Starcraft 2 - Official!

[Slimy]

Bleh, my trailer stops completely at 2:55, even though there's more.

http://www.box.net/shared/mvji3o9zr2

[Helba]

I was also super excited until i saw the damn Cartoon Graphics! Why must every damn game go this way these days?

They should've stuck with the old Starcraft Style.

Oh and by the way, i really hope the "oh no not another starcraft game . Give us diablo 3 now" comment was sarcasm, 'else you need to be slapped for stupidity.

Oh come on, people! They're nowhere near that bad. I really like the new graphics.

The orginal Starcraft graphics are a decade old. Sticking with that style would be suicide.

They were okay, but I didn't particularly like the original Starcraft graphics. They got the job done, I guess.

What really matters is the game play! And we'll have to wait to see about that one.

[Sethos]

Oh come on, people! They're nowhere near that bad. I really like the new graphics.

The orginal Starcraft graphics are a decade old. Sticking with that style would be suicide.

They were okay, but I didn't particularly like the original Starcraft graphics. They got the job done, I guess.

What really matters is the game play! And we'll have to wait to see about that one.

The game better be amazing beyond this planet for me to accept the Cartoon Graphics, yes ... That may sound a tad harsh but i really, really hate Cartoon Graphics.

Personal oppinion and all that.

[Osiris]

Perhaps this is the cost of such lengthy delays in sequels, that being that they wanted to keep the feel of the still popular original by not changing the graphics engine too greatly. These are certainly much nicer and refined graphics with twingings of 3D and sharpness, however after so long one cant help but expect more from the graphics. Especially since in terms of gameplay and storyline blizzard already have the prize in the bag.

Still it seems like that this is the cost of lengthy times between sequels, an opting of graphics evolution rather then revolution. Which may well be a good thing but its hindging on being out of tune with the graphics of other games in its genre.

[Jase]

Why are marines carrying shields :s

[Helba]

The game better be amazing beyond this planet for me to accept the Cartoon Graphics, yes ... That may sound a tad harsh but i really, really hate Cartoon Graphics.

Personal oppinion and all that.

Well, I can understand that.

Y'know, looking at the shots again, I definitely see where you're coming from. They are pretty cartooney, that's for sure. Not really realistic or mechanical looking at all, which is what they should probably be.

[Rodrigo]

Well, I can understand that.

Y'know, looking at the shots again, I definitely see where you're coming from. They are pretty cartooney, that's for sure. Not really realistic or mechanical looking at all, which is what they should probably be.

Exactly! It's not that they look bad but I think we were really expecting something more mechanical looking... like the original one. :(

[Helba]

Perhaps this is the cost of such lengthy delays in sequels, that being that they wanted to keep the feel of the still popular original by not changing the graphics engine too greatly. These are certainly much nicer and refined graphics with twingings of 3D and sharpness, however after so long one cant help but expect more from the graphics. Especially since in terms of gameplay and storyline blizzard already have the prize in the bag.

Still it seems like that this is the cost of lengthy times between sequels, an opting of graphics evolution rather then revolution. Which may well be a good thing but its hindging on being out of tune with the graphics of other games in its genre.

Yeah, you're probably right.

And we can only hope that the storyline remains intact, as well. With WoW, at least, they've really managed to screw up the lore and whatnot with the release of the expansion.

Also, I'm really hoping that the gameplay is as easy to get along with as in the first game. I used to be a Starcraft pro, but I couldn't play Warcraft III to save my life. If they can maintain that feel that Starcraft had I'll be cool with it.

[VipeNess]

STARCRAFT? II UNVEILED

Blizzard Entertainment? announces highly anticipated sequel at 2007 Worldwide Invitational event in South Korea

SEOUL, South Korea ? May 19, 2007 ? Blizzard Entertainment? today unveiled StarCraft? II, the sequel to its award-winning real-time strategy game StarCraft, at the 2007 Blizzard Worldwide Invitational event in Seoul, South Korea. The announcement took place inside the Olympic Gymnastics Arena, in front of thousands of attendees, who received a presentation that included a StarCraft II cinematic trailer and a gameplay demonstration by the development team.

Designed to be the ultimate competitive real-time strategy game, StarCraft II will feature the return of the Protoss, Terran, and Zerg races, overhauled and re-imagined with Blizzard's signature approach to game balance. Each race will be further distinguished from the others, with several new units and new gameplay mechanics, as well as new abilities for some of the classic StarCraft units that will be making a reappearance in the game. StarCraft II will also feature a custom 3D-graphics engine with realistic physics and the ability to render several large, highly detailed units and massive armies on-screen simultaneously.

"With StarCraft II, we'll be able to do everything we wanted to do with the original StarCraft and more," stated Mike Morhaime, president and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. "We recognize that expectations are high following the long-running popularity of the original game, but we plan to meet those expectations and deliver an engaging, action-packed, competitive experience that StarCraft players and strategy gamers worldwide will enjoy."

StarCraft II will include a unique single-player campaign, as well as fast-paced online play through an upgraded version of Blizzard's renowned online gaming service, Battle.net?. In addition, the game will come with a powerful, full-featured map editor that will put the same tools used by Blizzard's designers into the hands of players.

Blizzard is developing StarCraft II for simultaneous release on the Windows? and Macintosh? PC platforms. Further information about the game, including details on the single-player, multiplayer, and map-editor features, as well as system requirements, pricing, and availability, will be announced in the months ahead. To learn more about StarCraft II, please visit the official website at www.starcraft2.com.

About the StarCraft Series

Since its debut in 1998, the original StarCraft has won unprecedented critical acclaim and has remained a staple of tournament gaming worldwide. The game's expansion set, StarCraft: Brood War, also released in 1998, is still considered by many to be one of the best add-on products ever created. To date, the series has sold more than 9.5 million copies worldwide.* StarCraft's gritty sci-fi universe has also spawned numerous complementary products, including several novels and action figures, as well as a pen-and-paper role-playing game.

About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft? and the Warcraft?, StarCraft?, and Diablo? series, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Vivendi Games, is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry's most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard's track record includes ten #1-selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company's online-gaming service, Battle.net, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active users. In South Korea, Blizzard is regarded as having played a major role in bringing about the birth of professional gamers and game broadcasting. Furthermore, its games are acknowledged as one of the key drivers behind the popularization of South Korea's PC game room busiSource - >urce - > http://blizzard.com/press/070519.shtml

[Helba]

Exactly! It's not that they look bad but I think we were really expecting something more mechanical looking... like the original one. :(

Weeeeeeell.... I don't know if the original one had particularly mechanical looking graphics either... But this certainly is a step in the opposite direction either way.

[xfosx]

Some of you guys might like this Warcraft 3 mod of Starcraft. =) Its called Project Revolution!

Project Revolution Info Page

[Jase]

I think you all need to stop complaining about the graphics from what you have seen in screenshots but actually see it in real time. Maybe the graphics is on low? or maybe just maybe Blizzard has made this game to run on Moderate computers with not enough power just so the people with the oldie computers can still play Starcraft 2 like they do with Starcraft 1. Cartoony maybe so.. but I believe the screenshots where taken when the game was not on its optimal settings.

[Helba]

I think you all need to stop complaining about the graphics from what you have seen in screenshots but actually see it in real time. Maybe the graphics is on low? or maybe just maybe Blizzard has made this game to run on Moderate computers with not enough power just so the people with the oldie computers can still play Starcraft 2 like they do with Starcraft 1. Cartoony maybe so.. but I believe the screenshots where taken when the game was not on its optimal settings.

Even if this is so (which is possible,) it's the design aproach they've taken with the models that has got everyone miffed. Seeing it action would be nice, indeed, and I was going to bring that up. But it's the designs we're talking about. They look like toys.

[dryk]

Ya, I think the game will look really good in motion. I am just hoping that my C2D Macbook with a 64 meg shared vid card will be able to play it. But, I am thinking that because I can play Age of Empires 3, I should be able to play this one.

[Osiris]

The other thing I hope is that Blizzard is going to offer a more realistic gameplay experience by really playing on the strengths of the sides. I cant speak for everyone, but im quite tired of RTS's which balance out the game to the point that the same tactics can pretty much be employed by which ever side you play.

The beauty of SC is that each side has its own definitive strengths. Protoss have technological superiority, Zerg have unparalled numbers, and Terran, well I confess my arguement looses some weight here, beyond them being a good all round side. But id very much like to have this RTS make use of those features.

As one person commented, the 'Protoss mothership seems like overkill', and may well it be, but for a high cost, tech driven side it would probably work out in line, if up against the mass numbers of the Zerg, or the interchangable average cost high production rate all round Terrans. I dunno maybe its a stupid idea and people are happy with games were the overall units/super weapon formulae is pretty static but I just think theyve got the opportunity to break the mould slighty here and I for one would be happy to see the game tackle that.

[Helba]

Ya, I think the game will look really good in motion. I am just hoping that my C2D Macbook with a 64 meg shared vid card will be able to play it. But, I am thinking that because I can play Age of Empires 3, I should be able to play this one.

You've got 64 meg shared?

Well... Good luck. I'm going to guess that at the VERY least it's got a 128mb requirement, if not 256mb.

You're fine on the processor front though. Hehe.

[Sethos]

I think you all need to stop complaining about the graphics from what you have seen in screenshots but actually see it in real time. Maybe the graphics is on low? or maybe just maybe Blizzard has made this game to run on Moderate computers with not enough power just so the people with the oldie computers can still play Starcraft 2 like they do with Starcraft 1. Cartoony maybe so.. but I believe the screenshots where taken when the game was not on its optimal settings.

I really doubt they would show off a newly announced game at Low Settings, Imagine if they had done that with Crysis? Would make no sense at all. You always show off your game in its full glory.

But, no matter how the game looks i will certainly buy the game. Blizzard always creates great games with alot of hours in them, yet I'm still depressed about the style of the game.

[Ripp3r]

This look amazing :D .

And hey, guy Blizzard have never ever eeever made a game looking superior to other games in count of polygons, but they make very colorful and put down mayor time on the models to be perfect. The graphic look just awsome i think, yes cartoonish, but that's not bad at all.

Ahhh i love Blizzard.

[Helba]

The other thing I hope is that Blizzard is going to offer a more realistic gameplay experience by really playing on the strengths of the sides. I cant speak for everyone, but im quite tired of RTS's which balance out the game to the point that the same tactics can pretty much be employed by which ever side you play.

The beauty of SC is that each side has its own definitive strengths. Protoss have technological superiority, Zerg have unparalled numbers, and Terran, well I confess my arguement looses some weight here, beyond them being a good all round side. But id very much like to have this RTS make use of those features.

As one person commented, the 'Protoss mothership seems like overkill', and may well it be, but for a high cost, tech driven side it would probably work out in line, if up against the mass numbers of the Zerg, or the interchangable average cost high production rate all round Terrans. I dunno maybe its a stupid idea and people are happy with games were the overall units/super weapon formulae is pretty static but I just think theyve got the opportunity to break the mould slighty here and I for one would be happy to see the game tackle that.

Well... Again, we'll see. I'm the one who said it really looks like overkill.

Perhaps you could be right. It may all ballance out in the way you have detailed, anyway.

I think the first game was ballanced very well, and you couldn't apply the same strategy to each team. Not exactly, anyway.

It just seems to me that they are piling waaay too many extra units on. Especially on the Protoss side. And I've heard a lot less mention of new features for Terrain units...

This look amazing :D .

And hey, guy Blizzard have never ever eeever made a game looking superior to other games in count of polygons, but they make very colorful and put down mayor time on the models to be perfect. The graphic look just awsome i think, yes cartoonish, but that's not bad at all.

Ahhh i love Blizzard.

Here, here!

Let's all bend down and worship our loving overlord Blizzard leaders!

Well, this has been quite the day. I think it's probably time to ingest something real quickly and go to bed. Enjoy your night, everybody!

Hoorah for Starcraft II!

[Osiris]

Im not saying the first game wasnt balanced well, but we now know or if at least we remember the basics of the races as I outlined, the various strengths of each tribe. I just think to really seperate this they could distinguish this game by really playing to those strengths and reinvigorating the gameplay of RTS's. Im just speculating of what id like to see, and experience says theyll stick to the tried and true formula but im hopeful.

As for the comments on graphics, I think its naive to expect too much more from what weve seen. Unless of course you believe Blizzard is adopting a 'lower expectations' marketing strategy. Whereby the screens released are low quality thus to blow peoples socks off when the Beta or actual game comes around. But show me a game company that waits this long for a sequel, announces it in such a style, and then does that.....as the above said, they show off these things in all their glory, and this, for better or worse, is Starcraft II in its glory.

[Slimy]

Man, what a night. I'm off to bed with a big smile on my face. If anyone finds the gameplay video before I wake up (and I'm sure someone will), drop one of the news guys a PM to get the link up on the front page. Cheers! ... and goodnight ;)

[Jase]

I really doubt they would show off a newly announced game at Low Settings, Imagine if they had done that with Crysis? Would make no sense at all. You always show off your game in its full glory.

But, no matter how the game looks i will certainly buy the game. Blizzard always creates great games with alot of hours in them, yet I'm still depressed about the style of the game.

look at this: http://au.media.pc.ign.com/media/850/850126/img_4560184.html

does this look like its in its full glory? - I am pretty sure Blizzard have added antializing to their games by now.

[Nashy]

Can someone host some pics through upload.thenashy.com for me? I can't see them at work :-/

[mycoolkim]

OMG is that fake or real?

[NeoXY]

REAL REAL ALL REAL! ALL MINE! MUWAHAHAHAHAHAH!!

(I've been up all night what do you expect? :D)

BUT I DON'T CARE! SC2 SC2! SC2! SC2!

Gameplay video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJB-Z54R61s