"We're in the final stretch," says Blizzard
StarCraft II's lead developer Dustin Browder was kind enough to produce a little FAQ for the fans last evening via BlizzBlues, which has some interesting updates, as you'd expect.
Naturally, most SC players are anticipating when the game will be out, and there is some word on that:
"Unless something crazy happens, the Beta is going to happen this year," stated Browder. "We don't want to lie about the Beta, and we don't even want to lie about the next Battle Report. When we know a date (for anything) for certain, we'll let you know."
For those wondering exactly what they've been working on, especially with it playing so fine at last year's BlizzCon, it's the solo campaign as well as Battle.net, both of which are under "heavy construction".
Last week, Blizzard COO Paul Sam said the beta would come sometime "in the months ahead", complete with an early version of a new Battle.net architecture.
Browder's final note says: "Hang in there. We're in the final stretch."
I mean, I've played Diablo II and this game looks like a big graphics overhaul, but I don't see the gameplay hook.
Unless they pull something really interesting together at the last minute, I'll give it a pass.
Interestingly, Starcraft II is looking like it has the same problem. Both sequels look more like updates of the hit games than anything new and exciting.
That said, I'm still going to get Starcraft II.