OMG StarCraft

To say StarCraft II news has been slow would be an understatement. There's only so much random news from the SC universe we can handle before we just wanna scream “give me the damn game already!”

But, alas, I don't have any release date or even a beta date to tell you about. All I have is some info on the new map maker. Custom map makers can rejoice, this thing is going to be powerful.

What we do know about the beta is that Blizzard has begun asking the media for names to get involved in the beta from the get go. Some fan sites have confirmed that Kotaku and other gaming media have begun the process, I know writers at GamePro submitted their names weeks ago. This is a standard process and nothing to get too excited about. I'd suspect the beta is still a month or so out – August would be a good guess.

On a separate note before we get into the Q&A, the third battle report is in development and I'd expect to see it sometime in early July before the beta begins. Now, on to the Q&A.

The most recent fansite Q&A comes from SC2 Armory and offers some good insight into a few overlooked topics. I'm still surprised how detailed and well thought out fans' questions are even at this stage of the game and with most never having had any hands-on time with the pre-alpha version of the game.

1) Blizzard, how attached are you guys to the proton charge/mule extra macro-for-money system? I know nothing is set in stone at this point, but will these mechanics in all likelihood make it into the final game? - Voan

This is a mechanic that we would like to keep if possible. Because the game is not yet in beta phase, there may still be tweaks and changes to these mechanics, but we are looking forward to players trying it out themselves in beta. We will continue testing the macro mechanics internally and we really want to see how the players will adopt these mechanics into their gameplay.

2) With missile barrage and Yamato cannon, Battlecruisers’ can deal with most threats. My question is, how effectively can a Battlecruiser be countered? How well do Hydralisks, Void Rays, and Vikings work vs Missile barrage? - camelmeat

Hydralisks are easily the Zerg’s most important ground unit against air, including Battlecruisers. Void rays can be a good Protoss counter for battlecruiser, with focused fire and increasing damage over time on its attack. In fighter mode, the Terran viking does +10 damage against massive units like the battlecruiser.

Blizzard's RTS Community Manager Karune has released the 51st segment in his Q&A series and with it comes an entertaining video highlighting the work the art team has been doing on death animations. Also, your last chance to get tickets to BlizzCon 09 is coming up at 10 a.m. PDT. Head HERE to buy tickets. Enjoy the Q&A.

Chat with Devs: Between adding new unit models and sliming up the zerg buildings, the StarCraft II art team has also spent some time on some little details that make the game come alive, such as new unit death animations. Featured below, we have a protoss carrier being blown out of the sky by a squad of terran marines, as well as several zerg units falling to their fates.

The rest of the Q&A is after the jump...