StarCraft II Beta Keys at Blizzcon 2008?

With the StarCraft II beta being reportedly months away, many are asking if private beta keys will be given away to attendees of the upcoming Blizzcon 2008 convention. Many speculate that if beta keys are offered, that they will be beta keys for the initial private beta session for StarCraft II. But is there any fact behind these claims? We investigate…

While Blizzard has neither announced or eluded to the possibility of giving out a beta key at this year’s Blizzcon, it would seem that it could be very likely. Many argue both sides, that one will be given and that it will not. Lets look at the facts:

Supporting a StarCraft II beta key release at Blizzcon:

• StarCraft II Beta is months away, as announced by Frank Pearce during his interview with IGN.com.
• StarCraft II multiplayer capabilities are essentially complete, as described by a Frank Pearce and Bob Colayco interview. He goes on to mention that single player and battle.net function remain to be finished.
• Beta keys for the WOW expansion, Wrath of the Lich King, were given out at last year’s Blizzcon.
• If beta keys were in fact given out, they would most likely not be for Diablo III.

Against a StarCraft II beta key release at Blizzcon:

• Last year’s Blizzcon website stated clearly that there was going to be beta keys given out. This year has not mention of beta keys.
• In the same IGN interview with Frank Pearce, Pearce states that they are unsure if they even need a beta. This seems like a worthless statement (can you imagine no beta?), but he did say it.
• Battle.net and single player functionality still remain to be completed.
• There has been no official announcement, period.

While no one is really sure, we will just have to see what happens. Both sides have valid points, but everyone surely wants the same outcome - StarCraft II beta keys now!

What do you think?