StarCraft Universe Mod Finally Goes Into Limited Preview
The mod formerly known as World of StarCraft is now available for testing on Battle.net, but for a limited time only.
The team behind the StarCraft Universe mod for Blizzard's StarCraft 2 said on Monday that a special developer preview will go live on Battle.net between October 19 (today) and October 30 to test the game. After that, the PvP mod will be pulled from Blizzard's network for further polishing given that it hasn't even entered the open beta stage.
"Upon entering the arena or.. 'Encephalon Grid' as we call it, you will be able to play as any class, starting at level 30 with a full set of level 30 gear," the team reports. "You also will be given a mid level starting kit of abilities for your class, and may even be able to unlock more abilities during the preview if you win enough matches."
The StarCraft Universe mod originally appeared at the beginning of the year as "World of StarCraft," created by Ryan Winzen and a few others using StarCraft 2's own extensive editing tools. Once a pre-alpha video demo was posted on YouTube, Activision sent along a legal warning claiming copyright infringement. The StarCraft 2 team contacted the modders to make sure the mod wasn't being created outside the actual Blizzard title as an MMOG. Eventually it came down to a conflict with the mod's title, forcing Winzen to choose something else.
It also just so happens that Activision owns the copyright to the name World of StarCraft. Hmmmm.
"With the name so closely resembling that of World of Warcraft, we wanted to discuss the title of the mod with the developer, and as part of our routine procedure, we contacted YouTube to request the video be removed while that discussion took place," said Blizzard. "It was never our intention to stop development on the mod or discourage the community from expressing their creativity through the StarCraft 2 editor."
Now ten months later, the controversial mod is available for testing on Battle.net... with Blizzard's blessing. To find out more about the StarCraft Universe mod, head here.
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hm..... how about World of non-Earth humans, mutating space bugs and religious tribal mouthless psychic aliens?
Activision owns that name?? That is so wrong on many levels... Blizzard should own it no mattter what. Yep Glad to know the blizzard i used to know is dead.
Cool. Smoother animations, better UI, more richer environments and you've got a AAA game. I wonder why Blizzard is sitting on the bench for this one. Aire him lol.
Another Dota? And owned by Activision? What a waste of time...
Im not getting this...
Well lucky me im just going to ignore this.
Activision owns that name?? That is so wrong on many levels... Blizzard should own it no mattter what. Yep Glad to know the blizzard i used to know is dead.
Ever heard of this company called Activision Blizzard? Been around 4 years now.
Cool. Smoother animations, better UI, more richer environments and you've got a AAA game. I wonder why Blizzard is sitting on the bench for this one. Aire him lol.
If I recall correctly, they did hire him.
Very cool, SCU seems to fit better than WOSC...
i want play this game if this its likely wow. xD
Sorry Activision-Blizzard but your products do not interest me anymore. From a 3 part Starcraft released dragged out over years to a always on internet DRM scam for Diablo 3, it left a bad taste in my mouth and I moved on.
Looking forward to spending 100+ hours exploring SkyRim.
this better not suffer from the same problem AION had when it first came out.. ie ranged classes(terran) go uncontested in raping all melee classes(protoss) until melee reach top level and have top level gear.
AION was a great game
Back to the topic however, I would definitely buy a "World of StarCraft" game. And this preview may lead more players to the idea and an eventual development from ActiBliz. Not only would the graphics engine/UI be more current, the storyline would be way better than WoW's. They could do something very creative and different with a SC MMO, make it more "skill-based" and more action instead of the point and click standard of many MMOs (Dragon Nest is one such MMO).
Another Dota? And owned by Activision? What a waste of time...Im not getting this...Well lucky me im just going to ignore this.
It is not another Dota. It is a mod for a game that is already out called Starcraft 2.
Um, no zerg?
.Looking forward to spending 100+ hours exploring SkyRim.
You mean minecraft, because I am confused, thanks to Bersedtha lawyers.
it is a beta, they will prolly have them in there when it's out of beta.
I don't see how this mod is "controversial". He called it "World of StarCraft", Bliz told him to take it down. He changed it to "StarCraft Universe". Bliz likes it. How is that controversial?