Starcraft – the difference between the digital download and the boxed version of Starcraft II

via ShackNews "The digital release will come in addition to the boxed retail edition slated to hit stores."

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/62316

wikipedia translates that article's snippet as: "The game will also be available for digital download from Blizzard shortly after release, if not on the release date"

Blizzard already sells all of their titles Digital Download via their store: http://us.blizzard.com/store/ when sc2 is released it'll likely be available there.

so: Yes, on release date? Maybe.

UPDATE: from official Starcraft 2 Website http://beta-us.battle.net/sc2/en/

Digital copies go on sale 07/27/2010 10:00 AM PDT

Guest pass answer for July 2010

When StarCraft 2 was released in July 2010 this was the correct answer:

The guest pass allows a guest to play StarCraft 2 for 7 hours of game time or 14 days from activation (whichever comes first).

Once over a retail version can be purchased.

Guest pass answer for August 2011

As pointed out by marco-fiset things have changed since that time. Now the guest pass gives you access to a "Starter Edition" of Starcraft 2 which gives you the following restrictions:

• The first four missions of the StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty single-player campaign, including Mar Sara 1-3 and the choice to embark on Tychus’s first mission or Dr. Hansen’s first mission.
• The first two Challenges: Tactical Command and Covert Ops.
• Access to the terran race in Custom Games and Single-Player vs. AI.
• Access to the following custom maps (map selection may rotate over time):
  • Xel’Naga Caverns
  • Shattered Temple
  • Discord IV
  • High Orbit
• No map editor.

All campaign progress and earned achievements are saved once you purchase the full edition of the game.

The 7 hour or 14 days time restriction does not apply anymore.