Is the game balanced between the races and Why?
Just recently no, in the 1.30 patch orc and ne were generally better than human and undead
Now that 1.31 was just released over the weekend when i was working i am not sure and have begun testing that today.
I believe in the end it will be well balanced as starcraft was and all races will have their advantages and disadvantages, and to win a game these must be used to the best of their advantage.

Compare the game to Star Craft in general playability?
Much easier for lower skilled players to learn and play. For example the lack of economy really makes the game simpilar and there is no real level of multitasking as starcraft had. Also autocast spells will allow players to micro their units more and not cast spells, which i think is bad but it opens spell casting up to a larger population of gamers, which starcraft really did not have. The basic comcepts of the game are generally the same as starcraft, teching up requires certain buildings etc in that concept. Though the game is more focused on combat and smaller #'s of units. For example a big fight in starcraft might have upwards of 70-300 units *depending on race whether it be protoss or zerg. In WC3 the battles are more like PVP, cept even smaller with a unit supply cap of 90 and each unit taking up anywhere from 1-5 supplies battles are relativily small, between 8-24 units.

Your thoughts on the popularity of this title.
I think it will becmoe a big sucess and draw a even larger crowd then starcraft, though a lot of the highly skilled players disagree with a lot of the choices blizzard has made, and feel the game will not be as highly defined and have the large skill factor involved. Warcraft is a great series and i loved WCII, especially their expansion pack Beyond the Dark Portal, which i spent countless hours as a kid attempting to beat. (Finally did after about 3 months on the final mission)

Ways Blizzard could improve the online game play?
None really I think the greatest step foward is their new approach to battle.net. B-net is the funnest and most user friendly form of gaming and chatting i have seen in my life. I think Blizzard really deserves credit in their creation of B-net and its lack of rules and fun atmosphere. With the random matching of ladder abuse is completely eliminated and its random matching system will be fantastic when the game goes live. Also arranged team ladders integration into B-net is great, alot of gamers really wanted this in Starcraft, but here it is. Also plans for clan support and many other details is really awesome and I think the greatest step foward is WC3's online gaming server which allows so much freedom and oppurtunity to do what you want.

Your thoughts on the Beta process so far?
I think they are doing what they have done previously and have learned from any mistakes in betas from starcraft to Diablo II. While I spend a great deal of time frustrated with what blizzard does in its beta i know i am just whining unfairly and they are doing a great job overall. For example my 30 wins as Night Elves, which ended up being random losses on the ladder pissed me off greatly. But they fixed that in 1.31 from what i have heard and hopefully i will not get a 31st. But the beta process is well done and i think they are obviously doing their best and their previous titles shows they know how.

Do you think the game will change vastly on release or is it fairly complete now?
Blizzard themselves say the gamewill not change, only #'s will be changed to make the game more balanced, and i think this is correct. The game won't be vastly changed in terms of new units or anything, but the balance changes will vastly change how the players play the game.

Do you feel this is a game worth spending money on now or wait and see and why?
Thats a good question+), regardless of wether it is good i will be purchasing it i am a HUGE fan of blizzards and have purchased every game they hvae made, back to Rock N' Roll Racing. I do believe the game is worth spending the money especially for the average gamer. I think the people that will be most frustrated with the game are advanced and HIGHLY skilled gamers, which are not a large percentage of the gaming market.

How do you feel about the heroes are they a plus or a minus in the game?
I think its a great idea, but every patch changes how heros affect the game whether it be greatly, or just a very powerful unit. Obviously a hero can change a battle very easily which i think is good but a lot of improvements have to be made so that the heros are well balanced. For example in 1.30 their is no reason not to build a demon hunter as your first hero, as he was *and maybe still is * the best hero in the game.

How do you level your hero is it through battles or games that they gain levels?
Either by fighting your opponent and killing his units, or by killing certain creeps *or neutral units* that are around the map in certain positons. They are usually at expansion gold mines, shops, mercenary stores, the fountains of health or mana, or even just in certain areas. On maps the creeps are static and always in the same positions so if you want to stay away from them they can. Though a large part of the game is killing creeps as they do get your hero higher level at the early stages of the game, and give a good deal of money.

Is this a game that anyone new to real time strategy games will be able to play with or is it a game that will take some time to learn?
Yes very much so, I personally believe blizzards games are well designed for both the new player and the expert player. Though WC3 is more designed for the newer players to rts, and previous player of titles such as SC, RA, or any other RTS's can easily pick up WC3.

Describe your views on the game in general and anything you would tell a friend about it.
Its a well designed game with very good graphics, which i kinda disagree on because i have a crap comp but they are pretty. Sound is great i personally love Blizzards games sounds for they keep you into the battle and make you feel like your really IN the game. Also the game play is just fun overall i have played well over 500 games on the beta. To try to say the game in a nutshell is very hard and i just gonna say its a good game that has some problems, but then again it is the beta.

Thanks Mike see you tonight at the scrimage.
Incorrect I will see you through my scope KABAM Bleeding nasty1 +)
And any other questions you have whether it be about my gaming experience, maybe to give some credibility to what i say, or just more detailed questions about the game send me another email. Or even more detailed questions to my anwsers +)

Post Comments about Warcraft 3 here.