Update: StarCraft II Will Not Support LAN

[scotth266]

According to Pardo, the choice to exclude LAN games "is because of the planned technology to be incorporated into Battle.net," which will be revealed at a later date.

That had better be some damn fine techonology they're planning to stick in there, because LAN games have become a sort of staple in the gaming community. They're going to have to pull a big move in order to get people over that...

I also don't like the idea of microtransactions in an RTS game. It gives a sinister vibe off: one of restricting the players.

 

[Jenny Creed]

That had better be some damn fine techonology they're planning to stick in there, because LAN games have become a sort of staple in the gaming community.

In no small parts thanks to Blizz themselves, mind.

I have a presentiment that the technology they plan to incorporate is making you pay a quarter or so for every little game even if you just want to play with your buds sitting at the same table. If so I'm happy not to be paid up for WoW, cause I suddenly don't want to give them another cent ever again.

Eh, it's about time to remind them who they work for anyway. I call for immediate and indefinite boycott, who's with me?

 

[bue519]

Wasn't going to play multiplayer anyway...

Then why buy the game?

There's this thing called Single Player. Some of us like it...

Yeah, but skipping over the multiplayer in this game seems like a sin against almighty blizzard themselves. I mean this entire game was built with the multiplayer in mind, the single player in a nice distraction and helps you learn the ins and outs of each side, but in 10 years people will still be playing the multiplayer.

 

[John Funk]

That had better be some damn fine techonology they're planning to stick in there, because LAN games have become a sort of staple in the gaming community.

In no small parts thanks to Blizz themselves, mind.

I have a presentiment that the technology they plan to incorporate is making you pay a quarter or so for every little game even if you just want to play with your buds sitting at the same table. If so I'm happy not to be paid up for WoW, cause I suddenly don't want to give them another cent ever again.

I'm hoping that that'll fall under basic functionality. Creating a LEAGUE with your friends might cost money, though.

 

[infernovolver]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Hopefully they won't pull the same shit for Diablo 3. >.<

 

[bue519]

Wasn't going to play multiplayer anyway...

Then why buy the game?

For the singleplayer.

So once your done with the singe player are you just going to uninstall the game? I mean cmon the multiplayer pays for the game 10 times over, besides there arn't just versus games. SC has some great co-op mods for the multiplayer, so why you would pass that over if beyond me.

 

[Diablini]

Aw! Well at least it's going to be awsome.

 

[xHipaboo420x]

Wasn't going to play multiplayer anyway...

Then why buy the game?

For the singleplayer.

So once your done with the singe player are you just going to uninstall the game? I mean cmon the multiplayer pays for the game 10 times over, besides there arn't just versus games. SC has some great co-op mods for the multiplayer, so why you would pass that over if beyond me.

Different strokes for different folks... who knows, maybe SC2 will be the firt strategy game I'll enjoy playing online, but up until now I just haven't really enjoyed it.

 

[martin's a madman]

Personally, I love starcraft and can't wait for Starcraft 2 (Available where I am Novemeber 3rd hopefully it doesn't get moved). I never played the original with LAN so it doesn't bother me in the slightest.

 

[Symplify]

What is a Spawn install?

Ah to be young again.

I loved the spawn installs. Starcraft, Diablo 2, and I think even Total Annihilation all had 'em.
What a great concept.

On topic: It seems like a rather silly move.
I mean, let's be honest here: How much 'work' would it take to add LAN support? Seems like they've already got the netcode working fine, so would it really be a big hassle to add LAN? Really? The answer, of course, is: No. The reason, however, doesn't seem to be as obvious. Incorporated Battle.net technologies? Who cares? People just want to be able to take their rig to a friend's house and sit in the dim basement and Zerg-rush each other. Do I need custom tournaments, or leagues, for that? No. I don't.

Weird move, Blizzard.

You didn't explain what is was. I've been playing Starcraft since I came out, and I've never heard of them.

 

[Kair]

Infinite resources should be distributed infinitely.

 

[Jenny Creed]

When you install the game you should be given the option of making a spawned install. This uses up slightly less resources and can run without the CD, but you can only play multiplayer games created by someone with a proper install with the same CD key. Less complicated than it sounds.

Sidenote: If they're worried about keeping b.net free then why remove the option of playing anything other than b.net? There's a big contradiction.

 

[Jandau]

Wasn't going to play multiplayer anyway...

Then why buy the game?

There's this thing called Single Player. Some of us like it...

Yeah, but skipping over the multiplayer in this game seems like a sin against almighty blizzard themselves. I mean this entire game was built with the multiplayer in mind, the single player in a nice distraction and helps you learn the ins and outs of each side, but in 10 years people will still be playing the multiplayer.

Well, I guess if we ever met you'd try to burn me at the stake. I hardly ever play multiplayer in RTS games. Did SC once in a LAN, WC3 and DoW a few times (also LAN) and I played DoW2 for about a week or so. I love RTS games, but I am allergic to the many rigors of online gaming.

 

[Baby Tea]

You didn't explain what is was. I've been playing Starcraft since I came out, and I've never heard of them.

My Bad.
A spawned install is one where just the essentials for multiplayer are installed using the same CD-Keys. It was used for LAN parties, pretty much. So where a group of people might have only one member who owns the game, everyone could still play together using the multiplayer spawn install. It was small and didn't require a CD to use. Almost like a multiplayer demo.

 

[Steve Dark]

"Hi there, I'm Blizzard and I want to show you a little trick I've picked up from a few other gaming companies. It's called 'Shooting myself in the foot for some vaguely unexplained reason'."

 

[Symplify]

Ok, thanks. I've actually never really heard of people bringing their PCs over to each other's houses to play LAN games...I've only ever heard of that sort of thing done in the big annual LAN parties, and with consoles.

 

[Talendra]

I don't think I will get this anymore. I could crack and get it regardless, but really I do not enjoy online RTS so much. The only real reason I wanted starcraft 2 was lans with friends. Quite disappointing.

 

[LANProfessor]

I'm sure Blizzard will address this soon enough. LAN play is ESSENTIAL to professionally run tournaments (and makes for great LAN Parties). Online play just isn't the same, particularly in the United States where lag is a major question mark.