Starcraft 2 Draws “Save The LAN” Protests

July 8th, 2009

Blizzard has announced that LAN support will not be available in the release of their long awaited game, Starcraft 2. Not being a highly excitable sort, even though I am a casual gamer who prefers to suffer defeat in private, I did not give this much thought.

However, it seems that some people are much more upset about this prospect. These guys decided to start a petition to save the LAN, that’s LAN not land, and they also have garnered more than a few supporters.

Luckily the people who wrote this “Save the LAN” petition are not Blizzard building burning, pitchfork waving, foaming at the mouth hardcore gamers. No, these are quiet reasoning people who compliment Blizzard first, posit clear reasons for their position, and end it politely. Apparently a lot of people feel strongly about their LANs or at least the ability to use that in the new Starcraft, because this petition has thus far gained the support of 35,866 people. Who knew that LAN was that popular?

I admit it doesn’t thrill me to consider Blizz watching my rather slow learning curve while I attempt to control those pesky Zerg and fail, and fail, and fail. Though I doubt my attempts will draw much notice either, it’s always the winners that attract watchful eyes.

However, when Starcraft 2 is released everyone will have to go through Battlenet even for single player mode. Can you say Big Brother is watching you? You won’t be developing any super secret tactics using weaknesses in the game structure to unleash on the unsuspecting since it’s all on the Battlenet, and any suspected imbalances will likely be corrected even as the tactics to use them are being developed.

It makes for balance in the game, but whoever said world domination was balanced?

In any case “Save The Lan” petitioners, we wish you all the best, but speaking from experience if the rabid, foaming at the mouth, epitaph slinging lynch mobs have failed to sway Blizzard in the past, I would not take odds on your polite approach working.