Blizzard Releases In-House Design Tools To Starcraft Modders 96
MojoKid writes "Blizzard has released a powerful new suite of tools for Starcraft 2 modders and developers that fundamentally change the nature of what's possible in the popular RTS game. Now, players can use the same architectural and graphics design toolsets that Blizzard has used internally to build new units, tilesets, and models. Furthermore, these tools are now available even with the Starcraft 2: Starter Edition kit. Critically, artists will now be able to incorporate images and effects designed in programs like 3ds Max, Photoshop, or other high-end particle systems. The exciting thing about these releases is that Starcraft 2's modding list is as interesting as the primary game, if not moreso. Fans have faithfully created adaptations of famous Starcraft maps, implemented entirely new rulesets that blend the old, micro-friendly playstyle of Starcraft with the modern engine, and even gone total conversion with Warcraft ported over into the SC2 game."
Re:Fixing literally everything (Score:2, Informative)
SC2 has an offline mode. You only have to login once to "activate" it after installing.
Re:Fixing literally everything (Score:4, Informative)
Starcraft 2 has no such restriction for local play. You can install it on as many computers as you'd like; you can only have one concurrent logon to battle.net.
Re:Fixing literally everything (Score:5, Informative)
Unlike you (I assume), I play Starcraft II fairly avidly, and I have no idea what you're talking about. You seem to be implying that Blizzard has some sort of consumer hostile activation system that ties your account to a specific PC. This is not true; you can install the Starcraft II client on as many computers as you want*, and play on as many computers as you want, all with the same account.
In fact, after having lost and repurchased the original Starcraft game twice (computer died, couldn't find the disks), I consider online activation to be a very positive feature. I understand if you oppose online activation in general on ideological grounds, but don't try to tell me that you oppose this particular activation scheme because it's inconvenient. It is absolutely not.
*As far as I know. I've played on at least 3 or 4 different PCs, but if someone knows better please correct me.
Re:Fixing literally everything (Score:4, Informative)
People who demand offline LAN games are either
1) non-customers (people who would only play if they could pirate, so no big loss)
or
2) LAN party operators (this is an actual concern, for paying customers, and is currently hindering the ability of a "smalltime" eSports scene). I assume this has been solved at a pro level, either by holding it at high bandwidth venues, or by some blizzard local server magic not available to your average Joe-6port.
Either way, their online game not supporting offline multiplayer hardly makes them the Metallica of video games.
Re:Fixing literally everything (Score:4, Informative)
1) If your house burnt down, you should be thrilled you bought some sort of license instead of a physical disc, because your license survives. Yay!
2) There is no DRM preventing you from making backups. This entire comment thread sticks on ice. The only DRM is a single registration at install. You are free to make as many copies as you like on as many machines as you like, and you are free to backup your disk as many times as you'd like. In fact, you can copy the directory wholesale to another device and POOF! it launches.
The only restriction is a 1:1 purchase:person for online play.