Starcraft II playable at BlizzCon

Gamers will be able to get their hands on Blizzard's upcoming real-time strategy sequel for the first time at sold-out fan event.

Despite a $100 asking price, tickets for Blizzard Entertainment's fanfest BlizzCon sold out just three days after going on sale earlier this month, according to event organizers. However, Blizzard ratcheted up the hype another notch today, as the company announced that attendees of BlizzCon will be able to get their hands on a playable version its long-awaited real-time strategy sequel Starcraft II for the first time.

The game will be featured in demo kiosks at BlizzCon, and attendees will get the chance to try out some of the sequel's new units and gameplay features in multiplayer matches. In addition to the chance to play Starcraft II, attendees will receive a sampling of other Blizzard-related schwag, such as an in-game Murloc suit for World of Warcraft, and a beta key for an upcoming--but unspecified--Blizzard Entertainment game.

Scheduled for August 3-4 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, BlizzCon is taking place at the same time as other popular PC game fan festivals. Doom maker id Software is hosting QuakeCon August 2-5 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas, while Sony Online Entertainment will hold its annual Fan Faire August 2-4 at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas.

For more on BlizzCon, check out the official Web site.

94 Comments

  • AppleSnowMan

    Posted Jul 7, 2007 5:58 pm PT

    Give anything to be able to go.

  • Hewkii

    Posted Jun 30, 2007 9:20 pm PT

    kujel- they specifically said no console ports. link.

  • Topace_

    Posted Jun 25, 2007 9:29 pm PT

    I so wish it wasn't on the other side of the country. I would easily shell out $100 dollars for this event. Heck, I'd probably spend atleast another hundred on StarCraft merchandise that would end up just sitting on my desk. I guess I'll just have to wait for a public released demo to download...

  • evac156

    Posted Jun 25, 2007 2:22 pm PT

    Funny, my first reaction was the same as new_challeger -- that's a lot of money to get a look at some games that aren't complete, and maybe get a chance to playtest one for a moment. But then I thought about it -- I can easily spend $100 on a good dinner out, and that lasts a lot less than a weekend. I guess if people get that much fun out of BlizzCon, it's worth it to them.

    Those of you who do go, just remember -- let Blizzard know that the single player campaign has to be at least as good as it was in StarCraft and Brood War. Don't let the multiplayer guys have all the fun!

  • Octaaf7

    Posted Jun 25, 2007 1:05 am PT

    3 days?
    so there are people who love this game more then i do!

  • net_mugger

    Posted Jun 25, 2007 12:07 am PT

    I can't wait to play starcraft 2~ that's for sure

  • USmellLikePoopy

    Posted Jun 24, 2007 9:14 pm PT

    Well if my computer can run Starcraft II, I will get it.

  • rokkuman09

    Posted Jun 24, 2007 9:53 am PT

    That's pretty cool.

  • kujel

    Posted Jun 24, 2007 7:56 am PT

    I really want to know if blizzard plans on releasing a 360 version of Starcraft II, I'd pick it up 360 long before I get it for PC. Unfortunately they haven't announced anything for sure on the platforms. I'm probably going to get yelled at for this comment but they did release a version of Starcraft I on N64 and yes I heard it was dog **** but the N64 isn't well suited for RTSs like the 360 has already proven itself to be.

  • Cobra5

    Posted Jun 24, 2007 12:36 am PT

    The beta keys are for a Diablo MMORPG.

    Mark my words!!


    Anyway, maybe this means they'll have a public demo for Starcraft II sometime before its release. I hope so, because I'm pretty psyched about it.

  • XGxAxMxExRX

    Posted Jun 23, 2007 3:48 pm PT

    aww I could of bought tickets for the anaheim one ..... because I live like right next to it

  • REd_toe

    Posted Jun 23, 2007 9:21 am PT

    if you live 10 mins away, you should have bought tickets....

  • Ninja_Dog

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 9:24 pm PT

    I live 10 minutes away from BlizzCon! Maybe I can sneak in....

  • TRH4469

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 8:02 pm PT

    i wish i could be there starcraft 2 is going to be amazing.

  • Roman_Slayer

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 7:14 pm PT

    Actually closer to 49 pounds, don't know why I know 'cause I live in America. However, I can't go 'cause it's in California (I live in Michigan, the crap-state).

  • boozak

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 4:46 pm PT

    I'd pay 100$ thats bout 52pounds isnt it? well whatever doesnt matter cause it's in America pfft.. /cry

  • moebiwankenobi

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 2:48 pm PT

    spent all morning on the 2nd day of sales from 4am - 11am trying to buy tickets (their servers were massively hammered) and I finally got in! Making the trip from Canada so we're going to stop off at Disneyland too. This is shaping up to be some nice Blizzard love : too bad Blizzard North isn't really there anymore.

  • Brokendemise

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 2:32 pm PT

    A Beta Key?!? For an Unknown Game?!? The Possibilities makes me cry a tear of joy...on the inside.

  • decoy1978

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 12:50 pm PT

    100 is a bit steep, but then again your getting things there no one will possibly ever get. And in an MMO community such as WoW, if I see someone with a Murloc suit, the last thing in my mind is 'that fool wasted 100'. Instead I'll be going 'HOLY CRAP a Murloc suit!!! OMGWTFBBQPWNZ'

  • GreenGoblin2099

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 12:36 pm PT

    If any of you goes to BlizzCon, play SC2, and I can't do that... I'll hate you. Seriously.

  • bestco

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 11:28 am PT

    It's demand and supply, Blizzard sold out the tickers in just a few days, in my opinion they could charge $200 for a ticket and there would still be plenty of people willing to pay for it.

  • RaHDoN

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 10:37 am PT

    Yes, it SURE is stupid to spend that $100. LOL get a clue....

    I'll be the one laughing when I'm $200 richer for going after selling the Murloc Suit for $300 bucks on ebay. Not to mention I'll also walk away with a BETA KEY to boot.

    On top of it all, I'm thrilled to go and be a part of this experience and honestly when all is said and done I most likely would never be able to sell the schwag. It makes the experience all the more memorable.

    Oh yeah, it's REAL dumb to go. Look it up, the last Blizzcon's schwag sold (and still sells) for tons on ebay.

  • new_challeger posted Jun 22, 2007 9:46 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    new_challeger

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 9:46 am PT (hide)

    100$ to go to a stupid gaming convention to find a bunch of nerds and a line to play a demo of an incomplete game for probably one minute? No thanks.

  • earlthecannibal

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 9:23 am PT

    If i was to attend Blizzcon this year, I would go as a giant cardboard box painted green (like the orcs in wow) with a large sign reading: Graphics upgrade needed!

  • Nexrad

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 8:31 am PT

    i hope we all can play a demo soon too...i can till 2008 when it comes out

  • mismajor99

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 8:27 am PT

    So many awsome events coming this summer, Liepzig looks promising as well.

  • MoldOnHold

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 8:26 am PT

    Lucky them.

  • hermes200

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 8:16 am PT

    I just hope that means a demo will be available soon...

  • SemiMaster

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 7:43 am PT

    Wait... it's actually playable? Does that mean it COULD be released in 2008?

  • NWA_31

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 7:19 am PT

    Them lucky gamers -_-

  • Phazevariance

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 7:13 am PT

    I can't wait for SC2. I hope its not a DX10 only game or something that really limits the maount of people who can play it. ... but at least it isn't sprites anymore.

  • StryfeBringer

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 6:03 am PT

    $100 for the chance to play a demo of Starcraft 2... might be worth it. The only problem I see is the LONG waiting line at the kiosk for the SC2 demo. I hope Blizzard is going to have quite of few of those kiosks... or else there might be a riot.

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 6:01 am PT

    man that's a nice incentive.... along with the murloc suit for WoW. i'm afraid $100 is still too much for me (aside from the travel cost).

  • immortaljester6

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 5:04 am PT

    I would go if I lived by it but since I dont I'll just wait till they relase some good footage and till they game comes out......O well have fun guys.

  • GrimGravy

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 1:37 am PT

    i figured it would be

  • football_legend

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 1:24 am PT

    No wonder, they got awesome fanbase. 100$ for tickets?

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 12:42 am PT

    Aww man, I would have bought a ticket if I known that I would get to play an early build of Starcraft 2

  • ryaz_weaponx

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 12:28 am PT

    wow, im soooooooooooooooooooooooo jelous, man i cant be der

  • jedijr88

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 10:48 pm PT

    People writing about how Blizzcon is a stupid convention and isn't worth 100 dollars clearly has no idea what truly is offered there or just really doesn't have any appreciation for it.

    The fact that they are having a full orchestra performing their music, for most people alone would be worth the price of admission.

    Getting to attend panels where the artists and designers talk about their past and present work can be really interesting to people that care about how games are made.

    ...and some people would pay 100 dollars just to be able to sit and play Starcraft 2.

    So when you figure in the contests, the give-a-ways including a beta key, the discussion panels, the game playing, the musical performances, the artist signings- spanned over 20 hours over two days- I can't imagine how someone who cares enough about videogames to be posting on this website could honestly sit there and say the 100 charge is a slap in the face of their fans. They are out of their mind.

    Blizzard Entertainment is a BUSINESS. Of COURSE they are concerned about profit. Them and every other developer that exists. I could possibly see how someone could make the argument that overall Blizzard isn't typically a pioneering company in terms of entering dramatic new ground. Instead they perfect old, often times stale formulas of game design and rework them to create something that by the end, really is an entirely new experience. MMOs aren't new, but for the almost 9 million players they have, most of those people didn't play MMOs before WoW. Criticize their creativity all you want, but while you play your more "creative" games, I'll choose to play the polished reinvented ones. To push back a game, is to make sure that it is as close to perfect form as possible. It often results in a much more polished and entertaining game. If it is at this point when you lose interest, then that really sucks because you've then clearly missed out on many of the best videogames of all time. Sure Starcraft2 has been in development for 4 years- but you know they've been a little busy with that whole World of Warcraft thing...

    Don't speak for the rest of the Blizzard fans. Most would be willing to front more than 100 dollars to take part in all of that.

  • ekisom

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 10:45 pm PT

    i hear that 100$ is worth your time and money. lots of freebies that'll sell for many times your $100 investment

  • The_General2000

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 10:44 pm PT

    I hope the demo isn't horribly limiting or anything.

    "You get to play Starcraft 2! You start with no base and a mothership. Your opponent starts with six battlecruisers... aaaaaaaaand, go!"

  • beckoflight

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 10:34 pm PT

    me 2!

  • crunchy9178

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 10:09 pm PT

    meh... wait for the real deal

  • rqasem

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 10:04 pm PT

    Hey Guys, remember how Starcraft Ghost was playable too? *zing* Don't get your hopes up for a quick release is all I'm saying...

  • GIF

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 10:02 pm PT

    When you charge fans $100 to go to a stupid convention, you better at least have something new for them to play. Don't care until the game is released. All talk an no action, especially since we all know this game was in development since 2003(4 years of development time already) and the online modes are in yet Blizzard has not announced a release date. Also, they are not the most punctual game company always pushing back games numerous times to the point where I lose interest. Also, its becoming clearer and clearer Blizzard is becoming EA with its major concern shifting from creativity to profit. The inclusion of a playable build of Starcraft 2 is not a bonus, its needed while the $100 admittance fee is a slap in the face of fans. This should have been held at a LARGER venue so more fans could go and for a lesser entry price. For a $100, I can go watch a movie, buy an Xbox 360 game or simply take a woman out on a date rather than spend it at the door to a convention about games.

  • Crush_Project

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 9:37 pm PT

    somebody better bring us some Youtube love!

  • kingmario78

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 9:36 pm PT

    Man...I wish I could've gone...and I'm soo close.
    I just want to know how the gameplay is...

  • nemes1s3000

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 9:29 pm PT

    Since I don't get to go to Blizzcon, I just hope they release more updates for SC2 on their website.

  • Gamer_supreme

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 9:28 pm PT

    World of Starcraft Please!

  • thelizno

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 9:26 pm PT

    crap, i missed the tickets :s ..
    @ Seymour47; i'll beat you too it!

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