Some of you mappers from the SC1 days may remember "Spawning"- it's when you could put one disk into another person's computer to allow them to play the game with you, even if they hadn't purchased it. A similar feature has now been brought to sc2. From now on, every member of a party has the same access to the game as the person with the highest expansion level in the party. If a starter edition player is in a party with a WoL player, he can access the WoL ladder, custom games, and arcade. The same thing goes for HotS. And perhaps most importantly, using this feature will net you a fantastic in-game portrait.
What does this mean for mappers? Well, a WoL player can get into a HotS-only arcade map, as long as they are in a party with a HotS player.
This is a good idea. Allows everyone to have fun together regardless of what they bought. Also a good incentive to get starter edition players to buy SC2 in the long haul. I am curious if they will make the arcade free-to-play after LoTV, perhaps in conjunction with Blizzard All-Stars release (if it will still even be part of the Arcade instead of a Standalone).
I find it a bit odd. Maybe I'm misunderstanding something. Why would anybody still buy HotS if they can just get in a party with a friend to play through its campaign?
This means my friend can play on the same map as me, no matter what map. Monobattles to Tower Defense Tycoon to Nexus wars to Arranged Tam Ladders. The Caveats being that I have to be online, (only works when in a party with a full licensed user, [notice how they don't say owner]) and the map has to allow more than one player, (So, no campaign, no 1v1 ladder) and we have to be in the same map.
Basically, this means Word of Mouth advertisement has more power. Yay! Also means that the "hardcore" aspect and campaign are still by purchase only. Means I can play whatever awesome maps you guys come up with anyone, even before blizzard spotlights the amazing work.
@Imperfect1987: Go
Nah, the Arcade is already a little Free-to-Play, being that trial users have access to any Spotlighted maps. Blizzard probably doesn't want to gran unlimited access to the custom game scene, because that eliminates a group of people from wanting to buy LotV.
I think this is a really nice move, it strengthens the user's ability to show it to a friend.
Some of you mappers from the SC1 days may remember "Spawning"- it's when you could put one disk into another person's computer to allow them to play the game with you, even if they hadn't purchased it. A similar feature has now been brought to sc2. From now on, every member of a party has the same access to the game as the person with the highest expansion level in the party. If a starter edition player is in a party with a WoL player, he can access the WoL ladder, custom games, and arcade. The same thing goes for HotS. And perhaps most importantly, using this feature will net you a fantastic in-game portrait.
What does this mean for mappers? Well, a WoL player can get into a HotS-only arcade map, as long as they are in a party with a HotS player.
Here's the official Blizzard post on it.
What do you guys think? I know a lot of mappers haven't purchased HotS yet, so do you plan on trying out the ladder or arcade with your friends?
I think its a good idea, I still wish starcraft had LAN though.
This sounds awesome. Now anyone can play arcade games, let's hope people use it. Can starter edition people rate & review maps though?
This is a good idea. Allows everyone to have fun together regardless of what they bought. Also a good incentive to get starter edition players to buy SC2 in the long haul. I am curious if they will make the arcade free-to-play after LoTV, perhaps in conjunction with Blizzard All-Stars release (if it will still even be part of the Arcade instead of a Standalone).
I find this to be a startlingly awesome idea from Blizzard.
This is great! I have friends I want to show my game to, obviously spawning is the answer.
Also, I think Blizzard is on the right direction... But SC2 is still dead arcade-wise.
Member since 2010. Made the -The Thing- [Revival] game. Nostalgic of the WC3 days.
I believe it will work plus that 25% sounds goo too.
Marie T. Freeman If you're too busy to give your neighbor a helping hand, then you're just too darned busy. https://www.facebook.com/wargirlmaps.maps
Spread the love join DISCORD
https://discord.gg/Jtzt8Su
This is quite awesome.
I find it a bit odd. Maybe I'm misunderstanding something. Why would anybody still buy HotS if they can just get in a party with a friend to play through its campaign?
@Mozared: Go
It said in the video that the friend cannot play the campaign.
Member since 2010. Made the -The Thing- [Revival] game. Nostalgic of the WC3 days.
Wow,this sounds cool!
But I have a problem : if my friends who join my party can play arcades with me, can they use the races besides Terran when playing arcades?
(Because some games will ask , or even force players to use the Protoss or Zerg. Without using all three races,the game might cannot play.)
@samuelchou the video did say starter edition players are only able to play terran for now, but I don't think this will affect the arcade at all.
This means my friend can play on the same map as me, no matter what map. Monobattles to Tower Defense Tycoon to Nexus wars to Arranged Tam Ladders. The Caveats being that I have to be online, (only works when in a party with a full licensed user, [notice how they don't say owner]) and the map has to allow more than one player, (So, no campaign, no 1v1 ladder) and we have to be in the same map.
Basically, this means Word of Mouth advertisement has more power. Yay! Also means that the "hardcore" aspect and campaign are still by purchase only. Means I can play whatever awesome maps you guys come up with anyone, even before blizzard spotlights the amazing work.
@Imperfect1987: Go Nah, the Arcade is already a little Free-to-Play, being that trial users have access to any Spotlighted maps. Blizzard probably doesn't want to gran unlimited access to the custom game scene, because that eliminates a group of people from wanting to buy LotV.
I think this is a really nice move, it strengthens the user's ability to show it to a friend.
Doesn't that steal from your connection a bit? Like where does the 'friend' take all the HotS data from?
@Eimtr: Go
all the HotS data is already installed in their computer but its just locked
You can choose every race except Ranom Race selection before starting the game.