After Hours

Blizzard's StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty Beta

By // April 19, 2010, 9:18 AM PST

Image 1 of 10

  • Main login

    This is the main login screen. Once you enter your Battle.Net account name and click Connect, you are asked for more credentials.

    For more details, read my Geekend post about StarCraft II Beta.

    Photos of StarCraft II game client courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment.

  • Additional credentials

    Now you are asked for your password and (if your Battle.Net account is equipped with one) your Authenticator code.

    For more details, read my Geekend post about StarCraft II Beta.

    Photos of StarCraft II game client courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment.

  • Character selection

    At least for the Beta, all accounts can have only one character. I'm not sure how this will be expanded in the full release.

    For more details, read my Geekend post about StarCraft II Beta.

    Photos of StarCraft II game client courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment.

  • Welcome screen

    The Beta Welcome Screen. To me, this seems a little hard to use since most of the screen is taken up by a Headlines section that is mostly blank. Most players will want to click on the Multi-Player button at the top left.

    For more details, read my Geekend post about StarCraft II Beta.

    Photos of StarCraft II game client courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment.

  • Multi-player screen

    The multi-player screen is where a player can join a random game with a random opponent or group of opponents. You can also use the controls on the right to create or join a custom game.

    For more details, read my Geekend post about StarCraft II Beta.

    Photos of StarCraft II game client courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment.

  • Create custom game: choose map

    If you clicked on the Create A Game button under the Custom Games section in the last slide, the first question you are asked is which map you'd like to play on. Choose a map, then click Create Game to proceed.

    For more details, read my Geekend post about StarCraft II Beta.

  • Create custom game: game lobby

    The game lobby is where the Host can add Human or AI player slots. Also, the Host can open the game up to public participation (as opposed to private invites). Each player (whether human or AI) can have a different race and color representing them.

    For more details, read my Geekend post about StarCraft II Beta.

    Photos of StarCraft II game client courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment.

  • Zerg

    The Zerg are an insectoid race bent upon assimilation of other genetic code into their genome. Their units and structures all evolve from larvae and are all linked into a collective consciousness.

    For more details, read my Geekend post about StarCraft II Beta.

    Photos of StarCraft II game client courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment.

  • Protoss

    The Protoss are a highly advanced, physically imposing humanoid race. Their technology is very present in their units and structures. Their units are either technologically-assisted members of their race or are fully robotic.

    For more details, read my Geekend post about StarCraft II Beta.

    Photos of StarCraft II game client courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment.

  • Terrans

    The Terrans are descendants of humanity but are cast-offs from the main body of the human race. These are usually genetically enhanced or mutated individuals that either are controlling powered suits or advanced tanks and spaceships. Their technology is a descendant of our own.

    For more details, read my Geekend post about StarCraft II Beta.

    Photos of StarCraft II game client courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment.

Main login

This is the main login screen. Once you enter your Battle.Net account name and click Connect, you are asked for more credentials.

For more details, read my Geekend post about StarCraft II Beta.

Photos of StarCraft II game client courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment.

Related Topics:

After Hours Innovation Hardware Tech & Work