Blizzard Introduces Starter Edition for Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty

Video game developer Blizzard has announced that it has replaced the previous demo for the Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty real-time strategy game with a new Starter Edition , which allows players access to more content without asking them to pay anything.

All that's required to access the new Starter Edition for Starcraft II is a stable Internet connection and an account with the Battle.net service from Blizzard.

You can get the Starter Edition for Starcraft II from Softpedia.

Those who download it will get access to:

- the first three missions of the single-player campaign, taking place on Mar Sara, and either the first mission starring Doctor Hansen or the one that introduces the character of Tychus;
- two challenges: Covert Ops and Tactical Command;
- full playable Terran race in all the Custom Games modes;
- access to a number of custom maps, with Blizzard saying that it will vary the selection over time: Xel’Naga Caverns, Shattered Temple, Discord IV and High Orbit.

Those who get the free content will not be able to use the party system, chat, a number of custom maps, cooperative and versus matchmaking.

Full replays are available for players using the Starter Edition and the map editor is also usable, although the Test Map feature is now included.

Those who download the Starter Edition and like what they see can then go on to buy the full version of Starcraft II from Battle.net and will be able to keep all the single player progress they have made and their full multiplayer records.

Replacing the demo for the game with the Starter Edition is a smart idea because it allows a wider array of gamers to get acquainted with Starcraft II and will lead to more sales down the line.

At the moment Blizzard is working on the second release in the Starcraft II saga, Heart of the Swarm, which has a single player focusing on Kerrigan and the Zerg.