SCII:WOL Collectors Edition

[Gben 20]

StarCraft II, now in closed beta, still doesn't have a release date, but with today's news, it's clear Blizzard is getting close to an official announcement. When it does ship for Windows PCs and Macs, Wings of Liberty will retail for $59.99. For $40 more, the Collector's Edition package will include these exclusive goodies:

• The Art of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, a 176-page book featuring artwork from the game
• An exclusive 2GB USB flash drive replica of Jim Raynor's dog tag, which comes preloaded with the original StarCraft and the StarCraft: Brood War expansion set
• A behind-the-scenes DVD containing over an hour of developer interviews, cinematics with director's commentary, and more
• The official StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty soundtrack CD, containing 14 epic tracks from the game along with exclusive bonus tracks
• StarCraft comic book issue #0, a prequel to the comic series
• Exclusive Battle.net downloadable content, including special portraits for your Battle.net profile, decals to customize your units in-game, and a visually unique version of the terran Thor unit

Seen at gamespy aust. But I assume these are US prices, especially because we don't believe in 99c price stickers.

[Luk3us 63]

I see Activision are busy at work driving up the prices of video games yet again...

 

Yaa?

[Sonic 294]

Looks like SC2 has an internet connection requirement.

 

 

From Kotaku: http://kotaku.com/5512576/does-starcraft-i...rnet-connection

 

Last we'd heard, StarCraft II was playable offline, but the box art for Wings of Liberty clearly states "Internet Connection Required." Has there been a change in plans?

 

Screenshots distributed at BlizzCon last year had us questioning whether or not StarCraft II would require an internet connection to play. The launch screen for the game contained a Battle.net login prompt, leading fans already concerned with the game's lack of LAN support to worry over lack of online support as well.

 

Blizzard's Rob Pardo set us straight that weekend, saying, "You can play in offline mode if you want - I just don't think you're going to want to," suggesting the online features you'd be giving up are too appealing to miss.

 

Now the box art is telling us that both an internet connection and a Battle.net account are required to play. What gives?

 

We contacted Blizzard's Bob Colayco, who clarified the situation for us.

 

"An initial activation check-in is required, which we also have been mentioning since BlizzCon and even before that. The campaign and other solo aspects of the game are still playable offline after your initial activation."

 

That seems completely reasonable, doesn't it? I mean, if you don't have access to the internet whatsoever, how are you reading this? Your phone? Don't be ridiculous, phones don't have the internet

[Luk3us 63]

I like the new cover art.

[Mighty BOB! 5]

Now THAT is a collector's edition! It comes with the original game+expansion! Not this pittance we get from certain other nameless companies.

[Guest Stevie_K]

I see Activision are busy at work driving up the prices of video games yet again...

 

I think it's rather cheap for such a quality game and massive collectors edition.

[Luk3us 63]

Not the collectors edition. The standard edition.

[Guest Stevie_K]

Things of good quality cost more than those of bad. I think this game is going to be superior.

 

[Luk3us 63]

Yes, but who decides what is a superior game and what isn't? All these people are doing is driving up the price. Until eventually all games are sold at the same price. Just like they all are now, despite if they are any good or not. Pah.

[Doctor Destiny 41]

Prior history is a good indicator, you know.

[Sonic 294]

StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty Collector's Edition is $200 NZ at Mighty Ape. $200!! No thanks. None of the **** in the pack is work the extra $120 odd over the standard edition.

 

http://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/PC-Game...dition/6122611/

 

And July 23rd 2010 for a release date, not confirmed. Probably more like November I think.

[Gben 20]

http://www.gamehead.com.au/PC-Games/Other/...-PC-Games/96872 Regular Edition Preorder Special - AUD$88.95 plus $5.95 postage

http://www.gamehead.com.au/PC-Games/Other/...C-Games/7007474 special edition preorder special AUD$128.95 plus $5.95 postage.

Oh and plus $3 for credit card processing... that's pretty slack!

 

That is tempting me...

 

AUD$148 at ebgames online for comparison.

 

 

[Sonic 294]

I'm not getting StarCraft II anyway so it will cost me $0, that's a huge saving right here. Seriously though, I've had no interest in StarCraft II since it was announced.

[Doctor Destiny 41]

Then you miss out on a better RTS experience than any C&C, including the originals. Nothing compares...

[Gben 20]

Your loss Sonic...

 

But I'm thinking maybe I'll just get the standard edition... no doubt there will be a cool pack when the final game comes out.

[Sonic 294]

Then you miss out on a better RTS experience than any C&C, including the originals. Nothing compares...

Well its more to do with the fact that I think I'm done with PC games now. I don't see myself buying any more PC games for the foreseeable future.

[Saracen 16]

Even though my RTS and even PC gaming is "casual", in the loosest sense of the word. Wings of Liberty will undoubtedly be the only PC game (bar Legacy of the Void, and Heart of the Swarm) that I will buy for the beyond far foreseeable future.

 

I just hope that now Activision own 100% of Blizzard (it was not a merger despite the initial reports) that they don't do an Infinity Ward on their ass once Wings of Liberty is out. You cannot rush Blizzard perfection, but I somehow see the only reason Activision isn't worried about the budget, is because World of Warcrack brings in such an insane amount of Money, why should they worry?

[Guest Stevie_K]

Activision own 100% of Blizzard

 

I don't like this.

[Gben 20]

STARCRAFT® II: WINGS OF LIBERTY™

IN STORES STARTING JULY 27, 2010

 

IRVINE, Calif. – May 3, 2010 – Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. announced today that its highly anticipated real-time strategy game, StarCraft® II: Wings of Liberty™, will arrive in stores throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Mexico, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and the regions of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau starting on July 27, 2010. Players will also be able to purchase StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty directly from Blizzard Entertainment shortly after the retail launch.

 

"We've been looking forward to revisiting the StarCraft universe for many years, and we're excited that the time for that is almost here," said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. "Thanks to our beta testers, we're making great progress on the final stages of development, and we'll be ready to welcome players all over the world to StarCraft II and the new Battle.net® in just a few months."

 

StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is the sequel to Blizzard Entertainment’s 1998 hit StarCraft, which has been hailed by players and critics worldwide as one of the top real-time strategy games of all time. Sporting a vibrant 3D-graphics engine, StarCraft II will once again center on the clash between the protoss, terrans, and zerg, with each side deploying legions of veteran, upgraded, and new unit types. Unparalleled online play for StarCraft II will be available through a new version of Battle.net, Blizzard Entertainment's world-renowned gaming service. Battle.net has been redesigned from the ground up to be the premier online gaming destination for Blizzard gamers, with several enhancements and new features, such as voice communication, cloud file storage, leagues and ladders, achievements, stat-tracking, and more.

 

The solo campaign for StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty will continue the epic saga where it left off in StarCraft: Brood War®. The story line chronicles the exploits of marshal-turned-rebel-leader Jim Raynor and features both familiar faces and new heroes. Players will be able to tailor the experience, choosing their own mission path and selecting technology and research upgrades to suit their playing style throughout the 29-mission campaign. Several challenge-mode mini-games will also be included, with focused goals designed to ease players into the basics of multiplayer strategies.

 

For more information on StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, visit the official website at www.starcraft2.com. Further details about the game, including the alternative pricing options previously mentioned for certain regions, will be announced in the coming weeks. With multiple games in development, Blizzard Entertainment has numerous positions currently available -- visit www.blizzard.com/jobs for more information and to learn how to apply.

About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

 

Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft® and the Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® series, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry's most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment's track record includes eleven #1-selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company's online-gaming service, Battle.net®, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Blizzard Entertainment’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Blizzard Entertainment generally uses words such as “outlook,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “might,” “remains,” “to be,” “plans,” “believes,” “may,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “estimate,” future,” “plan,” “positioned,” “potential,” “project,” “remain,” “scheduled,” “set to,” “subject to,” “upcoming” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause Blizzard Entertainment’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include, but are not limited to, sales levels of Blizzard Entertainment’s titles, shifts in consumer spending trends, the impact of the current macroeconomic environment, the seasonal and cyclical nature of the interactive game market, declines in software pricing, product returns and price protection, product delays, retail acceptance of Blizzard Entertainment’s products, competition from the used game market, industry competition and competition from other forms of entertainment, rapid changes in technology, industry standards and consumer preferences, including interest in specific genres such as real-time strategy, action–role-playing and massively multiplayer online games, protection of proprietary rights, litigation against Blizzard Entertainment, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, customers, licensees, licensors, vendors and third-party developers, including the ability to attract, retain and develop key personnel and developers who can create high quality “hit” titles, counterparty risks relating to customers, licensees, licensors and manufacturers, domestic and international economic, financial and political conditions and policies, foreign exchange rates and tax rates, and the identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities, and the other factors identified in the risk factors section of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Blizzard Entertainment and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Blizzard Entertainment nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Blizzard Entertainment or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

 

http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/press...ses.html?100503

 

I love the forward-looking-statement disclaimers....

[Luk3us 63]

Wooo!!!! :o

[recover 2]

Yes, this is pretty awesome. Let's just hope they stick with the date.

My prediction was actually this summer.

 

The beta is so so so so awesome. My only complaint is that we have to buy three games and they will probably cost some money. Blizzard = moneyholics nowadays, but they still make good games.

 

P.S. I really like the last paragraph in that press release... damn legalese.

[Doctor Destiny 41]

Blizzard is also a company in the end. They're not a charity, they're not going to give any handouts. Why the hell do people always bitch about companies being companies and doing what they're meant to do?

[recover 2]

Because it's so obvious what they are trying to do. They maximize profits and we get diminishing returns each time we pay. The value of the subsequent games are lower but the price is not.

 

It's like buying a cheese one day for 5$, a smaller cheese the next day for 5$, and a tiny cheese the third day for 5$. Can you think of anyone being happy with that?

[Doctor Destiny 41]

But this isn't the case with Blizzard. There's a reason why we're getting three games.

[Luk3us 63]

 

29 mission campaign, sounds like a lot of those will be "standalone". But still, pretty big campaign for just one side.