Starcraft 2 and Achievements

Going in suite with console systems and other popular computer games, achievements will be introduced into Starcraft 2. Currently, there are only a handful of achievements available in the beta, but I’m sure there will be quite a few additions once the game is released on July 27th. I also have a feeling Blizzard will keep some of the beta related achievements around even after the game is released, and the ladder is wiped. That would give the beta testers a sense of accomplishment

As far as the idea of achievements go though, I think it is an excellent.  One of my main issues with the original Starcraft was that you could play a really long 4 hour game, end up losing, and wonder what exactly you wasted your time on.  With achievements (in combination with the tier ranking system), there will always be some sense of accomplishment, even if you are terrible at the game.

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Starcraft II Beta Patch 3 Build 0.5.0.14219B

Since my last post on the second beta patch, I have been noticing quite a few people are now going Terran. It wasn’t uncommon to se 3 TvT games in a row, which makes me wonder how good of an idea the buffs to that race were. 30 seconds off each upgrade time is definitely a pretty big deal. I guess we’ll see how this affects the ladders. It does seem like Blizzard is now on a schedule of pushing weekly beta patches though, which is definitely good news. more »

User suggestions on beta

Today on the Battle.net forums a user wrote a very nice and general overview of the issues he has with the beta. While I myself do not have access to playing the beta, a lot of his suggestions make a lot of sense to me (though some are probably just because it is early on in the beta process). more »

Is Blizzard happy with the direction of the beta?

In an interesting post on the Battle.net forums yesterday, someone asked how Blizzard felt the direction of the beta was headed. The concern was that everyone seems to be saying everything is overpowered, so it has to be really hard to sort the serious imbalance issues with the “I just lost, so my opponent must have been playing an overpowered race” issues.   more »

Matchmaking System

Blizzard states below that we shouldn’t worry just yet about how accurate the skill matching aspect of the matchmaking system is working. Since there are so few players in the beta right now, it is set up to just quickly find a game. more »

Starcraft II Beta Patch 2 Build 0.4.0.14133

Yesterday Blizzard released the second patch to the closed beta, with some good emphasis on Terran. Terran is currently the minority in rated games on Battle.net, and it seems like Blizzard has taken notice of this. more »

Replay Commentary PvZ 1

Not the best game in the world, but I think this replay is a good demonstration of what can happen in Starcraft II if you do not maintain the pressure. Artosis, the protoss player (perhaps the same Artosis pro protoss player from Starcraft I?), takes his time and builds up slowly – not terribly unusual protoss play. However, he fails to keep any aggression or scouting going, and the Zerg player manages to secure a decisive economic advantage. After this, it is a simple matter for the zerg to figure out a proper method of attack and take out the protoss in one fell swoop. more »

Starcraft II and Unit Composition – pt. 1

One of the more interesting things about Starcraft 2 is the new unit composition, and how the new unit concepts have altered game play and tactics. This will be addressed in more detail, but I’d like to start things off with a brief first impression of each unit from the replays and casts that I have viewed thus far. I’ll begin with Terran – seemingly unpopular in the sequel thus far, despite resounding popularity in Starcraft professional play. more »

Starcraft 2 beta in full force

If you have received a beta key through Battle.net or by some other means, you are more than likely going head to head with other lucky users as I write this. Several high quality videos have been popping up on YouTube showcasing the recent beta, and I’ll try to get a list of them going here.

According to Blizzard’s normal timeline of beta to launch dates, it should theoretically be around July when Starcraft 2 hits the shelves.  I, for one, can not wait!