Lately there has been some rumors and information flying around Korea since late last week regarding progress that could imply that Blizzard is making their preparations for the region one phase of testing for the StarCraft II beta. We at StarCraft: Legacy would like to remind our readers that any information provided about the beta is unofficial, unless it is reported officially from Blizzard themselves, and that these bits of information should be considered rumors. We have translated the following articles and quotes.

A Korean website, ThisIsGame.com, has released a news article speculating that the beta test will come out soon. They claim that Blizzard recently started accepting account applications from world game-media reporters. It also claims that high end eSports players have also been providing account applications. The relevance to this is that Blizzard has consistently stated that information regarding beta keys would come when they came closer to releasing beta. Here is thisisgame's article:

StarCraft II beta test seems it will start soon. It has been revealed that Blizzard has recently started accepting account applications from world game media reporters for their coverage, as well as from Korean StarCraft progamers. The due date for the test account applications is the 26th of January, and there is a high possibility that the actual test will begin sometime during February or March. Judging from the game industry’s past actions, they usually prepare to provide coverage accounts for reporters when beta test is close to starting. Pushing back the beta at this point would make it difficult to make proper changes in the game depending on player feedback, especially because StarCraft II’s release is set to be in the late second quarter of this year (April to June).



Usually, Blizzard has invited those with experience to participate in the beta test of new games. Since they have done this so far, reporters of gaming media and progamers have higher priority in receiving beta test accounts. Also, it seems that users that obtained a beta key from BlizzCon and those that won a beta key from various events will also have high priority to participate in the test of StarCraft II. Blizzard Korea has been holding the “StarCraft II Korean Version Idea Contest” and other events, giving beta keys as prizes.



In addition, considering that it is multiplayer testing through Battlenet, it is likely that over a certain number of beta keys will be randomly given to users that have applied for the test through Battlenet.



StarCraft II currently has a 15+ rating from the game rating committee. Therefore, beta testers will be chosen that are over 15 years of age.



A person from Blizzard Korea stated that “beta testing schedule is not finalized yet, but I feel that it will start soon. The exact date and the number of beta testers to be chosen from the public will be announced officially once they are confirmed.”

Kicho, StarCraft II Korean Community Manager, has also been seen providing more information regarding StarCraft II beta specifically in the Korean forums. Last Thursday, he made a post stating that they were not decided at that time, therefore, no confirmations were able to be provided. This post is the one that the previous article referred to.

I think that a lot of people are getting curious because the mass media is releasing StarCraft II beta related info. Because the beta start date and specifics aren’t decided, so unfortunately I can’t provide any confirmations.



But I can tell you that we are preparing things one by one so that you may all meet StarCraft II even slightly faster, and that not only people in the media or the industry but the fans as well will be able to participate as well.



I know how long and tiring the wait has been and what you guys want right now. I will relay beta test related info as I get them. Everyone have a good weekend. :)

There is also information regarding the Korean translation about an energy increase upgrade for the Raven:

“Tight Security Autotracker Reasearch” is the Korean name right now. And also, the main energy-increasing upgrades include not only the ‘maximum energy increase’ but also the ‘starting energy increase’ at the time of production.

In other news around the local community, beta speculation has indeed run rampant. TheWarCenter.com has publically announced that they have recieved a letter from Blizzard requesting Beta Invite information to be turned in before 5pm PST, January 28th.

Hype within the community has also further exploded since the reveal of the Jace Hall Show Season 3.0 teaser. In the teaser, at approximately the 2:16 mark, there is a one second glimpse of a party involving individuals such as Dustin Browder, Chris Sigaty, Samwise Didier. The alerting facet is a projected screen in the background which clearly shows "Welcome to StarCraft II Beta". Click the image below to examine a full sized picture.

After the teaser was released, Blizzard was quick to react with the following relevant Facebook/Twitter updates.

StarCraft twitter:

The Jace Hall Show Season 3 Teaser looks beautiful! Come back soon Jace, we miss you! http://bit.ly/7tIoPY

Diablo facebook:

Jace Hall stopped by our offices recently to see how the Blizzard magic happens, and despite our very stern requests brought cameras with him to film it. We also think he may have stolen something. In any case you won't want to miss the first two episodes of the new season. (Jace, please return the calls from our legal... council. Thank you.) Season 3.0 of the Jace Hall Show kicks off this Friday, January 29.

This can lead to speculation that Blizzard wants you to be fully aware of this teaser trailer. Leaks, whether they are controlled or unintentional, are part of the computer/gaming industry and Blizzard is a company that has a reputation of being among the best to handle them. This is further proven as their project regarding an upcoming new intellectual property MMO still has minimal public knowledge regarding it after a year of its public awareness.

No matter where speculation leads, it's still unconfirmed if this party tease in the trailer is one of Jace's real recordings or merely a comedy sketch. Due to Blizzard's post in the Diablo facebook, one can speculate that we'll know the answer to that question January 29th or February 5th at the latest.

The only response we've had regarding the incident in the StarCraft II forums is Zhydaris, the newest Italian community manager, closing a thread and acknowledging that the other threads exist regarding the incedent. It's not much, but at least it's confirmation that Blizzard has publically acknowledged they are aware of the hype this has caused.

Locking this thread because we already have enough threads talking about the same topic.

Sources:

ThisIsGame.com - StarCraft II Beta is Approaching

Battle.net - Beta Test Imminent?

Battle.net - High-Spec Autotracking Translation Help

TheWarCenter.com - We have StarCraft 2 Beta Keys!

Ign.com - Jace Hall show 3.0 - Teaser Trailer

Twitter.com/StarCraft - Jace Hall is missed

Facebook.com/Diablo - Jace Hall is missed

Macobserver.com - How Apple Controls Leaks

Geek.com - Geometry Wars played with Project Natal

Facebook.com - Jace Hall Fanpage

New Blues: Avarius and Zhydaris

Battle.net - Sc2 beer celebration doesnt have anything to

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