starcraft

Is there a vast conspiracy involving the "lost" iPhone 4G? Dong seems to think so, and he's put on his Jim Garrison hat to prove it. Yeah, that's the first and only Jim Garrison reference I'll ever make.

Then, my fellow Chicagoan Roger Ebert releases a feather-ruffling article about video games, art, and how the two shall never be as one. Surprisingly, Dong is more offended than I am.

Finally, we talk about gambling, match fixing, drugs, hookers, and money--lots of money. The latest European soccer scandal you ask? No. It's the South Korean … Read more

In this economy, states (and by extension, cities) will do whatever it takes to make money. Especially deficit-prone California, whose financial woes trickle down to San Francisco. This week, Dong discusses his own recent woe with the city and its newest parking-ticket scam.

Things go from bad to worse when Dong learns he can't play a game he's been waiting 10 years for...yet. The Starcraft 2 beta is out, and Dong doesn't have a key! Anyone have a key for little Mr. Ngo? Actually, one of my joys in life is seeing him suffer. Don't … Read more

We have two awesomely inexplicable voice mails today, we discuss the rise of Zeus (the botnet), and Ubisoft's new DRM scheme sends us into a synchronized rage. We also chat with Peter Brantley, co-founder of the Open Book Alliance, about the latest twist and turn in the Google Books settlement attempt. Short version: copyright law sucks, but not quite as much as class-action law. What a mess. --Molly

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Open Book Alliance Co-founder Peter Brantley. Peter is also the Internet … Read more

World of Warcraft publisher Blizzard Entertainment on Wednesday announced that it has begun closed beta testing for its real-time strategy game, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty.

StarCraft II has been a long time coming. It is the sequel to the 1998 hit, StarCraft. The new game will feature an entirely new 3D graphics engine, and like its predecessor, will focus on the battle between the protoss, terrans, and zerg. Blizzard said StarCraft II should launch sometime in the first half of 2010.

Already, the company said in a release, there are thousands of people in the beta test. One of … Read more

Update: Congratulations to Charles D. (aka weese1) of West Grove, PA. Your prize is on its way. Thanks to everyone for participating, to Razer for providing the bag, and stay tuned for the next giveaway.

For this week's installment of the weekly Crave giveaway, we have a Razer Messenger Bag Sling Edition emblazoned with a limited-edition Starcraft II graphic.

In addition to the StarCraft II art, the bag is made out of 100 percent nylon, with Velcro fastening and an adjustable shoulder strap. And it has an internal pocket to secure a laptop.

Razer charges $80 for the standard … Read more

Pretty much exactly as predicted, Blizzard Entertainment announced the next expansion for World of Warcraft Friday afternoon during the opening ceremonies for its annual Blizzcon convention in Anaheim, Calif.

Called Cataclysm, the next expansion will, among other features, raise the character level cap to 85, introduce two new playable character races, and involve a wholesale refresh of Azeroth, the setting for the original World of Warcraft game released back in 2004.

Specifics were hard to come by during the opening ceremony. As is customary, no release date or pricing for Cataclysm was mentioned. Blizzard did detail the new player races (… Read more

Even though StarCraft II never had an official 2009 release date, Blizzard squashed any hope that its best-selling sci-fi strategy game might come out this year with an announcement Wednesday. Saying "it has become clear that it will take longer than expected to prepare the new Battle.net for the launch of the game," Blizzard expects StarCraft II will now come out sometime in the first half of 2010.

Battle.net, Blizzard's home-brew service for matching online players, has been in use since the days of the first Diablo in 1997. Blizzard hasn't outlined what changes … Read more

Update: Blizzard informs us that if you'd like to a chance to be selected for the StarCraft II beta, this FAQ on Starcraft2.com has all the details.

Blizzard Entertainment sent out an e-mail this weekend imploring media members to set up an account with Battle.net, Blizzard's multiplayer service, in anticipation of the Starcraft II beta program. StarCraft II, of course, is the sequel to StarCraft, the wildly successful, still-popular 1998 sci-fi strategy game for the PC. Blizzard has set a Q4 2009 release window for the upcoming sequel, and a summer beta program would seem to … Read more

This year The 404 decided to get something special for that special somebody: You! We'll be posting these 404 "mini-sodes" so you don't experience podcast withdrawal over the holiday break. In this first installment we talk about the year in games.

It's been a great year for gamers and we pick our faves over the past 365 days. We also take it back to 1998, ten years ago, and discuss that classic year in gaming history while roasting marshmallows over our yule log.

So Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Kick-butt Kwanzaa and Fantastic Festivus. This year, give the gift of 404 and make sure to follow-up that gift with a gift of clean underpants. Who loves ya? The 404 loves ya.