Blizzard has already hinted that LAN wouldn't make it into the final release of II, but all hope of the feature being supported has faded with the developer confirming it has no desire to support it.

Speaking with CVG, lead designer Chris Sigaty explained that the team doesn't see the need for LAN since play via Battle.net suffices.

"No. We've made the choice at this point that we're not including LAN. The biggest part of this is when you look back, we changed the feel of Starcraft 2 around getting away from Battle.net being this place you go up to do the hardcore gaming. You're always connected and you're always on Battle.net."

StarCraft II LAN parties will be required to have an Internet connection then, since there won't be an option to set up a local network when the game is expected to be released in autumn.

By Tracy Erickson