"It's called LAN!"

[Alzarath]

Sorry, but I agree with Rob pardo 100%.

Shuuuuun

[Gifted]

So, I had a multiquote going for the first 5 pages, and that it was before the battle.net panel. I'm curious if there is anyone out there from the earlier pages that needs clarification about the LAN debaticle? Or is this finally a subject that we are on the same page with?

I'm curious...

[SaharaDrac]

I completely understand this LAN mess, and I understand that if you don't have the internet in 2009, it's not Blizzard's problem anymore. You prefer to game while disconnected from the internet? Give me one good reason. Sorry, the rampant disinformation and behavior of fans who don't understand this really, really irks me.

[Noise]

The issue is latency.

[SaharaDrac]

The issue is latency.

You can't call "latency" until you play on Bnet 2.0.

[Noise]

I don't know what the latency is like, it might be as good as LAN if you're on a LAN connection with the person, but all I'm saying is, latency is the unknown and the cause of concern.

[Xyvik]

You can't call "latency" until you play on Bnet 2.0.

Unless Blizzard has hired geniuses from MIT, Harvard, and overseas, geniuses the likes of which the world has never seen, there is no scientifically possible way that Bnet 2 latency will be comparable to a gigabit router connection with CAT6 cables. Even if it turns to P2P, the initial connection must go through Bnet2 and in so doing can suffer from any number of transitional problems.

Simply put, the internet is not as fast as gigabit is. You can call it rampant disinformation if you like, but there are some of us these days who, you know, actually do face-to-face gaming. You know, LAN parties? Those things that made the original SC so popular? Yeah, I know, it's outdated and SO last century. But hey, some of us like it.

If Bnet2 can prove to have flawless transition from online connection to P2P LAN speeds, while on a LAN, then I personally will have no problem with them doing this. But they have to prove it first.

((psst! I haven't heard them mention piracy as their primary reason for taking out LAN lately, so I can also forgive them for that. Bad Blizzard, trotting out that tired excuse! No bisquit!))

[Gifted]

Unless Blizzard has hired geniuses from MIT, Harvard, and overseas, geniuses the likes of which the world has never seen, there is no scientifically possible way that Bnet 2 latency will be comparable to a gigabit router connection with CAT6 cables. Even if it turns to P2P, the initial connection must go through Bnet2 and in so doing can suffer from any number of transitional problems.

Simply put, the internet is not as fast as gigabit is. You can call it rampant disinformation if you like, but there are some of us these days who, you know, actually do face-to-face gaming. You know, LAN parties? Those things that made the original SC so popular? Yeah, I know, it's outdated and SO last century. But hey, some of us like it.

If Bnet2 can prove to have flawless transition from online connection to P2P LAN speeds, while on a LAN, then I personally will have no problem with them doing this. But they have to prove it first.

((psst! I haven't heard them mention piracy as their primary reason for taking out LAN lately, so I can also forgive them for that. Bad Blizzard, trotting out that tired excuse! No bisquit!))

I'll be the first to say I enjoy face-to-face gaming. I have 4 solid computers that will run SC2 easily in my house all with 25+ inch monitors. With that said, I'd like to say a few points I'd like to hear your thoughts on Xyrik.

1. I understand your frustration with the moving on of traditional LAN as we know it. I do believe that LAN will still live on with SC2 with a stipulation that the internet is a required facet. I'll be the first to admit this may be a breaking point for certain minorities of the world... but again, it's my opinion that the blame can't be on Blizzard for this one, but the parties involved that supply the internet.

2. I see a lot of points about people who lack internet access or lack good internet access. This is the type of shift in the industry that could actually put a focus on better internet availability. If a majority of gaming industries over the next few years increase the demand for better internet, companies will follow suit and consider ways to improve their supply. It won't be overnight though.

An example being Floppy Disks. They were fully in demand once upon a time. When CDs started to take the market. CD-ROMs used to be expensive, but as the companies increased the relevance of CDs, the industry was influenced and provided more pressure than there already was to increase availability of CD-ROMs.

On a side note... EVERYONE complained about CDs and their high cost over Floppies at the time, because EVERYONE had floppies. Just an interesting tidbit.

3. I've heard many people speak on how LAN was responsible for the growth of SC. That may be true, but I'd still like to make a small point that things have changed... internet accessibility is very widespread. And that while there is a small percentage of people who will be legitimately impeded with this decision... I would not say that Blizzard is not thinking of the customer with this decision.

I think the scope of this project is significantly larger than something as small as "Starcraft 2"... that's my thoughts.

[Novasquadron]

Wow sure is alot of opnions out there.
There is a petition giong on currently to bring back LAN.
If you guys want you should sign it.

Other than that you cant do much more.

I am reserving my opionon until i hear everything about the new SC II experience and the B.net 2.0.
Which prolly wont happen until 2 months before release.

[Xyvik]

I'll be the first to say I enjoy face-to-face gaming. I have 4 solid computers that will run SC2 easily in my house all with 25+ inch monitors. With that said, I'd like to say a few points I'd like to hear your thoughts on Xyrik.

1. I understand your frustration with the moving on of traditional LAN as we know it. I do believe that LAN will still live on with SC2 with a stipulation that the internet is a required facet. I'll be the first to admit this may be a breaking point for certain minorities of the world... but again, it's my opinion that the blame can't be on Blizzard for this one, but the parties involved that supply the internet.

2. I see a lot of points about people who lack internet access or lack good internet access. This is the type of shift in the industry that could actually put a focus on better internet availability. If a majority of gaming industries over the next few years increase the demand for better internet, companies will follow suit and consider ways to improve their supply. It won't be overnight though.

An example being Floppy Disks. They were fully in demand once upon a time. When CDs started to take the market. CD-ROMs used to be expensive, but as the companies increased the relevance of CDs, the industry was influenced and provided more pressure than there already was to increase availability of CD-ROMs.

On a side note... EVERYONE complained about CDs and their high cost over Floppies at the time, because EVERYONE had floppies. Just an interesting tidbit.

3. I've heard many people speak on how LAN was responsible for the growth of SC. That may be true, but I'd still like to make a small point that things have changed... internet accessibility is very widespread. And that while there is a small percentage of people who will be legitimately impeded with this decision... I would not say that Blizzard is not thinking of the customer with this decision.

I think the scope of this project is significantly larger than something as small as "Starcraft 2"... that's my thoughts.

I do not discount those points, in fact I do agree with them. I've come to terms with the decision, as long as playing on a LAN means I still get LAN, whether by switching to P2P or some other magical means. It's pretty much been assumed that this is the case, and if so I really have no problem.

Again, as long as our quarterly LAN party can take advantage of its gigabit network, and doing the initial connection online offers no hiccups, then I personally understand that LAN really is a relic of the past. My largest problem with the whole LAN issue has always been Blizzard's trying to pull the "it's to fight piracy!" line. Since they appear to have dropped that line from their considerations, I can safely say I'm fine with the decision.

But again...there has to be as few hiccups as possible going from initial internet connection to P2P, and as long as P2P while on a LAN is still the standard, then we're good. If not...then I will have serious reservations about this game. And that's just because I'm a huge LANner. Other people may have no problems with no LAN, but I am among the LAN peoples.