I’m a big fan of user-created and downloadable content, and I’m certain that legions of gamers out there are in the same boat as I am. I mean, just the words “user-created content” bring joy to my heart. Just knowing that there will be fellow gamers out there working away on some new, original maps after the release of a game makes me look forward to owning that title even more. It happened with Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis; it happened with Blast Works: Build, Trade, Destroy; heck, I even get overjoyed when I think about the level editing and level sharing features found in the indie phenomenon known as Time Fcuk!
That is why I, along with countless others, am eagerly anticipating the StarCraft II Marketplace. One of the biggest additions to the StarCraft formula, the StarCraft II Marketplace will allow gamers to purchase maps of the utmost quality at an affordable price. This will undoubtedly be a great feature for those who, much like myself, tend to get a little lazy with the whole map-making thing. Don’t get me wrong. I absolutely love level editors. I really do. I just tend to get a tad lazy from time to time, and that’s when I rejoice at the fact that I can download some original, user-generated content once I’ve played the heck out of the maps included in the game.
New maps for StarCraft II will be distributed through Battle.net, and I for one am excited to see the epic works of art that will be available once the game has launched. StarCraft II’s Project Lead, Dustin Browder, has already specified that the maps put on the StarCraft II Marketplace will need to be high quality works. That means people won’t be able to get away with uploading cheap, low-quality maps and selling them to helpless souls. Browder’s statement was definitely reassuring, as I’m certain no one wants to shell out their hard-earned cash for a map that’s lacking in its value, especially in this economy.
So just what can we expect to find in the StarCraft II Marketplace? No lazily created maps, that’s for sure. This new feature will obviously have mods making sure no one tries to pull any shenanigans, and it’s a good thing too. Hire all the mods you can, Blizzard, and let the high-quality maps loose in the StarCraft II Marketplace. Not only will this new feature help Blizzard out, but it will keep fans coming back for more. Level editing is awesome, but when gamers can share their maps, the awesome factor increases exponentially. Welcome, StarCraft II Marketplace. We look forward to seeing your growing collection of original maps.
