Randomness Redefined

StarCraft II Unveiled!

On May 19 th. 2007 in SEOUL, South Korea Blizzard Entertainment announced their upcoming title, Starcraft 2! This is exactly what everyone was expecting because if is the only Blizzard title that has not been updated since its initial release.

New features at this early stage are to 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

From the press release the folks at blizzard are selling this game to the masses as:

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.

I finding it somehow fitting that this was announced in South Korea because it is well known to be the home of the most devout fans of the game! This game consumed more time of my early teens that I would like to admit (I pre-ordered it and I have a T-Shirt . . .) and I would love to play it when I find the time so I cannot wait until I get a chance to play the beta or purchase my own copy! We don’t really know much about the game at this point but what is know lives over at the official site but below I have some files of the live demo, some trailers, and a sideshow of all official images that I have been able to find to date so enjoy.

StarCraft 2 ‘Debut’ trailer

If you can’t get the flash to work I have the movie hosted here.

StarCraft 2 ‘Artwork’ trailer

If you can’t get the flash to work I have the movie hosted here.

StarCraft 2 Live Stage Demo

I’m working on getting a copy of this file as well in case you can’t get flash to work but Blizzard has not released it officially yet like the other two.

Finally, here are some screenshots, artwork, and desktop wallpapers

Created with Paul’s flickrSLiDR.
Note: This will not work in IE until I have time to apply these tweaks