Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Diablo 3 Starter Edition no longer requires a disc]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/14/diablo-3-starter-edition-no-longer-requires-a-disc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/14/diablo-3-starter-edition-no-longer-requires-a-disc/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/14/diablo-3-starter-edition-no-longer-requires-a-disc/#comments Now you can get your hands on the Diablo 3 Starter Edition without borrowing a disc from someone else - we're speaking to the approximately one person who is interested in Diablo 3 and hasn't played it yet.

All you have to do is log into your Battle.net account and sign up through "Your Game Accounts" - or, if you're a non-Battle.net person, create a new account and you'll have the license automatically. You could be enjoying a limited sample of Diablo 3 in no time!

Continue reading Diablo 3 Starter Edition no longer requires a disc

JoystiqDiablo 3 Starter Edition no longer requires a disc originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-netdemoDiablo-3pcstarter-editionTue, 14 Aug 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Diablo 3's Battle.net down again; June 12 targeted for real-money auction house [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/diablo-3s-battle-net-down-real-money-ah-targeted-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/diablo-3s-battle-net-down-real-money-ah-targeted-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/diablo-3s-battle-net-down-real-money-ah-targeted-for/#comments ImageUpdate: It appears the issues are coming to an end, at least for the moment. Diablo 3 servers are coming back online and some of auction house features have returned. The real-money auction house is still targeted for a June 12 release, according to an in-game message.

Original Story: The toughest boss in Diablo 3 continues to be the game's dreaded 'Error' codes, as Blizzard's Battle.net service has gone down for the count again this afternoon after being down all morning for scheduled maintenance due to the release of Patch 1.0.2. Blizzard says that it is aware of the issue, and is "currently investigating the cause."

"We're aware of an issue that is affecting our authentication servers, which result in failed or slow login attempts," a message in Diablo 3's 'Breaking News' module currently reads. Attempts to log into the game yield the message that servers are down for maintenance.

Blizzard is also working on the Auction House as well - commodities sales have been down since last week, and the Auction House itself was down for a few extra hours today, past the planned maintenance. The real-money auction house has been delayed indefinitely, but the in-game notification for the feature noted a new target date of June 12, since last night.

In the meantime, until the servers come back up, feel free to do exactly what a few select Joystiq editors are doing: Rocking back and forth in a corner, mumbling something about Belial being behind this treachery.

JoystiqDiablo 3's Battle.net down again; June 12 targeted for real-money auction house [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 May 2012 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ahauction-housebattle-netblizzardDiablo-3downtimepcTue, 29 May 2012 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Diablo 3 internet hiccups don't penalize players]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/diablo-3-internet-hiccups-dont-penalize-players/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/diablo-3-internet-hiccups-dont-penalize-players/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/15/diablo-3-internet-hiccups-dont-penalize-players/#comments Some of you may have experienced this first hand, but if you've yet to suddenly go offline while playing Diablo 3, here's what happens. First, your game will lock up for a minute or so, then you'll be sent back to the character selection screen.

According to Eurogamer, at this point you'll log back in and find that you've retained all gold, experience and items - no penalties there. Once you get back into the game, you'll start from your last checkpoint.

The decision to require a constant internet connection initially received some blowback from the community, but it would seem it's not as bad as initially thought, at least in one regard. Eurogamer even notes that being booted back to the character selection screen didn't happen every time - occasionally the game would resume as if no disconnect even occurred.

JoystiqDiablo 3 internet hiccups don't penalize players originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionalways-on-drmbattle-netblizzardDiablo-3drmmacpcTue, 15 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard brings Balance and Battletags to Battle.net]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/blizzard-brings-balance-and-battletags-to-battle-net/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/blizzard-brings-balance-and-battletags-to-battle-net/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/blizzard-brings-balance-and-battletags-to-battle-net/#comments Blizzard Entertainment has been steadily updating the Battle.net online multiplayer service recently, presumably in anticipation of Diablo 3's release next year. Last week, the company introduced what it's calling the Battle.net Balance, a currency total stored on its servers that players can use to pay for Blizzard items -- from a World of Warcraft subscription to in-game items and plushies in the company store. This is where funds not translated directly into cash will go from the real money auction house in Diablo 3, whenever it arrives.

Today, Blizzard introduced the BattleTag system, which is a specific public username that will identify players publicly on Battle.net services (similar to Xbox Live's Gamertag name). This is likely the compromise Blizzard came up with over its controversial Real ID service, which was originally meant to utilize real player names.

BattleTags are not unique, but players will have a number in their public profiles that will let you identify just which "touchFuzzygetDizzy" you're talking to. BattleTags will appear first in the Diablo 3 beta, and get used in all of Blizzard's games and services sometime after that.

JoystiqBlizzard brings Balance and Battletags to Battle.net originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-netbattle-net-battletagbattletagblizzardblizzard-entertainmentDiablo-3pcreal-idreal-moneystarcraft-2world-of-warcraftFri, 16 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BlizzCon 2011 will host two StarCraft 2 global tournaments and more]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/13/blizzcon-2011-will-host-two-starcraft-2-global-tournaments-and-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/13/blizzcon-2011-will-host-two-starcraft-2-global-tournaments-and-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/13/blizzcon-2011-will-host-two-starcraft-2-global-tournaments-and-m/#comments Blizzard has shared the plan for two big e-sports events at BlizzCon in Anaheim, CA, and it looks like there's going to be a full plate of noobs, ownage and ggs yet again this year. Not only will the Global Battle.net Invitational showcase some of the best StarCraft 2 players from Blizzard's online multiplayer service, but the 2011 Global StarCraft League Final matches will be held at the same event, pitting the best of the best at the game against each other.

Those are just the two StarCraft 2 events -- Blizzard traditionally also holds contests and tournaments for World of Warcraft arena matches and the World of Warcraft TCG at BlizzCon, and though we haven't seen an official announcement yet, it's possible we'll see some Warcraft 3 or even Diablo 3 e-sports play as well. Outside of competitive play, Blizzard usually also offers new content for attendees to play through, so Diablo 3 specifically, plus any other unannounced games, may be playable too.

Tickets for the October 21-22 event are sold out, but the tournament play will likely be streamed online through "virtual tickets" later on this year.

Continue reading BlizzCon 2011 will host two StarCraft 2 global tournaments and more

JoystiqBlizzCon 2011 will host two StarCraft 2 global tournaments and more originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-netblizzardblizzconblizzcon-2011competitione-sportsesportsfinalsglobal-starcraft-leaguepcstarcraft-2starcraft-2-heart-of-the-swarmtournamentWed, 13 Jul 2011 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[WoW: Cataclysm pre-orders now available through Battle.net]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/wow-cataclysm-pre-orders-now-available-through-battle-net/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/wow-cataclysm-pre-orders-now-available-through-battle-net/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/28/wow-cataclysm-pre-orders-now-available-through-battle-net/#comments If you're eager to hasten the world's demise -- and you've seen the internet, so why wouldn't you be? -- you can now log in to your Battle.net account and pre-order World of Warcraft: Cataclysm. The expansion, which promises to wreck and rearrange the realm of Azeroth, will become available for download at 12:01 a.m. PST on December 7 (and 12:01 a.m. CST in Europe and Russia). Online pre-orders will be granted automatic access to the expansion's content as soon as Blizzard's servers go live.

As with director Roland Emmerich's take on armageddon, there are few caveats you should be aware of before going in. You'll be charged as soon as you place your pre-order, and you will have to log in to World of Warcraft at least once before launch date in order to begin a background download. Cataclysm's Collector's Edition bonuses, like the in-game pet, will only be available with retail copies. Maybe Blizzard is trying to tell you something.

JoystiqWoW: Cataclysm pre-orders now available through Battle.net originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-netblizzardCataclysmexpansionmacpcpre-orderWorld-of-Warcraft-CataclysmThu, 28 Oct 2010 19:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard's Battle.net director on Real ID, cross-game integration and BlizzCon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/blizzards-battle-net-director-on-real-id-cross-game-integratio/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/blizzards-battle-net-director-on-real-id-cross-game-integratio/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/blizzards-battle-net-director-on-real-id-cross-game-integratio/#commentsDuring GDC Online, Blizzard's Battle.net project director Greg Canessa presented a "postmortem" for the latest version of the service, which enables online play and discussion for Blizzard's titles, most recently StarCraft 2. Speaking to Joystiq before the talk, Canessa was happy to discuss the recent past of the service with us, and talk a bit about the future.

Battle.net is in use by all 12 million World of Warcraft players, three-plus million StarCraft 2 players, and other users, but it recently came to the attention of an even larger audience when controversy arose over Blizzard's decision to implement Real ID, requiring users to identify themselves by their real names on Battle.net. Forum users did not respond kindly to the sudden and mandatory attachment of their real names to their comments, flames and LOLcats, and that part of the plan was cut, with Real ID still being implemented in non-forum features.

"The vision behind Real ID," Canessa said, "was to maintain parallel levels of identity: we have that sort of anonymous character level of identity, and then that Real ID tier that spans games, and there are incremental features that you get for being part of the Real ID community. The vision for that spanned games, got into cross-game chat and so forth. In reality, the in-game social suite was very popular, the cross-game chat that we did, the stuff within StarCraft 2.

Continue reading Blizzard's Battle.net director on Real ID, cross-game integration and BlizzCon

JoystiqBlizzard's Battle.net director on Real ID, cross-game integration and BlizzCon originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-netbattlenetBlizzarddiablo-3gdc-online-2010greg-canessapcreal-idStarcraft-2world-of-warcraftThu, 21 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard: Use StarCraft 2 trainers 'at your own risk']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/blizzard-use-starcraft-2-trainers-at-your-own-risk/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/blizzard-use-starcraft-2-trainers-at-your-own-risk/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/13/blizzard-use-starcraft-2-trainers-at-your-own-risk/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Big Blizzard is always watching! Earlier this week, Cheat Happens reported one of its users was banned in StarCraft 2 after utilizing trainers in single player. Blizzard apparently had suspended his account for 14 days over "exploitative activity." The idea is that even though these trainers are being used in single player and against AI opponents, the effects of earning achievements alters the "prestige" of a player's online persona, a supposed Blizzard rep responded via an alleged email.

We contacted Blizzard ourselves for a bit of clarification on the matter and were given a statement, which you can read past the break.

Continue reading Blizzard: Use StarCraft 2 trainers 'at your own risk'

JoystiqBlizzard: Use StarCraft 2 trainers 'at your own risk' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 21:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bansbattle-netbattle.netblizzardBlizzard-EntertainmentexploitspcReal-Time-StrategyStarcraft-2trainersWed, 13 Oct 2010 21:20:00 EST<![CDATA[StarCraft 2's designer stands by tradition, promises updates 'soon']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/22/starcraft-2s-designer-stands-by-tradition-promises-updates-so/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/22/starcraft-2s-designer-stands-by-tradition-promises-updates-so/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/22/starcraft-2s-designer-stands-by-tradition-promises-updates-so/#commentsFiled under: , ,

To hear Starcraft 2 designer Dustin Browder tell it, creating games at Blizzard takes years of fighting and yelling rather than coding or creating art -- every little decision is a "a three-week or longer holy war." Browder says that the controversial decision to release the RTS as three titles was made to get the game out faster -- after all that arguing, Blizzard figured that it needed to release something, and if that had been the whole game, we'd have been waiting even longer. As it was, he says, "we wanted to get a product into consumers' hands sometime before the end of the decade. Even that we didn't quite make, I guess, but it was still sooner!"

Browder answers fans' concerns about how closely the second game resembles the first by suggesting that adapting RTS competitors' innovations wouldn't have made the game more successful. "I haven't really seen another gameplay experience that's attracted millions of players with hundreds of thousands playing online," he says. "I have not seen someone else be successful by removing economy. I have not seen other RTSes be successful by removing micro."

And finally, he says to look for future updates coming to the game, both in the form of patches to Battle.net, and in the other versions. There's no timeline set yet for the paid user maps program, but Blizzard is working on more art for modders, and updates "for our fans to get more value out of Battle.net." As for what updates will be in the second retail title, Heart of the Swarm, Browder seems to hint that Blizzard just hasn't decided yet. They must still be throwing things and yelling down in Irvine.

JoystiqStarCraft 2's designer stands by tradition, promises updates 'soon' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-netblizzard-entertainmentdustin-browdergame-informerinterviewpatchespcrtsStarcraft-2starcraft-2-heart-of-the-swarmupdatesWed, 22 Sep 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Your real name to appear on Blizzard's official forums]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/06/your-real-name-to-appear-on-blizzards-official-forums/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/06/your-real-name-to-appear-on-blizzards-official-forums/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/06/your-real-name-to-appear-on-blizzards-official-forums/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Long a source of rampant trolling and epic flamewars, Blizzard's official World of Warcraft forums will soon be a lot less anonymous. The company announced today that it will be using the Real ID system, which was recently implemented into Battle.net, on its forums. Once Real ID is in place, each catty remark and witty comeback on Blizzard's forums will have the poster's real first and last name attached to it. (Previously, posters could hide behind their in-game character names.)

Real ID will be rolled into WoW's forums by the release of the Cataclysm expansion later this year. Additionally, the system will be added to the StarCraft 2 forums before the game's July 27 launch.

Blizzard's eating its own dog food, too -- its community representatives, previously known only by aliases, will also be posting under their real names. Additionally, forum posts will be subject to a new ranking system, replies to forum threads will be grouped, and Blizzard posters will be able to "broadcast" messages out to everyone on the game's forums. Blizzard says its goal with these changes is to form "a new and different kind of online gaming environment -- one that's highly social, and which provides an ideal place for gamers to form long-lasting, meaningful relationships."

JoystiqYour real name to appear on Blizzard's official forums originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardbattle-netblizzardblizzard-entertainmentCataclysmforumsofficialpcreal-idWorld-of-Warcraft-CataclysmTue, 06 Jul 2010 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Warcraft: Cataclysm closed beta has begun]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/world-of-warcraft-cataclysm-closed-beta-has-begun/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/world-of-warcraft-cataclysm-closed-beta-has-begun/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/30/world-of-warcraft-cataclysm-closed-beta-has-begun/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Blizzard has just announced that the closed beta test for the next World of Warcraft expansion has begun. Invites are going out now to players around the world who've signed up on Blizzard's Battle.net service, although there's no indication yet of just how many invites are out or how big the beta will be. If past tests are any indication, Blizzard will likely start it small and expand over time -- that's how the StarCraft 2 beta played out.

This also means that information about the new expansion will start appearing online -- rumor has it that there is no NDA for the closed beta experience, so players who see the new content will be able to tell us all about it. Cataclysm will completely revamp the old World of Warcraft world, in addition to adding five more levels of content at endgame. The Wrath of the Lich King beta also began in early July, and showed up in stores in November a few years ago, so it's reasonable to assume the same timeline for Cataclysm.

In the meantime, if you want to play, make sure your Battle.net account is set to opt-in and keep an eye out for a beta notice in your inbox. Good luck!

Gallery: World of Warcraft: Cataclysm (BlizzCon 2009)

JoystiqWorld of Warcraft: Cataclysm closed beta has begun originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardbattle-netbetablizzardblizzard-entertainmentCataclysmclosed-betapcWorld-of-Warcraft-CataclysmWed, 30 Jun 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[StarCraft 2 and Battle.net to integrate Facebook features]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/05/starcraft-2-and-battle-net-to-integrate-facebook-features/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/05/starcraft-2-and-battle-net-to-integrate-facebook-features/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/05/starcraft-2-and-battle-net-to-integrate-facebook-features/#comments
Just when you thought your masterful Zerg Rushes couldn't get any more social -- you are reaching out and obliterating someone, after all -- Blizzard has announced that the new Battle.net and StarCraft 2 will soon sport Facebook features. The only feature mentioned in the announcement, however, is the ability to add StarCraft playing Facebook friends to your Battle.net friends list. The new feature will be added to the StarCraft 2 beta in "the near future" and should be available to all players when the full game hits retail this July.

It's worth noting that the press release refers to the friend finding feature as "the first step in integration," so it sounds like there will be more Facebook features added over time. As long as we're not flooded with status updates every time someone gets "pwned," we're all for it.

[Via Big Download]

JoystiqStarCraft 2 and Battle.net to integrate Facebook features originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 May 2010 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardbattle-netblizzardfacebookstarcraftstarcraft-2Wed, 05 May 2010 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[StarCraft 2 beta Mac client out now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/29/starcraft-2-beta-mac-client-out-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/29/starcraft-2-beta-mac-client-out-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/29/starcraft-2-beta-mac-client-out-now/#comments Yes indeedy -- the wait is over for you Mac types, as Blizzard has released the Mac client version of the StarCraft 2 beta. We almost didn't think it would make that April deadline, but it did, a scant two days before the month ends.

Those of you with a StarCraft 2 beta key can roll on over to Battle.net and start downloading right now. The rest of you can continue drooling over our hands-on of the beta, or check out the writeup on the single-player missions that we got to see last week. And if you really want a beta key as soon as possible, for Metzen's sake, get to pre-ordering!

JoystiqStarCraft 2 beta Mac client out now originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardbattle-netblizzardmacstarcraft-2starcraft-2-betastarcraft-2-macThu, 29 Apr 2010 00:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Diablo 2, Warcraft 3 bans reach Icelandic proportions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/21/diablo-2-warcraft-3-bans-reach-icelandic-proportions/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/21/diablo-2-warcraft-3-bans-reach-icelandic-proportions/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/21/diablo-2-warcraft-3-bans-reach-icelandic-proportions/#comments Blizzard, in preparation for the launch of StarCraft 2 and the new Battle.net framework, recently banned over 320,000 Diablo 2 and Warcraft 3 players that violated the company's Terms of Use by using hacks and third-party tools. According to a census taken earlier this year, there are currently 317,630 people living in Iceland. Let's take a moment to appreciate the fact that so many people play Blizzard's games, its moderators can ban more people than the entire population of the 175th largest country on the planet.

Folks from all corners of the world -- not just Icelanders -- who were found to be using illicit means of self-improvement while playing the two games had the CD key tied to the cheated game in question revoked for 30 days, while repeat offenders were banned permanently. It's not worth it, our dear readers! Keep it legit!

[Via WoW.com]

JoystiqDiablo 2, Warcraft 3 bans reach Icelandic proportions originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banbattle-netblizzardcheatdiablodiablo-2hackwarcraftwarcraft-3Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blizzard ponders merits of licensing Battle.net to third parties]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/blizzard-ponders-merits-of-licensing-battle-net-to-third-parties/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/blizzard-ponders-merits-of-licensing-battle-net-to-third-parties/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/16/blizzard-ponders-merits-of-licensing-battle-net-to-third-parties/#comments We've spent quite a bit of time with the new and improved Battle.net, both in the StarCraft 2 beta and on its lonesome. It seems like it wouldn't be a bad platform for other, non-Blizzard games. The Escapist asked Blizzard VP Rob Pardo at GDC last week about just such a possibility.

"It's something that we've definitely always talked about," Pardo told The Escapist. "The problem for us is that it takes a lot of work from our other teams. Every time we have the discussion, we try to figure out what's going to happen if let's say a Blizzard game was coming out and a third party game was coming out at the same time. Could we be agnostic in that way? Could we offer the same level of support that we offer our games to third parties? We just never know. It just seems like a big job for us."

It's certainly an interesting question, one which we'd say begs comparison to other digital distribution platforms like Steam. The two aren't identical by any stretch, but in essence both deliver content. We'd say emulating Steam and its competitors certainly wouldn't be the worst first step in making Battle.net a viable service for third parties.

JoystiqBlizzard ponders merits of licensing Battle.net to third parties originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-netbattle.netblizzarddigital-distributionTue, 16 Mar 2010 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[BlizzCon attendees getting StarCraft 2 beta invites 'possibly within the next two weeks']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/21/blizzcon-attendees-getting-starcraft-2-beta-invites-possibly-wit/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/21/blizzcon-attendees-getting-starcraft-2-beta-invites-possibly-wit/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/21/blizzcon-attendees-getting-starcraft-2-beta-invites-possibly-wit/#comments Apparently, not everyone who received one of those fancy voucher codes from BlizzCon 2008 was accepted into the first wave of invites for StarCraft 2. A Blizzard representative explained on the Battle.net forums that "due to the sheer number of BlizzCon attendees, we could not get everyone in with the first wave." That being said, you might want to reconsider dropping $300 on one of those vouchers.

The poster confirmed that these neglected BlizzCon attendees "will be included in a future wave, possibly within the next two weeks." We're hoping the wave isn't restricted to just this group of globetrotters, and that us plebes can get our hands on the highly sought-after strategy title as well.

[Via Big Download]

JoystiqBlizzCon attendees getting StarCraft 2 beta invites 'possibly within the next two weeks' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardbattle-netbetabeta-invitesblizzardblizzcon-2008downloadstragegyvoucherSun, 21 Feb 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The best of WoW.com: October 13-20, 2009]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/21/the-best-of-wow-com-october-13-20-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/21/the-best-of-wow-com-october-13-20-2009/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/21/the-best-of-wow-com-october-13-20-2009/#comments It's that magical time of year in Azeroth -- pumpkins adorn the inns, players are chowing down on candy like crazy, and a deep rhyming voice echoes throughout the world, originating from somewhere in the Scarlet Monastery. Yes, it's the in-game Hallow's End holiday again, and the Headless Horseman is terrorizing newbies and veterans alike. Head past the break for all the information you need about trick-or-treating your way through Azeroth.

Continue reading The best of WoW.com: October 13-20, 2009

JoystiqThe best of WoW.com: October 13-20, 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animationbattle-nethallows-endheadless-horsemanholidayin-gamelevel-80lich-kingmmopatch-3.3patch-3.3-ptrpcpumpkinsspoilersstarcraft-iiworld-of-warcraftwowWed, 21 Oct 2009 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview: Blizzard's Greg Canessa on Battle.Net]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/04/interview-blizzards-greg-canessa-on-battle-net/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/04/interview-blizzards-greg-canessa-on-battle-net/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/04/interview-blizzards-greg-canessa-on-battle-net/#comments
In recent years, Greg Canessa has bounced from Xbox Live to PopCap Games and now onto Blizzard, where he's heading up the Battle.Net team. Version 2.0 of the service is an ambitious undertaking, and we spoke with Greg during BlizzCon about its pending launch and many of the new features. Head past the break for the full interview!

Gallery: Battle.Net (BlizzCon 2009)

Continue reading Interview: Blizzard's Greg Canessa on Battle.Net

JoystiqInterview: Blizzard's Greg Canessa on Battle.Net originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Battle-NetBattle.NEtBlizzardBlizzconBlizzcon-2009Greg-CanessainterviewStarcraft-2World-of-WarcraftFri, 04 Sep 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[BlizzCon 2009: The new Battle.Net]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/25/blizzcon-2009-the-new-battle-net/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/25/blizzcon-2009-the-new-battle-net/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/25/blizzcon-2009-the-new-battle-net/#comments
Blizzard finally unveiled the much-hyped new version of Battle.Net at BlizzCon and, as expected, it's a huge leap forward from the service that was first introduced with Diablo in 1996. Although, in typical Blizzard fashion, this is still a work in progress and could change by the time it eventually comes out. In 2013. (We kid, we kid.)

Everything shown was modeled from inside of Starcraft 2, which Blizzard is calling the Battle.Net 2.0 launch title. The developer will be working to expand it to older titles, possibly including legacy games like the original Starcraft and Warcraft. It's also safe to say that Blizzard must be working on a client-only version of Battle.Net, so you don't have to be inside a game to see when your friends are on.

Check out the gallery below, and you can read about all the new details of what Blizzard wants to be the "premiere matchmaking service out there," after the break.

Gallery: Battle.Net (BlizzCon 2009)

Continue reading BlizzCon 2009: The new Battle.Net

JoystiqBlizzCon 2009: The new Battle.Net originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Battle-NetBattle.NetBlizzardBlizzconBlizzcon-2009Diablo-3Greg-CanessaonlineRob-PardoStarcraft-2Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:28:00 EST<![CDATA[StarCraft II: Blizzard responds to lack of LAN support]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/starcraft-2-blizzard-responds-to-lack-of-lan-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/starcraft-2-blizzard-responds-to-lack-of-lan-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/30/starcraft-2-blizzard-responds-to-lack-of-lan-support/#comments
Well, it's definitely true. Blizzard has killed LAN support in the upcoming StarCraft II, and here's the official word from Bob Colayco at Blizzard PR:

"We don't currently plan to support LAN play with StarCraft II, as we are building Battle.net to be the ideal destination for multiplayer gaming with StarCraft II and future Blizzard Entertainment games. While this was a difficult decision for us, we felt that moving away from LAN play and directing players to our upgraded Battle.net service was the best option to ensure a quality multiplayer experience with StarCraft II and safeguard against piracy.

Several Battle.net features like advanced communication options, achievements, stat-tracking, and more, require players to be connected to the service, so we're encouraging everyone to use Battle.net as much as possible to get the most out of StarCraft II. We're looking forward to sharing more details about Battle.net and online functionality for StarCraft II in the near future."

So, let it hereby be noted that pirates killed the LAN parrrrrty.

JoystiqStarCraft II: Blizzard responds to lack of LAN support originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Battle-netBlizzardLANRTSStarcraftStarcraft-2Starcraft-IITue, 30 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BlizzCon 2008: Rob Pardo talks Battle.Net monetizing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/13/blizzcon-2008-rob-pardo-talks-battle-net-monetizing/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/13/blizzcon-2008-rob-pardo-talks-battle-net-monetizing/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/13/blizzcon-2008-rob-pardo-talks-battle-net-monetizing/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Not everyone was thrilled with the weekend news that Blizzard is looking to monetize Battle.Net in some way. So we made that one of the first questions we asked Blizzard VP Rob Pardo. The good news is, they're not going to make Diablo III subscription based. Find out everyone he told us after the break.

Continue reading BlizzCon 2008: Rob Pardo talks Battle.Net monetizing

JoystiqBlizzCon 2008: Rob Pardo talks Battle.Net monetizing originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Battle-NetBattle.NetBlizzardBlizzCondiablodiablo-3diablo-iiiMacPCRob-PardoMon, 13 Oct 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BlizzCon 2008: Diablo III gameplay panel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/11/blizzcon-2008-diablo-iii-gameplay-panel/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/11/blizzcon-2008-diablo-iii-gameplay-panel/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/11/blizzcon-2008-diablo-iii-gameplay-panel/#comments
Blizzard's Jay Wilson and Wyatt Cheng took the stage at BlizzCon for a second time yesterday to helm the Diablo III Gameplay panel, which gave us a few more details about the eagerly awaited third part in Blizzard's mouse-button mashing trilogy. Check out the highlights after the break, which include updates on some of the creatures you'll encounter, and how they're taking steps to mix up the gameplay by inserting "random adventures."

Continue reading BlizzCon 2008: Diablo III gameplay panel

JoystiqBlizzCon 2008: Diablo III gameplay panel originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Speaking at yesterday's Diablo III Gameplay panel, Blizzard's Jay Wilson was asked one of the questions that's been hiding in the back of all of our brains, "Is Battle.Net going to remain free?"

His response probably wasn't what you'd want to hear. "We are looking to monetize Battle.Net so that we get to keep making these games and updating features," said Wilson. "We kind of have to." He went on to say that they do recognize that everyone loves having it as a free service, and that they don't have a strong desire to make a subscription-based game.

What does that mean for our beloved free online gaming service? We're hoping to find out when we talk to Blizzard bigwig Rob Pardo later this afternoon.

JoystiqBlizzard's Wilson: Some Battle.net features to be 'monetized' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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At the Blizzard Worldwide Invitational in Paris, Blizzard designers took to the stage to talk about the design goals and fundamentals behind their upcoming title, Diablo III. Jay Wilson, lead designer on the title, presented a rundown of the design philosophy behind the game, covering its origins, the game's approchability, and the design team's "better gameplay, less carpal tunnel" approach.

Gallery: Diablo III

Continue reading WWI08: Diablo 3 design fundamentals

JoystiqWWI08: Diablo 3 design fundamentals originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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click to embiggen
The buzz here at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles is all about Diablo 3. When will we have a playable demo? When can we expect a release? Blizzard, of course, isn't willing to commit to a date other than their standard "when it's done" answer:
  • What classes are going to be available? Blizzard's answer: we're not ready to talk about that.
  • Will there be a cow level? Blizzard's answer... well, more on that later.
Joystiq had a chance to catch up with Diablo 3's lead designer Jay Wilson (whom you may know from his work on a little game called Dawn of War) and pick his brain about how he got on the Diablo 3 project, what's in store for Battle.net, and the secret cow level.

Gallery: Diablo III

Continue reading Joystiq chats with Jay Wilson on Diablo 3

JoystiqJoystiq chats with Jay Wilson on Diablo 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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After several days of conjecture, an evolving series of load screens, and more fanboy arguments than you can shake a mouse at, word has finally come down from on high that the newest Blizzard property will be Diablo III. With the announcement this morning, Blizzard has thrown open the floodgates with screen shots, concept art, video and more. If you're wondering about what this upcoming title has in store, check out coverage from around the network and beyond, or wander through the eye-candy goodness of the galleries!

Gallery: Worldwide Invitational 2008: Diablo 3

Gallery: Diablo III

JoystiqDiablo 3 information overload originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-netblizzarddiablo-3diablo-iiiPCrpgsingle-playerwwi-2008Sat, 28 Jun 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Starcraft II WWI '08 panel part 3: Terran]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/starcraft-ii-wwi-08-panel-part-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/starcraft-ii-wwi-08-panel-part-3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/25/starcraft-ii-wwi-08-panel-part-3/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The Terrans and their BFG's
Pardo then moved on to the final Starcraft race, the Terrans. The theme here they wanted to push was guns, guns and more guns. No Queen or Mothership here, just lots of units with lots of firepower.

The first unit Pardo talked about was the Jackal. It's a fast, mobile firebat that spits out fire lots of splash damage. With its speed and mobility it has the potential to take a big chunk out of your opponent's forces.

The next unit was The Thor. It's a large ground assault unit with two abilities. In addition to its anti-air flak cannons, it can self-repair. And if it is destroyed, its wreckage stays on the battlefield and can rebuild itself.

No Hero for you!
Finally, Pardo talked about some larger issues about the game they were working with. They didn't want the game to too heavily emphasize micromanaging units. They want players to have time to deal with the macro issues of resources, expansion and strategy. So they designed most units to be simple movers and shooters, not like the more complex units of Warcraft 3.

They also de-emphasized Hero classes for the same reason. Hero characters will mostly be met in the single player story mode and even then, as characters to talk to instead of taking control of them in battles.

In terms of development, the team is focusing currently on spell casters and special abilities that come later in the game as well as upgrades for base units. The story campaign is about one-third done.

The last point Pardo wanted to make before the panel was open to questions was about the evolution of Battle.net. With the release of SC2, Battle.net will be transformed to become what they hope is the premiere gaming platform for PC online play.
NEXT: Q&A with Rob Pardo ===>

JoystiqStarcraft II WWI '08 panel part 3: Terran originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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