Already gave mine out.

I'd like a guest pass Krowen, you offering one of yours?

BobBob wrote on Jul 27, 2010, 12:01:
Where's the demo?

It's called a Guest Pass. Get one from 1 of the millions that bought the game.

Where's the demo?

Tumbler wrote on Jul 26, 2010, 20:42:
It's not rocket science. They know people will buy Starcraft 2 so why not chop it up and sell it for more money? People seem to be lining up for it so kudos to blizz/acti, they were right. Remains to be seen how the game pans out and if all those extra dollars pay for more game in the end. Blizzard is going to say what you need to hear to spend the money so....

And you're -still- following form instead of the substance. It would be chopping 1 game into 3 if each had the twelve single player missions each race had in the original.

The Half Elf wrote on Jul 26, 2010, 20:58:
Um... when did Blizzard ever say that the 2nd (Zerg) and 3rd (Protoss) games were expansions?

Since about 2 years ago, shortly after they were announced. And also on their website, which I quoted in a prev post.

This comment was edited on Jul 26, 2010, 21:07.

Um... when did Blizzard ever say that the 2nd (Zerg) and 3rd (Protoss) games were expansions?

Tumbler wrote on Jul 26, 2010, 20:42:
I guess I missed the announcement of brood war when they announced Starcraft. And the announcements of Burning Crusade, Wrath of the Lich King, Cataclysm and whatever else they've been planning all along for World of Warcraft. Or maybe they never announced those because they were focused on making the best product they could instead of the most profitable way to sell it...

So, it is wrong now to announce how many expansions there's going to be ahead of time? And infinite WOW expansions is so much better than 2 Starcraft expansions. And you totally know that the quality of the Starcraft expansions will be compromised because they were announced ahead of time.

Dang, George Lucas and Peter Jackson must have been focusing on the most profitable way to sell their trilogies, instead of making good movies.

What Blizzard did was split a single STORY into 3. All of Blizzard's games have had expansions, and Starcraft 1's story, including the ascension of Kerrigan, was told in 2 parts: Starcraft AND Brood War. It is obvious from a historical perspective that Starcraft II's story is not going to be complete with a just single release, and this time Blizzard revealed two expansions, instead of one

I guess I missed the announcement of brood war when they announced Starcraft. And the announcements of Burning Crusade, Wrath of the Lich King, Cataclysm and whatever else they've been planning all along for World of Warcraft. Or maybe they never announced those because they were focused on making the best product they could instead of the most profitable way to sell it...

It's not rocket science. They know people will buy Starcraft 2 so why not chop it up and sell it for more money? People seem to be lining up for it so kudos to blizz/acti, they were right. Remains to be seen how the game pans out and if all those extra dollars pay for more game in the end. Blizzard is going to say what you need to hear to spend the money so....

Warcraft I (Orcs and Humans) Launched at $64.99.
Since when is 59.99 new?

Pigeon wrote on Jul 26, 2010, 19:41:
Not a big fan of splitting up the factions into 3 releases. I think that was purely a marketing ploy. It shouldn't have any detriment to the story if there were a mixture of 30 missions total per release. I think it could actually be detrimental to the story doing it in the fashion they are.

Each game focusing on one race gives Blizzard time to develop more in depth single player and story telling mechanics. You can see a short preview here:

http://kotaku.com/5596296/starcraft-ii-singleplayer-the-idiots-guide-by-blizzard

Whether the storytelling overall suffers from this presentation, we will find out tonight.

And again, Blizzard's pricing history, both pre and post Activision merger, suggests that expansions will not be fully priced.

This comment was edited on Jul 26, 2010, 20:36.

Tumbler wrote on Jul 26, 2010, 18:24:

StarCraft II Terrans: Wings of Liberty
StarCraft II Zerg: Heart of the Swarm
StarCraft II Protoss: Legacy of the Void

3 parts see? Same game. Split up. 3 parts. You obivously don't mind that change, that is fine, but lets not go all fox news in here.

You're saying that Blizzard split a single game, and placed it into 3 games. And if each campaign only had 10 missions, and lacked multiplayer, I would agree with you.

What Blizzard did was split a single STORY into 3 parts. All of Blizzard's games have had expansions, and Starcraft 1's story, including the ascension of Kerrigan, was told in 2 parts: Starcraft AND Brood War. It is obvious from a historical perspective that Starcraft II's story is not going to be complete with a just single release, and this time Blizzard revealed two expansions, instead of one.

Also, your Half-Life 2 analogy is quite flawed, considering that each episode's single player is significantly shorter than the original's and adds no new multiplayer content (TF2 and Portal are separate games). It has been stated many times before that each of Starcraft 2's expansions will offer a full campaign, as well as other additions. Furthermore, they will likely cost $40, which is not far off from the $30 price tag of each of HL's episodes when bought separately.

This comment was edited on Jul 26, 2010, 20:33.

I'm about to roll on down to EB Bames to stand in line. As for paying 60 bucks? Whats the big deal? If that's your Idea of a lot of money for quality entertainment you need to get a better job.

I spend more money on tickets to a football game and it only last for a few hours.

LittleMe wrote on Jul 26, 2010, 15:14:

Pigeon wrote on Jul 26, 2010, 14:39:
Yeah I'm waiting till this one drops to a more reasonable price.

Don't hold your breath.

Don't worry, I wont. I long ago got over that 'have to have it' feeling when it comes to things like games. Usually if there's a game a I really want I can pick it up a year later at a nice discount.

If I hear good things from friends who's opinions on such matters I trust, I'll be more likely to pick it up.

As for the 3 release thing, I don't mind so long as the price is right, which in my opinion its not atm. I imagine I'll find the sequels over-priced as well even if they're not $60 as well. Adding units, maps and campaigns does not make $60. I consider the base gameplay/engine part initial cost, that doesn't really get changed in the expansions, thus expansions should be significantly lower in cost.

Not a big fan of splitting up the factions into 3 releases. I think that was purely a marketing ploy. It shouldn't have any detriment to the story if there were a mixture of 30 missions total per release. I think it could actually be detrimental to the story doing it in the fashion they are.

You can't win sometimes. So many companies make shitty ass games and still charge high prices, mainly if you buy on consoles. Yet nobody complains then. You'll easily spend tons of money on these games a year, yet complain when 1 company charges alil more than usual for their game releases which don't come often, and when they do, they are of the utmost highest quality and offer years long replayability. PC gamers should be proud Blizzard is on their side.

The Half Elf wrote on Jul 26, 2010, 18:29:
Yeah it's 180 bucks for all 3 versions, but is more Blizzard goodness really a bad thing?

yeah I too believe Blizzard should be charging like $100 per game, not just $60, I mean we all have to keep in mind it's a "Blizzard game" we're getting - easily worth the premium price.

The Half Elf wrote on Jul 26, 2010, 18:27:
Good luck with just picking up a copy. Local Gamestop manager said that they don't have a non-reserved copy in the tri-state area (Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio).

No need for a physical copy. He already has the game and just needs to activate it:

http://us.battle.net/en/info/digital-purchase

Yeah it's 180 bucks for all 3 versions, but is more Blizzard goodness really a bad thing?

DanL wrote on Jul 26, 2010, 12:35:
Didn't preorder it, but I did pre-download it from b.net. Just going to purchase and activate it tomorrow after work. That is, if I can get through to the b.net servers. I'm expecting it to be hell, like the D2 launch or the WoW launch. I'm psyched for this game though, looks fantastic.

Good luck with just picking up a copy. Local Gamestop manager said that they don't have a non-reserved copy in the tri-state area (Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio).

Anyone have info on the contents of the normal boxed edition, and what comes with the digital edition?

I've been swayed by the Ghost of the Past trailer and some friends that are getting it, when I was previously just gonna wait awhile.

So debating going down to the midnight sale at the local Best Buy and trying to get a Collectors Edition and sell the WoW pet to offset the costs, and keep the USB stick for myself. Or, just be satisfied with the digital or normal boxed edition if I can't get a CE.