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Starcraft II closed beta begins this month

Long-awaited multiplayer testing phase for Blizzard's heavily anticipated sci-fi RTS slated to begin in the next few weeks, mid-2010 launch still on track.

In August, Blizzard Entertainment disappointed gamers around the globe by announcing that Starcraft II had been delayed to the first half of 2010. One crucial step holding up that release, however, has been a beta-testing phase for the game's heavily hyped multiplayer component. And with weeks ticking by into 2010, Blizzard fans have been left wondering when the developer would make good on its call for tester applications, first issued in May 2009.

Starcraft II's closed beta is starting soon.

Starcraft II's closed beta is starting soon.

As part of Activision's year-end earnings report today, Blizzard president Mike Morhaime has now answered that question, saying that the closed beta test for Starcraft II will begin later this month. Morhaime also affirmed that the sci-fi real-time strategy title is "still tracking toward our goal of a mid-2010 release."

Starcraft II's delay into 2010 was attributed to holdups with Blizzard's relaunch of the Battle.net online gaming service. As detailed by vice president of game design Rob Pardo during last year's BlizzCon, the new Battle.net will offer gamers a variety of features, including persistent player profiles across all of Blizzard's games. The overhauled gaming platform will also feature improved matchmaking services and enhanced competitive gaming functionality.

Undoubtedly to promote the launch of Starcraft II's closed beta phase, Blizzard this week released a promotional video featuring Battle.net project director Greg Canessa. For more on Starcraft II itself, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.

260 Comments

  • Tknight71

    Posted Feb 24, 2010 7:23 pm GMT

    I think this looks great.

  • thattotally

    Posted Feb 24, 2010 1:57 pm GMT

    Excellent for an excellent series!

  • zomibe1

    Posted Feb 23, 2010 8:05 pm GMT

    man how do i find starcraft2 beta

  • Drakillion

    Posted Feb 17, 2010 7:47 pm GMT

    I didn't really track this game well so im REALLY behind. So the beta is only accessible if Blizzard invites u? Man... I'll just get the game then; $60 well spent

  • DabsTight703

    Posted Feb 17, 2010 11:33 am GMT

    I've been waiting forever. Blizzard needs to hurry up already.

  • Cabal23

    Posted Feb 17, 2010 8:09 am GMT

    @ Antagonist8503
    This isn't Korea or China. So to compare them to western countries is ridiculous. If they had any bearing what so ever we would have the same number of people still playing an outdated game and a Starcraft TV channel ( the concept of a channel dedicated to 10 year old games is just goofy). I am sure it will sell millions, but not the huge number that everyone thinks here in the US. I would wager that the number of PC gamers has declined significantly since the current generation of consoles. I haven't touched my PC in a dogs age because console games have finally caught up with PC's. I agree they are not the best for RTS's but it's only time before they find a way to streamline RTS's on consoles. I loved and played SC to death just like everyone else, but I could care less now because that was then this is now. I don't need to rehash a game because I have already been there and done that. Honestly everything I have seen makes it look like a graphically superior version of the original. Feels like groundhog day to me.

  • Gotteencs

    Posted Feb 16, 2010 10:38 am GMT

    finaly!!! I can't wait to play the beta!!

  • Waranabatokwa

    Posted Feb 16, 2010 3:50 am GMT

    my last blog about this game was march 2008.. that's almost two years now.. i'm still getting this game though.. although not as excited as back then..

  • rockutd

    Posted Feb 16, 2010 12:44 am GMT

    Wow its about time.Guess alot of ppls are sick of waiting.So far there is nothing from them but bad news...

  • Inconnux

    Posted Feb 14, 2010 2:19 pm GMT

    They lost a sale when they announced that it didn't have LAN support.

  • stEElyDaN909

    Posted Feb 14, 2010 1:22 pm GMT

    Hell, it's about time.

  • Ladiesman17

    Posted Feb 14, 2010 9:43 am GMT

    I don't use my $ 70 for 2 years, just for this game!!
    HELL.. It's about time!!

    BTW:
    I don't know how much $ I must pay, for this title? anyone??

  • MistSti0

    Posted Feb 13, 2010 7:40 am GMT

    Power overwhelming! cant wait for this to come out been waiting for years now

  • ITQcaleb

    Posted Feb 13, 2010 5:28 am GMT

    Can't wait. Sadly, it's going to be massively broken (or not, I really want the latter). I've done well so far not playing WoW for about a month, but SCII needs hurry.

  • Glade_Gnarr

    Posted Feb 12, 2010 7:08 pm GMT

    My life for Aiur! I can't wait.

  • TheDefender221

    Posted Feb 12, 2010 2:57 pm GMT

    i understand you guys have a bone to pick but still...
    SC2 BETA IS COMING!!!1!
    SC2 BETA >>>> arguing
    Period.

  • Ladiesman17

    Posted Feb 12, 2010 10:35 am GMT

    @fps_d0minat0r

    - Let me clear!! all technology, such as: Cell-phones, TVs, Music-player stuff, etc. including: PS3, X360, & PCs. ((ALL)) Technology IN THIS WORLD have ((SHORT LIFE-SPAN)) read that Bro!! why are you blaming new technologies from the PCs, for their constant-change, it's evolution Bro!! & evolution always changing.

    - I'll give you example: 2 years ago, I bought Nokia (example: ATI HD 3540 graphic card for PCs) & now I sell that thing, for brand-new Blacberry (example: NVidia 295 graphic card for PCs) if something like this "too much" for you. then you don't have to buy it & you should be satisfied with your "still-birth" old Sony (PS3) in this case, in 1 year that products become a low-end, fair enough!!.

    - But there are huge (or maybe slightly) differences between mobile-phones & gaming technology, read this ((ESSENCE)) of Gaming-Technology, is the "Game" itself (Game Software), not (Hardware). I choose PCs technology to keep this "Essence" something I can't do with Consoles (do you think I'm wrong?).

    - You hate constant PC technology but you saying like this= "being a gamer you should keep up with time!" WHAT DO YOU MEAN??

  • Daian

    Posted Feb 12, 2010 5:19 am GMT

    @fps_d0minat0

    Sorry for the double post, my message didn't fit in one comment.

    All that i have been trying to say for what feels like a million years now is that the PC is still a valid choice for gaming. While it may cost somewhat more than a console depending on how much u want to invest , many people like myself prefer it due to it's many other uses through various applications. Many need PCs for all kinds of work (professional or school ) and if they happen to be gamers why not invest a little more than necessary and use it for gaming too instead of buying a PC and a console. It's just a matter of choice and i am among those who preferred to combine business with pleasure.

    Now,can we finally end this and move on with our lives because right now i want to use my PC for Bioshock 2 instead of writing this .

  • Daian

    Posted Feb 12, 2010 5:18 am GMT

    @fps_d0minat0r

    Look, u may call me all kinds of things but one thing i'm not is a liar. I played Mass Effect 2 on all high settings ( by default not by me just to see how far i can push my PC) and i'm doing the same with Bioshock 2. I do admit that i got a little carried away with my arguments and that my monitor isn't of very,very high resolutions like the 1080p HDTVs which have the resolution of 1,920x1,080 but it's not far from it. The point is they look great and run smoothly on hardware that wasn't expensive at all.

    Also i didn't say there is a particular benefit from getting a PC but there isn't exactly one to switch to consoles either. Why spend more when my PC is doing fine and have plenty of good upcoming titles? For a handful of great exclusives? Not worth it. The PC offers enough worthy titles for a gamer to spend it's time and money on and even if i had more than one platform i wouldn't have the time to use them all , most people probably don't unless they're either kids or live in their parents basement .

  • fps_d0minat0r

    Posted Feb 12, 2010 3:28 am GMT

    @ Daian
    i might be stubborn but atleast i dont lie.

    its funny how you still didnt mention your graphics card which you bought 3 years ago and can still run games maxed out.

    id definatly get a gaming PC if that were true but ofcourse it isnt.

    and if PC does someday get gran turismo, god of war, uncharted, killzone and costs only £300 while playing games 5 years after the PC was manufactured, ill be happy to switch.

    until then i dont see a single benefit.

  • KuraiMauri

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 10:04 pm GMT

    who cares about vaporware starcraft 2, this is another duke nukem, get over it

  • Suikeropowah

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 8:36 pm GMT

    Dear god, if you are out there please let me have starcraft beta key, thank you.

  • HK-Ghost

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 7:35 pm GMT

    "Lol I don't understand why people still try to argue console superiority over the PC. That debate has already been ended a long time ago..."

    Duh...last time anyone checked, consoles were PCs...they just have a different purpose (gaming) and different operating systems (except 360, which uses Windows with .NET 1.1).

  • Jarek011

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 7:17 pm GMT

    Lol I don't understand why people still try to argue console superiority over the PC. That debate has already been ended a long time ago...
    Keyboard + Mouse... that is all. You will never have the same experience playing any strategy game with a pad. A keybourd + mouse fps player will also rape you everytime.
    And with a pc, I can always connect a pad for games that play better with it. Game over. Thanks for playing.

  • Daian

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 3:24 pm GMT

    @fps_d0minat0r

    Wow it amazes me how i say one thing and u read something totally different into it. I have no idea where exactly did i insult u , i do not make my arguments through name calling and i did no such thing.Pretty much all i did is call u stubborn in your beliefs, that's it, that ain't an insult.

    "as for building a gaming PC, ive already had that arguement before........it does not cost anywhere near the price of a ps3 and requires more upgrades."

    What part of "A real gamer knows how to choose parts wisely that will last him/her(who knows ) many years without having to spend fortunes on hardware." was not clear enough? That basically means no upgrades are necessary for a long time.

    I don't know what more i can say , clearly u are way to defensive to accept anything i say right now , u have turned this into some sort of personal attack when all i was doing was pointing out that PCs are still a valid choice for gaming.

    In the end this discussion is pointless. PC gamers will still be PC gamers, console fans will still praise their handful of great exclusives like they're the second coming of Jesus ( kinda of what was happening with MW2 before it's launch, i think u can agree that was so ridiculous and blown out of proportion).

    I apologize if i somehow offended u , i don't know how exactly but i'll have to take your word for it in this particular case.

  • Jhoalot

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 2:14 pm GMT

    I can still remember the Terran phrases: "Commander?" "Go Go Go!" "Ready to roll out!" Protos: "For Adun" and even some Zerg : "gggiaazziixxi"(?)

  • Epicurus-Reborn

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 2:13 pm GMT

    wooot finally closed beta! maybe this game will reach shelves before the end of the year. O.O holy crap that would be so awesome. Midnight release will be so exciting.

  • m0tl3ysl4y3r

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 1:09 pm GMT

    I can't wait until this game comes out

  • fps_d0minat0r

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 12:41 pm GMT

    @ Daian

    and your the guy who always turns to insults and uses the "opinion" arguement when you cant prove me wrong.

    if everythings just an opinion then you cant compare anything in the world.

    "twisting the reality"
    and what exactly did i twist?

    you accuse me of so much stuff but it would be useful if you atleast gave an example of it.........but ofcourse ill prove you wrong again and you dont want me to do that.

    as for building a gaming PC, ive already had that arguement before........it does not cost anywhere near the price of a ps3 and requires more upgrades.

    tell me what GPU you bought 3 years ago so i can tell you the benchmarks, prove your lying and embarrass you.
    "it still maxes out new games" yeah right.....

    oh and add heavy rain to the 9.0+ exclusive list for ps3, 9.2 so far on critic.

  • brownboyd

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 12:39 pm GMT

    i dont mind waiting... got enough games on my ps3 to finish... so looking forward to this game... still play starcraft once in a while... one of the greatest game ever made... starcraft 2 will be epic when it finally comes out....

  • Daian

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 12:37 pm GMT

    @fps_d0minat0r

    It's pointless to argue with you , you're simply one of those people who keep saying the same thing over and over again like a broken record without any hope or chance of convincing them otherwise.

    Your main argument is that consoles have more exclusives rated 9 or more. For example the difference between a 9.0 and a 8.5 game isn't exactly enormous , merely the opinion of one reviewer. True,those that are good are really good but there are only a handful of them and a slightly better rating doesn't make them way superior to PC exclusives like u are making it sound. U are exaggerating everything just to prove a point and instead end up twisting the reality.

    And come on already u are really running around in circles with the same old " gaming PCs cost to much " babbling. Like that thing about GPU manufacturers , seriously now, if a person is stupid enough to buy the same cards a little improved but at much higher price every year then that's their problem. A real gamer knows how to choose parts wisely that will last him/her(who knows ) many years without having to spend fortunes on hardware. Like i said before my GPU is 3 years old, wasn't among the best or expensive when i bought it and it still maxes out new games. PC gaming isn't expensive if u're not an idiot that throws money around at anything shiny and new. Let's just agree to disagree because it's pointless to continue the debate.

  • fps_d0minat0r

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 12:36 pm GMT

    @ Ladiesman17
    i dont know about you but i play games within a couple of years of their release.

    why would i want to play ps1 and ps2 games when i havent even played all the ps3 games yet? plus i owned a ps2 to play ps2 games.

    if the only reason you would buy a console of this gen is to play ps1 and ps2 games then you better not make the purchase because its a waste of time.
    being a gamer you should keep up with time.

    i knew hardly anyone who played ps1 games on ps2, if they didnt have backwards compatability the console could have been cheaper to make.

    as for "out of topic".....we were talking about games released in the past 12 months and now you bring up the ps1 and ps2.......thats called "out of topic" mate.

    even if PC is able to play old games, are you telling me you havent upgraded your PC?
    you still have to pay more to maintain a PC while i could get a ps2 for £30 if i wanted to play ps2 games.

  • Sirbobislost

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 12:36 pm GMT

    @ xSithiSx

    they suck cause their taking their time and doing it right? So your saying you'd rather play a rushed bug filled game? Well it's your decision I'll let you enjoy

  • skyjack

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 12:34 pm GMT

    I still don't get why i love most rts games but I've never fallen for sc the way most people have/did. I'm currently more excited about the already disappointing c&c4 (I'm dying to see the story unfold more then actually playing) then I've ever been about this. Too bad too cause it looks great.

    Oh and @Antagonist8503 Its not just Korea. China plays it religiously where it practically has its own channel on TV devoted to it and warcraft3.

  • jshaas

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 12:31 pm GMT

    @Mega Loser... thanks for the confirmation. I used to play SC on my Mac a long time ago. I was hoping Mac wouldn't be left this time around.

    Apparently, my previous question got "thumbed down." Well, I'll give you 4 people a big finger in the up position... HINT: It's not my thumb!

    *extends middle finger, and waves hand around like I just don't care*

  • Antagonist8503

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 12:18 pm GMT

    How can anyone still say that Starcraft 2 is a generic RTS game that won't hold a place in the marketplace today? I dare anyone to go over to Korea and say that nonsense. Thousands of people still play starcraft to this day, which attests to how great of a competitive/balanced game it was. Starcraft 2 = my most anticipated game of all time, since the good old days when I was still using dial-up internet to play games on an old HP. Judging by what this article says, if true, we can expect the game out by July or August. Regardless, whether you hate starcraft 2, or the way Blizzard is handling the release of it, the game will sell millions and continue to sell until PC's become obsolete. Mock my words people.

  • xSithiSx posted Feb 11, 2010 12:11 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    xSithiSx

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 12:11 pm GMT (hide)

    I gotta gree with 75 Andi 75. This much time to make a game is unacceptable. If it takes you this long to make the best game you can, you suck.

  • Rottenwood

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 12:03 pm GMT

    Does everything have to be a console war? A new freakin' StarCraft game is finally coming out; we should all be celebrating. Or, at the very least, indifferent, and therefore not in this thread at all. People and their emotional investment in toys.

  • Ladiesman17

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 11:40 am GMT

    @fps_d0minat0r

    your statement becoming (out of topic) I'm not hate that much with Consoles, "BUT" for me, actually there's huge difference between PCs & Consoles Bro!!.

    - Can your Consoles, able to support & play.. games from the PS1 & PS2 version to your PS3 with enhanced graphic. ((no you don't, PS2 games will thrown away, just like future PS3)) because something like that I prefer the PCs. if any Consoles can do that, then I'm In...

  • adamosmaki

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 11:37 am GMT

    Well well well . About time and hopefully we will get a release at least at Q3-Q4

  • xboxlive1000

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 11:30 am GMT

    I bet he is LOL.

  • Exia2004

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 11:12 am GMT

    omg cant wait!!!!!!!!!!

  • fkbwii

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 11:11 am GMT

    Closed Beta! Given the time that they have worked on it, it should be an Open Beta!

  • RTSgames

    Posted Feb 11, 2010 10:39 am GMT

    JimmyJimJim it was a small mistake, get over it god are you really going to go that low to defend your self over a small mistake I made.

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