StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm Beta Download Starts

Blizzard is said to be starting the StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm beta download with the closed beta program opening up in January 2013 to customers who have pre-ordered StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm digitally via the official website!

Method #1: Presumably this is done for some of those RTS gamers who have pre-ordered the Digital Deluxe Edition of StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm. Rollout is reportedly done in waves, adding more paying customers every week as the expansion pack gets closer to launch, in order to test the server load. Until now, the closed beta access was only available to limited players like StarCraft 2 pro gamers, press, shoutcasters and such.

Method #2: Additionally, if you´re a StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty player, you can opt in to participate in the Heart of the Swarm beta by clicking on the ‘Beta Profile Settings’ under the Account Management section of your Battle.net account. If you get approved by Blizzard, you can download the StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm Beta Client here to get started.

Watch a StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm Beta match gameplay here:

View the just-released StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm opening cinematic:

StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm will first be released for Windows PC and Mac on March 12th, 2013.

Credits: video by Husky & info via Tom

Will you play the StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm Beta if you get in?