StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm Expected in First Half of 2013

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StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm Expected in First Half of 2013

Post by Dan @ 10:48am 08/11/12 | 10 Comments

Activision Blizzard's Q3 2012 financial report has revealed Blizzard's plans to launch the next chapter of StarCraft II, the Zerg-centric Heart of the Swarm, next year. Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime muted any lingering expectations of a 2012 launch, saying "We're working hard towards a first half 2013 launch for Heart of the Swarm.", later elaborating that it was too early to narrow that window any further.

As with all Blizzard games, our ultimate goal is to provide the best possible experience for our players, and we will take as much time as is needed to ensure that Heart of the Swarm meets the expectations of our players, as well as our own high standards.

For our most recent coverage of Heart of the Swarm, check out our in-depth interview with Blizzard Lead Software Engineer Alan Dabiri.

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Creepy
Posted 10:50am 08/11/12

So much for the "launching three titles in one year" plan.

Bums. I had hoped it would be a Christmas pressie. :(

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Mass
Posted 11:02am 08/11/12

Gee thanks Dan, way to ruin my morning. Was also planning on Santa gifting me this one.

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Zapo
Posted 11:27am 08/11/12

I was hoping for Q1 given the beta has been up and running for a while. SC2 really does need an injection of something to keep it going, it's a bit flat now.

Still, looking forward to both the single and multiplayer and hopefully the freakin' beta!!

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BlueWolf
Posted 11:33am 08/11/12

I am in the beta. Been hoping to see a sneak peak at the SP (it's new units look like fun).

However, the multiplayer isn't that fantastic, it still plays quite the same. Here I was hoping for more action and choices (I am terran btw, Diamond level if that means anything).

Terran hasn't changed much, protoss is getting some nice changes and zerg more utility. My brother plays protoss and it's a blast with the cool new units. Though the beta has been all over the place with adding and removing things, but I am glad they are at least making an effort, watching the pros play has become rather predictable and dull. If HOTS fails to mix things up it'll be time to move on and not bother much.

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skythra
Posted 12:43pm 08/11/12

SC2 is filled with hackers and broken mechanics at the moment. Patches keep the metagame changing which helps also reduce the effect that hackers have but once a metagame has been established for a long time hacking becomes a stronger advantage.

I still like the game and play it regularly but it really feels like there hasn't been much attention to the live game for a while..

Edit: I want to rage so much about observer panel hacks that exist :( these ones are the one which bugs me the most. Played 3 games against the same guy, one time went warp prism, but he had a missile turret up his back, one time went 4gate pressure, he went bunkers, one time went 3gate robo expand he instantly moved out the second he saw my nexus was dropped and won.

The reason it's frustrating is that you never KNOW, but considering he went reactional all 3 games, had no idea of my build or base, and each time had countered exactly my units (never went eng bay at 6mins except when i went for warp prism etc). You kind of just end up in a frustrated rage that someone who never scouted you once can know what you were doing.

I've beaten some other people i've guessed as hacking mostly through having better micro control (getting my drop in despite the turret plus holding my expand while he pushes but he's so busy with the attack he hasn't noticed the scv's all dying).

I also find myself liking PvT normally.

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dais
Posted 12:58pm 08/11/12

I haven't played it in a few months but here I thought SC2 was going to be free of hacking. It ruined the first game and forced people to play on services with anti-hack launchers like iCCup. Blizzard better get their shit together or there is going to be a mass exodus before the expansion is even released.

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Hogfather
Posted 02:10pm 08/11/12

This is probably as good a place as any or this.

trog and the guys have kindly got me into the beta in exchange for a beta review. If you recall I did the WOL beta review.

If there's something you want to know about (and I can answer in the review, remember its a MP bets) please let me know :)

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BladeRunner
Posted 02:45pm 08/11/12

I can't play StarCraft, My brain is far too slow to comprehend anything that goes on in it. Skirmish is more my speed. That said it would be awesome to participate in a 4v4 for fun.

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skythra
Posted 02:55pm 08/11/12

I haven't played it in a few months but here I thought SC2 was going to be free of hacking.

True upon release, but it's like anything. Nothing is ever completely secure. I think it's completely stupid that fundamentally all the data which goes to the observer panel is available on a ladder game. That's both a waste of bandwidth and completely asking for someone to intercept it with hacks.

The hacks that i've read about are paid hacks though, so more expensive than the game costs. Totally befuddles me why of all games you'd want to hack your way into some meaningless rank in starcraft.

There are threads on SC2SEA and on TL of known hackers etc.

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