StarCraft II

[NeoValkyrion]

This didn't really fit in any of the Gaming forums, so I'm going to throw it up here if it's alright.

Edit: IT'S BEEN ANNOUNCED! STARCRAFT 2 IS IN PRODUCTION!

http://pc.ign.com/articles/788/788627p1.html

Intro Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUXoekeDIW8

Screenshots:
http://media.pc.ign.com/media/850/850126/imgs_1.html

For those of you who haven't been following, Blizzard has declared that they will announce a new game this weekend at the Worldwide Invitational in Seoul, Korea. There is a huge amount of buzz about this, simply for the fact of wondering what it is that Blizzard will be announcing. The new game is expected to be announced between 10 PM and 12 AM tomorrow, as said here.

http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.h...61577&sid=1

Now, for my bit of speculation in terms of possibilities.

Second World of Warcraft Expansion - The amount of hype that Blizzard is building up just doesn't fit the profile of a WoW expansion. Burning Crusade was nowhere near this mysterious before it was annonced.

Warcraft 4 - Highly improbable. Creating this would mean they'd have to cancel World of Warcraft in order to maintain a coherent storyline, and Blizzard would not cancel such a smash hit MMORPG.

Diablo 3 - Also improbable. The Diablo storyline revolved around the three Prime Evils: Diablo, Lord of Terror, Mephisto, Lord of Hatred, and Baal, Lord of Destruction. Both Diablo and Mephisto were permanently banished in Diablo II, with Baal's own death following in the Diablo II expansion. And because Diablo is an online RPG, it would be too similar to WoW.

Starcraft Ghost - Although it would be pretty cool for them to bring it back, Blizzard has recently been pulling people from their console team to work on other projects, and it's unlikely that it will make a return any time soon.

New Series - A wild card. The only grounds for this not being the case is again, the amount of hype surrounding the announcement tomorrow is not something that would fit the announcement of an entirely new series.

And so, that leaves one ominous yet gratifying possibility...

http://www.starcrafttwo.com/forum/images/hallowGreen/misc/starcraft2.jpg

After nine years, it might finally happen! Starcraft 2 is the only title release that would make good sense, and there is speculation about it due to the similar countdown on both these pages.

www.blizzard.com

www.starcraft2.com

So prepare yourselves, my fellow gamers, for the sequel to one of the greatest games of all time may be upon us.

Share your thoughts on the possibilities and which game you'd want the most.

[H2O Snake]

Hell yeah. Starcraft 2 :)

[Kal-El]

I like starcraft and all, but it doesn't really make sense to me.

Why cancel Starcraft Ghost after all this time, and then start production on Starcraft 2? Why not use those resources to finish Starcraft Ghost?

[NeoValkyrion]

I was also annoyed by the cancellation of Stacraft Ghost, but I think they did it due to the fact of Nex-gen console releases and their plans to release Starcraft II. They most likely would've had to reproduce Ghost as a 360 game, and they probably decided it was better to move those people to SC2.

[Look Its a Panda]

StarCraft II Unveiled!
We're pleased to announce our latest project: StarCraft II! The epic interplanetary battle between the Protoss, Terran, and Zerg will take on new dimensions in this sequel to the classic real-time strategy original. With new units and functionality for each race, upgrades to several familiar units, and a powerful 3D engine that supports explosive fast-paced combat between massive armies, StarCraft II will be the ultimate competitive real-time strategy game.

Highlights of StarCraft II include:

Tightly balanced competitive real-time strategy gameplay that recaptures and improves on the magic of the original game
New units and gameplay mechanics that further distinguish the Protoss, Terran, and Zerg races
An all-new 3D engine that supports fast-paced play with realistic physics, massive units, and massive army sizes
A groundbreaking single-player campaign that continues the epic StarCraft story
A powerful map editor that puts the tools used by the game's designers into the hands of players

We'll be revealing much more information about our plans for StarCraft II in the months ahead, so please stay tuned to www.starcraft2.com for the latest updates. In the meantime, you can check out the announcement press release here (http://www.blizzard.com/press/070519.shtml) for further details.www.starcraft2.com has videos, both cinematic and gameplay, as well as bunch of screenshots.

I just hope they'll make it a worth successor to StarCraft, one of my all-time favorite RTS games. But hey, Blizzard have yet to release a bad game so I assume it will be playable, at the very least ;)

[PMS Wedge]

Now that it's finally been announced... who is interested in playing this enough to make a division when it comes out?

SC was the first game I really played online, and was okay with playing (and trying to beat) random people. In a way, it was my start to true competition gaming, since I was playing anyone and everyone rather than just friends. It would be really great to return to those roots.

So who's interested??? :)

[Pencilposer]

Oh my god, I am going to get my rts on, oh ya, oh ya..

[H2O Sonik]

awesome!
finally a new starcraft game

[Kal-El]

I wish they'd finish what they started and give us Starcraft Ghost first!

[PMS Wedge]

I wish they'd finish what they started and give us Starcraft Ghost first!

I played Ghost at two successive E3s, and I was thoroughly unimpressed.

Blizzard did a good thing in permanently putting Ghost on hold, because it was shaping up to be a very medicore game. It's better for them not to tarnish the golden reputation that they have amongst their most hardcore of fans (like me :D )

They don't operate like the companies that just shove stuff out the door when it's not ready/good, hoping to make a few bucks on it anyway. They don't need to, because Vivendi will give them whatever money they need to finish their products to the standards they want. From what I've heard, other Vivendi studios have been closed so that Blizzard can do what it does. Kinda a crazy thing, but you get some fantastic games out of it.

And it looks like they're not going to bother with console for quite some time... here's a quote from a Q&A session:

"Morhaime also fielded a question on Blizzard's commitment to the PC as its primary game platform. He cited the "indefinite hold" status of the studio's console game Starcraft: Ghost as an impetus that eventually drove the company to focus on the PC as its primary platform. Morhaime said that decision "paid off in spades," given that Blizzard's new focus now lets it work on Starcraft II and World of Warcraft expansions. "

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6171172.html

I hope they don't mess with the SC formula too much... the original was so beautiful that it would suck for them to ruin the sequel.

[Nokarot]

Theres no reason to be annoyed by Starcraft Ghost if you dont know the entire story, which I dont think you guys really do. It's kind of like the Duke Nukem Forever deal (which recently celebrated its 10th year of not being released), where it keeps getting changed from platform to platform to engine to console to pc, etc etc.

Blizzard also has many different teams working on different projects. Those working on World of Warcraft aren't responsible for what happens to Starcraft Ghost, Warcraft 3, Diablo, or even Vikings (ha). If you've ever heard Blizzard be called "Blizzard North", thats because its the name of one of the teams working on a specific game.. So if Ghosts 'resources" fail, theres still a completely other teams' resources hard at work.

Not to mention, Starcraft 2 has been in production for a while now.

"Development on StarCraft 2 began shortly after WarCraft 3: The Frozen Throne finished production. For those who don't know, that means SC2 has been a work-in-progress since 2003."

Meaning, ghost really has no relevance what so ever.

To be honest though, Starcraft Ghost would have ruined the starcraft name. Starcraft is meant to be an RTS game, and any FPS would have just made it a joke.. so I'm happy.

[Raevn]

Starcraft.....2...


*drool*


EN TARO TASSADAR.

[H2O Technoboy]

i will for sure be playing sc2 competive. so if you feel like getting your butt kicked wedge just let me know =] hehe.. but that game wont be out for a while ^_^. so in the mean time ill continue to pwn in wc3!! =]

[Kal-El]

Starcraft is meant to be an RTS game, and any FPS would have just made it a joke.. so I'm happy.

HA! I could say the same thing. "Warcraft is meant to be an RTS game not an MMORPG," but you don't see that changing anything. If it sucked at E3 then they could work on it and make it better. There's really no reason for the game to be canceled other than they took too long to make it. Like Duke Nukem forever, after all these years of anticipation it's practically impossible for it not to be a disappointment. No matter how it turns out people will say "It took X years to make THIS?!"

I'm disappointed though. I was really looking forward to seeing another side of the Starcraft universe. Maybe after SC2 they should make a Starcraft MMO. :D

[Look Its a Panda]

I have to say one thing, I'm really impressed with Blizzard being able to keep this secret untill last night. The footage that's been shown isn't something that was done in a week, so they've got really loyal employees.

[PMS Wedge]

i will for sure be playing sc2 competive. so if you feel like getting your butt kicked wedge just let me know =] hehe.. but that game wont be out for a while ^_^. so in the mean time ill continue to pwn in wc3!! =]

Haha, it's ON!

I still play SC from time to time, though most people are so rusty at it now that they don't pose a challenge. Usually they're afraid to play against me so we play 2v2cpu or something.

Do you have Xfire? You should add me if you do. :)

I could maybe be coerced to playing WC3 sometimes too... but I haven't played it in a long time...

[H2O Technoboy]

once a rts player always a rts player! sc was my first rts and i only do 1v1 so trust, i wont be afriad hehe. i dont have xfire though T_T. i have msn and aim! you should add me there =]. i could deff help you out in wc3 =]. come on (Technoboy) <--------------- top wc3 player :D USA

[Nokarot]

I have to say one thing, I'm really impressed with Blizzard being able to keep this secret untill last night. The footage that's been shown isn't something that was done in a week, so they've got really loyal employees.

teamliquid.net had the announcement a while ago, actually. Teamliquid is one of the most prestigious websites when it comes to starcraft coverage, but the problem is that it's korean.. and it was a translated korean interview. So it was both trustworthy and suspicious at the same time.

[NeoValkyrion]

I agree, the fact that Blizzard was able to keep such a huge thing as Starcraft 2 under the radar for all this time is nothing short of astounding. I'll definitely be playing it competitively and obsessively.

[Pencilposer]

I agree, the fact that Blizzard was able to keep such a huge thing as Starcraft 2 under the radar for all this time is nothing short of astounding. I'll definitely be playing it competitively and obsessively.

Under Wraps?

Come on, We all knew it was being made, it was just a matter of when they would "officially" state it. This is not like the bombshell announcement of a MMORPG being made like WoW was when it was announced. We all saw this comming, and even jokingly my friends were like, It better be Stracraft 2, last thing I need is a Starcraft MMO, Cause then what fragile existance of a life I have will be gone.

And Starcraft: Ghost will be released eventually. And personally I would like to see it released, It would allow for more story to be told and in a new way. Plus , you can not say you never thought about how cool it would be to be a terran ghost.

[Kestral H2O]

cough cough..i'm an impatient person when it comes to favorite games... release date prob next year :(

[Raevn]

HA! I could say the same thing. "Warcraft is meant to be an RTS game not an MMORPG," but you don't see that changing anything. If it sucked at E3 then they could work on it and make it better. There's really no reason for the game to be canceled other than they took too long to make it. Like Duke Nukem forever, after all these years of anticipation it's practically impossible for it not to be a disappointment. No matter how it turns out people will say "It took X years to make THIS?!"

I'm disappointed though. I was really looking forward to seeing another side of the Starcraft universe. Maybe after SC2 they should make a Starcraft MMO. :D

If they want to release a StarCraft MMO, they damn well better not do it any time soon. I don't want the plot of Starcraft 2 + Expansion ruined to leave it "open" for an MMO. Like what they did with Warcraft 3.

Kerrigan is the best villain they have made, and needs plot.
"Once again, I stand atop the broken bodies of my enemies, victorious, but not unscarred. The Earth-borne Directorate has been destroyed, and the Overmind lies dead and trampled beneath the ashes of Char. As for my unlikely allies, I think I should allow them reprieve. For in time, I will seek to test their resolve, and their strengths. They will all be mine in the end. For I am the Queen of Blades, none shall ever dispute my rule again."

Oh yeah,
En Taro Tassadar.

[edx]

I hope they tweak the graphics some. Their "new engine" does not look very impressive to me. When Command and Conquer 3 came out I immediatly said "Damn, looks a lot better than the others".

I'm very happy with this announcement however. The SC single player campaigns were a lot of fun to play.

Also, it's very easy to see why they would cancel Ghost and continue on with the line in an RTS game. SC2 will see vast play time in international tournies from the start. Whether it will be as solid of a game to withstand the tests of time will remain to be seen, but I have high hopes.

[Kestral H2O]

Actually i like the graphics the way they are..I didnt' play starcraft because it was fancy..i played it because it was really fun to do with friends and teh fast pace. Also I forgot to mention this game would work nicely on a laptop when i'm at college... desu desu desu :P

[edx]

Point taken. Games are based around playibility and fun factor first and foremost. It WOULD be nice to see at least SOME advances however after a 9 year hiatus from the game.

[Kestral H2O]

the advances seem somewhat GOOD, I like the old toolbar, I dont' want to go through antoher learning curve to much... Anyhow the graphics....its just upgraded pretty good. I'm sure they have this whole year to do more things :D

[Murd0ck]

Man, I love Blizzard!

They make such great games, and they never compromise their quality, ever. I am so stoked about this.

[NeoValkyrion]

I fear that whatever shards of a life I have left are soon to be obliberated by the combined forces of Halo 3, Starcraft 2, and Warhammer Online.

Fortunately...

YOU CANNOT KILL THAT WHICH HAS NO LIFE!

[PuertoRican]

Wedge is a butt head.

[Kestral H2O]

k?, quake wars though is where my life has it for now :D

[PMS Wedge]

Wedge is a butt head.

I played BW yesterday with OoP Sundown and Black Mamba. You shoulda been there!

[KaRnAge]

StarCraft II is going to be fun but you know how Blizzard is with games look at StarCraft Ghost they keep saying it's not going to be made then it is going to be made...its retarted but I definitely will pick up Starcraft II if it comes out

[NeoSakura]

I think everyone should get starcraft =]

[Raevn]

StarCraft II is going to be fun but you know how Blizzard is with games look at StarCraft Ghost they keep saying it's not going to be made then it is going to be made...its retarted but I definitely will pick up Starcraft II if it comes out

How Blizzard is with games? Blizzard doesn't release something if they don't think it will be good. That's how they are with games.

Exception to that would be WoW, what with the content always angering one person or another.

[CajunH2O]

How Blizzard is with games? Blizzard doesn't release something if they don't think it will be good. That's how they are with games.

Exception to that would be WoW, what with the content always angering one person or another.

Thats with every MMO though...you will never make everyone happy in that environment. Blizzard makes great games and while some changes in WoW upset some...it makes others happy.(City of HEroes is the same way) Starcraft 2 will be awesome and they wouldnt have announced it in Korea(the Starcraft cap of the world) if it wasnt really coming out

[HaZaRd02]

I remember when word first got out that blizzard had a new project. It was still unnamed, everyone thought it was going to be the long awaited diablo 3. But still, starcraft 2 has been a long awaited game... What the heck took them so long?

[MoB DARK 2 ASSASSIN]

this game is gonna be good

[H2O Devastation]

Now that it's finally been announced... who is interested in playing this enough to make a division when it comes out?

SC was the first game I really played online, and was okay with playing (and trying to beat) random people. In a way, it was my start to true competition gaming, since I was playing anyone and everyone rather than just friends. It would be really great to return to those roots.

So who's interested??? :)


I'm with you on that one. Star Craft was also the first game i played online. It was fun. I can't wait for it to come out. So count me in i'm interested =]

Oh and you still play from time to time? We should play i haven't played in a while. But i still remember the basics. i'm rusty now seeing all i play is halo 2 lol. but yeah we should play

[LadyLuck1]

I can't wait til it comes out :D I remember Starcraft was the first game I played online :D

[H2O Devastation]

haha star craft was a lot of peoples first online game. its very strategic

[HaZaRd02]

yeah starcraft was like "the original online game." Very fun :D

[H2O Devastation]

Who wants to play star craft? i haven't in a while i feel like playing. hit me up

[godz]

its good to know ..thanks for the info