StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm beta begins

An explosion of StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm is already filling our eyes and ears, as Blizzard sent out the first round of multiplayer beta invites yesterday. Don't rush to your inbox, as you're probably not special enough to be allowed in yet, but those lucky few have already started talking about and streaming their experiences so you can live vicariously through them.

Several TeamLiquid users are streaming their Heart of the Swarm matches, like Dragon, who's stomping people with the new Terran Warhound mechs. Check your usual favourite streaming-holes for more, obviously. There's no NDA so everyone's free to show and tell as much as they please, but for now you'll have to watch.

The beta "will initially be limited to a select group of pro-gamers, members of the press, Arcade contest winners, and shoutcasters," Blizzard explained. Special people, who'll bang their drums for HotS.

Blizzard will start inviting proles "soon," so be sure you've opted in to the beta to have a chance. Then, you'll be judged by metrics including your system requirements and recent StarCraft activity, so cross your fingers and hope. Blizzard will invite more people for as long as it feels it needs to, and hasn't decided when the beta will end.