Blizzard has just implemented Heart of the Swarm beta patch 2.0.3 adding features such as: the ability to watch replays with others, being able to resume a game if you or someone else gets disconnected, and the ability to take the place of the of the players you are watching in the replay.
The first of these colossal changes to watching replays is the ability to watch replays with groups of people. This allows players who aren’t doing so good on the ladder and keep wondering “why am I losing?” to get together with a friend who is in a higher league and together they can look at the replay and analyze certain flaws that may be the reason he lost. Along with the ability to watch replays in groups comes the added function of being able to at any point in the replay take the place of the players who originally were playing the game. Finally we have the implementation of resuming from replays. Meaning if you disconnect or someone you are playing against disconnects you can now go into that replay and reload it with the players and any referees or spectators that were previously in the game.
The Official patch notes
Watch With Others - This feature allows you to watch replays in sync with other players on Battle.net.
Take Command - This feature allows you or your group to take control of selected player armies while watching a replay.
Recover Game - This feature allows you to recover a prematurely ended game from a replay.
Vs. AI Mode has been enabled. Players can now challenge an AI opponent that scales in difficulty.
Training Mode has been enabled. In Training Mode, you’ll work your way up from basic StarCraft gameplay skills to greater challenges designed to hone your skills.
Lots of tweaks and polish have been made to the new UI throughout the beta.
Along with these changes to the replay function Blizzard has issued a call to action, encouraging players to ladder and reach level thirty. Players who do so will receive portraits which will carry over to when Heart of the Swarm launches in March. Even though they can not be unlocked as of yet but a new set of rewards can be seen in the game, including skins for certain units and dances for units. Blizzard has given everyone even more of a reason to ladder, and has along with that given everyone better tools to allow players to become better.
Source: Battle.net
