StarCraft 2 Patch 1.5 Details Announced

Soon Blizzard will release Patch 1.5 for their real-time strategy StarCraft 2. This update, filled with a number of new features, will lay the groundwork for the Heart of the Swarm expansion pack.

"One of the most significant additions will be the all new Arcade feature which includes improved custom game visibility, ratings, reviews, game instructions, screenshot support, and more," said Blizzard's Dustin Browder. "Patch 1.5 will also include significant improvements throughout the overall user interface, streaming support, antialiasing, editor and modding upgrades, new art tools, and more."

Patch 1.5 will help out amateur map builders in a few ways. To allow lesser-known custom maps to get some visibility, Blizzard will add an "open games list." The list will show the player a selection of open custom games - the exact filtering process for this wasn't revealed. Furthermore, Blizzard will be releasing their internal art tools to the public so that the building community can make new visuals for their creations more easily.

Blizzard also wants to make the social side of SC2 a bit easier to navigate. Players will be able to resize and move their chat windows. They plan to let players find other players in their office, tournament, dorm, or whatever. Basically, you'll be able to match up with these folks based on your IP. They're not sure whether this last feature will be live by 1.5 but it should be implemented by Heart of Swarm's release.

"Much of the content we are working on for Wings of Liberty and Heart of the Swarm is motivated directly by community feedback," said Browder. "While we’re unable to respond to every post, or even most posts, your feedback does get to us. Thanks for sending it."