Starcraft 2

Gamespot has a detailed interview with Blizzard’s top creative talent, including Rob Pardo.

Here’s some of the key points that have surfaced about Starcraft 2 gameplay, apart from the obvious fact Starcraft 2 is now 3D!

1. Quantity vs. Quality

As opposed to Warcraft III where the player controls a few units with many different special abilities, Starcraft 2 will be a numbers game, says Pardo:

Starcraft 2 [units] will instead act as “movers and shooters”–mostly autonomous forces that generally lack special abilities, but will instead be used in large control groups to “do their own thing” in battle, rather than requiring the micromanagement of high-level Warcraft III play.

2. More emphasis on economic activity

Another comparison to Warcraft III which had relatively little emphasis on the economy, so players can focus on battles instead. Starcraft 2 will have its pronounced emphasis on bases and expansions as a means of achieving victory.

3. Rushing – strongly encouraged

Unlike Warcraft which introduced neutral creeps to keep the players occupied, Starcraft 2 will put more emphasis on rushing. Engaging the enemy early and keeping him occupied will distinguish good players from mediocre ones. Which leads us to…

4. The good, the bad, and the GOSU

According to Pardo, Warcraft III was more forgiving to beginners (and lamers!). In Starcraft 2, the gap in the level will be a lot more evident. Pro players will be able to mow down their opponents in record time by way of builds, multitasking, quick expansions, uber units like the Protoss Mothership:

Starcraft 2 … will appeal to hardcore fans by being geared toward “highly competitive, skill-based gameplay,” as well as by efforts to “continue to drive new features onto Battle.net”.

5. Beyond rock-paper-scissors

Starcraft 2 units will introduce more and more subtle ways to counter the opponent’s strategy. The key to good counters will be timing, maneuverability, and position (there’s a brand new implementation of higher ground – more damage, fog of war).

The protoss phoenix, a flying raider, has a special “overload” ability that creates a damaging energy field around itself, then renders it immobile and helpless shortly afterward. In a simulated battle between a player with six phoenix units and another player with only four, the player with six phoenixes apparently chokes and uses the overload ability too early, allowing the other player to dodge out of harm’s way, then arrange the four phoenixes around the now immobile six in a loose formation and overload the six into oblivion.

If you have any other insights, feel free to comment below and I’ll expand the list! Make sure you check out the Starcraft 2 trailer and the new gameplay videos, they’re full of insights.

Take these bits with a grain of salt, though Blizzard are unlikely to deviate from the general Starcraft line so far.

The game takes place four years after StarCraft: Brood War, the same time as the storyline of StarCraft: Ghost.

StarCraft II will take place both in new worlds and in worlds that had appeared in the original game. Char is back. One of the new worlds is Bel’Shir, a jungle Protoss world that was a religious retreat until it was attacked by the Zerg; it now houses many ruined temples. The world shown in the cinematic is Braxis Alpha. Jim Raynor is set to continue his adventures.

• The United Earth Directorate forces were destroyed by Infested Kerrigan’s zerg armies (though a few surviving companies may stil be around somewhere)”.
• The Terran faction in StarCraft II will primarily consist of the “evil empire” of the Terran Dominion.
• The Xel’Naga will fit into the story “in a rather epic tale”. It is important to note that the “greater whole” of the Xel’Naga race was wiped out, which means some of them may still be alive.

I can’t wait for the cinematics! The trailer looks awesome.

Once you’ve seen the official Starcraft 2 trailer, scroll down for the gameplay videos.

I love it when she says: “Nuclear launch detected!” This game is going to be like a nuclear launch … especially in Korea.

Starcraft gameplay – video 1

Starcraft gameplay – video 2

After all the Starcraft 2 facts in the last post, it’s time for some video. Once you view the official Starcraft 2 trailer below, be sure to check the game play videos. Also, see what’s different in Starcraft 2.

Download the high definition Starcraft 2 trailer:

• Download trailer (Windows version)
• Download trailer (Mac version)

I’ve gone through the FAQ at Starcraft2.com. I must say I like what I see! Here’s the facts:

When is Starcraft 2 being released?

As usual, Blizzard is not setting a deadline. I hope they manage to get a beta out by the end of 2007 but based on previous titles, I wouldn’t surprised if they delay it.

What are the new units and races?

No new races this time, they’re sticking to the Protoss, Terran, and Zerg. There will be plenty of new units though. For example, the Protoss have been beefed up with an Immortal, Stalker, a Phase Prism.

Is Starcraft 2 an RTS or an MMO?

Thank God, Starcraft 2 is an RTS.

It’s a good think Blizzard don’t listen to Vivendi all the time, otherwise they’ll be doing one MMO after the other. In Starcraft 2, there will be a single player and a competitive multiplayer on Battle.net.

Will it run on my computer?

Blizzard is not posting specific specs but it says the game will run on Vista and Windows XP. So you probably don’t need to upgrade per se. Getting the most of the new 3D look though will require a good graphics card at least.

What’s different?

Not much. I can’t blame them, Starcraft is one of the best games of all time, no need to fix it, just expand it.

There will be a new 3D engine, of course. There will be several new units for each race. Also, Battle.net will be upgraded with more multiplayer features.

All in all, I’m happy about what I’ve seen so far. Just let me see the Starcraft 2 trailer!

Blizzard has just announced the sequel to Starcraft. I must say it was about time. The original Starcraft came out in 1998, almost a decade ago.

I’m over at Starcraft2.com to go through trailers, screenshots, and other goodies!

A guy (no idea who) has done some amazing work to recreate Starcraft as a 3D game.

Below is just one detail (the Nexus), make sure you click on the 3D screen to see the whole thing!

Do you think Starcraft 2 will be something like that? Considering Blizzard’s resources, I’d be surprised if it looked significantly worse!

If you go to Blizzard’s site, you’ll see a teaser that loads before it loads the homepage.

It seems that yesterday, it was stuck showing a Diablo teaser. Today however it’s a different story!

A lot of people are convinced this is another proof that Blizzard are preparing for a Starcraft 2 announcement in Korea.

I just saw this at Kotaku but it originally appeared at CVG. Here’s the quote:

The long-rumoured new instalment of Blizzard’s massive StarCraft series is set to be unveiled later this month – and it’s another massively-multiplayer online game in the style of World of Warcraft, CVG can reveal.

I think Blizzard will be making an incredible marketing mistake as another MMO like WoW – especially when it comes to Starcraft – is the LAST thing people expect. Least of all, the Koreans where the WWI is going to take place.

I simply can’t believe Starcraft 2 will be a World of Starcraft instead of a RTS game.

There’s been a leak concerning the upcoming Blizzard’s World Wide Invitational (WWI) on May 19th in Korea.

According to insiders, there’s a definite possibility that Blizzard will choose this time to preview some content from the upcoming Starcraft 2. An ex-Blizzard employee has confirmed Starcraft 2 has been in development for some time and Blizzard are getting ready to start the hype machine.

I’m quoting directly from Korean (with translation), so you can make up your own mind.

( 스타크래프트2 )가 5월 19일 개최되는 블리자드 월드와이드 인비테이셔널(WWI)에서 전세계 최초로 공개된다.

StarCraft 2 will be revealed for the first time to the world at Blizzard’s World Wide Invitational (WWI) on May 19th.

25일 게임업계에 따르면 블리자드 엔터테인먼트 코리아(이하 블리자드 코리아)는 5월 19일 시작되는 WWI에서 <스타크래프트2>의 동영상과 게임 내용을 최초로 발표할 것으로 확인됐다. 또, <스타크래프트2> 핵심 개발자들이 현장에 참석해 질의응답 시간도 진행된다.

On the 25th, according to the game developers, it has been confirmed that Blizzard Entertainment Korea (aka Blizzard Korea) will present VODs and game content at the WWI that is starting on May 19th. Also, StarCraft 2′s main developers will also attend to answer some questions.

<스타크래프트2>는 3D로 개발되고 있으며, 새로운 종족이 추가되고 기존 종족의 유닛과 특성에 많은 변화가 있을 것으로 확인됐다. 이외의 자세한 내용은 WWI에서도 일부만 공개될 것으로 보인다.

It has been confirmed that StarCraft 2 is being developed in 3D, a new race has been added and existing units’ characteristics will have many changes. Additional details will only be revealed to certain parts of WWI.

Starcraft 2 has been mentioned by three of Blizzard’s bosses: Mike Morhaime, Paul Sams and Itzik Ben Bassat, respectively being president, COO, and VP Biz Dev.

A word of caution though. Officially, Blizzard are NOT confirming anything at this point.

블리자드 코리아의 박영목 이사는 “차기작에 관해서는 현재 답변 드릴 내용이 없다. 차기작은 19일 WWI에서 발표할 것이다. 19일 현장에 와서 확인하기 바란다”며 <스타크래프트2>가 19일날 발표될 차기작임을 확인해 달라는 요청을 거부했다.

Blizzard Korea’s Park Young-Mok director said “There is not content available for answer for the sequel. The sequel will be released at the WWI on the 19th. Please confirm it at the site on the 19th” and denied the confirmation on if StarCraft 2 is indeed the sequel that is to be announced on the 19th.

This isn’t a susprise as Blizzard have a strong tradition of secrecy. Considering the impact Starcraft 2 could have on gaming (especially in Korea), Blizzard will need to make the most of the announcement, especially if they are going to announce a Starcraft 2 beta soon.

Update: Blizzard just posted a Diablo 3 teaser on their homepage.