{"id":27193,"date":"2013-03-12T11:44:56","date_gmt":"2013-03-12T15:44:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=27193"},"modified":"2013-03-12T11:44:56","modified_gmt":"2013-03-12T15:44:56","slug":"starcraft-ii-heart-of-the-swarm-dlc-expansion-pack-more-video-game-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=27193","title":{"rendered":"STARCRAFT II: HEART OF THE SWARM &#8211; DLC, Expansion Pack &#038; More: VIDEO GAME NEWS"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=27193\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-27194\" style=\"margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;\" title=\"starcraft2\" src=\"http:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/starcraft2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"232\" height=\"169\" \/><\/a>Hail to the Queen of Blades! Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. today set off a global zerg invasion with the launch of<em>StarCraft<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0II: Heart of the Swarm<sup>\u2122<\/sup><\/em>, the next chapter in the epic saga of<em>StarCraft<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0II.<\/em>\u00a0Kerrigan has arrived, and with the help of her brood, she aims to take down Arcturus Mengsk once and for all.<\/p>\n<p>Players can now purchase\u00a0<em>Heart of the Swarm<\/em>\u00a0in retail stores throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Russia, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, as well as digitally via the game&#8217;s official website (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.starcraft2.com\/\" target=\"_new\">www.StarCraft2.com<\/a>). Release plans for mainland China will be announced at a later date.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>\u201c<em>Heart of the Swarm\u00a0<\/em>enhances every aspect of\u00a0<em>StarCraft II,<\/em>\u201d said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. \u201cIn addition to Kerrigan\u2019s campaign and the new multiplayer units and maps, we think players will really enjoy the new online elements and new features that make<em>StarCraft II<\/em>\u00a0more fun and easier to learn than ever before.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Standard, Collector\u2019s, and Digital Deluxe Editions<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<em>StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm\u00a0<\/em>is now available at retailers nationwide on DVD-ROM for Windows<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0XP\/Windows Vista<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>\/Windows<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a07\/Windows<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a08 and Macintosh<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0(suggested retail price \u00a332.99). The expansion can also be purchased directly from Blizzard at\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.starcraft2.com\/\" target=\"_new\">www.StarCraft2.com<\/a>\u00a0for \u00a332.99. In addition, Blizzard is offering a retail-exclusive Collector&#8217;s Edition of\u00a0<em>Heart of the Swarm<\/em>\u00a0loaded with digital and physical bonus items, available at select retail stores for a suggested retail price of \u00a359.99 .<\/p>\n<p>Players also have the option to purchase a Digital Deluxe version of the expansion, which includes all of the digital items from the Collector&#8217;s Edition, directly from Blizzard via\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.starcraft2.com\/\" target=\"_new\">www.StarCraft2.com<\/a>\u00a0for \u00a342.99. Anyone who purchases the standard edition digitally or at retail can upgrade to the Digital Deluxe version at any time (for as long as the standalone Digital Deluxe version remains available) for an additional \u00a310.<br \/>\nThe Digital Deluxe version of\u00a0<em>Heart of the Swarm<\/em>\u00a0includes a full digital copy of the expansion along with the following in-game bonus items:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em><strong>StarCraft II<\/strong><\/em><strong>\u00a0Torrasque<\/strong>: Crush the enemies of the Swarm with the indomitable Torrasque, a fearsome new look for your zerg Ultralisks.<\/li>\n<li><em><strong>StarCraft II<\/strong><\/em><strong>\u00a0Portraits and Decals<\/strong>: New Swarm-infested portraits and decals help you customize the look of your online profile and in-game army.<\/li>\n<li><em><strong>World of Warcraft<sup>\u00ae<\/sup><\/strong><\/em><strong>\u00a0In-Game Pet<\/strong>: The Baneling companion pet is bursting with enthusiasm and ready to explode onto the Pet Battles scene.<\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Diablo<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0III<\/strong><\/em><strong>\u00a0Blade Wings and Banner Sigil<\/strong>: Grow zerg-like wings in honor of the Queen of Blades, and unfurl an exclusive banner sigil to mark your allegiance to the Swarm in Sanctuary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The retail-exclusive Collector\u2019s Edition of\u00a0<em>Heart of the Swarm<\/em>\u00a0includes the full version of the game on DVD-ROM and contains the following exclusive bonus items, in addition to the content from the Digital Deluxe version:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Behind-the-Scenes DVD and Blu-ray<\/strong>: Immerse yourself in the\u00a0<em>StarCraft<\/em>universe with developer commentary, interviews with voice actors, and an in-depth historical retrospective on\u00a0<em>StarCraft<\/em>\u2019s eSports legacy narrated by key members of the community.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Collector\u2019s Edition Soundtrack CD:\u00a0<\/strong>Enhance your\u00a0<em>Heart of the Swarm<\/em>musical experience with this collection of 11 tracks from the game\u00a0<em>.<\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Heart of the Swarm<\/strong><\/em><strong>\u00a0Hardcover Art Book:\u00a0<\/strong>This 144-page tome features never-before-seen art from the expansion, including early concept sketches and meticulous 3D renderings.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Zerg Rush Mousepad:\u00a0<\/strong>This Collector\u2019s Edition mousepad depicts the Terran Dominion holding out desperately under the onslaught of the Swarm.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Heart of the Swarm Game Features<\/span><\/strong><\/em><br \/>\n<em>Heart of the Swarm<\/em>\u00a0picks up the story where\u00a0<em>StarCraft II:\u00a0<\/em><em>Wings of Liberty<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0<\/em>left off, focusing on Kerrigan&#8217;s quest to reunite the Swarm and exact revenge on Arcturus Mengsk. Over the course of\u00a0<strong>20 campaign missions<\/strong>, players will follow Kerrigan as she sweeps across the galaxy, incorporating a variety<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br clear=\"all\" \/>of distinctive zerg species into her brood. Kerrigan will grow in strength from mission to mission, and players will be able to customize her with\u00a0<strong>powerful new abilities<\/strong>, as well as\u00a0<strong>evolve various zerg strains<\/strong>\u00a0into fearsome new subspecies to suit their play style.<\/p>\n<p>New weapons of war also debut in\u00a0<em>Heart of the Swarm<\/em>&#8216;s multiplayer, including new units such as Terran Hellbats, Zerg Swarm Hosts, and Protoss Tempests, while certain existing units from\u00a0<em>Wings of Liberty<\/em>\u00a0will be updated with new capabilities. In addition, several new features will enhance the game experience, including\u00a0<strong>group and clan systems<\/strong>;\u00a0<strong>training and versus-A.I. modes<\/strong>, to help new players transition from the campaign into multiplayer;<strong>unranked matchmaking<\/strong>;\u00a0<strong>Global Play,\u00a0<\/strong>enabling players to battle others in different regions around the world;\u00a0<strong>additional stat tracking ;<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>user interface improvements;<\/strong>\u00a0an\u00a0<strong>enhanced physics system,<\/strong>\u00a0for more visceral-looking battles;\u00a0<strong>\u201c<\/strong><strong>Watch With Others\u201d and \u201cTake Command,\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0to watch replays with friends as well as jump in and assume control at any point; a\u00a0<strong>leveling system<\/strong>that gives\u00a0<em>Heart of the Swarm<\/em>\u00a0players a new way to earn customization options for their online profiles; and much more.<br \/>\nTo celebrate the arrival of\u00a0<em>Heart of the Swarm<\/em>\u00a0and follow the global zerg infestation, Blizzard cohosted a special day-long launch broadcast with noted eSports personality and commentator Sean &#8220;Day[9]&#8221; Plott, in conjunction with Twitch.tv. Players who missed out on the live broadcast can travel back in time by watching archived video of the event at\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.twitch.tv\/StarCraft\" target=\"_new\">www.Twitch.tv\/StarCraft<\/a>.<br \/>\nLearn more about\u00a0<em>StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm\u00a0<\/em>at\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.starcraft2.com\/\" target=\"_new\">www.StarCraft2.com<\/a>. With multiple games in development, Blizzard Entertainment has numerous positions currently open\u2014visit\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/jobs.blizzard.com\/\" target=\"_new\">http:\/\/jobs.blizzard.com<\/a>\u00a0for more information and to learn how to apply.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\nBest known for blockbuster hits including\u00a0<em>World of Warcraft<sup>\u00ae<\/sup><\/em>\u00a0and the<em>Warcraft<sup>\u00ae<\/sup><\/em>,\u00a0<em>StarCraft<\/em><sup>\u00ae<\/sup>, and\u00a0<em>Diablo<\/em><sup>\u00ae<\/sup>\u00a0franchises, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.blizzard.com\/\" target=\"_new\">www.blizzard.com<\/a>), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry\u2019s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment\u2019s track record includes fifteen #1-selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company\u2019s online-gaming service, Battle.net<sup>\u00ae<\/sup>, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.newzbreaker.com\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-19486\" title=\"NEWZBREAKER-BANNER\" src=\"http:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/NEWZBREAKER-BANNER.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"100\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hail to the Queen of Blades! Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. today set off a global zerg invasion with the launch ofStarCraft\u00ae\u00a0II: Heart of the Swarm\u2122, the next chapter in the epic saga ofStarCraft\u00ae\u00a0II.\u00a0Kerrigan has arrived, and with the help of her brood, she aims to take down Arcturus Mengsk once and for all. Players can now [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[532,2727,2590],"class_list":["post-27193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-boxing-news","tag-news","tag-update","tag-video-game"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27193","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=27193"}],"version-history":[{"count":-4,"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27193\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=27193"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=27193"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=27193"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}