Earlier this week, Blizzard announced the new free-to-play SC2 Starter Edition to replace it’s demo. The starter edition includes the following content:
- The first four missions of the StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty single-player campaign, including Mar Sara 1-3 and the choice to embark on Tychus’s first mission or Dr. Hansen’s first mission.
- The first two Challenges: Tactical Command and Covert Ops.
- Access to the terran race in Custom Games and Single-Player vs. AI.
- Access to the following custom maps (map selection may rotate over time):
- Xel’Naga Caverns
- Shattered Temple
- Discord IV
- High Orbit
Of course, it provides players just enough of a taste of SC2 to want to buy it. From a marketing and sales aspect, this is a great idea. I’m surprised they didn’t think of it sooner.
It’s also helpful for me in trying to persuade my friends to play too!
