dated it; but they have now.

Activision Blizzard’s justification for the delay of StarCraft II is tied to the relaunch of its upgraded Battle.net, which handles multiplayer for all things Blizzard. In a statement to the Blizzard community, the developer writes “Over the past couple of weeks, it has become clear that it will take longer than expected to prepare the new Battle.net for the launch of the game.”

Blizzard calls the new Battle.net an “integral part of the StarCraft II experience and will be an essential part of all of our games moving forward.”

While disappointing, it’s not surprising. Blizzard staffers have indicated a need for a four to six month beta period for StarCraft II.


Comments

  • Shoitaan

    August 6, 2009 at 8:01 AM

    You know whats nice? Game devs not following Hollywood’s lead and giving tobacco only to villians. That Space Marine up there looks awesome.

    • Bean Curd

      August 6, 2009 at 10:02 AM

      My problem with that particular picture is that it looks like he is smoking the cigar BEHIND his glass visor yet the smoke is still miraculously flowing out beyond his helmet.

      • Matfei

        August 6, 2009 at 10:24 AM

        His visor is open… Maybe you’re misinterpreting the ambient blue glow from his suit as interacting with another visor over his face.

  • Strik3r

    August 6, 2009 at 8:07 AM

    Battle.net an “integral part of the StarCraft II experience and will be an essential part of all of our games moving forward.” more like to play the game in SP internet connection has to run through Battle Net so no hackers can play. (wont last long)

  • Michael

    August 6, 2009 at 8:55 AM

    Big surprise here. I knew it was coming when they said the open beta would run between 4-6 months, and it hasn’t started yet P

  • fest

    August 6, 2009 at 10:22 AM

    This delay is really annoying as a big starcraft fan.. It won’t be so bad if Blizzard allows everyone into the beta though.

    • GaaaaaH

      August 6, 2009 at 12:38 PM

      At least they won’t be launching with a buggy,bad product though.

      • Joshy206

        August 6, 2009 at 4:16 PM

        Sorry, but since when did delay = better product? That’s the crappy line all game companies give, and it’s not always true. Hence patches.

  • Pete

    August 6, 2009 at 5:22 PM

    Well maybe if they included offline LAN multiplayer like they should then it wouldnt be so dependant on battle.net II

  • Metalisticpain

    August 6, 2009 at 11:11 PM

    @Joshy206

    When did blizzard release a buggy bad product? All PC games will need patches, but its not going to be broken at release.

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