not long ago, it has been made public that Starcraft II will not have a LAN mode.
I do see Blizzard's point, on the other hand, for this restriction I know that I will not be able to play SC2 with quite some friends, for 2 reasons:
#1 the internet connection available in some places will definitely not be able to cope with 4 or more players
#2 some people simply won't buy a full price game to play it once every one or two weeks
Therefore, I may have proposal:
When buying a full copy of SC II, one is allowed to buy additional "spawn licenses" (cheaper then full price).
A "spawn license" allows only to play (local) multiplayer with other "spawn licenses" and the full copy, as long as the full copy is online and verified. (no singler player, no b.net)
The player/machine with the full copy acts as (local) authentication server to unlock the "spawn licenses".
=> Lower internet bandwith required (spawn and full can talk via LAN) &
I can provide legal versions of SC II to people a want to play with.
If possible, consider this a valid business model (as it resembles reality much better I think) and forward this to the people who may be able to decide this.
With best regards
Florian
(feedback from other forum users appreciated as well)
(end of proposal, just where I got the idea from)
In the past, I have solved problem #2 in a way that may surprise you:
I bought additional copies of WC III (budget version), thus providing a full set of legal copies for more players. (some of my friends did buy it after all)
Yes, it was worth to me considering how much I had played WC3.
For the imediate time after SC2's release this won't be a solution, since I am not willed to pay 3 or more times full price and still problem #1 remains.
I support your topic as it is the same as the other one, but the other one is atm bigger, and the key to success here is one big, not alot of small ones!
Go to it and comment and state what you did here if you'd like ofcourse.
Off-topic Note: If you are a WC3 player, please support my/someons topic against Blizzard's ban of all 3rd party programs like VCK, BL and DR's. (1 big, not alot of small ones is needed here too.)
