Will

I'd love one!

While we're talking about Starcraft, the Mac beta client was released today. Perhaps worth a mention?

@Kevlar: It's launching in *Valve April*. That's probably sometime in Q4 2010 or Q1 2011. See http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Valve_Time for more detailed estimators.

I dunno, I guess some people have free time on weekends? And not free time at midnight on Monday? If you're a high school student without any real obligations, then a Monday release wouldn't be an issue. But some of us have to do stuff with our lives, so arbitrary delays are irritating.

I'm certainly not among the vocal whiners, but I'd have loved to be playing this weekend. The people who are most pissed are probably those who walked into the store, said "Hey, this game looks cool," and then took it home to find that it won't install but they can't return it and get something else because of the "disc isn't damaged" policy that most stores have.

Anyone who hates SecuROM is getting the Steam version, which is still DRM, but it's a *much* more tolerable variant.

For those who haven't been watching Bordelands for long, here's the explanation for the "boost console sales" theory:

The game was originally scheduled for a simultaneous release across all three platforms. But Gearbox pushed back the PC release to the 26th, claiming that they needed more time to optimize it.

Then the game comes out on 360 and PS3, and people are finding the PC release on shelves at retailers (which apparently can't keep track of multiple dates for a game...) along with the console versions. It went gold, discs were pressed, and it was sent to stores simultaneously (or at least within a few days). So naturally, people are questioning the claim that they needed time to optimize it.

I can't say for sure whether they pressed a buggy disc and plan on releasing a day 1 patch for PC, or if they're hoping to push console sales for people who have both options. But the console version sells at $60, and the PC version can be had for $33.75 each (Steam preorder 4 pack like L4D did), so there's *undoubtedly* more money to be made on console version sales.

$33.75 each for PC if you can get a Steam 4-pack preorder together. And we get the SDK.

And when I say debs I mean devs. Anyway, IIRC there were 4 of themm on. It's good to see them so excited about their game.

Somebody got an early copy from a store that broke street date, and was streaming his game online last night. A bunch of the debs hopped into the chat room and were answering questions. It was awesome.

Found three friends to go in on it and ordered. Pistols that shoot acid rockets? Explosive revolver shotguns? Awesome.